By Pacharo Felix Munthali
The former president, Dr Bakili Muluzi has always maintained. You can not measure good economic progress by the economic growth statistics. The best one can do to see if the economy of the country is on the right track is by making sure that the people have money. This view is a complete contrast of what the state president Dr Bingu wa Mutharika believe in. For the country’s president, the statistics really shows that economy is going on smoothly, which result in winning the hearts of the donors.
Winning the hearts of donors is good, treasured blessings in fact. The result is an increase in funds inflow from the bilateral and multilateral donors. The funds are good for country’s development. It can take long to discuss this debate. Yet there is another skirmish…
Honorable John Tembo on the issue of Fertilizer Subsidy believes in Universal fertilizer subsidy. Then man from Dedza also believes in setting up farmers clubs through with the fertilizer coupons can be administered. In so doing the leader of opposition sees the chances of some unscrupulous individuals having little or no access of coupons deceitfully. The rampant scenes where coupons ended up in wrong hands would not be there.
The first citizen thinks otherwise. The current system is the best. Only the real beneficiaries are the ones that get access to the commodity.
The debates are many, tense in fact. But there has never been the platform where these political heavyweights can sort one another – where they can convince Malawians. Where all presidential candidates could come together.
In few months, people will be queuing on the long lines through the rains or sun. Ready to vote for someone, ascending him or her into power. The battle perhaps is on now, yet signs are all over that it will get heart throbbing once the campaign window is opened.
Once the nomination process starts, it will mean signifying the blowing of the campaign whistle. It will be symbolic. The Malawi Electoral commission by then would have received the nomination papers. The nomination papers will have the faces – sad faces, angry faces, disgruntled faces – whatever they will represent, it will be amusing.
Once the nomination process starts, as if MEC is exclaiming let the games begin politicians will be all over. The presidential candidates will bring in all extremes of political gimmicks – to woo as much votes as possible.
This is the period when the presidential candidates are expected to attack one another’s policies. The presidential candidates sell themselves, why they have to be put into power. Certainly, it is the most crucial period in the Presidential candidate’s political life. It is the period that the politician can make or break whatever he wants to achieve. His dreams can be shuttered.
Over the years, the country has seen a lot. The behaviour of some presidential candidates in other instances has been a concern. There have been instances where the some presidential candidates have been awesome at being better than the devil himself in hurling insults on one anther’s backs. They had spent much of their time rattling nothing rather selling themselves why they must be voted into power.
Of course, to reveal the weakness of the other candidate is a good Jocker to gain as many points in the presidential race. Unfortunately, such a trend harbours some faults. It has the blunder of diverting from issues of national importance. They spend much time in retaliating, blabbing.
In other words the people instead of listening to crucial issues of national importance, have been treated to a raw deal – instead of having the catalogue of what the presidential candidate will bring once in the power, the electorates have been treated to a political mockery that at worst is tragic political comedy.
With such a set up, it would be good if the Malawi Electoral commission (MEC) or other organizations of relevance had done something that could bring the presidential candidates together. The political debates involving the presidential candidates would be of the enormous importance.
The presidential candidates instead of misusing their oxygen in uttering insults and slinging them on one another, they could do something justice by scaling and squaring each other on relevant matters of the national significance.
With a chunk of political parties with no clear political ideologies, which at times are the duplications of other parties, it would be an opportunity to cherish, as political parties would strive to define themselves. The parties would try to look unique against others.
Such a time would be of enormous important, as the presidential candidates would be dealing with issues in greater depth. The presidential candidates at this point would be subjected to all sorts of questions.
The panel of those firing question might involve the journalists and some well-learned individuals in specific areas like academicians like lecturers.
The debates taking into consideration with the Malawi’s size it could take place three times. One in the Southern region, then Central region before ending up with Northern region. It can really be a revelation.
During the day of actual debate, those in attendance can include the representative of the parties. The number of the party representatives can depend upon the place where the debate is taking place. But each candidate could have equal number of the representatives during the debate. If the debate is taking place in the south, then the representatives would come from such region, in centre or north the trend would be the same, except for members of the executive committee.
With debate, it could be good to air it live on the public service broadcasters like Malawi broadcasting corporation (MBC) and Television Malawi (TVM). Thus this could offer almost everyone to get a depiction of what the presidential candidates have for them.
Those attending the debate would thus be told not to clap or do anything that could show the support for one of the presidential candidates. In fact such a scenario would bring that spirit of co-existence. Members of different parties would be able to co-exist, thereby mastering political tolerance.
Perhaps the headache that is there is the number of parties. Malawi has parties close up to forty. Fortunately very few are active. And experience has showed that Malawi has never had more than six presidential candidates in a single election. After all there are small parties that are but jolly riders that are there just to confuse people.
