This story was published in the Daily Times special supplement that was carried out within a week after President Bingu wa Mutharika’s wife demise. I HAVE JUST REPRODUCED IT
…"She closed her eyes peacefully today this afternoon, Monday 28th May 2007. A dark cloud has fallen over the state house and the nation...”
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
The story of how Madam Ethel Mutharika lived could hardly have been less inspiring – or touching. Possibly even before finding herself at the State House, she had one day sat down with President Dr Bingu Wa mutharika. Possibly she had said to him, “there are a lot that I can do for this country.” It is intricate to gauge the response from the-then mere politician, but one thing should have been very obvious, crystal clear: “go ahead.”
Being a man who believes the destiny of Malawi is in the hands of Malawians, the suggestion from the First Lady was timely. “Don’t ask what the country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country,” the long journey begun.
The way she lived is ineffable to illustrate. Others saw her smile, a beacon of good manners - smile that soothes those in suffering. It is until the nation staggered to reconcile the sad news of her death on that cloudy afternoon that many grasped the sort of life she led – the sea of suffering she swam in. More than the one that some people went through, perhaps.
“In her pain and suffering, she smiled, reached out to her women empowerment projects, did her farming and everyday from my City Centre office could see her four vehicle motorcade passing,” Kondwani Munthali, who has interacted with her in various occasions writes, adding that she is a woman that the first citizen of the country hugely relied upon.
Her death is one of the most strictly grief in the modern Malawi, the least thing imagined, but as Mzati Nkolokosa says, “life is a journey,” people have different times of reaching their destinies. For her, the time for her destiny, had clocked.
She was a quite lady. At times she looked as if she doesn’t speak. Seeing her making utterances in public was a rare occasion. Even during such occasions, all she did was have a brief speech. It’s only the works of her thinking that spoke. A lot! Her works echoed, and are still reverberating a year after her untimely bereavement.
Born to a Malawian medical assistant in Zimbabwe and a Zimbabwean mother, Madam Mutharika was until her death had been married to President Mutharika for thirty-seven years. They had four children and several grand children.
Though gone for ever, Ethel Mutharika will continue to be remembered for being a respectable voice for the underprivileged and marginalized girl children and the elderly. The coming to life of Ethel Mutharika Foundation was not just one of those set-ups that are there with no vision. It was established to serve the lives of girls and the elderly. The foundation after her death is still buzzing with all sorts of activities. Recently, the country witnessed the coming together of various artists. The funds realized are not for the enrichment of the artists. The monies are there to help the target groups – the orphans, the underprivileged, girls and the elderly.
"The foundation is sourcing finances to build a modern orphanage in the country and we will maximize this event to raise the required funds for the underprivileged. We have therefore set a reasonable entry fee so that many people should patronize," Tay Grin had told the Nyasa Times as pertaining to the event.
In the three years she had been a First Lady, Madam Mutharika showed that she was a very generous lady. This is despite battling with cancer. In the north, especially Karonga she established gardens that are there to help the orphans get some care.
She had also been helpful to the girls. She lived a life to inspire many. Ethel Mutharika during the luncheon with the Lilongwe Girls 2005 MSCE class, she was happy among the children. Her speech was very inspiring to the girls. She believed in empowering girls so are other youths.
She even allowed the youths to visit her Mitundu farm; she it is reported that she personally supervised it. She was a farmer, so focused and dedicated. This is in line with the calls to make Malawi, a food secure country.
At a time when all sorts of nasty things were happening for the girl- child, she opened her mouth. She called for the protection of the girl-child, from all extremes of abuse. Unfortunately she succumbed to death before finishing her programs.
Her death, just like that of many but rare individuals with unique approaches to life, is not only tearful one. It has patches from which lessons can be drawn. As her face worms someone back to her sixty-three year life she ploughed through and contributions she made to the nation, it’s a lesson enough that whatever people do, they should do that with the nation in their mind.
She might be dead, but her smile in the thicket of suffering is still illuminating up to date. She smiled in her own sufferings, now her works are trying to brighten the faces of many people suffering in the country in various ways.
