By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Nchima estate, situated in Thyolo, 4254 hectares, owned by UK investors called Plantation and General Investment is a quiet place. Allocated south of Blantyre, the estate within it has two villages, Lipulo and Mtamangale supplemented by greenish scenery of tea radiating a kind of beauty never illusioned before.
With seemingly caring management, the estate if you are a visitor zooms out a motion picture that all in the estate is well.
But as you board off a vehicle and put your feet on ground, treading, in the estate, the real view that is rather perplexing and sobering comes into scrutiny. The inequality in the estate is just too much; the gap between the majority who form part of the labourers and the very few who are rich is just a chasm.
Bare-footed children with no or worn out shirts, some having their shorts or skirts hosting patches upon patches glean at you. They smile as if all is well. They don't know what the future has for them in stock. They look at the estate as if was created for them to die there, possibly die as poor as their parents.
A BIT OF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Nchima Estate is very old, so much that asking the workers all they manage is scratching their heads. It has always been there before 1900, it is a very old estate. Ever since the estate has been there, there have been all sorts of land disputes. There has always been shortage of land for the ordinary people.
As such the estate in 1981/2 donated "land to the villagers" after pressure had become too much to handle, says Moses Masanje, Tea Manager.
Also in 1993 there was another encroachment by the villagers into the estate by the villagers and it was tense - as a result the villagers were again given some lands.
Such is a kind of tale that spills a background of Nchima estate. The estate came earlier than villagers. "The villagers are there to offer labour," says one worker.
IMPLICATION ON CHILDREN
The children whenever they see cars or see food in their plates may be smiling; innocently in fact. But they don't know how their parents struggle, for the work of the whole day only to pocket a mere MK108.00, probably less than one dollar per day, a threshold set by the World Bank.
The children may be proud of their fathers, but they don't know how their future is like. With MK108.00 wage per day and having a family of seven children, owning an almost one-quarter of the football pitch, half of which is not health for growing crops, the money fall short of meeting all the expenses.
"If my son can be selected to secondary school, I don't know how I can pay his school fee," laments one woman who identifies her self as Make Joji about her son who is at Nchima Primary school, a school run by the estate.
ANY HOPE
The ordeal may be tearful; the future of the children gloomy, probably to some waiting for the past to somersault to the future, but there is light illuminating at the far end of the dark and bumpy tunnel.
The programme of Kudzigulira Malo is doing wonders. For the few that have been reallocated are singing successes. Those that are to be reallocated are anxious to be allocated to new places for a song of success to be sung.
"About US$1050 is allocated to a person of which 8% is for reallocation, 30% for land acquisition and 62% is for land development," says David Chinyanya, Community based Rural Land Programme Officer in Mulanje, Thyolo, Mangochi and Machinga.
Some are having bumper yields, selling the surplus. The money is helping the children to be looked after well - at least for a better tomorrow; a kind of tomorrow where the future parents are well informed, feed their children, they don't dream of working for some but for themselves.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
EXPEDITION OF A FIGHTER
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
The eve of November 21, less than 5 hours before seeing the light to celebrate his birthday, the man who had seen the birth of the Federation amalgamating with Nyasaland, the break up of the marriage in which Malawi then Nyasaland found itself in, - somewhere in the US - breathed last.
"My uncle died…after complaining about depression for a long time," his nephew Gilly Nkhwazi had told The Nation.
In the days of Kamuzu, the man who at the time of his death was few hours before turning 78, who labeled "enemy number one" by Dr H. Kamuzu Banda for his openness and frankness.
The Lamp in the mid 2002 called him "the last dreamer." He was a dreamer. He kept on dreaming that even when the shadow of hopelessness was cast over him, he always had hope for tomorrow, a better one in fact.
At a time when he came back to Malawi from exile of 30 years in Tanzania in 1994 for fear of Kamuzu, he was awe-stricken with new Malawi. "The new Malawi I found, I could not understand," he was quoted in press, but he kept on hoping for better, despite fairing badly in 1994 general elections. He vowed to play a role in country's development.
The story dug out of democracy was different; perhaps it is still different from what he left when he ran away to the exile in 1964. "Politicians see politics as a vocation," one analyst once said.
Once they go to the Parliament, they can raise their salaries as much as they hearts dictate. They go to the workshop, they demand money before workshop starts, its money before work. "Who are they representing? Their pockets or ordinary Malawians," question lingers.
During one particular interview with The Lamp, he had said, "a member of parliament must not go to the parliament and ask for money for himself or more allowances and so on." The ordinary people who are the masters should be a priority.
For Kanyama Chiume, he had his own vision for Malawi, but the more he tried, the more the storm forcefully swayed him away. He himself had said, "there is a time when you become a veteran. You sit down and wonder why did I waste my youth? But God has a way of helping anybody. I have still not given up." He was a fight. He never say never, possibly till its over.
Even though the political landscape was not tilting to his advantage, he still had faith for a better tomorrow. He looked at the youths as a single hope that Malawi as a nation is having.
"There is still hope for the young boys and girls at the University and the youth," he had said. However, the question is, what kind of hope?
Abbreviated to a mere horde of juvenile thugs, snatching people's properties, or beating them up even in the day light, the youths in the name of democracy caused torment as they terrorized lives of many.
At the University level, especially University of Malawi politicians have been accusing each other for using the University students in various ways to achieve their various political agenda.
Mid this year President Bingu Wa mutharika said youths "should not take part in politics" They are the future leaders. When is their future coming? The kanyamas, the Alekes and others started it when very young.
Chiume in his twenties he was already against the imposition of the Federation of Rhodesia by including Nyasaland in the whole set up. He was instrumental in bringing back Dr Banda on 28 June, six years before independence.
Banana Grove Sandy Beach, a once upon a time, splendid place that was but a pollen for meetings in the country of a man who together with his friends confronted Kamuzu is submerging into cocoons of scaffolding.
They criticized Kamuzu.
On this particular occasion on August 26 in his book, Kanyama Chiume says, when they met Kamuzu, they said whatever was in their hearts.
"We voiced our protests against the way he treated us with contempt both in private and public; against corruption in the government and party…; and against nepotism in the civil service" writes Kanyama. The meeting that had started thirty minutes after nine in the morning lasted for seven hours.
Dr Banda, according to Kanyama, saw that people had lost confidence in him and the only honorable course was to resign. They asked him to reconsider his decision, after persuasion he agreed. They had, perhaps thought the man would change. They had thought his traits of despotism would be short-lived.
However, on September I, as 1964 was tickling towards the end, Dr Banda rubbished all their demanded. Dr Banda had talked and convinced the other members of Parliament, the group of Kanyama was labeled "rebel."
"We decided to break with Kamuzu," he writes.
How many Cabinet ministers today, even when they know the president's decision is detrimental can gather courage to confront him? The only time the entire nation hear the president's other side, is when they have been left out of the cabinet reshuffle. Some ministers vehemently defend the president's decision even when they do not agree with it.
Born a month before December at Usisya, 50 km from Nkhatabay with his mother dying ten years after his birth, he was the last-born and the only boy in the family of four.
In Tanzania under protection of Nyerere Kanyama lived as if it was his home.
Upon sniffing the winds of change blowing in the country the man came back home. He was part of the Nyasaland African Congress.
When Dr Banda chose the cabinet, Kanyama served as Minister of Education and Foreign Affairs in 1960s. The man was labeled the leader of the crisis and an enemy of Banda with a speech he presented in Cairo during a conference of OAU.
He was a pan-Africanist. Kamuzu was not. That was enough to have the enmity brew between the two. The MCP subsequently gave him a kick.
Before his death, Kanyama was complaining of depression, it might be difficult to tell the kind of depression, but Malawi as a nation is also hosting a number of depressing issues. Politically there is a catalogue of outstanding issues such as section 65, Local government elections, death of Munyenyembe shows a kind of depressing parliament the country is having, the list is long.
He might have possessed some grey areas, but he was a rider, a fighter in the long journey. The journey he started in 1964 possibly opened a door that if some in 1964 challenged him, why not us.
Few since 1994 ever talked of him, now more talk will be part of the skies. The man deserves the state funeral, some are saying. He was one of the few surviving fighters without being honoured, yet bit is possible some foreign leaders being honoured by naming at least two roads or places in their name. Does Kanyama deserve such an honour because he is dead, a man who when he was alive nobody dared to mention his name?
The eve of November 21, less than 5 hours before seeing the light to celebrate his birthday, the man who had seen the birth of the Federation amalgamating with Nyasaland, the break up of the marriage in which Malawi then Nyasaland found itself in, - somewhere in the US - breathed last.
"My uncle died…after complaining about depression for a long time," his nephew Gilly Nkhwazi had told The Nation.
In the days of Kamuzu, the man who at the time of his death was few hours before turning 78, who labeled "enemy number one" by Dr H. Kamuzu Banda for his openness and frankness.
The Lamp in the mid 2002 called him "the last dreamer." He was a dreamer. He kept on dreaming that even when the shadow of hopelessness was cast over him, he always had hope for tomorrow, a better one in fact.
At a time when he came back to Malawi from exile of 30 years in Tanzania in 1994 for fear of Kamuzu, he was awe-stricken with new Malawi. "The new Malawi I found, I could not understand," he was quoted in press, but he kept on hoping for better, despite fairing badly in 1994 general elections. He vowed to play a role in country's development.
The story dug out of democracy was different; perhaps it is still different from what he left when he ran away to the exile in 1964. "Politicians see politics as a vocation," one analyst once said.
Once they go to the Parliament, they can raise their salaries as much as they hearts dictate. They go to the workshop, they demand money before workshop starts, its money before work. "Who are they representing? Their pockets or ordinary Malawians," question lingers.
During one particular interview with The Lamp, he had said, "a member of parliament must not go to the parliament and ask for money for himself or more allowances and so on." The ordinary people who are the masters should be a priority.
For Kanyama Chiume, he had his own vision for Malawi, but the more he tried, the more the storm forcefully swayed him away. He himself had said, "there is a time when you become a veteran. You sit down and wonder why did I waste my youth? But God has a way of helping anybody. I have still not given up." He was a fight. He never say never, possibly till its over.
Even though the political landscape was not tilting to his advantage, he still had faith for a better tomorrow. He looked at the youths as a single hope that Malawi as a nation is having.
"There is still hope for the young boys and girls at the University and the youth," he had said. However, the question is, what kind of hope?
Abbreviated to a mere horde of juvenile thugs, snatching people's properties, or beating them up even in the day light, the youths in the name of democracy caused torment as they terrorized lives of many.
At the University level, especially University of Malawi politicians have been accusing each other for using the University students in various ways to achieve their various political agenda.
Mid this year President Bingu Wa mutharika said youths "should not take part in politics" They are the future leaders. When is their future coming? The kanyamas, the Alekes and others started it when very young.
Chiume in his twenties he was already against the imposition of the Federation of Rhodesia by including Nyasaland in the whole set up. He was instrumental in bringing back Dr Banda on 28 June, six years before independence.
Banana Grove Sandy Beach, a once upon a time, splendid place that was but a pollen for meetings in the country of a man who together with his friends confronted Kamuzu is submerging into cocoons of scaffolding.
They criticized Kamuzu.
On this particular occasion on August 26 in his book, Kanyama Chiume says, when they met Kamuzu, they said whatever was in their hearts.
"We voiced our protests against the way he treated us with contempt both in private and public; against corruption in the government and party…; and against nepotism in the civil service" writes Kanyama. The meeting that had started thirty minutes after nine in the morning lasted for seven hours.
Dr Banda, according to Kanyama, saw that people had lost confidence in him and the only honorable course was to resign. They asked him to reconsider his decision, after persuasion he agreed. They had, perhaps thought the man would change. They had thought his traits of despotism would be short-lived.
However, on September I, as 1964 was tickling towards the end, Dr Banda rubbished all their demanded. Dr Banda had talked and convinced the other members of Parliament, the group of Kanyama was labeled "rebel."
"We decided to break with Kamuzu," he writes.
How many Cabinet ministers today, even when they know the president's decision is detrimental can gather courage to confront him? The only time the entire nation hear the president's other side, is when they have been left out of the cabinet reshuffle. Some ministers vehemently defend the president's decision even when they do not agree with it.
Born a month before December at Usisya, 50 km from Nkhatabay with his mother dying ten years after his birth, he was the last-born and the only boy in the family of four.
In Tanzania under protection of Nyerere Kanyama lived as if it was his home.
Upon sniffing the winds of change blowing in the country the man came back home. He was part of the Nyasaland African Congress.
When Dr Banda chose the cabinet, Kanyama served as Minister of Education and Foreign Affairs in 1960s. The man was labeled the leader of the crisis and an enemy of Banda with a speech he presented in Cairo during a conference of OAU.
He was a pan-Africanist. Kamuzu was not. That was enough to have the enmity brew between the two. The MCP subsequently gave him a kick.
Before his death, Kanyama was complaining of depression, it might be difficult to tell the kind of depression, but Malawi as a nation is also hosting a number of depressing issues. Politically there is a catalogue of outstanding issues such as section 65, Local government elections, death of Munyenyembe shows a kind of depressing parliament the country is having, the list is long.
He might have possessed some grey areas, but he was a rider, a fighter in the long journey. The journey he started in 1964 possibly opened a door that if some in 1964 challenged him, why not us.
Few since 1994 ever talked of him, now more talk will be part of the skies. The man deserves the state funeral, some are saying. He was one of the few surviving fighters without being honoured, yet bit is possible some foreign leaders being honoured by naming at least two roads or places in their name. Does Kanyama deserve such an honour because he is dead, a man who when he was alive nobody dared to mention his name?
MALODZA A HALISONI
Wolemba: Pacharo F. Munthali
Halisoni adamwetulira akudzisilira pakalilore. Tindevu tonga tonde tidali njo! Pachibwano chake. Kachingwe konga chikwanje kadali ndi! Pakhosi pake. Jekete loti mbu! lidali pholipholi
“Bambo, ntenthandevu wapsya,” Adatero mkazi wandodai.
“Ndikubwera mayi,” adayankha Halisoni.
Apa malingaliro adadzala m’mutu mwa ndodai ndipo misozi idamanga ufumu mu malingaliro ake. Izi zidali chomwechi pokumbukira m’mene adavutikira kuti afike pomwe adali leropa.
Makolo a Halisoni adamwali iye ali ndi zaka zitatu pangozi ya galimoto. Izi zidapangitsa kuti adzikhala ndi agogo ake aakazi aNaphiri. Apa nkuti agogo ake aamuna atatsamilanso nkono
Koma patatha zaka zitatu, nao aNaphiri adatsikira kulichete. Ndipo mikwingwirimayi idadzetsa theng’eneng’e m’moyo wa Halisoni. Zokhomazi monga ichitira mvula ya matalala ukaukulunga mpala, zidapangitsa Halisoni kuti sukulu ayisiye mufolomu ya chiwiri.
Pang’onopang’no ngati tsokonombwe, Halisoni adapeza ntchito pakampani yowotcherera zitsulo mu tawuni ya Wakwithu.
Podziwa kuti fodya wako ndi amene ali pamphuno, Halisoni amagwira ntchito ndi mtima wake wonse. Izi zidachititsa kuti adzikwezedwa maudindo pafupipafupi.
Pokhala kuti pakampanipo azungu amakondapo kwambiri, iwo akamabwerere kwao katundu wao ankasiyira Halisoni. Chifukwa cha ichi, Halisoni adakhala munthu wopata. Adali ndi galimoto komanso nyumba yolozeka ndipo samasowa kanthu pakhomo pake.
“Bambo tiyi akuziziratu kuno.” Adamukumbutsa chomwecho mkazi wake wa Halisoni.
Atathana naye kazutsayo Halisoni adauyatsa ulendo wakuntchito monga mwachizolowezi.
Kuchoka tsiku lomwe mzungu wina wake waku Kosovo adamusiyira njinga ya moto chifukwa cha luntha lake pakagwiridwe ka ntchito anthu ambiri amamuchitira dumbo.
Koma iye sadalabade, m’malo mwake adapitiriza kugwira ntchito mothetsa makhang’a. Iye amachita izi podziwa kuti kulimbikira kulibe mlowam’malo.
Iye adali ndi ntchito yowonetsetsa kuti zinthu zonse zili bwino nthawi yotsegula kapena kutseka ikafika.
Ngakhale zinthu zimayenda mwa myaa! chomwechi, padali chipsinjo chimodzi pakampanipo chomwe chimamulondalonda ngati chithuzithunzi. Chipsinjocho ndiye Chidyangu, yemwe adali wachiwiri kwa iye.
Chidyangu adali ndi mbiri osati yongododometsa komanso yoopsya. Iye pokhala munthu woti ndi wachipembezo chimodzi ndi bwana, nthawi zambiri ndi bwanayo amakhala limodzi. Mukutero chilichonse iye anganene bwanayo ankangovomereza.
Nthawi zambiri Halisoni amada nkhawa kuti mwina mutu wake utupa akamaganiza za Chidyangu.