Thus chances are high that come next year Malawi will have not more than five presidential candidates. With such a scenario, the debate could be feasible.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Roars of Renaissance
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
Seasons change. There are times of reaching the heights. Then there are the times of falling down, and sinking very low as if you will never rise up. But when you are down there is always hope of rising, and when that hope comes there is no turning back. This perhaps fits Chancellor College.
Sometime on Monday in March last year at about 7:30 am, all classes that were meant to take place at the time were cancelled. The Principal of Chancellor College Dr Luis Fabiano was addressing the College community of his vision after years of college down turn.
In his introduction, he had said “the mandate of universities focuses on advancement of knowledge and promotion of wisdom and understanding.” To realize this, the universities engage themselves in teaching, research, outreach programmes and provision of services as is “responsive to the needs of the nation and the world.”
This is very much in line with the vision of the University of Malawi, which Fabiano said is “to be an academic institution providing relevant world class education, research and services for sustainable development of Malawi and the world.”
The vision is a bright one. The college can thus attain unimaginable heights. This comes out of a state of ruins that the college has found itself. The infrastructure that more than three decades ago glittered with majesty of beauty was at the time of address entangled in all sorts of moulds.
“For the first time in many decades, the government has decided to provide funds for rehabilitation and infrastructure development,” the Principal had said before a jam-packed Great Hall.
The College has limped in its attempt to leap out of infrastructure mess due to lack of rehabilitation. Little by little, however, the college is trying to crawl out of the problem. That coupled with restructuring, though unfortunately for those that got retrenched, the college is striving to wear a new face.
Today, the college might still be roaring in problems of lack of chairs and other problems, but as students are carrying chairs from one class to another, from a distant noise of trucks and Lorries can be heard.
The noise today may disturb the students that are learning in the law section, but it is the roar of hope. Edge Kanyongolo, the Dean of Law, as he looks around inside his office nods, this is not nothing – it is the project that is not only a sigh of relief to law faculty, but to the whole college. Long at last, the college is expanding.
“We got the money ourselves from the donors,” he says referring to the European Union. The European Union has a programme of the Rule of Law and has been helping the faculty in various ways. The piles of the books in Machika library are the example. Some of the international competitions that the students from the faculty enter are sponsored by EU.
The faculty realized that they had nowhere to keep their books. Space was limited. The faculty through the programmes sponsored by the Rule of Law got the help. The construction of the infrastructure must be completed by late 2009 or early 2010.
The expansion is seen as the opportunity for more – not only in number of intake of students but also facilities. Currently the majority of the lecturers have no offices, but once the project is completed about fifteen offices must be ready for lectures to use. Each class will accommodate as much as sixty students. At present in each law class there are less than forty students.
The students and their lecturers will no longer have to use Little Theatre for mock trials. A mock court room with court room standards is in the offing too.
Just about 100 metres from the Little Theatre another important project is going on. The faculty of education is also electing its infrastructure. The erecting of such infrastructure is a reaction to the secondary school sector which “has been expanding with many new conventional and private secondary schools.”
As Dr Dixie Maluwa Banda, the outgoing Dean of Education thinks on the pressure that is piled on teachers training institutions, says “the current in take has been limited by space available and financial hardships due to low funding levels.” This has resulted in an increased pressure on demand for qualified teachers.
As part of increasing intake of students at the college apart from the project, the outgoing Dean says, one way of opening up education is by the introduction of parallel programme for education students.
The outgoing Dean says the project is long overdue. “Delay due to the World Bank’s IPC procedure it’s a nightmare. The construction that is starting right now, would have been done two years ago,” Maluwa Banda says.
Once the infrastructure is put in place, the outgoing dean says, a number of postgraduate programmes are supposed to increase in numbers. The programme is one part that the World Bank’ funding to the Ministry of Education called Education Sector Support project (ESSP) which is helping training institutions that are dealing with education. Other institutions are the Polytechnic and Mzuzu University.
Chancellor College might not be there, but gradually the journey is on. Kanyongolo agrees with this statement. But still he concurs with the outgoing dean of Education, “College is overdue for expansion.” Kanyongolo only hopes that the University of Malawi will help other faculties to follow suit.
A number of bright and intelligent students have qualified for selection. Unfortunately out of more than 2000 students that qualify for selection less than 1000 get selected. One of the reasons that are attributed to them not being selected is lack of enough space.
As the Principal one of these days will once again be speaking to the college community, perhaps opening the new infrastructure, the fight towards rebirthing Chancellor College as top notched institution is still going on. Chancellor College is striving to remark its lost glory that little by little has been replaced with tatters. This is the period of renaissance; a new breeze is sweeping through Chancellor College. The College is trying to redefine itself. The construction works are just a part of it.
Seasons change. There are times of reaching the heights. Then there are the times of falling down, and sinking very low as if you will never rise up. But when you are down there is always hope of rising, and when that hope comes there is no turning back. This perhaps fits Chancellor College.
Sometime on Monday in March last year at about 7:30 am, all classes that were meant to take place at the time were cancelled. The Principal of Chancellor College Dr Luis Fabiano was addressing the College community of his vision after years of college down turn.