Death in its crude form is not welcome, however good or bad an individual is. It is probably inevitable - but it was shocking. The death of Madam Ethel Wa mutharika was not welcome. No wonder, Malawi government described the death of Madam Mutharika as a “deep sorrow and a great sense of loss.” More calls of a great loss followed.
But death can inspire. Basing on one’s approach to life, the people may get inspired. Especially when you have a mission especially for the nation, death means nothing. The late first lady walked the talk. She smiled at a time when she was supposed to grumble. She did not smile to herself, but to the whole nation- really a good lesson. Reminding the people to lead a positive life, even when in the storm, the people must carry and light a candle.
President Dr Bingu Wa mutharika is such an individual that has been inspired. He fears no death any longer, “because death will come when it will come. The death of my wife gave me new courage to face the world. Therefore, death has no venom and no power over me.”
She might be gone, but her smile is conspicuous in her works. Beneficiaries are benefiting. Her foundation is still soldiering on. A sign post of being visionary. Her smile in the midst of suffering, is a smile of the once under-privileged now smiling.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Preparing for World Economic Forum
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
From 10 to 12 June 2009, the numbers exceeding 600 of heads of governments from all pockets of Africa and other corners of the world will be converging in Cape Town, South Africa. The theme is obvious, the implications of the Global Economic Crisis for Africa.
The repercussions of the world economic crisis have been rather harsh. Many governments had thought that it would be confined to the Western countries. But as the economic upheaval continues to plunge more economies into levels unprecedented, many of them registering growths that are nearing negatives, nerve-shuddering fear continues to wreak havoc especially amongst African leaders, and other developing countries.
These countries have a reason to fear the invisible danger. Since the turn of the new millennium many developing countries have strived to turn around their economies. That coupled with debt cancellation, it as well meant that the monies that used to be channeled to debt paying were used for creation of favourable conditions for economic growth.
The news was even sweeter. There was a substantial reduction in natural disasters and uncertainties. This meant one thing. It meant popping up of even smooth treading platform in the walk towards attainment of economic prosperity. Malawi is such a good example of a lucky nation.
The country might have become a role model to the fellow African countries, but that to extent did not only rely on good economic formulae. To a considerable extent, there was lucky. The rains were just generous. Being a country with agriculture contributing over 70% of its GDP, the good climatic conditions were important. Luckily, all went on accordingly. That’s the country today can have that time of whistling its success, while other countries are scratching their heads in trouble.
The tiny Southern Africa country, wedged between Tanzania and Zambia sharing half of the upper boarder, and Mozambique, has seen its food security status becoming a world anthem. The economic growth at above 6% in three consecutive years.
Today the country is busy trying to find markets to its abundant produce. Unfortunately the markets are not in Malawi. Those that buy most of the commodities are buyers from the oversea. With the world economic crisis biting like never before, the gains that this tiny country and other nations had made are under threatened.
Everyone in one respect or another is little by little feeling the pinch. “Businesses are not going on smoothly,” laments a Kaunjika seller. “This is the worst year in my career.” He has been in the game for ten years, but as Ackim Shaibu is selling second clothes in Lilongwe, he sees the change.
The debates, on whether the world economic crisis would affect the country or not, are frequenting. Some think so. Others not. That’s how it is. In a society of today there can not be one answer.
Perhaps this is why there is this economic forum in South Africa. There are questions that will need to be answered. According to Media reports, the participants at the forum will focus on addressing the global and regional implications of the economic mayhem. After taking in some coffee and tea, the participants will sit down and develop a new “roadmap for Africa’s future.”
As Jacob Zuma will be hosting the 19th summit, all eyes will focus at the outcome. Malawi is a member of SADC. South Africa is now in recession. The Malawi nation pretty well knows that if South Africa is in economic crisis, it not only becomes South Africa’s crisis, but the whole SADC region’s problem.
This is time to chalk new chapter for betterment of the country.
From 10 to 12 June 2009, the numbers exceeding 600 of heads of governments from all pockets of Africa and other corners of the world will be converging in Cape Town, South Africa. The theme is obvious, the implications of the Global Economic Crisis for Africa.