Halisoni alichiyendere ulendo wakuntchito, ntima wake udagunda mwadzidzi. Malingaliro atsiku lotsatiralo adamufikira. Adakumbuka kuti dzulo lakero adasiira Chidyangu makiyi akuntchito pamene anadwala mwadzidzi ndipo adaweluka mofulumira. Nthawi imeneyi nkuti bwana wankulu pakampanipo atapita ku Jubeki ndipo amayembekezeredwa kubwera tsiku limeneli. Chomwe chidamuwawa kwambiri chidali choti bwana adanenetsa kuti makiyi asamasiyire aliyense kupatula bwanayo. Chidali chachidziwikire kuti bwana akamva izi akhala wokwiya kwambiri.
Patsikuli akufika kuntchito mtima wake udadayamba kugunda modetsa nkhawa ngati utuluka m’chimake. Nalo thupi lidachita tsemwe ngati mwanapiye wogwera m’chithaphwi. Nkhawa yasasimbika idamupeza Poona anthu pantchitopo ali khumakhuma ngati abongololo onamizira kufa ndipo nkhope zawo zidavala chisoni.
Halisoni adayetsetsa kufulumira poyenda koma kungwangwangwa kwa maondo ake kudamuchitira njiru. Apa adadziwiratu kuti zinthu zasolobana
“Bambo Halisoni, tafotokozani za zomwe zachitika apazi.” Adatero bwana wankulu pakampanipo. Nthawi imeneyi nkuti atangofika kumene kuchokera ku South africa. Zitseko za maofesi a pakampanipo zidali zitathyoledwa, ndipo katundu wambiri adakwangwanulidwa. Halisoni adangoima kusowa chonena ngati waphonya penate. Sadakhulupilire zomwe maso ake ankaona.
“Ndi-ndi-ndi-ndidamusiyira Chi-chi-dyangu,” adayankha mwachibwibwi, ndipo m’maso muli gwa! bwanayo adamuuza Halisoni kuti yake yawuma. Kukhala ngati kutokosola pabala ndi kamtengo pa dzino lobooka, Halisoni adauzidwa kuti katundu wake alandidwa kuti akagulitsidwe pobwezeretsa katundu yemwe wabetsa.
Halisoni adazweta mutu, ndipo chokamba chidamusowa monga momwe achitira mwana akaona kholo lake likubuula chifukwa cholumidwa ndi mavu.Adadziwa kuti Chidyangu adamuyenda pansi ndipo sadakayike. Kwa iye dziko lidachita chipidigoli. Nacho chimdima cha nzanga ali pati chidadzinga m’maso mwake ndipo sadakhulupilire zomwe zinkachitikazo. Adaona ngati kutulo.
Mwadzidzi, adagwa pansi ngati thumba la kachewere, ndipo adakomoka nthawi yomweyo.
Halisoni adamwetulira akudzisilira pakalilore. Tindevu tonga tonde tidali njo! Pachibwano chake. Kachingwe konga chikwanje kadali ndi! Pakhosi pake. Jekete loti mbu! lidali pholipholi
“Bambo, ntenthandevu wapsya,” Adatero mkazi wandodai.
“Ndikubwera mayi,” adayankha Halisoni.
Apa malingaliro adadzala m’mutu mwa ndodai ndipo misozi idamanga ufumu mu malingaliro ake. Izi zidali chomwechi pokumbukira m’mene adavutikira kuti afike pomwe adali leropa.
Makolo a Halisoni adamwali iye ali ndi zaka zitatu pangozi ya galimoto. Izi zidapangitsa kuti adzikhala ndi agogo ake aakazi aNaphiri. Apa nkuti agogo ake aamuna atatsamilanso nkono
Koma patatha zaka zitatu, nao aNaphiri adatsikira kulichete. Ndipo mikwingwirimayi idadzetsa theng’eneng’e m’moyo wa Halisoni. Zokhomazi monga ichitira mvula ya matalala ukaukulunga mpala, zidapangitsa Halisoni kuti sukulu ayisiye mufolomu ya chiwiri.
Pang’onopang’no ngati tsokonombwe, Halisoni adapeza ntchito pakampani yowotcherera zitsulo mu tawuni ya Wakwithu.
Podziwa kuti fodya wako ndi amene ali pamphuno, Halisoni amagwira ntchito ndi mtima wake wonse. Izi zidachititsa kuti adzikwezedwa maudindo pafupipafupi.
Pokhala kuti pakampanipo azungu amakondapo kwambiri, iwo akamabwerere kwao katundu wao ankasiyira Halisoni. Chifukwa cha ichi, Halisoni adakhala munthu wopata. Adali ndi galimoto komanso nyumba yolozeka ndipo samasowa kanthu pakhomo pake.
“Bambo tiyi akuziziratu kuno.” Adamukumbutsa chomwecho mkazi wake wa Halisoni.
Atathana naye kazutsayo Halisoni adauyatsa ulendo wakuntchito monga mwachizolowezi.
Kuchoka tsiku lomwe mzungu wina wake waku Kosovo adamusiyira njinga ya moto chifukwa cha luntha lake pakagwiridwe ka ntchito anthu ambiri amamuchitira dumbo.
Koma iye sadalabade, m’malo mwake adapitiriza kugwira ntchito mothetsa makhang’a. Iye amachita izi podziwa kuti kulimbikira kulibe mlowam’malo.
Iye adali ndi ntchito yowonetsetsa kuti zinthu zonse zili bwino nthawi yotsegula kapena kutseka ikafika.
Ngakhale zinthu zimayenda mwa myaa! chomwechi, padali chipsinjo chimodzi pakampanipo chomwe chimamulondalonda ngati chithuzithunzi. Chipsinjocho ndiye Chidyangu, yemwe adali wachiwiri kwa iye.
Chidyangu adali ndi mbiri osati yongododometsa komanso yoopsya. Iye pokhala munthu woti ndi wachipembezo chimodzi ndi bwana, nthawi zambiri ndi bwanayo amakhala limodzi. Mukutero chilichonse iye anganene bwanayo ankangovomereza.
Nthawi zambiri Halisoni amada nkhawa kuti mwina mutu wake utupa akamaganiza za Chidyangu.
Halisoni alichiyendere ulendo wakuntchito, ntima wake udagunda mwadzidzi. Malingaliro atsiku lotsatiralo adamufikira. Adakumbuka kuti dzulo lakero adasiira Chidyangu makiyi akuntchito pamene anadwala mwadzidzi ndipo adaweluka mofulumira. Nthawi imeneyi nkuti bwana wankulu pakampanipo atapita ku Jubeki ndipo amayembekezeredwa kubwera tsiku limeneli. Chomwe chidamuwawa kwambiri chidali choti bwana adanenetsa kuti makiyi asamasiyire aliyense kupatula bwanayo. Chidali chachidziwikire kuti bwana akamva izi akhala wokwiya kwambiri.
Patsikuli akufika kuntchito mtima wake udadayamba kugunda modetsa nkhawa ngati utuluka m’chimake. Nalo thupi lidachita tsemwe ngati mwanapiye wogwera m’chithaphwi. Nkhawa yasasimbika idamupeza Poona anthu pantchitopo ali khumakhuma ngati abongololo onamizira kufa ndipo nkhope zawo zidavala chisoni.
Halisoni adayetsetsa kufulumira poyenda koma kungwangwangwa kwa maondo ake kudamuchitira njiru. Apa adadziwiratu kuti zinthu zasolobana
“Bambo Halisoni, tafotokozani za zomwe zachitika apazi.” Adatero bwana wankulu pakampanipo. Nthawi imeneyi nkuti atangofika kumene kuchokera ku South africa. Zitseko za maofesi a pakampanipo zidali zitathyoledwa, ndipo katundu wambiri adakwangwanulidwa. Halisoni adangoima kusowa chonena ngati waphonya penate. Sadakhulupilire zomwe maso ake ankaona.
“Ndi-ndi-ndi-ndidamusiyira Chi-chi-dyangu,” adayankha mwachibwibwi, ndipo m’maso muli gwa! bwanayo adamuuza Halisoni kuti yake yawuma. Kukhala ngati kutokosola pabala ndi kamtengo pa dzino lobooka, Halisoni adauzidwa kuti katundu wake alandidwa kuti akagulitsidwe pobwezeretsa katundu yemwe wabetsa.
Halisoni adazweta mutu, ndipo chokamba chidamusowa monga momwe achitira mwana akaona kholo lake likubuula chifukwa cholumidwa ndi mavu.Adadziwa kuti Chidyangu adamuyenda pansi ndipo sadakayike. Kwa iye dziko lidachita chipidigoli. Nacho chimdima cha nzanga ali pati chidadzinga m’maso mwake ndipo sadakhulupilire zomwe zinkachitikazo. Adaona ngati kutulo.
Mwadzidzi, adagwa pansi ngati thumba la kachewere, ndipo adakomoka nthawi yomweyo.
THE MYSTERIOUS BEAST
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
"This is impossible, why but why?" It was not an occasion for merrymaking. The morning set up was nebulous. The atmosphere wore gloomy face. Dark clouds hovering in the sky bore witness as in masses came hurrying with blustery weather. Everyone was buried in the garbage of perplexity. Even the comic Chilekwa's lips were all cemented together; failing even to utter the simplest standard one shaggy dog story. The milieu was ferocious. Everything around was restless.
Chief detective Inspector Nkwerero's face played host to the rays of the sun, which was beginning its voyage of climbing the horizon, followed by the expression of infuriation due to the piercing manner the rays tormented his slender but aged-face. He screwed his face in contours of fury and uncertainty. His compounded eyes were strangely almost popping out and seemed red with rage than any time in his profession. Thirty solid years!
"The fourth murder case two days after the previous one in the same precinct," blared Nkwerero, his archaic moustache as if they had been practicing the whole night seemingly dancing to the tune of his anger. "It's impossible! We cannot tolerate this nonsense and allow our image and integrity to be dyed with all backsliding comments. Derogatory comments for that matter!"
This was the fourth murder within two weeks. Regaining the birthright of breathing in all cases proved futile and distant reality to the victims. What made the situation to nest even more conundrum ever thought, was that those that had joined the bandwagon of being killed were all police officers. Two of them were well-trained and fully groomed cops.
As if that did not carry huge weight, there was something that made policemen tremble with fever. Fever of fear! A thing that completed the situation to be covered with air that is but a misty. Whenever the killer claimed a policeman a victim there was always a note left. It is this note that made Chief Detective Inspector to perspire profusely. "You are next!" was what the entire note said.
"You have to track down this sinister," it was the Inspector butting in, whose anger intermingled with confusion to brew an expression on his face not enough to be put into lexical depiction. He moved around the group of the police officers like a preacher giving a scary sermon to the congregation that no matter what they do, hell remains their only destiny.
Sub Inspector Matiki all along had been quiet. He was thinking; his forehead welling up with sweat instantly. He was a stern man. Being talkative to him was a signpost of weakness.
"The more you talk, the more mistakes you are prone to make," most of the time he would say. Since joining the police service, he has been more of a go-getter than a conversationalist. To him action utters volumes than words.
He knelt down. Putting on the gloves, he niggled at the inscription like a laboratory technician observing microbes under the microscope. He looked at it, but could not make a tail out of it.
A chain of over-lapping thoughts amassed his mind, but no solution could mushroom to seal lips of doubting Thomases so that the vox populi should at least be spared from constipating after stomaching whole lot of stories carried out in the country's watchful media. Only when the fog of uncertainty would be cleared, freedom in his bones or complacency appeared to be shifting far beyond horizons.
"Fourth murder!" words of Nkwerero kept on lingering in his mind; he wiped away sweat from his forehead as a way of portraying the intensity of the parable at hand. He was furious to be in such a complex, a scenario in which probability of hope kept on fainting with every tick of the clock. It was like a gamble. Chances of being promoted and demoted in both extremes were skyrocket towering.
On the day the first police officer met his fate, inspector Matiki had been patrolling the same area. The next two murder cases happened when he went to Israel for a four day Modern Investigation Seminar. Now he was on the very same spot where the fourth police officer has been found motionless. Dead!
The silence of isolation, though at millipedes' pace started to shadow his confidence. But he still managed to sum up courage and flash a beam of smile in satisfaction at his invincible record in as far as trucking down of mysterious killers was concerned.
"I deserve a noble prize," he talked to himself.
He paced around the victim. He noticed something. Every time someone's life was terminated, a number of teeth were removed as well. The gums looked to be hosting deep wells, full of solidified brown blood. He wondered why that was a trend. Again, he was at pain to realize that only the law enforcers were the only victims. A wave of heat ran through Matiki's veins.
The man, pot-bellied was glued to the ground. He visibly seemed as though he was making a salute to the state president as the fury of knife went into his stomach. The blood had soaked the police uniform; the victim wore, beyond recognition. There were few hours since the attacker had done the damage to the victim's life. The permanent damage!
The man, now lifeless rejuvenated Matiki's mind on how they had struggled together in life. Offering each other a hand, they had ploughed through all stumbling blocks that colored education in Timwengeland. Through hard work, they reached the senior level of secondary education and did extremely outstanding. They were selected to the same university, but huge burdens of responsibility beckoning on their shoulders they did not go further. They joined police service. Now his friend was gone. For numberless time he held back tears. His mind wrestled, but nothing cropped up.
The frame of the person, motionless, facing upwards on the ground, inflicted the mind of Matiki with deep cuts of wounds. A volcano of tears almost coursed down his cheeks. As he re-examined the note "You are next!" a clear idea on how to track down the killer sprouted. The killer had made a gravel mistake; a stupid mistake for that matter. It was a blunder that even an amateur couldn't give a damn. During the last operation, the killer had written the inscription on the card baring his hotel room number.
"He is at Mchinchi Hotel, but how will I know him?" He asked himself.
Constable Chisi, who had been in the police for over 10 years, approached Matiki trudging tiringly.
"Sir Sub Inspector mat… the Chief Detective…says you should interrogate that frail looking man over there," Constable Chisi showing all signs of tiredness and lack of sleep in stammer conveyed the message. "The man witnessed the events as they unfolded."
"Coming!"
The man matched the description. Weak, scraggy but talkative was the simplified way the man could be described. At times, the man looked more of a lunatic rather than a person who can provide information that can lead to the apprehension of the suspect.
That evening, Matiki was on his way to Mchinchi Hotel. Tall and thin is the how the killer was described. The killer had shot the witness and thought he had been shot and died indeed. The witness had pretended that he had died, hence leaving him. The witness at the time was on duty as a guard. Four civilian police officers will be at various points. Two inside the hotel especially in bar and the other two outside at the car pack near the car that matches the description.
As they sat inside the bar, a young man, matching the description emerged and was going out. He was in black suit and putting on sunglasses yet it was at night.
They followed him out.
"Hands up!" the police officer outside called.
Then it was the exchange of fire. Two police officers were badly injured. Matiki jumped out and aimed at the killer, he was gunned down. Silence took over. Inside the bar women screamed and men trembled.
When Matiki came near the killer, his facial expression changed. It was Kuzonga. Almost his brother. Matiki because he was an orphan, who had lost both his parents when he was two was raised up by Kuzonga's parents.
"Kuzonga what is this?" Matiki asked his half-brother tears running down his cheeks for the first time in his profession.
"It's not your fault Matiki, I have to blame myself," with laboured breath Kuzonga, the mysterious killer said.
Silence reigned. The two police officers that were inside kept a distance from where Matiki and Kuzonga were. Blood was oozing from where Kuzonga had been shot. The two brothers were looking at each other like cocks that had been fight the whole day.
Within a blink guns rattled. Matiki was down. He had killed himself. Kuzonga had no option but to get his half brother's gun and killed himself as well.
"This is impossible, why but why?" It was not an occasion for merrymaking. The morning set up was nebulous. The atmosphere wore gloomy face. Dark clouds hovering in the sky bore witness as in masses came hurrying with blustery weather. Everyone was buried in the garbage of perplexity. Even the comic Chilekwa's lips were all cemented together; failing even to utter the simplest standard one shaggy dog story. The milieu was ferocious. Everything around was restless.
Chief detective Inspector Nkwerero's face played host to the rays of the sun, which was beginning its voyage of climbing the horizon, followed by the expression of infuriation due to the piercing manner the rays tormented his slender but aged-face. He screwed his face in contours of fury and uncertainty. His compounded eyes were strangely almost popping out and seemed red with rage than any time in his profession. Thirty solid years!
"The fourth murder case two days after the previous one in the same precinct," blared Nkwerero, his archaic moustache as if they had been practicing the whole night seemingly dancing to the tune of his anger. "It's impossible! We cannot tolerate this nonsense and allow our image and integrity to be dyed with all backsliding comments. Derogatory comments for that matter!"
This was the fourth murder within two weeks. Regaining the birthright of breathing in all cases proved futile and distant reality to the victims. What made the situation to nest even more conundrum ever thought, was that those that had joined the bandwagon of being killed were all police officers. Two of them were well-trained and fully groomed cops.
As if that did not carry huge weight, there was something that made policemen tremble with fever. Fever of fear! A thing that completed the situation to be covered with air that is but a misty. Whenever the killer claimed a policeman a victim there was always a note left. It is this note that made Chief Detective Inspector to perspire profusely. "You are next!" was what the entire note said.
