Chief Mphatso Mati Mati ...

Chief Mphatso Mati Mati, which means "Gift Tomato" in English, agreed to meet with me a few days ago.

You may note his regal "flip flops."  

Yes.  He recognized I am a very, very important visitor.

Chief Mphatso Mati Mati leads 1,600 families in a area near "Chipolonga."

As an "Azungo," I sought his permission to visit three families within a nearby village.

The blue bag near his feet is the "offering" I brought for our meeting - beans, soap, corn flour, and sugar.  

After a long introduction and explanation of our work by the nurse and translator who traveled with me, the chief and I held a warm conversation.

It turns out, Chief Mphatso has been "chief" for fifteen years.  

He was appointed at age twenty one years old to his current role by the village community.  Apparently, he had the "right stuff."

Despite options to expand his marriage options, the chief has just one wife and seven children.

He spoke about how he leads.  He uses old school tools such as messengers and town hall meetings to communicate with his constituency.  He spoke about poverty and conflict.  He spoke about crops and harvest.  

The thatch structure on the left side of the image above is his own drying hut for tobacco.  Few individuals in Malawi smoke, but tobacco is known as a sturdy crop that produces cash.

The brick and mud structure behind him is his home.

Fortunately, he knew about Chiponde.  

During our conversation, he reflected on the ongoing work the non profit group I am associated with completed over the last few years.  He assessed our small caravan.  He listened and asked a few hard questions.  

Then, with a nod and a light smile, he granted me access to his village.

Off we went ...