The repercussions of the world economic crisis have been rather harsh. Many governments had thought that it would be confined to the Western countries. But as the economic upheaval continues to plunge more economies into levels unprecedented, many of them registering growths that are nearing negatives, nerve-shuddering fear continues to wreak havoc especially amongst African leaders, and other developing countries.
These countries have a reason to fear the invisible danger. Since the turn of the new millennium many developing countries have strived to turn around their economies. That coupled with debt cancellation, it as well meant that the monies that used to be channeled to debt paying were used for creation of favourable conditions for economic growth.
The news was even sweeter. There was a substantial reduction in natural disasters and uncertainties. This meant one thing. It meant popping up of even smooth treading platform in the walk towards attainment of economic prosperity. Malawi is such a good example of a lucky nation.
The country might have become a role model to the fellow African countries, but that to extent did not only rely on good economic formulae. To a considerable extent, there was lucky. The rains were just generous. Being a country with agriculture contributing over 70% of its GDP, the good climatic conditions were important. Luckily, all went on accordingly. That’s the country today can have that time of whistling its success, while other countries are scratching their heads in trouble.
The tiny Southern Africa country, wedged between Tanzania and Zambia sharing half of the upper boarder, and Mozambique, has seen its food security status becoming a world anthem. The economic growth at above 6% in three consecutive years.
Today the country is busy trying to find markets to its abundant produce. Unfortunately the markets are not in Malawi. Those that buy most of the commodities are buyers from the oversea. With the world economic crisis biting like never before, the gains that this tiny country and other nations had made are under threatened.
Everyone in one respect or another is little by little feeling the pinch. “Businesses are not going on smoothly,” laments a Kaunjika seller. “This is the worst year in my career.” He has been in the game for ten years, but as Ackim Shaibu is selling second clothes in Lilongwe, he sees the change.
The debates, on whether the world economic crisis would affect the country or not, are frequenting. Some think so. Others not. That’s how it is. In a society of today there can not be one answer.
Perhaps this is why there is this economic forum in South Africa. There are questions that will need to be answered. According to Media reports, the participants at the forum will focus on addressing the global and regional implications of the economic mayhem. After taking in some coffee and tea, the participants will sit down and develop a new “roadmap for Africa’s future.”
As Jacob Zuma will be hosting the 19th summit, all eyes will focus at the outcome. Malawi is a member of SADC. South Africa is now in recession. The Malawi nation pretty well knows that if South Africa is in economic crisis, it not only becomes South Africa’s crisis, but the whole SADC region’s problem.
This is time to chalk new chapter for betterment of the country.
Roadmap for the future
Roadmap for the future
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Tomorrow never comes. For today’s today, is yesterday’s tomorrow. Today’s tomorrow becomes tomorrow’s yesterday. Tomorrow is complex. Crudely putting it, tomorrow never comes.
These are exceptions. Yet these are just indicators. They help in shaping how the other day the sun will rise will be like. They help is shaping the future. It is what one does today that the future becomes. Or his or her future bears. A future will always be the fruit of yesterday’s sweat.
It is only when history records are chalked and made erasing-proof, when it becomes really clear that there was yesterday. It is only a fool who forgets the existence of yesterday. Failing to keep every day’s records for future’s reference is even more than suicidal bombing of a priest while preaching.
It is the very same disease that Malawi, as a country, is battling against. The past records are sporadic. It seems people rely on oral history. This perhaps explains why the former president, Dr Bakili Muluzi accused Malawians saying Vuto la a Malawi simuchedwa kuyiwala (Malawians forget easily).
It’s considerably unfortunate. Yet true. Its not that the writings are not there, no. Writings are there; perhaps it is the will to read that is leaving us. By day our memories become depleted. Perhaps the recent elections have answered the former president. People have shown that they learn from past experience. It is only through the study of the past that the present can be shaped, they may have used oral means to trace the past, but they have demonstrated that.
The recent elections have been unprecedented. To many, they exuded “an extraordinary” landslide. This has been a common theme. To others, the elections were also a new symbol for the future. It is during this year’s elections that regional barriers were leveled. These barriers had been there since the thirteen plus million people populated country embraced principles of democracy some fifteen or so years ago.
Equally crucial, the elections were also the source of political embarrassment to political heavyweights. Many political barons wobbled and crumbled before their opponents. The election results were also the first ones in which the nation saw numbers of women joining the wagon of seemingly purpose-oriented women ballooning.