In his introduction, he had said “the mandate of universities focuses on advancement of knowledge and promotion of wisdom and understanding.” To realize this, the universities engage themselves in teaching, research, outreach programmes and provision of services as is “responsive to the needs of the nation and the world.”
This is very much in line with the vision of the University of Malawi, which Fabiano said is “to be an academic institution providing relevant world class education, research and services for sustainable development of Malawi and the world.”
The vision is a bright one. The college can thus attain unimaginable heights. This comes out of a state of ruins that the college has found itself. The infrastructure that more than three decades ago glittered with majesty of beauty was at the time of address entangled in all sorts of moulds.
“For the first time in many decades, the government has decided to provide funds for rehabilitation and infrastructure development,” the Principal had said before a jam-packed Great Hall.
The College has limped in its attempt to leap out of infrastructure mess due to lack of rehabilitation. Little by little, however, the college is trying to crawl out of the problem. That coupled with restructuring, though unfortunately for those that got retrenched, the college is striving to wear a new face.
Today, the college might still be roaring in problems of lack of chairs and other problems, but as students are carrying chairs from one class to another, from a distant noise of trucks and Lorries can be heard.
The noise today may disturb the students that are learning in the law section, but it is the roar of hope. Edge Kanyongolo, the Dean of Law, as he looks around inside his office nods, this is not nothing – it is the project that is not only a sigh of relief to law faculty, but to the whole college. Long at last, the college is expanding.
“We got the money ourselves from the donors,” he says referring to the European Union. The European Union has a programme of the Rule of Law and has been helping the faculty in various ways. The piles of the books in Machika library are the example. Some of the international competitions that the students from the faculty enter are sponsored by EU.
The faculty realized that they had nowhere to keep their books. Space was limited. The faculty through the programmes sponsored by the Rule of Law got the help. The construction of the infrastructure must be completed by late 2009 or early 2010.
The expansion is seen as the opportunity for more – not only in number of intake of students but also facilities. Currently the majority of the lecturers have no offices, but once the project is completed about fifteen offices must be ready for lectures to use. Each class will accommodate as much as sixty students. At present in each law class there are less than forty students.
The students and their lecturers will no longer have to use Little Theatre for mock trials. A mock court room with court room standards is in the offing too.
Just about 100 metres from the Little Theatre another important project is going on. The faculty of education is also electing its infrastructure. The erecting of such infrastructure is a reaction to the secondary school sector which “has been expanding with many new conventional and private secondary schools.”
As Dr Dixie Maluwa Banda, the outgoing Dean of Education thinks on the pressure that is piled on teachers training institutions, says “the current in take has been limited by space available and financial hardships due to low funding levels.” This has resulted in an increased pressure on demand for qualified teachers.
As part of increasing intake of students at the college apart from the project, the outgoing Dean says, one way of opening up education is by the introduction of parallel programme for education students.
The outgoing Dean says the project is long overdue. “Delay due to the World Bank’s IPC procedure it’s a nightmare. The construction that is starting right now, would have been done two years ago,” Maluwa Banda says.
Once the infrastructure is put in place, the outgoing dean says, a number of postgraduate programmes are supposed to increase in numbers. The programme is one part that the World Bank’ funding to the Ministry of Education called Education Sector Support project (ESSP) which is helping training institutions that are dealing with education. Other institutions are the Polytechnic and Mzuzu University.
Chancellor College might not be there, but gradually the journey is on. Kanyongolo agrees with this statement. But still he concurs with the outgoing dean of Education, “College is overdue for expansion.” Kanyongolo only hopes that the University of Malawi will help other faculties to follow suit.
A number of bright and intelligent students have qualified for selection. Unfortunately out of more than 2000 students that qualify for selection less than 1000 get selected. One of the reasons that are attributed to them not being selected is lack of enough space.
As the Principal one of these days will once again be speaking to the college community, perhaps opening the new infrastructure, the fight towards rebirthing Chancellor College as top notched institution is still going on. Chancellor College is striving to remark its lost glory that little by little has been replaced with tatters. This is the period of renaissance; a new breeze is sweeping through Chancellor College. The College is trying to redefine itself. The construction works are just a part of it.
The Chilling Perfect Storm
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
The storm was frightening, perhaps the tempest that may not happen again. The storm may have been brewed by a rare combination of never before imagined factors, but it was the felt storm in an after cold war democracy in Malawi.
The political storm created countless stories high, and winds of stories about Malawi swaying in the foreign media. The political storm whipped the mental functioning of the people to the inconceivable levels, yet very few people saw the storm as a perfect one. Yet it was a perfect storm.
If it were an earthquake, the day that an idea popped up in Bakili Muluzi’s mind that politics of imposition is important will remain an epicentre of this perfect timeline of the perfect storm. Former president calls himself a political engineer. If the very act of influencing the whole party, however the opposing views are, then he has the point. But such an attempt contradicts a mere literal retrieving of the meaning of “United Democratic Front.” The word may as well mean a grouping having one voice that is the representative of all in it.