"You have to track down this sinister," it was the Inspector butting in, whose anger intermingled with confusion to brew an expression on his face not enough to be put into lexical depiction. He moved around the group of the police officers like a preacher giving a scary sermon to the congregation that no matter what they do, hell remains their only destiny.
Sub Inspector Matiki all along had been quiet. He was thinking; his forehead welling up with sweat instantly. He was a stern man. Being talkative to him was a signpost of weakness.
"The more you talk, the more mistakes you are prone to make," most of the time he would say. Since joining the police service, he has been more of a go-getter than a conversationalist. To him action utters volumes than words.
He knelt down. Putting on the gloves, he niggled at the inscription like a laboratory technician observing microbes under the microscope. He looked at it, but could not make a tail out of it.
A chain of over-lapping thoughts amassed his mind, but no solution could mushroom to seal lips of doubting Thomases so that the vox populi should at least be spared from constipating after stomaching whole lot of stories carried out in the country's watchful media. Only when the fog of uncertainty would be cleared, freedom in his bones or complacency appeared to be shifting far beyond horizons.
"Fourth murder!" words of Nkwerero kept on lingering in his mind; he wiped away sweat from his forehead as a way of portraying the intensity of the parable at hand. He was furious to be in such a complex, a scenario in which probability of hope kept on fainting with every tick of the clock. It was like a gamble. Chances of being promoted and demoted in both extremes were skyrocket towering.
On the day the first police officer met his fate, inspector Matiki had been patrolling the same area. The next two murder cases happened when he went to Israel for a four day Modern Investigation Seminar. Now he was on the very same spot where the fourth police officer has been found motionless. Dead!
The silence of isolation, though at millipedes' pace started to shadow his confidence. But he still managed to sum up courage and flash a beam of smile in satisfaction at his invincible record in as far as trucking down of mysterious killers was concerned.
"I deserve a noble prize," he talked to himself.
He paced around the victim. He noticed something. Every time someone's life was terminated, a number of teeth were removed as well. The gums looked to be hosting deep wells, full of solidified brown blood. He wondered why that was a trend. Again, he was at pain to realize that only the law enforcers were the only victims. A wave of heat ran through Matiki's veins.
The man, pot-bellied was glued to the ground. He visibly seemed as though he was making a salute to the state president as the fury of knife went into his stomach. The blood had soaked the police uniform; the victim wore, beyond recognition. There were few hours since the attacker had done the damage to the victim's life. The permanent damage!
The man, now lifeless rejuvenated Matiki's mind on how they had struggled together in life. Offering each other a hand, they had ploughed through all stumbling blocks that colored education in Timwengeland. Through hard work, they reached the senior level of secondary education and did extremely outstanding. They were selected to the same university, but huge burdens of responsibility beckoning on their shoulders they did not go further. They joined police service. Now his friend was gone. For numberless time he held back tears. His mind wrestled, but nothing cropped up.
The frame of the person, motionless, facing upwards on the ground, inflicted the mind of Matiki with deep cuts of wounds. A volcano of tears almost coursed down his cheeks. As he re-examined the note "You are next!" a clear idea on how to track down the killer sprouted. The killer had made a gravel mistake; a stupid mistake for that matter. It was a blunder that even an amateur couldn't give a damn. During the last operation, the killer had written the inscription on the card baring his hotel room number.
"He is at Mchinchi Hotel, but how will I know him?" He asked himself.
Constable Chisi, who had been in the police for over 10 years, approached Matiki trudging tiringly.
"Sir Sub Inspector mat… the Chief Detective…says you should interrogate that frail looking man over there," Constable Chisi showing all signs of tiredness and lack of sleep in stammer conveyed the message. "The man witnessed the events as they unfolded."
"Coming!"
The man matched the description. Weak, scraggy but talkative was the simplified way the man could be described. At times, the man looked more of a lunatic rather than a person who can provide information that can lead to the apprehension of the suspect.
That evening, Matiki was on his way to Mchinchi Hotel. Tall and thin is the how the killer was described. The killer had shot the witness and thought he had been shot and died indeed. The witness had pretended that he had died, hence leaving him. The witness at the time was on duty as a guard. Four civilian police officers will be at various points. Two inside the hotel especially in bar and the other two outside at the car pack near the car that matches the description.
As they sat inside the bar, a young man, matching the description emerged and was going out. He was in black suit and putting on sunglasses yet it was at night.
They followed him out.
"Hands up!" the police officer outside called.
Then it was the exchange of fire. Two police officers were badly injured. Matiki jumped out and aimed at the killer, he was gunned down. Silence took over. Inside the bar women screamed and men trembled.
When Matiki came near the killer, his facial expression changed. It was Kuzonga. Almost his brother. Matiki because he was an orphan, who had lost both his parents when he was two was raised up by Kuzonga's parents.
"Kuzonga what is this?" Matiki asked his half-brother tears running down his cheeks for the first time in his profession.
"It's not your fault Matiki, I have to blame myself," with laboured breath Kuzonga, the mysterious killer said.
Silence reigned. The two police officers that were inside kept a distance from where Matiki and Kuzonga were. Blood was oozing from where Kuzonga had been shot. The two brothers were looking at each other like cocks that had been fight the whole day.
Within a blink guns rattled. Matiki was down. He had killed himself. Kuzonga had no option but to get his half brother's gun and killed himself as well.
IF MALAWI CAN CAPITALISAING ON OPPORTUNITIES
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
By the 2007 Africa was in its fourth year of strong economic growth. With higher oil revenues, strong commodity prices, and increased debt relief, Africa has continued to enjoy economic growth above five percent. Africa's GDP in the past six years, has outpaced global average. IMF says Africa is enjoying "its best period of sustained growth and lowest inflation since independence."
The outlook looks rosy. The forecast for the year 2008 is encouraging. During the world Economic Forum in South Africa, Trevor Manuel, South African Finance Minister said the forecast by the African Development Bank that Africa's economy will expand by 5.9% this year can be an underestimation. "The outlook in Africa is exceedingly bright," he said.
This is a clear picture that is in the offing. Just like Malawi, which has recently experienced tremendous economic growth in the democratic period, Africa's economic growth will be exceeding five per cent for the fifth consecutive year.
Amongst SADC countries Malawi came second to Angola, a country that relies mostly on huge oil reserves, in terms of economic growth last year. "For three successive years, Malawi has attained growth rate of over seven percent," Goodall Gondwe, the finance Minister had told parliament during the presentation of 2008/09 budget session.
Despite the country finding itself in political mudslinging and pull downs, the economy of the country has kept on growing. Between 1980s and 2004, said the Finance Minister, the country's exports "stagnated at between US$400 and US$500 million. But in 2007 a record of US$ 700 was reached. This entails that more than be done to achieve even more.
At a time when the world is facing all economic ills, the landscape for Malawi looks promising. Perhaps apart from oil crisis and soaring food prices, there is one impediment in Malawi's path – 2009 general elections. This is a time for economic make or break. As President Thabo Mbeki pointed out during the World Economic Forum political instability is one of the major risks that impacts Africa negatively. Kenya is most recent example. Malawi needs to tread meticulously.
The just ended 18th World Economic Forum which attracted more than 800 participants was aimed at looking at the challenges that Africa has to deal with if "it is to be seen as a reliable and competitive partner in global economy." Thus Africa believes that for it to capitalize on opportunities on the global market, its "globally-attuned agenda" has to be built on five core pillars namely, re-engineering growth, unfinished business, innovate or perish, partnership without borders, and licence to lead.
According to experts, with all these pillars, and put into good approach, a boom of buzzing economic activities is likely to accelerate economic growth.
"Building on the tremendous progress Africa has made over recent years, opportunities abound despite existing obstacles," BØrge Brende, Managing Director of World Economic Forum, said.
President John Kufuor of Ghana said that the opportunity for Africa was immense, with President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza saying Africa is a rich continent and it has no right to be poor.
These are sentiments Malawi leader has now and again said. The president has always said Malawi is not poor but it is the people who are poor.
The outlook of Malawi is very clear. "The international experts," according to Goodall Gondwe, "forecast that the figure [exports] could exceed US$ 800 million this year and when Kayelekera becomes fully operational, total exports could pass the US$ one billion mark by 2010."
Malawi has for long been perceived as having no minerals. Today the story is different – there are more minerals. In a decade to come, subject to power availability and political will in relevant issues, mining activities will be buzzing. In recent years Malawi's economy growth has managed to outpace those countries having abundant minerals.
Malawi needs to capitalize on opportunities as they are coming. Agriculture is that good area that Malawi is trying. For long time the country despite having abundant water and land resources, hunger has always hit her. At times the country has been importing more than the exports.
This year the Ministry of agriculture has a lion's share. But it is unique as well. The irrigation sector tops the allocation within the ministry. A fully-fledged irrigation needs to be undertaken. There are many opportunities. The minimum tobacco and cotton prices have been encouraging. In his return from Japan, the president challenged Malawians: "every grain of rice produced will be sold."
Diversification to counter all sorts of risks is important. With the coming of China, another door has opened for Malawian products. Japan is interested in Malawi, of course, like never before. The market for Malawian products looks to be widening.
Japan currently is helping Malawi in her quest for road network expansion. A good road network and vibrant agriculture sector, coupled with government's good relationship with donors, especially in a country where minerals are promising, is a good march towards the land of Canaan.
The opportunities are enormous. As president Kufuor said during the just ended World economic forum, good coordination is vital for Africa to realize its potential to the opportunities available.
Local business players must emulate Mulli Brothers. Some few months ago, the brothers were in the Middle East, where they took part in a trade fair. There, they exhibited their products from Malawi. When they came back to Malawi, they were afraid. Malawian products are on high demand. They capacity is limited. In Japan the same story emerged – more products are needed. More local investors need to be encouraged to take part. More needs to be empowered. Government and other relevant players can help these local business men, especially those that have the will to expand like the Mulli brothers. These are opportunities the nation needs not to miss.
As African countries are pondering on the next step – how to maintain its economic growth, more work is expected. There is the challenge of translating the economic growth to the welfare improvement of the people. This probably one of the hurdles the fast growing economies are facing.
Relying on raw commodities is another hurdle that exposes Africa's economy to the harm of world commodity prices fluctuations and haphazard and hazard climatic unpredictables. In the report dubbed Africa@risk released before the forum, the experts of Global Risk Networks, said Africa was facing twenty-six interconnected global risks, out of them four are said to be critical for Africa's future. These include food insecurity, political instability, external economic shocks and climate change.
By the 2007 Africa was in its fourth year of strong economic growth. With higher oil revenues, strong commodity prices, and increased debt relief, Africa has continued to enjoy economic growth above five percent. Africa's GDP in the past six years, has outpaced global average. IMF says Africa is enjoying "its best period of sustained growth and lowest inflation since independence."
The outlook looks rosy. The forecast for the year 2008 is encouraging. During the world Economic Forum in South Africa, Trevor Manuel, South African Finance Minister said the forecast by the African Development Bank that Africa's economy will expand by 5.9% this year can be an underestimation. "The outlook in Africa is exceedingly bright," he said.
This is a clear picture that is in the offing. Just like Malawi, which has recently experienced tremendous economic growth in the democratic period, Africa's economic growth will be exceeding five per cent for the fifth consecutive year.
Amongst SADC countries Malawi came second to Angola, a country that relies mostly on huge oil reserves, in terms of economic growth last year. "For three successive years, Malawi has attained growth rate of over seven percent," Goodall Gondwe, the finance Minister had told parliament during the presentation of 2008/09 budget session.
Despite the country finding itself in political mudslinging and pull downs, the economy of the country has kept on growing. Between 1980s and 2004, said the Finance Minister, the country's exports "stagnated at between US$400 and US$500 million. But in 2007 a record of US$ 700 was reached. This entails that more than be done to achieve even more.
At a time when the world is facing all economic ills, the landscape for Malawi looks promising. Perhaps apart from oil crisis and soaring food prices, there is one impediment in Malawi's path – 2009 general elections. This is a time for economic make or break. As President Thabo Mbeki pointed out during the World Economic Forum political instability is one of the major risks that impacts Africa negatively. Kenya is most recent example. Malawi needs to tread meticulously.
The just ended 18th World Economic Forum which attracted more than 800 participants was aimed at looking at the challenges that Africa has to deal with if "it is to be seen as a reliable and competitive partner in global economy." Thus Africa believes that for it to capitalize on opportunities on the global market, its "globally-attuned agenda" has to be built on five core pillars namely, re-engineering growth, unfinished business, innovate or perish, partnership without borders, and licence to lead.
According to experts, with all these pillars, and put into good approach, a boom of buzzing economic activities is likely to accelerate economic growth.
"Building on the tremendous progress Africa has made over recent years, opportunities abound despite existing obstacles," BØrge Brende, Managing Director of World Economic Forum, said.
President John Kufuor of Ghana said that the opportunity for Africa was immense, with President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza saying Africa is a rich continent and it has no right to be poor.
These are sentiments Malawi leader has now and again said. The president has always said Malawi is not poor but it is the people who are poor.
The outlook of Malawi is very clear. "The international experts," according to Goodall Gondwe, "forecast that the figure [exports] could exceed US$ 800 million this year and when Kayelekera becomes fully operational, total exports could pass the US$ one billion mark by 2010."
Malawi has for long been perceived as having no minerals. Today the story is different – there are more minerals. In a decade to come, subject to power availability and political will in relevant issues, mining activities will be buzzing. In recent years Malawi's economy growth has managed to outpace those countries having abundant minerals.
Malawi needs to capitalize on opportunities as they are coming. Agriculture is that good area that Malawi is trying. For long time the country despite having abundant water and land resources, hunger has always hit her. At times the country has been importing more than the exports.
This year the Ministry of agriculture has a lion's share. But it is unique as well. The irrigation sector tops the allocation within the ministry. A fully-fledged irrigation needs to be undertaken. There are many opportunities. The minimum tobacco and cotton prices have been encouraging. In his return from Japan, the president challenged Malawians: "every grain of rice produced will be sold."
Diversification to counter all sorts of risks is important. With the coming of China, another door has opened for Malawian products. Japan is interested in Malawi, of course, like never before. The market for Malawian products looks to be widening.
Japan currently is helping Malawi in her quest for road network expansion. A good road network and vibrant agriculture sector, coupled with government's good relationship with donors, especially in a country where minerals are promising, is a good march towards the land of Canaan.
The opportunities are enormous. As president Kufuor said during the just ended World economic forum, good coordination is vital for Africa to realize its potential to the opportunities available.
Local business players must emulate Mulli Brothers. Some few months ago, the brothers were in the Middle East, where they took part in a trade fair. There, they exhibited their products from Malawi. When they came back to Malawi, they were afraid. Malawian products are on high demand. They capacity is limited. In Japan the same story emerged – more products are needed. More local investors need to be encouraged to take part. More needs to be empowered. Government and other relevant players can help these local business men, especially those that have the will to expand like the Mulli brothers. These are opportunities the nation needs not to miss.
As African countries are pondering on the next step – how to maintain its economic growth, more work is expected. There is the challenge of translating the economic growth to the welfare improvement of the people. This probably one of the hurdles the fast growing economies are facing.
Relying on raw commodities is another hurdle that exposes Africa's economy to the harm of world commodity prices fluctuations and haphazard and hazard climatic unpredictables. In the report dubbed Africa@risk released before the forum, the experts of Global Risk Networks, said Africa was facing twenty-six interconnected global risks, out of them four are said to be critical for Africa's future. These include food insecurity, political instability, external economic shocks and climate change.
OF VENDORS AND FLEA MARKET
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
It is an undisputable fact that the many times of life that the vendors clung to the streets, without any epitome nor lavish expression, made our once modest cities and, of course, our only municipality unhygienic to the degree that you could hardly walk more than 200 metres before you got entangled in a terrible malodorous.
The few toilets that are there are impaired to the extent that going into these toilets means ‘constructively’ putting your life at risk. As a remedy, after being architects of their own fate, the vendors and helpless citizens resorted to urinating on the walls of most buildings in our cities as if they were urinary drains.
Also, the ugly face that the benches brought to our cities cannot entirely be overemphasized either, hence the government needs to be pated on the back for the job well done. For removing hundreds upon fifties of vendors, which involved armed soldiers with millions of Kwachas being blown in the process, who can resist the temptations of joining the government on the dancing floor in jubilation?
Furthermore, the introduction of identity cards will surely help to discard the multitudinous population of illegal immigrants, who in the name of vendors are making a more decent living than their local counterparts.
Much as government is commended on the job not goofed, by successfully flashing out the vendors, I, for one, feels the whole episode of problems and expenses that were order of the day in our press before 15th April, 2006 could have been prevented long time back. Honestly speaking, until 15th April the question that kept on tommernting my brain had been: “who owns the flea markets?” I don’t mean that it was good to have the vendors on the streets nor that their should not occupy the flea markets, but the process that was involved in building the markets.