The elections were a mixed bag. There were myriad crucial issues addressed, grinding of regional barriers, rising in number of women Parliamentarians, falling of political landlords as well as the unprecedented gap between the winning candidate and the nearest opponent.
But the elections were historic too. They were a source of prophesy. The question with reference to the past is why did the opposition fell down with such a landslide defeat?
Prophesy
“These writers hate Bakili Muluzi,” scrambling with fellow students to read Political Index of The Nation in Chancellor College library, voice of one student aback, summersaults to the present.
“No, they don’t hate him. Only that truth hurts,” one student engrossed in the Political Index feature story, responds. It is in 2007.
On this day, the feature title is not only beautiful. It is bright too. A Beaultiful flame that kills. On the byline there is Mzati Nkolokosa. The central character is Dr Bakili Muluzi. Like a meandering yet smooth river the feature drinks us with the waters of a long political journey that Muluzi has seen. Unfortunately, it is a path to destruction.
Of Muluzi, the story with much easiness starts, “he is so attractive, an irresistible, like flame that attracts moths.” A pause…
Another line. “But it’s a flame that suffocates and all who doesn’t realize early enough die.” The long story starts. Those that associate with Muluzi, according to the story, suffocates and perishes with him.
Big Bullets is the first one in this story. The team has seen itself, after ascending from rags to Bakili’s riches, with a thump it collapsed. Today, as Malawi News reporter, Vincent Phiri had written recently, the players have gone to the extent of walking on foot after games.
The list is long. For Chakufwa Chihana the story is evident. The miseries of his Aford party are a remaining testimony. For the man himself, Nkolokosa wrote: “He died politically long before his physical death in 2006.” Then there is Khwauli Msiska. Now he tells Malawians that he has learnt from his past mistakes of moving the open bill.
For Gwanda Chakuamba it is evident how his story has ended. Falling down from a man who sometime back was expected to be the country’s president, his miscalculations through his association with Muluzi have gravely berried him. Perhaps, it is Tembo who has the latest story.
As a beautiful flame kills, in the same year there is also candle Burning in the storm. The writer is Bright Molande. His feature, simply ties up everything. The writer focuses on the working together of Tembo and Muluzi. But this is 2007, mind you.
In one paragraph, Molande writes, “Tembo is destroying himself together with MCP. He is seen to be mobilizing the aspirations of the party against development, against the needs of the people, the voters.”
Tembo has fought hard in Parliament. Seemingly relying on the allegations that his votes were stolen, he took that as gospel truth. With a frustrated Muluzi and his allies of easily influenced MPs in Parliament, John Tembo saw all this as an opportunity he cannot let go. In the process, he worked with Muluzi. His MCP party in the process got money from Muluzi.
Then there is working together cooperation that was never an alliance nor a coalition. Unfortunately, today MCP is licking its wounds as in tatters in numerical presence in Parliament has drastically reduced. UDF too is the shadow of its former self. But UDF seems to learn something.
Way ahead
The writings had been written years ago. Yet the events have written themselves too. With the ticking of the clock signaling the new period of elections coming, it is a reminder to the losers that they should not keep on complaining. The heavy defeats that UDF and MCP registered must the cornerstone on which the future must be cemented upon.
MCP currently is faced with internal squabbles. There is a group of young blood calling for Tembo to bow down. The former spokesperson of the party has so far paid dearly for the calls. He has been fired. John Tembo did the firing.
When asked, the MCP president says there is a way that is followed for the party to let the young ones to run it.
While MCP is engulfed in the internal unrest, UDF is quietly yet surely covering some miles. When Sam Mpasu and Friday Jumbe in 2007 publicly contradicted Muluzi, as Molande quotes them, “arguing that the collective position of the party was to focus on rebuilding the party,” it looked like they were against the big man.
Today UDF seems to have learnt some lessons. Bakili Muluzi himself has agreed that this is time to revitalize the party. As Molande had written in 2007, that was the time of rebuilding the party. Perhaps the disaster the party saw during the elections wouldn’t have been witnessed.