However, the past, disputes all this. UDF is a party that is a party of Bakili Muluzi to Bakili Muluzi and for Bakili Muluzi’s views. Ever since Bingu dumped this party, former president has used it as a tool to express his views – thus the party has been used to frustrate what Bakili Muluzi sees as Bingu yet are the Malawians that got the raw deal in the end.
The dumping coupled by John Tembo’s frustration that the victory was snatched from his nose, as per revelations by other bigwigs in the UDF, made the life for president Bingu Wa Mutharika unbearable. On top of that, a number of MPs thought it right to practice ratting – crossing the floor from UDF, MCP or other small parties to the DPP.
In the end Parliament became the field for tit-for-tat politics.
Despite all the political mangling that the nation has witnessed and perhaps continues to witness, this is good news. The nation is still in the transit, especially democratically. The country is gaining mileage little by little.
It is through this storm that the Constitution of Malawi has been tested, and continues to be tested if issue of Bakili Muluzi’s eligibility is anything to go by. During the fracas, it has been revealed that our constitution might indeed be perfect, but it does contain what other experts have called “linguistic defects.” They are defects like these that politicians with all political trickeries like the former president want to capitalize upon. This explains why the donor community is pressing Malawi Electoral commission to declare Muluzi’s eligibility quickly.
Perhaps the biggest highlight of this political storm was president Bingu Wa Mutharika’s defection from the UDF to later form his DPP. It was a never imagined before. This surely should serve as a lesson in future conducts of the parties. They will ask why such a scenario should never happen again. It is this seen that is a source of many predicament turbulence that spurred the political confusion that marred the local political scene.
It is during such a storm that the independent MPs have as well learnt their perfect lessons. Bitter though. Most independent MPs were either poached or themselves joined the ruling party. In joining the party they claimed that they did so with the consent from their people. Unfortunately when the time of primaries came some of those independent MPs have miserably failed to win at the DPP primaries.
Some of them have gone back to their independence stance. This is a lesson. If one stands as an independent MP, it is better to stand on, as an independent. But due to that spirit of making more money by associating with the government, like leafs falling from trees in the dry season, these independent MPs are feeling the heat.
Out of this storm it is the right time that the electorates will surely separate their true representatives, and gold diggers that are in the game just to appease their political party leaders. It seems in the parliament some MPs even forgot why there were there. Now such MPs are returning to the people, the people this is the right time to make right decisions.
The wrangles that are going on in primaries can be a bad thing altogether. But it is a step towards the right direction. In the last two elections, the primaries did not take place at the scale the primaries are taking place this year. Of course the irregularities are just many in most parties, DPP, MCP and UDF.
But that is not a thing to worry about excessively. Out of these problems the parties when it comes to the primaries in 2014, will have to deal with such weaknesses. The parties after the elections like DPP especially with Davis Katsonga and Nicholas Dausi case will have to sit down and agree on who votes. The mere fact that each brought his list means the structures were not in place well.
The parties might as well say who in future should oversee these elections. Is the idea of having a minister overseeing a fellow minister contesting with someone who is not a minister justifiable?
The storm was beautiful. When the MCP president was forcing his MPs to deny the budget the MPs wrote him a petition. The MPs argued amongst other reason the MCP president had dictatorial tendency. It is perhaps not surprising to see the MCP president arguing that now he is a changed man. People might ask what kind of change, but to him he says he is now more democratic, no more dictatorship.
He might say that because of next year’s election while his actions are not like that, yes it’s possible. But it seems the old man is striving to walk the change. His party is as well doing primaries, impositions are there but not as in the past two elections. Change little by little is creeping in. The tenets of democracy are coming, the nation might look at the past and the present defects with despair, but these are defects of hope.
Correcting the past mistakes is the only way the country’s democracy can flourish. Repeating the same mistakes is not helpful. Fortunately, very few are the ones that seem to resist change; the majority will be there sooner than later.
Now if the storm that threatened the nation is not to take place again, at least the presidential candidates must be elected legitimately. The act of imposition is dangerous. The Bingu Chair saga is an example. Further to this the Malawi Electoral Commission has huge work at its disposal, to execute its operations professionally.
It is next year’s elections that will mark the end of this chilling perfect storm, and bring in a mild breeze.
The storm was frightening, perhaps the tempest that may not happen again. The storm may have been brewed by a rare combination of never before imagined factors, but it was the felt storm in an after cold war democracy in Malawi.
The political storm created countless stories high, and winds of stories about Malawi swaying in the foreign media. The political storm whipped the mental functioning of the people to the inconceivable levels, yet very few people saw the storm as a perfect one. Yet it was a perfect storm.