Unscrewing the whole mayhem blow by blow, from the word go, the whole issue, to some extent, was mauled by lack of thorough consultation between the vendors, on one hand, and the government on the other. Although we understand that it is the duty of the City Assemblies to ensure that our cities have better amenities, which in this context are flea markets, I feel the vendors being the direct beneficiaries were supposed to be in one way or the other.
It is a no longer a secret that every time government said they consulted the vendors, the latter would accused the government for giving false information in media. Gerald Chimutu, one of the vendors who went to Zimbabwe to learn from their counterparts, lamented in the Weekend Nation of 15-16 July, 2000 that the-then responsible minister told the press that construction of the markets was underway whilst the beneficiaries (vendors) were ignorant of the take off. Mind you, this was project planning period, yet disagreements had already overshadowed the whole process. Also, in the Daily times of 10th February 2006, Grant Phiri, chairman of Lilongwe vendors complained that the city Assemblies did not understand their problems at the same time, he said the problems were not forwarded to the right authorities. This translates that there was lack of direct communication between the beneficiaries (the vendors) and officials of Assemblies responsible.
These lamentations by the vendors cannot arise from the blues, hence sum up the depth of lack of consultation on the part of the government in as far as establishing of flea markets was concerned.
Whether it was negligence on part of planners or not it is not the bone of my contention in this article. Rather, the bottom line is that the assemblies forgot that issues of development that involve the whole range of people with different levels of thinking, reasoning, perception to the problems at hand are very sensitive.
As already stated, the whole higgledy-piggledy which was there before 18th April was preventable had it been that the vendors were involved from the beginning.
Sad to say, the vendors’ perception of their problems and their perceived solutions were either overlooked or intentionally neglected from the start. Even if there was any consultation, I feel it was a kind of Top-Down approach where the government just imposed solution on the vendor’s problem .As a result, it is not surprising that these magnificent markets, sooner than later, would have transmuted into national monuments. Why? This would have been like that as the vendors tried to ignore government’ directives since their perception of the problem was considered not worthy.
Back to issue of involving the vendors. This involvement would have empowered the vendors to share their opinions and identify their needs and problems, both among themselves and the city assemblies. Consequently, this would have enabled the vendors to have influence in decision-making, resulting in establishing of a general consensus between the vendors and the government. In the same regard, once both parties (the vendors and government) made a joint decision on the flea markets, it is unquestionable that such decision would have resulted into a more effective and readily acceptable solution.
The participation of the vendors in the project planning and implementation would have instilled the spirit of ownership, since the solution suggested would have been seen as more as more relevant to their needs.
In the same vein, the current issue of inadequate space would have been easily dealt with as the vendors would feel the ownership of the market. Unlike the current wrangles between the vendors and the government, where the latter was forcing the former to get into the market, which forced the press Trust to bring to halt the project. But if the participatory approach was used, it would have attracted more donors so as to the market being enlarged to accommodate the growing number of the vendors.
Last but not least, even though the vendors have been reallocated to their respective designated places there is still room for consultations. The government should call for constant meetings with the vendors. These strings of meetings might centre on issues like sanitation, security, inadequate space as well as other simmering issues that the vendors deem as problems.
Finally, the government through its assemblies should be aware that much as we are under the rule where people’s inputs are highly appreciated, the same tradition should follow suit in development projects where direct beneficiaries should be heard. In other words, people must be involved in their development projects if the realization of development for people not on people is to materialize.
It is an undisputable fact that the many times of life that the vendors clung to the streets, without any epitome nor lavish expression, made our once modest cities and, of course, our only municipality unhygienic to the degree that you could hardly walk more than 200 metres before you got entangled in a terrible malodorous.
The few toilets that are there are impaired to the extent that going into these toilets means ‘constructively’ putting your life at risk. As a remedy, after being architects of their own fate, the vendors and helpless citizens resorted to urinating on the walls of most buildings in our cities as if they were urinary drains.
Also, the ugly face that the benches brought to our cities cannot entirely be overemphasized either, hence the government needs to be pated on the back for the job well done. For removing hundreds upon fifties of vendors, which involved armed soldiers with millions of Kwachas being blown in the process, who can resist the temptations of joining the government on the dancing floor in jubilation?
Furthermore, the introduction of identity cards will surely help to discard the multitudinous population of illegal immigrants, who in the name of vendors are making a more decent living than their local counterparts.
Much as government is commended on the job not goofed, by successfully flashing out the vendors, I, for one, feels the whole episode of problems and expenses that were order of the day in our press before 15th April, 2006 could have been prevented long time back. Honestly speaking, until 15th April the question that kept on tommernting my brain had been: “who owns the flea markets?” I don’t mean that it was good to have the vendors on the streets nor that their should not occupy the flea markets, but the process that was involved in building the markets.
Unscrewing the whole mayhem blow by blow, from the word go, the whole issue, to some extent, was mauled by lack of thorough consultation between the vendors, on one hand, and the government on the other. Although we understand that it is the duty of the City Assemblies to ensure that our cities have better amenities, which in this context are flea markets, I feel the vendors being the direct beneficiaries were supposed to be in one way or the other.
It is a no longer a secret that every time government said they consulted the vendors, the latter would accused the government for giving false information in media. Gerald Chimutu, one of the vendors who went to Zimbabwe to learn from their counterparts, lamented in the Weekend Nation of 15-16 July, 2000 that the-then responsible minister told the press that construction of the markets was underway whilst the beneficiaries (vendors) were ignorant of the take off. Mind you, this was project planning period, yet disagreements had already overshadowed the whole process. Also, in the Daily times of 10th February 2006, Grant Phiri, chairman of Lilongwe vendors complained that the city Assemblies did not understand their problems at the same time, he said the problems were not forwarded to the right authorities. This translates that there was lack of direct communication between the beneficiaries (the vendors) and officials of Assemblies responsible.
These lamentations by the vendors cannot arise from the blues, hence sum up the depth of lack of consultation on the part of the government in as far as establishing of flea markets was concerned.
Whether it was negligence on part of planners or not it is not the bone of my contention in this article. Rather, the bottom line is that the assemblies forgot that issues of development that involve the whole range of people with different levels of thinking, reasoning, perception to the problems at hand are very sensitive.
As already stated, the whole higgledy-piggledy which was there before 18th April was preventable had it been that the vendors were involved from the beginning.
Sad to say, the vendors’ perception of their problems and their perceived solutions were either overlooked or intentionally neglected from the start. Even if there was any consultation, I feel it was a kind of Top-Down approach where the government just imposed solution on the vendor’s problem .As a result, it is not surprising that these magnificent markets, sooner than later, would have transmuted into national monuments. Why? This would have been like that as the vendors tried to ignore government’ directives since their perception of the problem was considered not worthy.
Back to issue of involving the vendors. This involvement would have empowered the vendors to share their opinions and identify their needs and problems, both among themselves and the city assemblies. Consequently, this would have enabled the vendors to have influence in decision-making, resulting in establishing of a general consensus between the vendors and the government. In the same regard, once both parties (the vendors and government) made a joint decision on the flea markets, it is unquestionable that such decision would have resulted into a more effective and readily acceptable solution.
The participation of the vendors in the project planning and implementation would have instilled the spirit of ownership, since the solution suggested would have been seen as more as more relevant to their needs.
In the same vein, the current issue of inadequate space would have been easily dealt with as the vendors would feel the ownership of the market. Unlike the current wrangles between the vendors and the government, where the latter was forcing the former to get into the market, which forced the press Trust to bring to halt the project. But if the participatory approach was used, it would have attracted more donors so as to the market being enlarged to accommodate the growing number of the vendors.
Last but not least, even though the vendors have been reallocated to their respective designated places there is still room for consultations. The government should call for constant meetings with the vendors. These strings of meetings might centre on issues like sanitation, security, inadequate space as well as other simmering issues that the vendors deem as problems.
Finally, the government through its assemblies should be aware that much as we are under the rule where people’s inputs are highly appreciated, the same tradition should follow suit in development projects where direct beneficiaries should be heard. In other words, people must be involved in their development projects if the realization of development for people not on people is to materialize.
Zomba CCAPSO students meet
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Last Saturday, May 31 CCAPSO students from the whole of Zomba city had a get together function at the Zomba Catholic Secondary School aimed at "strengthening their spiritual life.
Speaking in an interview the organizing chairperson for the Zomba Zone, Gills Msiska said: "the function served two functions; bringing interaction amongst the secondary and college students, and as a way of reaching out to the students."
The event attracted students from Chancellor College, Malawi College of Health Sciences, St Luke's Nursing and Midwifery, Chinamwali Private Secondary school, Likwenu Community Day Secondary School, St. Mary's girls Secondary school and the host.
During the event, activities like poems, singing, drama and others were staged. Such gatherings take place every term of secondary school where students of Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAPSO) from colleges and secondary schools come together and share their experiences in spiritual life.
Last Saturday, May 31 CCAPSO students from the whole of Zomba city had a get together function at the Zomba Catholic Secondary School aimed at "strengthening their spiritual life.
Speaking in an interview the organizing chairperson for the Zomba Zone, Gills Msiska said: "the function served two functions; bringing interaction amongst the secondary and college students, and as a way of reaching out to the students."
The event attracted students from Chancellor College, Malawi College of Health Sciences, St Luke's Nursing and Midwifery, Chinamwali Private Secondary school, Likwenu Community Day Secondary School, St. Mary's girls Secondary school and the host.
During the event, activities like poems, singing, drama and others were staged. Such gatherings take place every term of secondary school where students of Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAPSO) from colleges and secondary schools come together and share their experiences in spiritual life.
Who should cut the emissions?
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Standing on top of Zomba Mountain and focusing down the mountain, patches of baldness are evident. The once green mountain is haphazardly in hazard situation. The rate at which trees are cut down is appalling.
Every time one moves up and down the mountain, one meets people. They have loads of firewood be it on their heads or bicycle. Approaching one of them one of them, identifying himself as Amini Amidu he smiles.
"It's not that we want to be carrying firewood legally or illegally like this," he wipes sweat from his face as he is staggering. "Poverty should be blamed." The firewood helps them have some money, apart from cooking. The money generated helps them at least deal with household problems.
"Almost prices of everything are surging up, young man," he says as he points out that almost everything now needs money, apart from the air that we breathe for free.
The tale of Amidu is one of numerous tales that have been told and re-told. He is one of many people that knowingly or unknowing are ravaging forests. These are the very same forest that helps in reducing green house gases from the skies. Cutting down trees means more carbon dioxide and other green house gases are still in the air.
"An estimated 20 percent of emissions contributing to the climate change globally," says a government Press Release on World Environment Day 2008, "are as a result of deforestation."
The issue of global warming has more twists than an eye can see. As others are concentrating on industrial countries as largely responsible, others are pushing for the developing countries to play a leading role in the same.
For quite a long time, there have been more wrangles rather than the efforts in dealing with global warming. Last year in Germany the G8 leaders reached a consensus. They seriously considered on having a goal to half green house emissions by 2050. The European Union, Canada, and Japan agreed. But the emerging superpowers like China and India have vehemently refused by saying USA should promise to do more in cutting emissions.
This is the paradox that has always locked the world in its drive towards making the world green gas free arena. Up to 190 countries have reached a consensus that by the of 2009 a successor treaty to the Tokyo Pact, which binds thirty-seven advanced nations to cut emissions by the average of five percent below the 1990 levels by 2012.
The developed countries that are largely responsible for the better part of the problem are dilly-dallying. The developed countries some of them based on problems they are facing are committed towards solving the problem. But they lack capacity. They don't have the coping mechanism as the effects of the global warming are proving too much for them.
As the main international celebrations of the world Environment Day is going to be held in the city of Wellington in New Zealand, and in Mulanje in Malawi, it is high time the agenda was looked at. With grappling poverty how can we "give a human face to environmental issues and empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development?"
People like Amidu have no choice, they say. Their only means of survival is through cutting down of trees and selling them, and make money not even enough to come above one dollar per day threshold.
Unfortunately the concept of empowerment is a contested one. It is not as simple as imposing ideas on the poor, who are wreaking havoc on the forests, by calling a meeting. It's about understanding their perception, problems, and how their feel the problems in the realm of deforestation can be dealt with. It's about making the poor owners of the projects and "support activities that are environmental friendly."
This coupled by what South African Environment Minister, Marthius Van Schalkwyk told the Reuters, in response to the three day meeting of the G8 and rapidly growing economies such as China and India comes as pressure piles for both developed and developing countries to tackle climate change, the poor are likely to be empowered.
He said: "In Kobe, we expect our partners in the G8 to champion the developing countries' cause by explicitly addressing the means of implementation (technology transfer and financing) that will enable and support mitigation and adaptation in developing countries at the scale required."
But it's not only about the poor. It is also about every one giving a hand. It's about the rich who offers readily available market. It is about making the rural electrification programme becoming a reality not at snails' pace, but making it a swift project. It is about making electricity affordable. The issue of renewable energy with little negative impact on the environment is what Malawians need.
If the problem of poverty, as Amidu feels it, is not addressed, little will happen. How can a hungry person be empowered? It is a question that needs critical weighing. With more than have of Malawi population living below poverty line, and a good number having limited access to land, more damage on forest is in the offing. More are encroaching these protected areas. More damage is being inflicted.
With Amidu poverty forcing him staggers down Zomba Mountain with firewood, countries like USA refusing to cut the emissions, more damage is being inflicted to the environment. The nation and the world must change the perception. It's everyone's responsibility to deal with the problem.
As the world is commemorating the environment day the question still lingers who should play a role in making the world a better place to live?
Standing on top of Zomba Mountain and focusing down the mountain, patches of baldness are evident. The once green mountain is haphazardly in hazard situation. The rate at which trees are cut down is appalling.
Every time one moves up and down the mountain, one meets people. They have loads of firewood be it on their heads or bicycle. Approaching one of them one of them, identifying himself as Amini Amidu he smiles.
"It's not that we want to be carrying firewood legally or illegally like this," he wipes sweat from his face as he is staggering. "Poverty should be blamed." The firewood helps them have some money, apart from cooking. The money generated helps them at least deal with household problems.
"Almost prices of everything are surging up, young man," he says as he points out that almost everything now needs money, apart from the air that we breathe for free.
The tale of Amidu is one of numerous tales that have been told and re-told. He is one of many people that knowingly or unknowing are ravaging forests. These are the very same forest that helps in reducing green house gases from the skies. Cutting down trees means more carbon dioxide and other green house gases are still in the air.
"An estimated 20 percent of emissions contributing to the climate change globally," says a government Press Release on World Environment Day 2008, "are as a result of deforestation."
The issue of global warming has more twists than an eye can see. As others are concentrating on industrial countries as largely responsible, others are pushing for the developing countries to play a leading role in the same.
For quite a long time, there have been more wrangles rather than the efforts in dealing with global warming. Last year in Germany the G8 leaders reached a consensus. They seriously considered on having a goal to half green house emissions by 2050. The European Union, Canada, and Japan agreed. But the emerging superpowers like China and India have vehemently refused by saying USA should promise to do more in cutting emissions.
This is the paradox that has always locked the world in its drive towards making the world green gas free arena. Up to 190 countries have reached a consensus that by the of 2009 a successor treaty to the Tokyo Pact, which binds thirty-seven advanced nations to cut emissions by the average of five percent below the 1990 levels by 2012.
The developed countries that are largely responsible for the better part of the problem are dilly-dallying. The developed countries some of them based on problems they are facing are committed towards solving the problem. But they lack capacity. They don't have the coping mechanism as the effects of the global warming are proving too much for them.
As the main international celebrations of the world Environment Day is going to be held in the city of Wellington in New Zealand, and in Mulanje in Malawi, it is high time the agenda was looked at. With grappling poverty how can we "give a human face to environmental issues and empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development?"
People like Amidu have no choice, they say. Their only means of survival is through cutting down of trees and selling them, and make money not even enough to come above one dollar per day threshold.
Unfortunately the concept of empowerment is a contested one. It is not as simple as imposing ideas on the poor, who are wreaking havoc on the forests, by calling a meeting. It's about understanding their perception, problems, and how their feel the problems in the realm of deforestation can be dealt with. It's about making the poor owners of the projects and "support activities that are environmental friendly."
This coupled by what South African Environment Minister, Marthius Van Schalkwyk told the Reuters, in response to the three day meeting of the G8 and rapidly growing economies such as China and India comes as pressure piles for both developed and developing countries to tackle climate change, the poor are likely to be empowered.
He said: "In Kobe, we expect our partners in the G8 to champion the developing countries' cause by explicitly addressing the means of implementation (technology transfer and financing) that will enable and support mitigation and adaptation in developing countries at the scale required."
But it's not only about the poor. It is also about every one giving a hand. It's about the rich who offers readily available market. It is about making the rural electrification programme becoming a reality not at snails' pace, but making it a swift project. It is about making electricity affordable. The issue of renewable energy with little negative impact on the environment is what Malawians need.
If the problem of poverty, as Amidu feels it, is not addressed, little will happen. How can a hungry person be empowered? It is a question that needs critical weighing. With more than have of Malawi population living below poverty line, and a good number having limited access to land, more damage on forest is in the offing. More are encroaching these protected areas. More damage is being inflicted.