However, Bakili Muluzi has even gone a step ahead. He is calling for cooperation amongst the political players. The interests of the nation should be on the forefront, his message is clear.
New form of message
Dr Benjamin Mays once said that “the tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.” For some time the country has concentrated on politics, even at time when elections are long gone. This has had a bearing. Unfortunately, a negative one. Even if the government can have plans and goals, in some way they end up getting blurred in the process. This is why Muluzi’s message should be a call that our politicians must embrace. But is only when it is done with great sincerity that it can help in transforming the country.
Today the country like Mahatma Gandhi must strive at bringing forth the change it wants to see. Time is now. Political squabbles must go. Let the country soldier on to the land of prosperity.
There is need for patriotism amongst the politicians. The interests of the country should come first. In that way, as the country celebrates the emergence two important things, the change we want surely will be seen.
The increase in number of women and the grinding of regional barriers should surely go into history books as the turning point for the country. In countries like Rwanda, after seen bloody period of civil war, they changed their policy. They don’t identify one another as a Hutu or Tutsi. They see one another as Rwandans.
Malawi is surely following suit. It is a new roadmap for the future. The today’s sweat is tomorrow’s sweet. Though tomorrow never comes, but when the fruits shall be seen, we shall say tomorrow has come.
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Tomorrow never comes. For today’s today, is yesterday’s tomorrow. Today’s tomorrow becomes tomorrow’s yesterday. Tomorrow is complex. Crudely putting it, tomorrow never comes.
These are exceptions. Yet these are just indicators. They help in shaping how the other day the sun will rise will be like. They help is shaping the future. It is what one does today that the future becomes. Or his or her future bears. A future will always be the fruit of yesterday’s sweat.
It is only when history records are chalked and made erasing-proof, when it becomes really clear that there was yesterday. It is only a fool who forgets the existence of yesterday. Failing to keep every day’s records for future’s reference is even more than suicidal bombing of a priest while preaching.
It is the very same disease that Malawi, as a country, is battling against. The past records are sporadic. It seems people rely on oral history. This perhaps explains why the former president, Dr Bakili Muluzi accused Malawians saying Vuto la a Malawi simuchedwa kuyiwala (Malawians forget easily).
It’s considerably unfortunate. Yet true. Its not that the writings are not there, no. Writings are there; perhaps it is the will to read that is leaving us. By day our memories become depleted. Perhaps the recent elections have answered the former president. People have shown that they learn from past experience. It is only through the study of the past that the present can be shaped, they may have used oral means to trace the past, but they have demonstrated that.
The recent elections have been unprecedented. To many, they exuded “an extraordinary” landslide. This has been a common theme. To others, the elections were also a new symbol for the future. It is during this year’s elections that regional barriers were leveled. These barriers had been there since the thirteen plus million people populated country embraced principles of democracy some fifteen or so years ago.
Equally crucial, the elections were also the source of political embarrassment to political heavyweights. Many political barons wobbled and crumbled before their opponents. The election results were also the first ones in which the nation saw numbers of women joining the wagon of seemingly purpose-oriented women ballooning.
The elections were a mixed bag. There were myriad crucial issues addressed, grinding of regional barriers, rising in number of women Parliamentarians, falling of political landlords as well as the unprecedented gap between the winning candidate and the nearest opponent.
But the elections were historic too. They were a source of prophesy. The question with reference to the past is why did the opposition fell down with such a landslide defeat?
Prophesy
“These writers hate Bakili Muluzi,” scrambling with fellow students to read Political Index of The Nation in Chancellor College library, voice of one student aback, summersaults to the present.
“No, they don’t hate him. Only that truth hurts,” one student engrossed in the Political Index feature story, responds. It is in 2007.
On this day, the feature title is not only beautiful. It is bright too. A Beaultiful flame that kills. On the byline there is Mzati Nkolokosa. The central character is Dr Bakili Muluzi. Like a meandering yet smooth river the feature drinks us with the waters of a long political journey that Muluzi has seen. Unfortunately, it is a path to destruction.
Of Muluzi, the story with much easiness starts, “he is so attractive, an irresistible, like flame that attracts moths.” A pause…
Another line. “But it’s a flame that suffocates and all who doesn’t realize early enough die.” The long story starts. Those that associate with Muluzi, according to the story, suffocates and perishes with him.