If it were an earthquake, the day that an idea popped up in Bakili Muluzi’s mind that politics of imposition is important will remain an epicentre of this perfect timeline of the perfect storm. Former president calls himself a political engineer. If the very act of influencing the whole party, however the opposing views are, then he has the point. But such an attempt contradicts a mere literal retrieving of the meaning of “United Democratic Front.” The word may as well mean a grouping having one voice that is the representative of all in it.
However, the past, disputes all this. UDF is a party that is a party of Bakili Muluzi to Bakili Muluzi and for Bakili Muluzi’s views. Ever since Bingu dumped this party, former president has used it as a tool to express his views – thus the party has been used to frustrate what Bakili Muluzi sees as Bingu yet are the Malawians that got the raw deal in the end.
The dumping coupled by John Tembo’s frustration that the victory was snatched from his nose, as per revelations by other bigwigs in the UDF, made the life for president Bingu Wa Mutharika unbearable. On top of that, a number of MPs thought it right to practice ratting – crossing the floor from UDF, MCP or other small parties to the DPP.
In the end Parliament became the field for tit-for-tat politics.
Despite all the political mangling that the nation has witnessed and perhaps continues to witness, this is good news. The nation is still in the transit, especially democratically. The country is gaining mileage little by little.
It is through this storm that the Constitution of Malawi has been tested, and continues to be tested if issue of Bakili Muluzi’s eligibility is anything to go by. During the fracas, it has been revealed that our constitution might indeed be perfect, but it does contain what other experts have called “linguistic defects.” They are defects like these that politicians with all political trickeries like the former president want to capitalize upon. This explains why the donor community is pressing Malawi Electoral commission to declare Muluzi’s eligibility quickly.
Perhaps the biggest highlight of this political storm was president Bingu Wa Mutharika’s defection from the UDF to later form his DPP. It was a never imagined before. This surely should serve as a lesson in future conducts of the parties. They will ask why such a scenario should never happen again. It is this seen that is a source of many predicament turbulence that spurred the political confusion that marred the local political scene.
It is during such a storm that the independent MPs have as well learnt their perfect lessons. Bitter though. Most independent MPs were either poached or themselves joined the ruling party. In joining the party they claimed that they did so with the consent from their people. Unfortunately when the time of primaries came some of those independent MPs have miserably failed to win at the DPP primaries.
Some of them have gone back to their independence stance. This is a lesson. If one stands as an independent MP, it is better to stand on, as an independent. But due to that spirit of making more money by associating with the government, like leafs falling from trees in the dry season, these independent MPs are feeling the heat.
Out of this storm it is the right time that the electorates will surely separate their true representatives, and gold diggers that are in the game just to appease their political party leaders. It seems in the parliament some MPs even forgot why there were there. Now such MPs are returning to the people, the people this is the right time to make right decisions.
The wrangles that are going on in primaries can be a bad thing altogether. But it is a step towards the right direction. In the last two elections, the primaries did not take place at the scale the primaries are taking place this year. Of course the irregularities are just many in most parties, DPP, MCP and UDF.
But that is not a thing to worry about excessively. Out of these problems the parties when it comes to the primaries in 2014, will have to deal with such weaknesses. The parties after the elections like DPP especially with Davis Katsonga and Nicholas Dausi case will have to sit down and agree on who votes. The mere fact that each brought his list means the structures were not in place well.
The parties might as well say who in future should oversee these elections. Is the idea of having a minister overseeing a fellow minister contesting with someone who is not a minister justifiable?
The storm was beautiful. When the MCP president was forcing his MPs to deny the budget the MPs wrote him a petition. The MPs argued amongst other reason the MCP president had dictatorial tendency. It is perhaps not surprising to see the MCP president arguing that now he is a changed man. People might ask what kind of change, but to him he says he is now more democratic, no more dictatorship.
He might say that because of next year’s election while his actions are not like that, yes it’s possible. But it seems the old man is striving to walk the change. His party is as well doing primaries, impositions are there but not as in the past two elections. Change little by little is creeping in. The tenets of democracy are coming, the nation might look at the past and the present defects with despair, but these are defects of hope.
Correcting the past mistakes is the only way the country’s democracy can flourish. Repeating the same mistakes is not helpful. Fortunately, very few are the ones that seem to resist change; the majority will be there sooner than later.
Now if the storm that threatened the nation is not to take place again, at least the presidential candidates must be elected legitimately. The act of imposition is dangerous. The Bingu Chair saga is an example. Further to this the Malawi Electoral Commission has huge work at its disposal, to execute its operations professionally.
It is next year’s elections that will mark the end of this chilling perfect storm, and bring in a mild breeze.
Monday, July 21, 2008
UFULU WATHU NDI UMENEWU, KOMA...
Wolemba Pacharo Felix Munthali
Pa 6 July monga dziko, tidali ndi mwambo wokumbukira tsiku lomwe tidalandira ufulu wodzilamulira kuchokera m’manja mwa asamunda dzaka makumi anayi kuzanso zinayi zapitazo.