With Amidu poverty forcing him staggers down Zomba Mountain with firewood, countries like USA refusing to cut the emissions, more damage is being inflicted to the environment. The nation and the world must change the perception. It's everyone's responsibility to deal with the problem.
As the world is commemorating the environment day the question still lingers who should play a role in making the world a better place to live?
SAM, THE WONDERSOME CARTOONIST
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Sam Manda: a pin-sized Youngman who seems as one of those young men who nothing unique to do in their life. But when he takes his instruments and brews a stunning artistic product it's when you realize that the young man is not just quiet, but quiet with quite skills that are rare.
He describes himself as a naturalist, but likely to jump into a pool of abstract art experts.
Born in 1985, Sam is a gifted cartoonist and illustrator with a rare talent in painting, who is slowly but surely climbing up in the artistic world.
Hailing from Malumbazika village, T/A Kapelula in Kasungu district, he is a third year Bachelor of Arts student who only realized his dream that he can use his talents to earn money recently.
"In 2005 Claim Mabuku wanted illustrators as such I decided to submit my samples for NAC-sponsored Tiwerenge Series," says a giggling Sam, adding that he was picked and drew cartoons for the book, Tithane ndi Edzi.
At his age, he has also helped in drawing illustrations for a form 3 Mathematics book at St. Andrews High School.
Last year he came out second in poster design competition that was organized campus with the financial assistance from National Aids Commission (NAC).
He is also the young man behind the illustrations that are appearing in the recent edition of Wasi Magazine. In fact he relishes working with a critic Chimombo.
"It's wonderful to work with Dr Steve Chimombo. Dr. Chimombo being a man with enormous critic eye makes me to prepare my work thoroughly. He has helped me a lot in nurturing my skills to another level," says Sam, adding that he is currently engaged in offering some social services to Umodzi Orphanage where he is equipping kids with various artistic skills.
As he continues soldiering on in the artistic world with determination to propel to the highest possible levels, Sam has many plans, but all are tied on his rare talent.
"I want one day to be the country's prominent artist, the way Brian Hara was. I want to start my own Artistic Company so that I should be helping uplifting the welfare of upcoming artists," reveals it all Sam, who is a staunch fan of Haswell Kunyenje.
Sam Manda: a pin-sized Youngman who seems as one of those young men who nothing unique to do in their life. But when he takes his instruments and brews a stunning artistic product it's when you realize that the young man is not just quiet, but quiet with quite skills that are rare.
He describes himself as a naturalist, but likely to jump into a pool of abstract art experts.
Born in 1985, Sam is a gifted cartoonist and illustrator with a rare talent in painting, who is slowly but surely climbing up in the artistic world.
Hailing from Malumbazika village, T/A Kapelula in Kasungu district, he is a third year Bachelor of Arts student who only realized his dream that he can use his talents to earn money recently.
"In 2005 Claim Mabuku wanted illustrators as such I decided to submit my samples for NAC-sponsored Tiwerenge Series," says a giggling Sam, adding that he was picked and drew cartoons for the book, Tithane ndi Edzi.
At his age, he has also helped in drawing illustrations for a form 3 Mathematics book at St. Andrews High School.
Last year he came out second in poster design competition that was organized campus with the financial assistance from National Aids Commission (NAC).
He is also the young man behind the illustrations that are appearing in the recent edition of Wasi Magazine. In fact he relishes working with a critic Chimombo.
"It's wonderful to work with Dr Steve Chimombo. Dr. Chimombo being a man with enormous critic eye makes me to prepare my work thoroughly. He has helped me a lot in nurturing my skills to another level," says Sam, adding that he is currently engaged in offering some social services to Umodzi Orphanage where he is equipping kids with various artistic skills.
As he continues soldiering on in the artistic world with determination to propel to the highest possible levels, Sam has many plans, but all are tied on his rare talent.
"I want one day to be the country's prominent artist, the way Brian Hara was. I want to start my own Artistic Company so that I should be helping uplifting the welfare of upcoming artists," reveals it all Sam, who is a staunch fan of Haswell Kunyenje.
ZANGA NZOWAWA
Wolemba Pacharo Felix Munthali
Ooo! ndikusowa poyambira ee!
Ndiri ku sekondale ndi anzanga timakonda kukambirana zambiri zokhuza tsogolo lathu. Nthawi zambiri podziwa kuti nkhanga zidapangana atambala asanakokolike, timakambirana zomwe tidzachite mtsogolo. Chimodzi mwa chinthu chomwe timakambirana chidali chokhuza ana angati omwe timafuana kuti tizakhale nawo mu banja. Pagulu lathu lonse ine ndi amene ndidali ndi masomphenya angaanga popeza ndimafuna ana osaponsera awiri pamene anzanga ambiri amafuna ana monga asanu nkumapita uko.
"Ha! inu ndiye ayi, wina akazagundidwa ndi maminibasi othamanga ngati akambukuwa, komanso winayo nkupenga ndi chamba chomwe anyamata amasiku ano akukwemba za inu ndiye zizathera pomwepo basi," Chidzete, m'modzi mwa anzanga amandinyogodola chomwecho nthawi zambiri.
Koma zomwe ndikuona lero, ha! ngati kuti khoswe wa moyo akuchokera mkamwa mwa m'busa ulariki uli mkati – zododometsa inu. Ndikuona ngati kuti dziko landida. Ndipo wanga ndikuona ngati ndi wakung'anjo yamoto basi poti ndingowaganizira zoipa anzanga makamaka anamageyaanyezi, inde anamamina yogati, ee!
Kukamacha kwa anthu ena odala tsiku lawo limakhala loti aphe makwacha kuonjezera upwepwete paukhumutcha wawo. Kukhala kwa ine, ntchito ikumakhala yoika ubongo wanga kukhalira m'mphanthi makamaka poganizira m'mene ndingapondere lamphawi, inde kupha matambala oti mwina nkudyako matemba m'malo mwantoliro.
Za ine oo! ndizovuta kufotokoza. Ine ndimati maloza, koma mkazi wanga akumazitcha mbonaona. Koma abale...
M'mawa tikamatuluka m'nyumba – ine, mkazi wanga komanso ana anga timakhala ngati kuti timu ya mpira wamiyendo kuphatikizapo anthu okhala pa benchi, kuli kukula kwa banja. Ndipo tikamatuluka mapoto kunzanso masupuni zimakhala zikusokosa ngati masapota ampira wa miyendo.
Abale! nditayamba bizinesi yokhoza njinga zoonongeka zakapalasa, zinthu kunena mwachindunji sizimandiyendera ingakhale pang'ono. Amayi anga adali okhuzidwa kwambiri. Pachifukwa ichi adayamba kuyetsayetsa njira zoti ine zinthu zindiyendere.
Apa ndi pamene tsiku lina munthu wangongole atandilanda zipangizo zopangira bizinesi yanga amayi adandiwuza za sing'anga ogona pamoto dzuwa likuswa mtengo osatuluka thukuta ingakhale pang'ono, eee! Adandiwuza kuti wachokera ku Tanzania. Adandisina khutu pondimemeza kuti iwo adapita kwa sing'angayo kuti akaombeze ndikuona ngati nane ndizakhalepo munthu woyenda tang'atang'a tayi atasanduka lamba.
Pamayambiriro ndimakana, koma ntibu wamavuto utandionetsa chomwe chidaletsa nkhuku kuseka ndidalola ndikupita kwa sing'angayo.
"Koma mterawu, ukagwiretse ntchito tsiku lomwe m'banja lako muzabadwe mwana wamkazi. Ukamwere pa mphambano, utapolamira chakumpoto," adatero sing'anga wakuArushayo.
Nkakumbuka zonsezi nyanja ya chisoni imapanga mafunde m'mtima mwanga. Lero ndine munthu woti ndiri ndi ana khumi komanso awiri. Kuonjezera apo, mkazi wanga ndiwoyembekezera. Kudikira chuma...
Ndayetsayetsa kumwa mtera uwu komanso uwo, koma tsoka iro palibe kusintha kwa ntundu wina kulikonse. Mwana wamkazi akusowa, ee! Komanso pamene mkazi wanga wafika zoti akhoza kuberekanso ndizoyikitsa moyo wake pachiswe cholusa.
Kumayadi konse ndikutamidwa osati ndikukhala ndi ana amphongo omwe angokhalira kumenyana, komanso mavuto omwe amadza kamba kakuchulukana kwa anawa.
Popeza kuti bizinesi siyimayenda ndidachiona kuti ndi chanzeru kuyamba kaye ntchito pamene ndikudikirira mwana wa mkazi. Apa ndipamene ndidapeza ntchito kwa Ahindirira, mwenye waku India.
Pokhala pamapeto pa mwezi, ndikantchito komwe ndimagwira kwa Ahindirira ana anayi adali akudikirira ndalama zoti akalipire ku sukulu zawo za sekondale. Naye amene ndidali ndingongole yake ya chimanga adali ataopsyeza kuti ngati sindimpatsa ndalama mwezi uno azanditenthera nyumba pamodzi ndi ana anga. Nawo ana apulayimale amafuna kundipomboneza kuti akuti ndiwapatse ndalama zoti aziripirira alonda. Awa ndidangowauza kuti akaone sitayiro kusulu konko, ee! Azikathawathawa, uku akumwa phala laurere, ee!
Pamene ndikuyandikira nyumba yanga, panthawiyi nkuti nthawi iri chamumanayini koloko ya usiku, ndikumva kulira konga ngati kuti munthu ali mu ululu wazaoneni, ee! Kodi ndi chiani? Ndiwachimanga? Ndidayiwalira amene timapanga nawo lendi nyumba adandiuza kuti ngati sindimupatsa ndalama lero andichotsa.
Koma ndisanakhote, anyamata azitho ngati kuti amakakha ndege, akundikanyanga pakhosi. Kenako ndalama zonse zapita. Ndikumva kulira kwa mkazi wanga, koma ndikulephera kuzuka. Andibaya ndi mpeni. Kuli phokoso loopsya.
Ooo! ndikusowa poyambira ee!
Ndiri ku sekondale ndi anzanga timakonda kukambirana zambiri zokhuza tsogolo lathu. Nthawi zambiri podziwa kuti nkhanga zidapangana atambala asanakokolike, timakambirana zomwe tidzachite mtsogolo. Chimodzi mwa chinthu chomwe timakambirana chidali chokhuza ana angati omwe timafuana kuti tizakhale nawo mu banja. Pagulu lathu lonse ine ndi amene ndidali ndi masomphenya angaanga popeza ndimafuna ana osaponsera awiri pamene anzanga ambiri amafuna ana monga asanu nkumapita uko.
"Ha! inu ndiye ayi, wina akazagundidwa ndi maminibasi othamanga ngati akambukuwa, komanso winayo nkupenga ndi chamba chomwe anyamata amasiku ano akukwemba za inu ndiye zizathera pomwepo basi," Chidzete, m'modzi mwa anzanga amandinyogodola chomwecho nthawi zambiri.
Koma zomwe ndikuona lero, ha! ngati kuti khoswe wa moyo akuchokera mkamwa mwa m'busa ulariki uli mkati – zododometsa inu. Ndikuona ngati kuti dziko landida. Ndipo wanga ndikuona ngati ndi wakung'anjo yamoto basi poti ndingowaganizira zoipa anzanga makamaka anamageyaanyezi, inde anamamina yogati, ee!
Kukamacha kwa anthu ena odala tsiku lawo limakhala loti aphe makwacha kuonjezera upwepwete paukhumutcha wawo. Kukhala kwa ine, ntchito ikumakhala yoika ubongo wanga kukhalira m'mphanthi makamaka poganizira m'mene ndingapondere lamphawi, inde kupha matambala oti mwina nkudyako matemba m'malo mwantoliro.
Za ine oo! ndizovuta kufotokoza. Ine ndimati maloza, koma mkazi wanga akumazitcha mbonaona. Koma abale...
M'mawa tikamatuluka m'nyumba – ine, mkazi wanga komanso ana anga timakhala ngati kuti timu ya mpira wamiyendo kuphatikizapo anthu okhala pa benchi, kuli kukula kwa banja. Ndipo tikamatuluka mapoto kunzanso masupuni zimakhala zikusokosa ngati masapota ampira wa miyendo.
Abale! nditayamba bizinesi yokhoza njinga zoonongeka zakapalasa, zinthu kunena mwachindunji sizimandiyendera ingakhale pang'ono. Amayi anga adali okhuzidwa kwambiri. Pachifukwa ichi adayamba kuyetsayetsa njira zoti ine zinthu zindiyendere.
Apa ndi pamene tsiku lina munthu wangongole atandilanda zipangizo zopangira bizinesi yanga amayi adandiwuza za sing'anga ogona pamoto dzuwa likuswa mtengo osatuluka thukuta ingakhale pang'ono, eee! Adandiwuza kuti wachokera ku Tanzania. Adandisina khutu pondimemeza kuti iwo adapita kwa sing'angayo kuti akaombeze ndikuona ngati nane ndizakhalepo munthu woyenda tang'atang'a tayi atasanduka lamba.
Pamayambiriro ndimakana, koma ntibu wamavuto utandionetsa chomwe chidaletsa nkhuku kuseka ndidalola ndikupita kwa sing'angayo.
"Koma mterawu, ukagwiretse ntchito tsiku lomwe m'banja lako muzabadwe mwana wamkazi. Ukamwere pa mphambano, utapolamira chakumpoto," adatero sing'anga wakuArushayo.
Nkakumbuka zonsezi nyanja ya chisoni imapanga mafunde m'mtima mwanga. Lero ndine munthu woti ndiri ndi ana khumi komanso awiri. Kuonjezera apo, mkazi wanga ndiwoyembekezera. Kudikira chuma...
Ndayetsayetsa kumwa mtera uwu komanso uwo, koma tsoka iro palibe kusintha kwa ntundu wina kulikonse. Mwana wamkazi akusowa, ee! Komanso pamene mkazi wanga wafika zoti akhoza kuberekanso ndizoyikitsa moyo wake pachiswe cholusa.
Kumayadi konse ndikutamidwa osati ndikukhala ndi ana amphongo omwe angokhalira kumenyana, komanso mavuto omwe amadza kamba kakuchulukana kwa anawa.
Popeza kuti bizinesi siyimayenda ndidachiona kuti ndi chanzeru kuyamba kaye ntchito pamene ndikudikirira mwana wa mkazi. Apa ndipamene ndidapeza ntchito kwa Ahindirira, mwenye waku India.
Pokhala pamapeto pa mwezi, ndikantchito komwe ndimagwira kwa Ahindirira ana anayi adali akudikirira ndalama zoti akalipire ku sukulu zawo za sekondale. Naye amene ndidali ndingongole yake ya chimanga adali ataopsyeza kuti ngati sindimpatsa ndalama mwezi uno azanditenthera nyumba pamodzi ndi ana anga. Nawo ana apulayimale amafuna kundipomboneza kuti akuti ndiwapatse ndalama zoti aziripirira alonda. Awa ndidangowauza kuti akaone sitayiro kusulu konko, ee! Azikathawathawa, uku akumwa phala laurere, ee!
Pamene ndikuyandikira nyumba yanga, panthawiyi nkuti nthawi iri chamumanayini koloko ya usiku, ndikumva kulira konga ngati kuti munthu ali mu ululu wazaoneni, ee! Kodi ndi chiani? Ndiwachimanga? Ndidayiwalira amene timapanga nawo lendi nyumba adandiuza kuti ngati sindimupatsa ndalama lero andichotsa.
Koma ndisanakhote, anyamata azitho ngati kuti amakakha ndege, akundikanyanga pakhosi. Kenako ndalama zonse zapita. Ndikumva kulira kwa mkazi wanga, koma ndikulephera kuzuka. Andibaya ndi mpeni. Kuli phokoso loopsya.
2009
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
As the parties and the referee warm up
Towards this ostentatious match
Hosted at the Match-Mecca
My psyche is soaked
In the web of flummox
Beyond stratosphere
Expectations echoing
Hope once more called hope
All to the same God begging favours
Another year is here
Another boogie to enjoy
For comedians and orators
Lunatics and the principled
To manipulate and obfuscate the gullibles
2009
The dancing year
The dust swirling
Tears once more
Another mixed bag
As the parties and the referee warm up
Towards this ostentatious match
Hosted at the Match-Mecca
My psyche is soaked
In the web of flummox
Beyond stratosphere
Expectations echoing
Hope once more called hope
All to the same God begging favours
Another year is here
Another boogie to enjoy
For comedians and orators
Lunatics and the principled
To manipulate and obfuscate the gullibles
2009
The dancing year
The dust swirling
Tears once more
Another mixed bag
VOICES FROM REALM
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Here we don't have knowledge of the existence of days nor nights. That after a tedious, energy-reneging job one has to sleep is a discourse non-existent here. It's an existence prodigy. All we have is glory, glory and more glory. That while I was down there I was impecunious old man, who could even hardly buy salt; to be here it is totally a different microcosm. A wonder I never imagined, a wonder ineffable to simply clarify for easy comprehension for a mind polluted with worldly lies.