Big Bullets is the first one in this story. The team has seen itself, after ascending from rags to Bakili’s riches, with a thump it collapsed. Today, as Malawi News reporter, Vincent Phiri had written recently, the players have gone to the extent of walking on foot after games.
The list is long. For Chakufwa Chihana the story is evident. The miseries of his Aford party are a remaining testimony. For the man himself, Nkolokosa wrote: “He died politically long before his physical death in 2006.” Then there is Khwauli Msiska. Now he tells Malawians that he has learnt from his past mistakes of moving the open bill.
For Gwanda Chakuamba it is evident how his story has ended. Falling down from a man who sometime back was expected to be the country’s president, his miscalculations through his association with Muluzi have gravely berried him. Perhaps, it is Tembo who has the latest story.
As a beautiful flame kills, in the same year there is also candle Burning in the storm. The writer is Bright Molande. His feature, simply ties up everything. The writer focuses on the working together of Tembo and Muluzi. But this is 2007, mind you.
In one paragraph, Molande writes, “Tembo is destroying himself together with MCP. He is seen to be mobilizing the aspirations of the party against development, against the needs of the people, the voters.”
Tembo has fought hard in Parliament. Seemingly relying on the allegations that his votes were stolen, he took that as gospel truth. With a frustrated Muluzi and his allies of easily influenced MPs in Parliament, John Tembo saw all this as an opportunity he cannot let go. In the process, he worked with Muluzi. His MCP party in the process got money from Muluzi.
Then there is working together cooperation that was never an alliance nor a coalition. Unfortunately, today MCP is licking its wounds as in tatters in numerical presence in Parliament has drastically reduced. UDF too is the shadow of its former self. But UDF seems to learn something.
Way ahead
The writings had been written years ago. Yet the events have written themselves too. With the ticking of the clock signaling the new period of elections coming, it is a reminder to the losers that they should not keep on complaining. The heavy defeats that UDF and MCP registered must the cornerstone on which the future must be cemented upon.
MCP currently is faced with internal squabbles. There is a group of young blood calling for Tembo to bow down. The former spokesperson of the party has so far paid dearly for the calls. He has been fired. John Tembo did the firing.
When asked, the MCP president says there is a way that is followed for the party to let the young ones to run it.
While MCP is engulfed in the internal unrest, UDF is quietly yet surely covering some miles. When Sam Mpasu and Friday Jumbe in 2007 publicly contradicted Muluzi, as Molande quotes them, “arguing that the collective position of the party was to focus on rebuilding the party,” it looked like they were against the big man.
Today UDF seems to have learnt some lessons. Bakili Muluzi himself has agreed that this is time to revitalize the party. As Molande had written in 2007, that was the time of rebuilding the party. Perhaps the disaster the party saw during the elections wouldn’t have been witnessed.
However, Bakili Muluzi has even gone a step ahead. He is calling for cooperation amongst the political players. The interests of the nation should be on the forefront, his message is clear.
New form of message
Dr Benjamin Mays once said that “the tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.” For some time the country has concentrated on politics, even at time when elections are long gone. This has had a bearing. Unfortunately, a negative one. Even if the government can have plans and goals, in some way they end up getting blurred in the process. This is why Muluzi’s message should be a call that our politicians must embrace. But is only when it is done with great sincerity that it can help in transforming the country.
Today the country like Mahatma Gandhi must strive at bringing forth the change it wants to see. Time is now. Political squabbles must go. Let the country soldier on to the land of prosperity.
There is need for patriotism amongst the politicians. The interests of the country should come first. In that way, as the country celebrates the emergence two important things, the change we want surely will be seen.
The increase in number of women and the grinding of regional barriers should surely go into history books as the turning point for the country. In countries like Rwanda, after seen bloody period of civil war, they changed their policy. They don’t identify one another as a Hutu or Tutsi. They see one another as Rwandans.
Malawi is surely following suit. It is a new roadmap for the future. The today’s sweat is tomorrow’s sweet. Though tomorrow never comes, but when the fruits shall be seen, we shall say tomorrow has come.
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