Tsikuli pokhala kuti ndi lomwe timakondwerera ufulu wozilamulira, ndi limodzi mwa matsiku ochepetsetsa kwambiri pakalendala yomwe anthu osiyanasiyana, angasiyane bwanji, amabwera pamodzi. Ndi tsiku lomwe anthu mungadane bwanji – kaya kamba kosiyana zipani, zipembezo ndi zina zotero – mumakhala pamodzi.
Kunena zoona zomwe pulezidenti Bingu wa Mutharika adanena ku Mzuzu zoti anthu tonse tiyenera kukhala pamodzi ndi zoona kwambiri. Ndi chinthu choti wina aliyense ayenera kukhuzidwa m’mtima kuti ayenera kutenga nawo mbali pa mwambo wa pamwamba, womwe pophatikizapo kuzetsa umodzi pakati pa anthu, umalemekeza anthu amene adatengapo mbali pozetsa ufulu wozilamulira womwe tikukondwa nawo lerowu.
Iyi ndi nthawi yomwe anthu poiwala mkwiyo woza munjira zosiyansiyana, amabwera pamodzi ngati anthu afuko limodzi la Malawi. Apa sizimadabwitsa kuona anthu akuvina magule osiyanasiyana. Ndipo kuonetsa umodzi anthu amabwera ndi magule osiyanasiyana kuyambira kuchokera kumpoto kukathera ku m’mwera.
Kuonjezera apo zomwe zimachitika nthawi yokondwerera tsiku lomwe tidalandiara ufulu wozilamulira zimakhala ngati kuphera mphongo zomwe nyimbo ya fuko lathu imanena zoti anthu timapempha mulungu kuti tiokhale pa mtendere. Ndipo mtendere umabwera ngati anthu nonse mukhala ngati anthu amodzi.
Komano, poona m’mene mwambowu udachitikira – pena pake udali ngati kuti udali mwambo wachipani cha Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Kuyambira azimayi a Bingu kukhathera akuluakulu a boma kunsanja onse mavalidwe awo adali osonyeza ngati kuti udali nsonkhano wa DPP. Zidali zodabwitsa kuona mwambo wa boma anthu akuvala mochititsa kaso koma mwachisoni atavala chomwecho pa mwambo waukulu wa dziko ngati umenewu.
Chomwe ndikuziwa ndi chakuti anthu amene amachokera m’madera osiyanasiyana sikuti iwowa amakhala kuti ndi amene amapangitsa mwambowu. Amakauzidwa nthawi zambiri. Ndipo mbiri yawonetsa kuti ambiri amene amavina panthawiyi sikuti ndi anthu wamba, ayi sizikhala choncho. Ambirio amene amakaviana amakhala anthu omweomwewo amene amavina nthawi ya zipani. Koma uwu pokhala mwambo waukulu chidakakhala cha nzeru kuti anthuwa adakawauza m’mene amayenera kuvalira. Kodi anthuwa akuluakulu a zipani zawozi samawauza zoti komwe amapitaku sudali nsokhano wachipani, koma ndi mwambo wa boma ndiye mavalidwe ayenera kukhala otere?
Pamwambowo pulezidenti wathu adazuzula atsogoleri azipani zotsutsa boma chifukwa chosaonekera pa mwambo wa pamwamba komanso wofunika ku mtundu wa Malawi. Inde anthu timafunika kukhala okonda dziko lathu. Ndipo kukhala nawo pa mwambo onga umenewu ndi kofunika kwambiri. Komano chovuta ndichakuti, kodi m’mene mwambowu udaliri, kodi anthu ngati a Tembo kapena a Muluzi adakakhala nawo pa mwambowu ndi mautoto a DPP ali ponseponse adakaona mwambowo ngati wa boma kapena DPP? Komanso pokhala anthu andale zidakawasangalatsa kuona zotero?
Kuonjezera apo, potengera m’mene a Tembo adawakuwira ku Dedza, kodi munthu wotero adakakhalanso ndi chilakolako choti akakhalenso pamwambo wa boma? Atsogoleri otsutsa boma adakhala ngati kuti adalakwitsadi, koma m’mene a pulezidenti athu amalankhulira, anthu ena akuti, njondazi pena pake zidachita bwino.
Inde mwina mwake tidakakhala ndi malamulo a m’mene ziyera kukhalira zidakakhala bwino. Chomwe ndikutanthawuza ndichakuti, pali njira ziwiri zomwe titha kukondwerera mwambo waukulu ngati umenewu. Yoyamba ndikukhala ndi malamulo oti nthawi yamwambo ngati umenewu, mtundu wachipani chilichonse usamapezeke. Koma ngati njiora imeneyi siingatheke, ndiye anthu ena akuona ngati anthu onse kaya ndi otsutsa kaya a boma onse azivala mtundu uliwonse akufuna.