When I was down there I was looked down upon, unlike here where we all are on the same scale the way Jesus treated the sinners and the otherwise. Down there, I will never forget…
I was complicatedly condemned, dissolving though not deserving, into utmost cruel ballistic trap that instantly exhibited a new home page in my life. Or should I say in my lives?
Those folks! Those folks gave me bitter lessons; lessons that wrecked and plummeted my life into a wanderer. How I hated to be in a country where your immediate contributions were not acknowledged. They wait for you to start getting ill. As if they have hit the bull's eye like a horde hunters that has grounded a marauding lion, they flock to your preaching messages of good will, deep down you can read them as if they are saying die fast, your death should be dissolved into a political rally.
You see, St. Peter, down there I had played a role in the struggle against the colonial whites. Together, a sign of solidarity and African Socialism in our African spirits, we marched miles, not feeling hungry neither fatigue. We were chased now and again from our own lands in our own country, our lands snatched away, but we stood on our ground. Not even an itch did we leave our country.
"We fear only the one who can destroy the soul not the body," our songs whittled away fears of unknown astray arrow that could hit one of us anytime. That we knew. That we saw.
In the azure skies guns rattling had rumbled, souls crumbled and numerous of unfortunate individuals in all extremes of spasm of pain grumbled. Oh, not unfortunate, the patriots one by one ceased breathing, reserving the breathing air for the coming generations. But there was no turning back. We marched forward, not facing east nor west. We soldiered on like wounded lions.
"Let your bullets wipe out our generation, but let the posterity tap water of hope and happiness from our deep wounded hearts filled with blood," we would chant, singing twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
Without bothering myself to go through tumble-and-rolling procedure of going to the immigration department, I saw the infamous Gweru without being required to produce a passport. What a wicked place! In those dark rooms, days passed. After some times we got released in the 60s. For some of us, we were released abit late, young man!
By the time some of us were released, euphoria outlandishly splendid had seeped through the country infiltrating all and sundries' hearts. We were forgotten. Some of our friends then swimming in the media grandiose, had forgotten us as well. That we had worked with them around the clock, that was forgotten. We were looked at as mere supercilious creatures.
All the constructive criticisms we leveled against them were brusquely brushed aside and thrown to the birds in the bush. I hope, St. Peter with the holy ones here knows that. Then it reached the point that we had to run away from our own country. This happened after going through taxing experience that used to come along with detention without trial, St. Peter, at least here its very professional. Beaten in prison in all sorts of forms we endured. Upon being released, I had no option but let myself secretly snake out the country.
You go East, West, North or even South, but in all these directions home always remain the best. You know what, St. Peter, even though in the country I lived I enjoyed a comfortable life, it was disheartening upon realizing many of my people were under the punitive chain of oppression. I came back…
I came at a time when the craze called democracy had swiftly swept through the country. The politics that we used to practice had as well changed. I miserably failed to win a parliamentary seat even in my hometown. From unsung hero to the sung villain, imagine – true hero to zero scenario. If you can't beat them join them, but I chose my own way – I retired. That is when I found myself at Nthalire with my life in the last attempt to curb and silence the monster called poverty that had raid roots in my life at the time. My constructive criticisms were for the second time overlooked.
With many problems chocking many hidden potentials that people had, though I was old, the problem of cancer was on me. Unfortunately nobody came in. When calls were being made that me, Chibwatiko, a man who has seen sixty decades plus is battling with the problem of cancer nobody came. But when they heard that it was now worse and admitted at Kings hospital like thirsty athletes scrambling for bottles of water they came. It was too late, St. Peter…
Those folks…
On my funeral some individuals stood tall, claiming that until the time of my untimely death I was their friend, my heart missed a beat. Some of these are the ones that did not offer the help when my problem was just starting, now on my funeral they claimed to be my comrades. Oh God!
By the way St. Peter look down there. You see what I have been telling you. Look at house those elders in the country are behaving. Scrambling for a funeral. Abbreviating a funeral place as if a place where one can do his political rally. It is sad, how do you look at it St. Peter. Please speak, at least now.
"How I wish I had spoken"
"You are already speaking by saying that, St. Peter"
The trumpet is blown. There is no longer the view of the world. St. peter is gone. I have no choice. But follow as well.
Here we don't have knowledge of the existence of days nor nights. That after a tedious, energy-reneging job one has to sleep is a discourse non-existent here. It's an existence prodigy. All we have is glory, glory and more glory. That while I was down there I was impecunious old man, who could even hardly buy salt; to be here it is totally a different microcosm. A wonder I never imagined, a wonder ineffable to simply clarify for easy comprehension for a mind polluted with worldly lies.
When I was down there I was looked down upon, unlike here where we all are on the same scale the way Jesus treated the sinners and the otherwise. Down there, I will never forget…
I was complicatedly condemned, dissolving though not deserving, into utmost cruel ballistic trap that instantly exhibited a new home page in my life. Or should I say in my lives?
Those folks! Those folks gave me bitter lessons; lessons that wrecked and plummeted my life into a wanderer. How I hated to be in a country where your immediate contributions were not acknowledged. They wait for you to start getting ill. As if they have hit the bull's eye like a horde hunters that has grounded a marauding lion, they flock to your preaching messages of good will, deep down you can read them as if they are saying die fast, your death should be dissolved into a political rally.
You see, St. Peter, down there I had played a role in the struggle against the colonial whites. Together, a sign of solidarity and African Socialism in our African spirits, we marched miles, not feeling hungry neither fatigue. We were chased now and again from our own lands in our own country, our lands snatched away, but we stood on our ground. Not even an itch did we leave our country.
"We fear only the one who can destroy the soul not the body," our songs whittled away fears of unknown astray arrow that could hit one of us anytime. That we knew. That we saw.
In the azure skies guns rattling had rumbled, souls crumbled and numerous of unfortunate individuals in all extremes of spasm of pain grumbled. Oh, not unfortunate, the patriots one by one ceased breathing, reserving the breathing air for the coming generations. But there was no turning back. We marched forward, not facing east nor west. We soldiered on like wounded lions.
"Let your bullets wipe out our generation, but let the posterity tap water of hope and happiness from our deep wounded hearts filled with blood," we would chant, singing twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
Without bothering myself to go through tumble-and-rolling procedure of going to the immigration department, I saw the infamous Gweru without being required to produce a passport. What a wicked place! In those dark rooms, days passed. After some times we got released in the 60s. For some of us, we were released abit late, young man!
By the time some of us were released, euphoria outlandishly splendid had seeped through the country infiltrating all and sundries' hearts. We were forgotten. Some of our friends then swimming in the media grandiose, had forgotten us as well. That we had worked with them around the clock, that was forgotten. We were looked at as mere supercilious creatures.
All the constructive criticisms we leveled against them were brusquely brushed aside and thrown to the birds in the bush. I hope, St. Peter with the holy ones here knows that. Then it reached the point that we had to run away from our own country. This happened after going through taxing experience that used to come along with detention without trial, St. Peter, at least here its very professional. Beaten in prison in all sorts of forms we endured. Upon being released, I had no option but let myself secretly snake out the country.
You go East, West, North or even South, but in all these directions home always remain the best. You know what, St. Peter, even though in the country I lived I enjoyed a comfortable life, it was disheartening upon realizing many of my people were under the punitive chain of oppression. I came back…
I came at a time when the craze called democracy had swiftly swept through the country. The politics that we used to practice had as well changed. I miserably failed to win a parliamentary seat even in my hometown. From unsung hero to the sung villain, imagine – true hero to zero scenario. If you can't beat them join them, but I chose my own way – I retired. That is when I found myself at Nthalire with my life in the last attempt to curb and silence the monster called poverty that had raid roots in my life at the time. My constructive criticisms were for the second time overlooked.
With many problems chocking many hidden potentials that people had, though I was old, the problem of cancer was on me. Unfortunately nobody came in. When calls were being made that me, Chibwatiko, a man who has seen sixty decades plus is battling with the problem of cancer nobody came. But when they heard that it was now worse and admitted at Kings hospital like thirsty athletes scrambling for bottles of water they came. It was too late, St. Peter…
Those folks…
On my funeral some individuals stood tall, claiming that until the time of my untimely death I was their friend, my heart missed a beat. Some of these are the ones that did not offer the help when my problem was just starting, now on my funeral they claimed to be my comrades. Oh God!
By the way St. Peter look down there. You see what I have been telling you. Look at house those elders in the country are behaving. Scrambling for a funeral. Abbreviating a funeral place as if a place where one can do his political rally. It is sad, how do you look at it St. Peter. Please speak, at least now.
"How I wish I had spoken"
"You are already speaking by saying that, St. Peter"
The trumpet is blown. There is no longer the view of the world. St. peter is gone. I have no choice. But follow as well.
HOW DO WE SERVE OTHERS?
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
We wake up everyday. We pray to the Lord. We praise him, so do we ask for forgiveness. For we were born the sinners; we sin in body, mind, spirit etc. For the book of Mark 7 v. 21 confirms that, "from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders." For that we ask for forgiveness. A new day is born; new activities are on the menu. We live a very Holy life. "Oh God!" we praise Him, for we know at least Ten Commandments of the Lord are not violated. If we had wronged him, we have repented.
Then this other day, we find ourselves seeing a group of individuals. On basis of their dressing even before they speak to us, we label them sinners. We deem them wicked; for the heaven or paradise has nothing in offing for them. We look at such individuals as spiritually outcasts. We tell each other, we must not associate with them - for so doing, will tatter our image.
In the book of Luke, Jesus Christ allowed the prostitute come to Him. The Pharisees disapproved this. The woman was seen as a sinner, "why is Jesus, Our Lord allowing the sinner wash [ing] His feet." They looked at the woman as a very wicked. She didn't deserve to touch the body of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus Christ said he was going to have dinner in the house of Zaccheus some people murmured. How come is Jesus doing this? He can't go to the house of the sinner. But when that happened, Zaccheus gave part of his worthy to the pour. The man changed.
Jesus Christ was unique. He had the tendency of getting involved with those that people pre-judged that they are the sinners. These were those that people thought that had sinned a lot, as such, they did not have any chance of getting to the heaven or paradise, according to the perception of the Pharisees.
Jesus our Lord was, and is still a loving father. He does not throw out the sinners, especially those deemed as sinners by the people. He calls on them; he joins them. For how can one understand their problem by just ignoring them? For how can one bring salvation on them by pre-judging and pre-determining their destiny? If we feel that they are sinners, letting them rot in their stinking sink of sins is not a solution. We need to help them.
Jesus Christ before departing in the book of Mark (16 v. 15) He said to them, "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," this is what as holy Christians it is needed to be done.
It becomes very sad seeing people, especially those that see themselves holy interacting with their holy counterpart only. How can people be served if we are not helping them? If as those that have the gospel we are not coming to them [those we see as sinners] to have their path illuminated, how can such people have the salvation?
As Christians you can try to practice the entire given commandment, but when you let your neighbour be sinning then you are not helping matters. Jesus ate and lived with the sinners. "This man receives sinners and eats with them," the Pharisees complained (Luke 15 v. 2) of Jesus Christ. As Christians we can change the world by interacting with them. But how many times do we do that?
We wake up everyday. We pray to the Lord. We praise him, so do we ask for forgiveness. For we were born the sinners; we sin in body, mind, spirit etc. For the book of Mark 7 v. 21 confirms that, "from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders." For that we ask for forgiveness. A new day is born; new activities are on the menu. We live a very Holy life. "Oh God!" we praise Him, for we know at least Ten Commandments of the Lord are not violated. If we had wronged him, we have repented.
Then this other day, we find ourselves seeing a group of individuals. On basis of their dressing even before they speak to us, we label them sinners. We deem them wicked; for the heaven or paradise has nothing in offing for them. We look at such individuals as spiritually outcasts. We tell each other, we must not associate with them - for so doing, will tatter our image.
In the book of Luke, Jesus Christ allowed the prostitute come to Him. The Pharisees disapproved this. The woman was seen as a sinner, "why is Jesus, Our Lord allowing the sinner wash [ing] His feet." They looked at the woman as a very wicked. She didn't deserve to touch the body of Jesus Christ.
When Jesus Christ said he was going to have dinner in the house of Zaccheus some people murmured. How come is Jesus doing this? He can't go to the house of the sinner. But when that happened, Zaccheus gave part of his worthy to the pour. The man changed.
Jesus Christ was unique. He had the tendency of getting involved with those that people pre-judged that they are the sinners. These were those that people thought that had sinned a lot, as such, they did not have any chance of getting to the heaven or paradise, according to the perception of the Pharisees.
Jesus our Lord was, and is still a loving father. He does not throw out the sinners, especially those deemed as sinners by the people. He calls on them; he joins them. For how can one understand their problem by just ignoring them? For how can one bring salvation on them by pre-judging and pre-determining their destiny? If we feel that they are sinners, letting them rot in their stinking sink of sins is not a solution. We need to help them.
Jesus Christ before departing in the book of Mark (16 v. 15) He said to them, "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," this is what as holy Christians it is needed to be done.
It becomes very sad seeing people, especially those that see themselves holy interacting with their holy counterpart only. How can people be served if we are not helping them? If as those that have the gospel we are not coming to them [those we see as sinners] to have their path illuminated, how can such people have the salvation?
As Christians you can try to practice the entire given commandment, but when you let your neighbour be sinning then you are not helping matters. Jesus ate and lived with the sinners. "This man receives sinners and eats with them," the Pharisees complained (Luke 15 v. 2) of Jesus Christ. As Christians we can change the world by interacting with them. But how many times do we do that?
EMPOWERING THE YOUTHS
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Malawi leader, President Dr Bingu Wa mutharika, is possibly a bigger dreamer than himself. He seems to dream like someone who dreams everything he does or achieve. Some have said that even before people knew that one day he would assume the role of the first citizen of Malawi, he had already dreamed of being one.
Even though in 1999 his party did perform miserably, less than Kamlepo Kalua's Tchwee Mwana Tchwee sloganed party, with age catching up with him at a splinting fashion, his dream neither faded nor did he look back – had hope in his dreams.
During the Media chat he had a month ago, the president put it lucidly how he wishes he had a media center, where journalists could go to interact and find all sorts of information for the success of the profession. The old man keeps on dreaming, even though he might be at turbulent time - he still find way to divert out of the forest of political uncertainty and build a paradise in Malawi, though at times it look more of illusion than reality.
Now at a time when the youths are plunged in all sorts of human miseries, with punishing unemployment blocking their thinking veins, the president seems to have plans for them as well – at least not misusing the youths politically.
As the National Youth Policy stipulates: "the youth profile in Malawi shows lack of basic opportunities available to them, although they constitute a large sector of population," yet they are the ones facing lots of impediments.
This has been compounded by the presence of a range of adverse conditions that impinge on the youth; the most seriously being poverty."
But the National Youth Policy with lack of multi-sectoral approach cannot achieve its goal of seeking "to develop the full potential of the youth and to 'promote' their active participation in National development."
Such scenario amongst a colossal of reasons culminates in "youth non-involvement in decision making."
For long time the youths have been told that they are the leaders of tomorrow. But the question is still unanswered, when does tomorrow come? What is tomorrow? There are time you find a very senior official, be it a politician or otherwise, telling a group of school leavers some of them in late twenties or there about, that their tomorrow shall come.
The political field is another area that is drowning the youths into an abyss of hopeless and uncertainty. You find someone in the youth league from twenties until he or she gets sixty, yet they call that one a youth, whose tomorrow is coming. When is tomorrow coming?
With our educational system up to the universities that emphasizes on finding white-collar jobs, it means more graduates looking for jobs flood the market, each year escalating the problem almost already out of hand. For MSCE holders more are languishing in their homes, jobs have grown legs to be found. The question of capital for them to start their own business seems to not have any immediate answers.
The dream of president Bingu Wa mutharika shouldn't have come at the right time. During the occasion he put it lucid that there are many youths looming around the streets not knowing what to do, as they are many of them than the jobs available.
At a time when to have a business loan you need a collateral that favours only the elites in the country's commercial banks, for the youths to be empowered and stand on their own the only way to achieve that is through availability of ordinary people friendly loans.
As the president put it, he wants to establish Malawi Development Bank with the aim of developing "local business men" that happens to be ordinary Malawians.
With the bank he said: "you can get a loan somewhere and the bank will guarantee" to this far the bustling problem of collateral as an obstacle will be silenced.
As other countries are boasting of owners of the giant Search Engine Google in their thirties here, we are having people in their thirties, forties and there about doing nothing. It is a pity that politicians are using some of the country's youths, in various ways some of which are detrimental to their future. In the end the youths are giving in not by choice but because of circumstances beyond they muscles resulting in accepting politicians to misuse them.
The country needs the youths that have been empowered – the youths who can be visionary and dream what they want their country to be like in the years to come. With the Malawi Development Bank, done the way it is said if it manages to crawl from cobweb of dreams into reality, chances have it that the youths can forget about the past miseries and look forward to a prosperous tomorrow. At least everybody with some doses of pragmatism can keep on dreaming, letting those dreams crawl in the process.
