The "must-have" street snack in Malawi these days is a sweet bun commonly called the "Obama." They're being sold in bus depots up and down the country, and are selling like, well...hotcakes! Interestingly enough, the previous "bun of the moment" in Malawi's depots was nicknamed the "Bin Laden." Depending on who you ask, the Bin Laden bun either took its name from the beard-shaped stain left on one's chin after eating...or from the fact that they were so hard to find.
Anyhow, Obama is now stealing Bin Laden's thunder, at least in the towns and cities of Malawi. Enjoy the following article, scanned from the March 8 issue of Malawi's Sunday Times (click the image for full size).
If you're having trouble with the image, I've typed it out for you as well. I'm just that kind of guy. Note the fuzzy math...there's definitely something wrong with those monthly earnings estimates.
After bin Laden you can now eat Obama
By Agnes Mizere
VENDORS mostly plying their trade at Limbe and Blantyre bus depots claim to be making huge profits out of a bun nicknamed 'Obama' after the US president Barrack [sic] Obama.
Even though it is illegal to sell food in the open, vendors defiantly sell buns, donuts and samoosas in plastic bags.
The 'Obama' bun is fast stealing the popularity of chintuwitsa buns nicknamed 'Bin Laden' because of their milk powder that reportedly stains the chin when eating.
"I stopped selling 'Bin Laden' buns at K50, because 'Obama' buns are more popular. The Obama buns which are baked like cakes with eggs, milk and covered with sugar icing are selling fast also at K50 per bun. I can sell 800 buns a day, they're very popular," claimed Esau Moses, a vendor plying his trade in Limbe.
He said he spends K300 per 10 unit so if he can sell 800 a day that is a cool K40,000 including capital. But on average he manages to sell 300 roughly netting K15,000 including capital working from morning till late in the evening. That is roughly K60,000 monthly including capital.
Twenty-six year-old Moses insists the illegal trade helps him pay rent and care for his wife and two year old daughter as he can not get a 'decent' job since he did not go far in school.
He refuses to sell his foodstuff in available markets claiming it is easier to go to the customers though city officials chase him.
Blantyre City Assembly's Director of Administrative Services, Alfred Chanza in a separate interview said selling buns at bus depots is illegal vending and not allowed.
He said it is also not hygienic to sell food stuff in the open during the rainy season.
"Buns should be sold in shops etc. I spoke to my men and told them I don't want to see anybody selling foodstuff in the open. This spreads cholera during rainy seasons," he said.
When asked what happens to foodstuff confiscated by city officials, Chanza answered that the law always says take the person and confiscated goods to be used as exhibits in court. He said if the owner leaves the goods and runs away then its [sic] taken to their warehouse were [sic] it is thrown away once it rots.
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