Kunena mwachindunji, mwambuwu uyenera kukhala phunziro ku boma komanso zipani zonse, kuti iwo ayenera kusiyanitsa kuti mwambo wa boma komanso wachipani ndi zinthu ziwiri zosiyana. Kunena mosazambayitsa zomwe zimakonda kuchitika pa zochitika za boma pokhala ngati ndi nsonkhano wa chipani kamba ka mitundu yochulukitsitsa ya zipani ndi m’nyozo ku mbendera ya fuko lathu.
Ingoganizirani m’mene azimayi komanso ndoda zidatchenera, zidakakhala kuti adali ali choncho mumautoto a dziko zidakakhala zonyaditsa ndi zochititsa chidwi kwa wina aliyense? Poti akuti TVM tsopano imatha kufiikira kumayiko akutali, anthu ena akumayiko ena akamatiwona tiri thwanithwani mu mitundu ya zipani kodi akamatiwona azitiwona ngati ndani?
Iyi ndi nthawi yoti tizifunse makamaka pakakhala mwambo wa boma. Nthawi ya chipani chimodzi pamakhala mautoto a MCP wa chidali chipani chokhacho. Koma nthawi ino yomwe ndiyazipani zosiyanasiyana, tiyenera kumaganizira anthu azipani zina kuti.
Tiyenera kuzifunsa kuti kodi ndichifukwa chiani Malawi yemwe akaziwika ndika ndikugwirizana kwa anthu ndi chifukwa ninji lero akuziwika ndi mawu onyoza ndi mkangano. Chimozi mwa zinthu zomwe zapangitsa ndi kulowetsa ndale paliponse ndi pamene pomwe nkhani zandale siziyenera. Tiyeni tikonde dziko lathu.
Pa 6 July monga dziko, tidali ndi mwambo wokumbukira tsiku lomwe tidalandira ufulu wodzilamulira kuchokera m’manja mwa asamunda dzaka makumi anayi kuzanso zinayi zapitazo.
Tsikuli pokhala kuti ndi lomwe timakondwerera ufulu wozilamulira, ndi limodzi mwa matsiku ochepetsetsa kwambiri pakalendala yomwe anthu osiyanasiyana, angasiyane bwanji, amabwera pamodzi. Ndi tsiku lomwe anthu mungadane bwanji – kaya kamba kosiyana zipani, zipembezo ndi zina zotero – mumakhala pamodzi.
Kunena zoona zomwe pulezidenti Bingu wa Mutharika adanena ku Mzuzu zoti anthu tonse tiyenera kukhala pamodzi ndi zoona kwambiri. Ndi chinthu choti wina aliyense ayenera kukhuzidwa m’mtima kuti ayenera kutenga nawo mbali pa mwambo wa pamwamba, womwe pophatikizapo kuzetsa umodzi pakati pa anthu, umalemekeza anthu amene adatengapo mbali pozetsa ufulu wozilamulira womwe tikukondwa nawo lerowu.
Iyi ndi nthawi yomwe anthu poiwala mkwiyo woza munjira zosiyansiyana, amabwera pamodzi ngati anthu afuko limodzi la Malawi. Apa sizimadabwitsa kuona anthu akuvina magule osiyanasiyana. Ndipo kuonetsa umodzi anthu amabwera ndi magule osiyanasiyana kuyambira kuchokera kumpoto kukathera ku m’mwera.
Kuonjezera apo zomwe zimachitika nthawi yokondwerera tsiku lomwe tidalandiara ufulu wozilamulira zimakhala ngati kuphera mphongo zomwe nyimbo ya fuko lathu imanena zoti anthu timapempha mulungu kuti tiokhale pa mtendere. Ndipo mtendere umabwera ngati anthu nonse mukhala ngati anthu amodzi.
Komano, poona m’mene mwambowu udachitikira – pena pake udali ngati kuti udali mwambo wachipani cha Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Kuyambira azimayi a Bingu kukhathera akuluakulu a boma kunsanja onse mavalidwe awo adali osonyeza ngati kuti udali nsonkhano wa DPP. Zidali zodabwitsa kuona mwambo wa boma anthu akuvala mochititsa kaso koma mwachisoni atavala chomwecho pa mwambo waukulu wa dziko ngati umenewu.
Chomwe ndikuziwa ndi chakuti anthu amene amachokera m’madera osiyanasiyana sikuti iwowa amakhala kuti ndi amene amapangitsa mwambowu. Amakauzidwa nthawi zambiri. Ndipo mbiri yawonetsa kuti ambiri amene amavina panthawiyi sikuti ndi anthu wamba, ayi sizikhala choncho. Ambirio amene amakaviana amakhala anthu omweomwewo amene amavina nthawi ya zipani. Koma uwu pokhala mwambo waukulu chidakakhala cha nzeru kuti anthuwa adakawauza m’mene amayenera kuvalira. Kodi anthuwa akuluakulu a zipani zawozi samawauza zoti komwe amapitaku sudali nsokhano wachipani, koma ndi mwambo wa boma ndiye mavalidwe ayenera kukhala otere?