But how does the country dream? The does not need the escalation of the very same businesses that all and sunder do. People must be innovative. Copying each other can not help the nation. The said Malawi Development Bank must encourage the people to bring unique ideas for the business, not selling mandasi in the whole neighbourhood.
As the president dreams so should the Malawians. All should think of what they can do for their country. The youths if given the capital, they should be encouraged. Our education system must change – it should groom students to be entrepreneurs, not as someone who will be employed as a boss at a certain organization, company or government. It's only the visionary that excels ion this world of ruthless liberalization, and involving the youths in all this is a key.
Malawi leader, President Dr Bingu Wa mutharika, is possibly a bigger dreamer than himself. He seems to dream like someone who dreams everything he does or achieve. Some have said that even before people knew that one day he would assume the role of the first citizen of Malawi, he had already dreamed of being one.
Even though in 1999 his party did perform miserably, less than Kamlepo Kalua's Tchwee Mwana Tchwee sloganed party, with age catching up with him at a splinting fashion, his dream neither faded nor did he look back – had hope in his dreams.
During the Media chat he had a month ago, the president put it lucidly how he wishes he had a media center, where journalists could go to interact and find all sorts of information for the success of the profession. The old man keeps on dreaming, even though he might be at turbulent time - he still find way to divert out of the forest of political uncertainty and build a paradise in Malawi, though at times it look more of illusion than reality.
Now at a time when the youths are plunged in all sorts of human miseries, with punishing unemployment blocking their thinking veins, the president seems to have plans for them as well – at least not misusing the youths politically.
As the National Youth Policy stipulates: "the youth profile in Malawi shows lack of basic opportunities available to them, although they constitute a large sector of population," yet they are the ones facing lots of impediments.
This has been compounded by the presence of a range of adverse conditions that impinge on the youth; the most seriously being poverty."
But the National Youth Policy with lack of multi-sectoral approach cannot achieve its goal of seeking "to develop the full potential of the youth and to 'promote' their active participation in National development."
Such scenario amongst a colossal of reasons culminates in "youth non-involvement in decision making."
For long time the youths have been told that they are the leaders of tomorrow. But the question is still unanswered, when does tomorrow come? What is tomorrow? There are time you find a very senior official, be it a politician or otherwise, telling a group of school leavers some of them in late twenties or there about, that their tomorrow shall come.
The political field is another area that is drowning the youths into an abyss of hopeless and uncertainty. You find someone in the youth league from twenties until he or she gets sixty, yet they call that one a youth, whose tomorrow is coming. When is tomorrow coming?
With our educational system up to the universities that emphasizes on finding white-collar jobs, it means more graduates looking for jobs flood the market, each year escalating the problem almost already out of hand. For MSCE holders more are languishing in their homes, jobs have grown legs to be found. The question of capital for them to start their own business seems to not have any immediate answers.
The dream of president Bingu Wa mutharika shouldn't have come at the right time. During the occasion he put it lucid that there are many youths looming around the streets not knowing what to do, as they are many of them than the jobs available.
At a time when to have a business loan you need a collateral that favours only the elites in the country's commercial banks, for the youths to be empowered and stand on their own the only way to achieve that is through availability of ordinary people friendly loans.
As the president put it, he wants to establish Malawi Development Bank with the aim of developing "local business men" that happens to be ordinary Malawians.
With the bank he said: "you can get a loan somewhere and the bank will guarantee" to this far the bustling problem of collateral as an obstacle will be silenced.
As other countries are boasting of owners of the giant Search Engine Google in their thirties here, we are having people in their thirties, forties and there about doing nothing. It is a pity that politicians are using some of the country's youths, in various ways some of which are detrimental to their future. In the end the youths are giving in not by choice but because of circumstances beyond they muscles resulting in accepting politicians to misuse them.
The country needs the youths that have been empowered – the youths who can be visionary and dream what they want their country to be like in the years to come. With the Malawi Development Bank, done the way it is said if it manages to crawl from cobweb of dreams into reality, chances have it that the youths can forget about the past miseries and look forward to a prosperous tomorrow. At least everybody with some doses of pragmatism can keep on dreaming, letting those dreams crawl in the process.
But how does the country dream? The does not need the escalation of the very same businesses that all and sunder do. People must be innovative. Copying each other can not help the nation. The said Malawi Development Bank must encourage the people to bring unique ideas for the business, not selling mandasi in the whole neighbourhood.
As the president dreams so should the Malawians. All should think of what they can do for their country. The youths if given the capital, they should be encouraged. Our education system must change – it should groom students to be entrepreneurs, not as someone who will be employed as a boss at a certain organization, company or government. It's only the visionary that excels ion this world of ruthless liberalization, and involving the youths in all this is a key.
THE STARTLING VISIT
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
It is roughly noon. I have been walking, if not crawling the whole morning. I don't know where I am carrying myself to, neither do I know where I am coming from.
It is not all that blistering. The sky is cloudy. With Chiperone breeze forcing trees in a conversion that is but a murmuring of leaves, the atmosphere is worthy forcing you whistle. In the M'bawa tree, under which I have now found my own solace, birds are chirruping, probably glorifying the creator for giving them the morning bread, a thing that only a handful of individuals do remember whenever they are in a new day.
As I am resting, I start to dose. One dose, second one then another… Nope, I don't want to sleep. What will people say to have a glimpse of a young man of twenty-two years in black suit, handsome, light in complexion, seemingly well to do, snoring under the tree like an aged pig? No to involuntary siesta, I say to myself. I have to stroll. At least I will have to hop on another stretch of kilometers.
Though the sky is blanketed well with dark clouds, I am sweating; profusely in fact.
I restart my journey. My legs are wobbling, my body shuddering and my stomach somersaulting. Pain follows in my tummy, but it is a short-lived one. I don't remember the last time I walked for almost 6 hours without resting.
From a far, a figure is struggling. At first I fail to identify it. Then later as a fissure of proximity between her and me narrows, I manage to identify the figure. It is an old woman, possibly the one who has seen World War 2; she is struggling with her stick. She is moving at a pace of a millipede. Putting one foot in front of another to her seems a very hard task; an up Sapitwa climbing one.
The path is snaked through the forest, a very thick forest. Few metres from where I join the granny I can capture the noise. I sigh. At least there are people.
She is almost in rags, her face contorted as she dances to the hurdles of walking. Old age is causing a severe bad back. I catch up with her. At least in this forest of darkness even when its day, I will have company. I smile.
At first I am disgusted upon having her look. She is very slow. Not my match. She is talkative. How I get irritated by talkative individuals.
"What is your name boy?"
She annoys me even further. At home am Uncle Pa, achimwene, Bambo a ang'ono, the list is long, she calls me boy?
"Padziko Sumbwe." I answer in the manner of cutting the conversation short.
Thereafter we walk in silence for fifteen minutes. I look at her, she looks at me. I avoid her eyes. Her eyes have a lot to tell. Sadness is conspicuous. I curse myself for disliking her.
In a way I cannot tell we find ourselves at a hospital. Unexpectedly I get befuddled.
"Follow me!" She commands.
"But I am going to…" I fail to finish, she has put her finger on my lips. They are very cold fingers.
The hospital is a very sorry sight. People who are at the hospital look to be in a pathetic state. This thing called Aids is a monster not worthy gleaning at. Coughs, cries, are constipating the skies. Tears are moistening my cheeks. I look up; it is only the ceiling that greets me.
"Let's walk on boy," it is another command.
We are now in the village. It seems, the way Christians do by visiting the sick; we are in for the same. People are very ill. Limbs, one, two, three with much easiness can be counted.
"Even if we go to the hospital, all we get are pain killers. It's better for us to stay at home. I don't know why we accepted these ideologies from the West. Then we could pray to Chisumphi, our ancestors and have our problems solved. Now its chaos. No medicine and our ancestral spirits are very angry," complains one old woman older than my commander, my companion.
I close my eyes, but my ears can capture the coughs, my nose catches the smell of the fury of the diseases. My skin is shivering.
"Open the radio!" she commands again, wondering what she can say if the owner says nay.
It's all politics. The boogie called politics is all over. People are castigating each other. They are busy trying to trap one another down. My eyes are still closed. But I can see the picture. I can see motion pictures of politics exchanging political blows in a political battle zone. The dust produced is causing ordinary people to cough vehemently. It's sad Mzala.
Instead of looking at the problem at hand that the "low of the lowest" in the society are facing, they have the whole lot of time in the world to exchange political blows for fun, buddy.
Three houses from where we are people are crying. Someone has died. He was mistakenly shot by the police.
"Give me that paper!" I am now tired of commands.
"And another one!"
The headlines are about frictions in churches. The once peaceful worshipping places are now the hosts of evil activities of all extremes. When you talk of womanizing, power struggles, corruption, greed, these places are now not spared.
"They have even allowed themselves to be used by the politicians. They are no longer concerned with how many people will enter the Holy Heaven, but how many to rally behind which party," She comments.
"My son, those days we used to sing 'Mwezi wawala tisewere, tiimbe' are no longer there. Now politicians have destroyed our oneness. They are there to divide," she recalls with contours all over herself as her mind struggles to plough through the past realities. "They don't have a human heart."
I don't understand what she does. But something happens. On a mirror glass pictures are seen. It shows a politician who when starting politics was a mere salt seller, now swimming in millions. Then a picture of lecturers at the University of Kwithu, who all along have been struggling with books from the first degree, some as far as getting a PhD, but still struggling.
I am angry. My heart is pacing very fast. This is a crime against humanity, I think. I don't know where I am going.
I pass by the hospital where people are very ill waiting for drugs to come from Boma. Near the Hospital I find a politician having a rally. He is full of himself; castigating others in the process. He boasts of having provided drugs to the hospitals and many amenities.
"What about the sick!" I shout my lungs out. As I try to go to the podium, a group of his supporters are on my neck. They do justice to me and throw on the road. I cannot easily see. The track from a far is coming. It is about to crash my head into smithereens.
"Padziko! Padziko! What do you think you are doing you? You have been talking to yourself. Wake up lets go to the church it's now 8: 30" Mum wakes me up.
It is roughly noon. I have been walking, if not crawling the whole morning. I don't know where I am carrying myself to, neither do I know where I am coming from.
It is not all that blistering. The sky is cloudy. With Chiperone breeze forcing trees in a conversion that is but a murmuring of leaves, the atmosphere is worthy forcing you whistle. In the M'bawa tree, under which I have now found my own solace, birds are chirruping, probably glorifying the creator for giving them the morning bread, a thing that only a handful of individuals do remember whenever they are in a new day.
As I am resting, I start to dose. One dose, second one then another… Nope, I don't want to sleep. What will people say to have a glimpse of a young man of twenty-two years in black suit, handsome, light in complexion, seemingly well to do, snoring under the tree like an aged pig? No to involuntary siesta, I say to myself. I have to stroll. At least I will have to hop on another stretch of kilometers.
Though the sky is blanketed well with dark clouds, I am sweating; profusely in fact.
I restart my journey. My legs are wobbling, my body shuddering and my stomach somersaulting. Pain follows in my tummy, but it is a short-lived one. I don't remember the last time I walked for almost 6 hours without resting.
From a far, a figure is struggling. At first I fail to identify it. Then later as a fissure of proximity between her and me narrows, I manage to identify the figure. It is an old woman, possibly the one who has seen World War 2; she is struggling with her stick. She is moving at a pace of a millipede. Putting one foot in front of another to her seems a very hard task; an up Sapitwa climbing one.
The path is snaked through the forest, a very thick forest. Few metres from where I join the granny I can capture the noise. I sigh. At least there are people.
She is almost in rags, her face contorted as she dances to the hurdles of walking. Old age is causing a severe bad back. I catch up with her. At least in this forest of darkness even when its day, I will have company. I smile.
At first I am disgusted upon having her look. She is very slow. Not my match. She is talkative. How I get irritated by talkative individuals.
"What is your name boy?"
She annoys me even further. At home am Uncle Pa, achimwene, Bambo a ang'ono, the list is long, she calls me boy?
"Padziko Sumbwe." I answer in the manner of cutting the conversation short.
Thereafter we walk in silence for fifteen minutes. I look at her, she looks at me. I avoid her eyes. Her eyes have a lot to tell. Sadness is conspicuous. I curse myself for disliking her.
In a way I cannot tell we find ourselves at a hospital. Unexpectedly I get befuddled.
"Follow me!" She commands.
"But I am going to…" I fail to finish, she has put her finger on my lips. They are very cold fingers.
The hospital is a very sorry sight. People who are at the hospital look to be in a pathetic state. This thing called Aids is a monster not worthy gleaning at. Coughs, cries, are constipating the skies. Tears are moistening my cheeks. I look up; it is only the ceiling that greets me.
"Let's walk on boy," it is another command.
We are now in the village. It seems, the way Christians do by visiting the sick; we are in for the same. People are very ill. Limbs, one, two, three with much easiness can be counted.
"Even if we go to the hospital, all we get are pain killers. It's better for us to stay at home. I don't know why we accepted these ideologies from the West. Then we could pray to Chisumphi, our ancestors and have our problems solved. Now its chaos. No medicine and our ancestral spirits are very angry," complains one old woman older than my commander, my companion.
I close my eyes, but my ears can capture the coughs, my nose catches the smell of the fury of the diseases. My skin is shivering.
"Open the radio!" she commands again, wondering what she can say if the owner says nay.
It's all politics. The boogie called politics is all over. People are castigating each other. They are busy trying to trap one another down. My eyes are still closed. But I can see the picture. I can see motion pictures of politics exchanging political blows in a political battle zone. The dust produced is causing ordinary people to cough vehemently. It's sad Mzala.
Instead of looking at the problem at hand that the "low of the lowest" in the society are facing, they have the whole lot of time in the world to exchange political blows for fun, buddy.
Three houses from where we are people are crying. Someone has died. He was mistakenly shot by the police.
"Give me that paper!" I am now tired of commands.
"And another one!"
The headlines are about frictions in churches. The once peaceful worshipping places are now the hosts of evil activities of all extremes. When you talk of womanizing, power struggles, corruption, greed, these places are now not spared.
"They have even allowed themselves to be used by the politicians. They are no longer concerned with how many people will enter the Holy Heaven, but how many to rally behind which party," She comments.
"My son, those days we used to sing 'Mwezi wawala tisewere, tiimbe' are no longer there. Now politicians have destroyed our oneness. They are there to divide," she recalls with contours all over herself as her mind struggles to plough through the past realities. "They don't have a human heart."
I don't understand what she does. But something happens. On a mirror glass pictures are seen. It shows a politician who when starting politics was a mere salt seller, now swimming in millions. Then a picture of lecturers at the University of Kwithu, who all along have been struggling with books from the first degree, some as far as getting a PhD, but still struggling.
I am angry. My heart is pacing very fast. This is a crime against humanity, I think. I don't know where I am going.
I pass by the hospital where people are very ill waiting for drugs to come from Boma. Near the Hospital I find a politician having a rally. He is full of himself; castigating others in the process. He boasts of having provided drugs to the hospitals and many amenities.
"What about the sick!" I shout my lungs out. As I try to go to the podium, a group of his supporters are on my neck. They do justice to me and throw on the road. I cannot easily see. The track from a far is coming. It is about to crash my head into smithereens.
"Padziko! Padziko! What do you think you are doing you? You have been talking to yourself. Wake up lets go to the church it's now 8: 30" Mum wakes me up.
SERVING OWN BUTTER
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Echoes of euphoria that gripped the nation in 1994 are still fresh. They were heard as the answers to numerous chains of oppression that the country had experienced during the one party era. Everyone thought time was ripe, when freedom would surely illuminate people's way of life.
In the country where no constitution was of concern in one party era, the concept of constitutionalism instantly reared a new face. Everybody will abide by the rule of law. From Nsanje to Chitipa, Mchinji to Salima, Malawians were told that their voices would be heard. They voices would be an important ingredient in the running of the government.
About fourteen years down the road, more questions than answers that people had expected to be answered are still lingering in numerous people's minds. Are Malawians truly the captains of this democracy? Are their having the legal muscle that can help them run the nation?
As Gerald Chigona observes in his Pitfalls of Democracy, "the wholesale and uncritical acceptance of democracy as a conditio qua non for human advancement is proving to be a nightmare, probably, a mitigated political disaster," with each passing year this is becoming true.
Once Kamuzu Banda said that, "you can't have everybody deciding what to do," in the running of the country. Coming from a tradition where the leaders such as a chief and a group of few have much to say, nobody, when accepting democracy had an idea on how it was like. How will it be like? Up to date many still disagree on the definition of democracy. Others say it is a rule by the electorates, yet others are looking at it as the rule by the few over others.
Two of the basic tenets of democracy are the acceptance of the right of the people to rule and letting the rule of law prevail. But is Malawi practicing the same? Is the repealing of the recall provision, which is section 64 that gave the powers to the ordinary folks to remove their member of parliament if he is not performing or conducting himself the way he is supposed to be, justified as they did?
Like the majority of a colossal of African countries, the coming of political pluralism brought to light tribal and regional stratification. The politicians for their own gains used the divide and rule theory in encouraging tribalism and regionalism for their personal gains. It is only recently that some areas have been liberated, where they no longer choose the candidate based on where he or she is coming from.
Taking advantage of the illiterate masses, the politicians are using that as a point to achieve their ends. The masses are not well informed. There are many issues they need to be informed. This has a risk. The majorities who are not well informed are involved in decision-making. They are there to be manipulated. They are there to be used by politicians to serve their own wishes.
Dr Bakili Muluzi offers himself a very good individual who has rare gut that he can employ to perplex the ordinary folks, before stage-managing them to tag along his views. The mere look at one of his numerous arguments, where he says that during his rule sugar was less than K50 but now it is more than K100, it makes sense to a village folk – especially the one with no basic knowledge of economics. But do the village folk has knowledge of soaring prices of petroleum products, loss of strength of kwacha or dollar? To the village folk, all these jargons are nonsense. Dr Muluzi may know or otherwise, but being a crafty politician, he identifies the niche and uses it – perhaps to serve his ego.
Further, since democracy is a form of rule where the views of the majority government, irrespective of constitutionality, are followed, it is bound to rape the constitution inside out. The parliament as long as it gives a majority representation to the government, it is high likely that the parliament in such instances can rubberstamp anything emanating from the high office.
The UDF- led government before 2004 upon having the majority repealed the section 64 from the Constitution. This meant the MPs were not to be answerable to the electorates. From 2001 using the advantageous numeric presence in parliament, the ruling party then, thought of bringing up the open third bill which was brought to its kneels by a few votes. That is why democracy, says Aristotle, "is a corruption of constitution." Very recently some quarters on the DPP side were calling for wiping out of section 65; some of them say it is in conflict with freedom of association. Who should be believed? Whoever the winner, all these political embarrassments to the country's constitution are there to serve the interest of someone, not the people.
The DPP government has more than once made public its displeasure with section 65. It has spoken on the need to wipe out the provision from the constitution. But analysts believe DPP is just afraid that if the injunctions were lifted. If the speaker used the powers invested in him, DPP will be one of the biggest losers as it will remain with at least five MPs. With not much MPs, the DPP government had no option but use all it can to hook MPs from other parties as a way of achieving its agenda in parliament. The opposition, aiming also at achieving their own interests, with the majority presence, it is feared that if section 65 was applied the President could as well be shown the exit go. The opposition on numerous occasions has made it crystal clear that all they want is to remove Bingu.
Democracy seems to be there as a game of confusion. It is there to help handful individuals to achieve their goals. Frederick Engels says, "Democracy is as I take all forms of government to be, a contradiction itself, untruth, nothing but hypocrisy at the bottom." The very concept of bwana referring to the president whenever addressing him, lucidly implies a lot. The president is more powerful. The democracy that people got in 1994 is a non-starter – never will it be. The people with poverty are becoming more voiceless than 1994. They have been abridged to mere puppet of politicians, who are manipulating them for their own gains. Yet, democracy theoretically is said to be government of people to people for the people and by the people, which people? The few?
Democracy is said to frequently rest upon compromise. But are the country's politicians practicing that? More than once they are aiming political mudslinging and daggers at each other. As Professor Robert Dahl sees it "democracy theory is itself full of compromises – compromises of clashing and antagonistic principles." No compromise is traceable in Malawi. Since two or three years ago the DPP government has used all sorts of tactics to pass the bills in parliament at the expense of section 65. The battle-hardened opposition, out of frustrations for not having the section applied is doing all it can to frustrate the government. Who is the loser? All have their own interests.
As the echoes of political quagmire and fallacies of the grown ups still make jingles in the air and Malawian's minds, for the pain that democracy has brought with 2009 elections approaching soul-searching is everybody's responsibility. Has democracy brought what the country wanted or not? Who are the politicians serving? Is government justifying by launching scathing public outbursts aimed at the opposition, yet they expect them to collaborate in serving the public? Who is serving who?
Echoes of euphoria that gripped the nation in 1994 are still fresh. They were heard as the answers to numerous chains of oppression that the country had experienced during the one party era. Everyone thought time was ripe, when freedom would surely illuminate people's way of life.
In the country where no constitution was of concern in one party era, the concept of constitutionalism instantly reared a new face. Everybody will abide by the rule of law. From Nsanje to Chitipa, Mchinji to Salima, Malawians were told that their voices would be heard. They voices would be an important ingredient in the running of the government.
About fourteen years down the road, more questions than answers that people had expected to be answered are still lingering in numerous people's minds. Are Malawians truly the captains of this democracy? Are their having the legal muscle that can help them run the nation?
As Gerald Chigona observes in his Pitfalls of Democracy, "the wholesale and uncritical acceptance of democracy as a conditio qua non for human advancement is proving to be a nightmare, probably, a mitigated political disaster," with each passing year this is becoming true.
Once Kamuzu Banda said that, "you can't have everybody deciding what to do," in the running of the country. Coming from a tradition where the leaders such as a chief and a group of few have much to say, nobody, when accepting democracy had an idea on how it was like. How will it be like? Up to date many still disagree on the definition of democracy. Others say it is a rule by the electorates, yet others are looking at it as the rule by the few over others.
Two of the basic tenets of democracy are the acceptance of the right of the people to rule and letting the rule of law prevail. But is Malawi practicing the same? Is the repealing of the recall provision, which is section 64 that gave the powers to the ordinary folks to remove their member of parliament if he is not performing or conducting himself the way he is supposed to be, justified as they did?
Like the majority of a colossal of African countries, the coming of political pluralism brought to light tribal and regional stratification. The politicians for their own gains used the divide and rule theory in encouraging tribalism and regionalism for their personal gains. It is only recently that some areas have been liberated, where they no longer choose the candidate based on where he or she is coming from.
Taking advantage of the illiterate masses, the politicians are using that as a point to achieve their ends. The masses are not well informed. There are many issues they need to be informed. This has a risk. The majorities who are not well informed are involved in decision-making. They are there to be manipulated. They are there to be used by politicians to serve their own wishes.
Dr Bakili Muluzi offers himself a very good individual who has rare gut that he can employ to perplex the ordinary folks, before stage-managing them to tag along his views. The mere look at one of his numerous arguments, where he says that during his rule sugar was less than K50 but now it is more than K100, it makes sense to a village folk – especially the one with no basic knowledge of economics. But do the village folk has knowledge of soaring prices of petroleum products, loss of strength of kwacha or dollar? To the village folk, all these jargons are nonsense. Dr Muluzi may know or otherwise, but being a crafty politician, he identifies the niche and uses it – perhaps to serve his ego.
Further, since democracy is a form of rule where the views of the majority government, irrespective of constitutionality, are followed, it is bound to rape the constitution inside out. The parliament as long as it gives a majority representation to the government, it is high likely that the parliament in such instances can rubberstamp anything emanating from the high office.
The UDF- led government before 2004 upon having the majority repealed the section 64 from the Constitution. This meant the MPs were not to be answerable to the electorates. From 2001 using the advantageous numeric presence in parliament, the ruling party then, thought of bringing up the open third bill which was brought to its kneels by a few votes. That is why democracy, says Aristotle, "is a corruption of constitution." Very recently some quarters on the DPP side were calling for wiping out of section 65; some of them say it is in conflict with freedom of association. Who should be believed? Whoever the winner, all these political embarrassments to the country's constitution are there to serve the interest of someone, not the people.
The DPP government has more than once made public its displeasure with section 65. It has spoken on the need to wipe out the provision from the constitution. But analysts believe DPP is just afraid that if the injunctions were lifted. If the speaker used the powers invested in him, DPP will be one of the biggest losers as it will remain with at least five MPs. With not much MPs, the DPP government had no option but use all it can to hook MPs from other parties as a way of achieving its agenda in parliament. The opposition, aiming also at achieving their own interests, with the majority presence, it is feared that if section 65 was applied the President could as well be shown the exit go. The opposition on numerous occasions has made it crystal clear that all they want is to remove Bingu.
Democracy seems to be there as a game of confusion. It is there to help handful individuals to achieve their goals. Frederick Engels says, "Democracy is as I take all forms of government to be, a contradiction itself, untruth, nothing but hypocrisy at the bottom." The very concept of bwana referring to the president whenever addressing him, lucidly implies a lot. The president is more powerful. The democracy that people got in 1994 is a non-starter – never will it be. The people with poverty are becoming more voiceless than 1994. They have been abridged to mere puppet of politicians, who are manipulating them for their own gains. Yet, democracy theoretically is said to be government of people to people for the people and by the people, which people? The few?
Democracy is said to frequently rest upon compromise. But are the country's politicians practicing that? More than once they are aiming political mudslinging and daggers at each other. As Professor Robert Dahl sees it "democracy theory is itself full of compromises – compromises of clashing and antagonistic principles." No compromise is traceable in Malawi. Since two or three years ago the DPP government has used all sorts of tactics to pass the bills in parliament at the expense of section 65. The battle-hardened opposition, out of frustrations for not having the section applied is doing all it can to frustrate the government. Who is the loser? All have their own interests.
As the echoes of political quagmire and fallacies of the grown ups still make jingles in the air and Malawian's minds, for the pain that democracy has brought with 2009 elections approaching soul-searching is everybody's responsibility. Has democracy brought what the country wanted or not? Who are the politicians serving? Is government justifying by launching scathing public outbursts aimed at the opposition, yet they expect them to collaborate in serving the public? Who is serving who?
Monday, June 16, 2008
THE WTO-DEVELOPING COUNTRIES' DILEMMA
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
As the May 19 swiftly approaches, it is highly expected that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) secretariat will be hosting ministers aimed at finding a "breakthrough in the global trade talks," which the WTO Director General Pascal Lamy has described as talks seeking "an outline deal on Doha Round."
The negotiations aimed at striking a global trade deal started in 2001 in an attempt to bring about smooth flow of exports around the world, with greater emphasis on offering developing countries a conducive environment which can help them deal with grappling poverty culminating in the developing countries being easily integrated into the world economy.
Over the years of heated debates, the Doha Round which is intending at freeing global trade and extending the benefits of the globalization to developing countries, it seems is aloof from bringing about a win-win conclusion.
Marred by more break downs in talks than agreements leading to successes, the WTO has huge task hovering over its secretariat.
In 2003 in Cancun the talks intended at forging the agreements on the round's objectives collapsed after a strong North-South divide on agricultural issues, where the middle-income and poorer developing countries rejected the deal which they viewed as very unfavorable.
The latest being the talks in Geneva in 2006. This one failed to bring an agreement on reducing farm subsidies and lowering tariffs, a scenario that forced Pascal Lamy to formally suspend the Doha Round.
Amongst the most treasured issues by the developing countries are agricultural market access and agricultural subsidies.
Although agriculture constitutes 8% of the world trade, it represents the main source of income for approximately 2.5 billion people, the majority of whom are those in the developing countries. In the developing countries fifty out of every hundred individuals make their living from farming and agriculture. In some instances it goes to as far as eighty people out of every hundred, a scenario which Malawi becomes a good example.
To this end agriculture and levels of poverty have direct linkage. It is no wonder that three-fourth of 2.5 billion people who are trapped below a threshold of a dollar per day work and live in the rural areas, with agriculture being their main income earner..
Between 80 to 90% of Malawians live in the rural areas and depend on agriculture. According to Malawi Growth and Development Strategy 65% of the rural people live below the poverty line. Agriculture therefore plays a vital role in fight against poverty, which is also a central aspect in Millennium Development Goals.
With such revelations of taxing poverty and relatively lower production coupled by less capabilities to successfully compete on the world market, farmers from the poor countries are finding it an uphill to compete with excessively subsidized exports from the European countries, USA and even Japan.
They see it as suicidal to open up they markets which they view as likely to cripple even further their already incapacitated local industries, which mostly are agro-based.
Despite Doha Ministerial Declaration extensively reflecting the concerns of the developing countries that, "SDT for developing countries shall be an integral part of all elements of the negotiations so as to be operationally effective and enable developing countries to effectively take account of their needs, including food security and rural development," the past experience with the trade liberalization during the last decade ore so has shown that these have led to renouncing to policy tools that can foster development while not redressing imbalances that allow for massive subsidization and protection of agriculture in major developed countries.
This is further re-affirmed by the fact that developed countries face less pressure to open up their markets.
The WTO rules have not prevented developed countries from resorting to trade-distorting, domestic support and export subsidies, with the developing countries – who mostly rely on heavily on tariffs and border measures to protect and support their agriculture, have been pressured to open up their markets and reduce their trade barriers to the entry of agricultural products. Such a tendency is coming in because of ongoing round table discussions, as well as due to top down policy advice emanating from donors and international organizations.
Among a colossal of outstanding issues, there is "sensitive product" issue that developed and large developing countries would like to protect, with the group of six namely US, EU, Brazil, Canada and Australia having hot disagreements amongst themselves on joint proposal. The disagreements will surely have either a positive or negative impact on the plot of smaller countries like Malawi, which exports to Europe.
While "Tropical Products countries" like Cost Rica are pushing for faster liberalization of their products to the EU, the ACP countries are haggling for a lower libaralisation process, especially for the products which the ACP exports to the EU under preferential terms. With these conflicts between the rich and the poor, the rich between rich, and the poor between the poor, it re mains a conundrum that will need a bottom up solution, not the closed door meetings in the Green Rooms with hope that the developing countries will rubber stamp everything because they depend on the very rich countries for aid.
With the fragile and undiversified economy that Malawi has, which wholly depends on agriculture, as May 19 approaches for the conclusion of the talks as Pascal Lamy puts it, the landscape looks very bumpy than ever. The developed countries with their highly protected agricultural sector have bashed the submissions by the chair of the negotiating committee on agriculture Crawford Falconer, who suggests that a minimum requirement cut of tariff by the developed countries should be 54% against 36% for the developing countries, a move which was welcomed by the developing countries.
It seems to be the hardest period. With EPA negotiations hitting a gridlock, oil prices soaring records high, and now the WTO negotiations becoming unfavorable to the developing countries, this moment is possibly the most trying for the countries in the caliber of Malawi.
As May 19 is at the door stop, Malawi is facing a dilemma. The Western governments are the ones that fund a better part of its budget, its industries are fragile, the local farmers have little abilities to compete with their Western counterparts, yet anyhow rejection of the deal may bring another chaos. It remains to be seen how the outstanding issues will be resolved.
My Point of View -The need for Parliament entrance examinations
Almost everyone wants to be in Parliament. For those who are already there, they say they are qualified and they deserve to be in the House.
They passed the proficiency test. They can speak English. That’s good! They can manage to write in English. To them, all is well. At least if an MP can control the pen to write and say some sense in English, it is all fine – that is a threshold enough to gauge the MPs’ mental and intellectual malnourishment.
At the time of the test, those that had an MSCE certificate or any qualification above were exempted from the examination. How should a nation examine someone who is well educated? They know a lot. If they posses the basic MSCE certificate, it means they at least know the basics.
The syllabus covers a good number of basics, enough to make an individual well-informed.
Although the proficiency test was introduced, with some pain, I fail to grasp the reason for its set up. If it is only to see how fluent one is in English, be it written or orally, as a nation are we helping one another? Is the mere understanding of English a reason enough for one to qualify for a seat in the House?
This coupled with the strange calls by almost every celebrity that they want to stand as MPs, jittery I am failing to appreciate the whole situation. Something needs to be done. Not to bar the aspirants, but at least to separate chaff from the group of many aspirants. At least to see how ready they are.
Being an era of globalisation, where what is happening in
In other ways there is need for a mechanism that surely should sieve the MPs or those aspiring to become one. The honourable ladies and gentlemen face issues of all extremes – most of them of the great importance to the nation. There are crucial decisions that the MPs are supposed to make. And they do that.
But despite the proficiency test, it is only few individuals who take part in the deliberations. Others just follow where the wind is blowing without scrutinising the contributions.
There have been few who are opinion leaders in the House, with the rest being reduced to mere opinion followers. There have been some issues that the MPs have failed to participate in. Chances are high that some of the MPs are always mum not that they don’t know how to speak English but because of the barrier in understanding things.
In other words, members of Parliament need to be well versed in issues from different spheres of life. They may not have knowledge of everything, but they need at least to have an overview of the current affairs as it is happening around the world. They must know other issues as well not only English.
My point of view is that English test is not enough in all senses. There is an urgent need for a special screening process that apart from gauging them in English, the MPs basic knowledge and reasoning in politics, economics, religion, environment and other issues that directly or indirectly will have an effect on the formulation of laws in the country must also be scaled.
Just like it happens at the interviews or entrance examinations in universities, some people may qualify but still there is a process of verifying if the person qualified is indeed qualified enough. Other MPs are educated but that can not guarantee that their mental capacity will contribute to the country’s development.
With the frightening influx of aspirants to be members of Parliament, some of them looking as if there are running away from poverty, it is necessary to screen them and see if they can contribute anything meaningful.
At this critical time when the nation is at its preparatory phase in readiness of the 2009 General Elections, that responsible need to re-examine the requirement of proficiency test.
This should be considered because whatever decision the MPs make, it has a long term bearing on the way the country is run. They need to be people equipped with enough knowledge that can help the country.
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