Pamwambowo pulezidenti wathu adazuzula atsogoleri azipani zotsutsa boma chifukwa chosaonekera pa mwambo wa pamwamba komanso wofunika ku mtundu wa Malawi. Inde anthu timafunika kukhala okonda dziko lathu. Ndipo kukhala nawo pa mwambo onga umenewu ndi kofunika kwambiri. Komano chovuta ndichakuti, kodi m’mene mwambowu udaliri, kodi anthu ngati a Tembo kapena a Muluzi adakakhala nawo pa mwambowu ndi mautoto a DPP ali ponseponse adakaona mwambowo ngati wa boma kapena DPP? Komanso pokhala anthu andale zidakawasangalatsa kuona zotero?
Kuonjezera apo, potengera m’mene a Tembo adawakuwira ku Dedza, kodi munthu wotero adakakhalanso ndi chilakolako choti akakhalenso pamwambo wa boma? Atsogoleri otsutsa boma adakhala ngati kuti adalakwitsadi, koma m’mene a pulezidenti athu amalankhulira, anthu ena akuti, njondazi pena pake zidachita bwino.
Inde mwina mwake tidakakhala ndi malamulo a m’mene ziyera kukhalira zidakakhala bwino. Chomwe ndikutanthawuza ndichakuti, pali njira ziwiri zomwe titha kukondwerera mwambo waukulu ngati umenewu. Yoyamba ndikukhala ndi malamulo oti nthawi yamwambo ngati umenewu, mtundu wachipani chilichonse usamapezeke. Koma ngati njiora imeneyi siingatheke, ndiye anthu ena akuona ngati anthu onse kaya ndi otsutsa kaya a boma onse azivala mtundu uliwonse akufuna.
Kunena mwachindunji, mwambuwu uyenera kukhala phunziro ku boma komanso zipani zonse, kuti iwo ayenera kusiyanitsa kuti mwambo wa boma komanso wachipani ndi zinthu ziwiri zosiyana. Kunena mosazambayitsa zomwe zimakonda kuchitika pa zochitika za boma pokhala ngati ndi nsonkhano wa chipani kamba ka mitundu yochulukitsitsa ya zipani ndi m’nyozo ku mbendera ya fuko lathu.
Ingoganizirani m’mene azimayi komanso ndoda zidatchenera, zidakakhala kuti adali ali choncho mumautoto a dziko zidakakhala zonyaditsa ndi zochititsa chidwi kwa wina aliyense? Poti akuti TVM tsopano imatha kufiikira kumayiko akutali, anthu ena akumayiko ena akamatiwona tiri thwanithwani mu mitundu ya zipani kodi akamatiwona azitiwona ngati ndani?
Iyi ndi nthawi yoti tizifunse makamaka pakakhala mwambo wa boma. Nthawi ya chipani chimodzi pamakhala mautoto a MCP wa chidali chipani chokhacho. Koma nthawi ino yomwe ndiyazipani zosiyanasiyana, tiyenera kumaganizira anthu azipani zina kuti.
Tiyenera kuzifunsa kuti kodi ndichifukwa chiani Malawi yemwe akaziwika ndika ndikugwirizana kwa anthu ndi chifukwa ninji lero akuziwika ndi mawu onyoza ndi mkangano. Chimozi mwa zinthu zomwe zapangitsa ndi kulowetsa ndale paliponse ndi pamene pomwe nkhani zandale siziyenera. Tiyeni tikonde dziko lathu.
In 2009 there will be no free and fair elections
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
As 2009 presidential and parliamentary elections are coming a lot is happening involving all stakeholders – Malawi Electoral Commission, judiciary, legislators, the cabinet, Media, Civil society , the general public, not forgetting the outside players – all are doing all they could for free and fair elections. The good working relationship exercised by this network with consensus decision is a recipe for a credible electoral process right from the preparatory stage through actual voting to the phase of evaluation.
Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) is the body central to the whole process. Whatever happens to this crucial body for the election results that will be seen as a reflection of realities on the ground, needs to be the product of general consensus of the opposition and the ruling parties.
With the wave of unprecedented political wrangle that ticks as back as the time when Dr Bingu wa Mutharika dumped the United Democratic Front (UDF) painting the party as corrupt amongst the reasons. It is even more challenging as the UDF out of the frustrations for sponsoring the candidate who later ditched it, uses every opportunity to frustrate the ruling party. The hype of the approaching election is higher than the previous elections. This amongst other reasons is in place due to soar relationship that is employing tit-for-tat approach in political maneuver. This coupled with uncensored language that they trade each other, it worries a lot as to how will the environment be during the elections time.
Whilst the opposition is giving the ruling party tough time in parliament, ruling party uses all the mechanisms and institutions at its disposal to mudsling back at the opposition. By the end of the day there is creation of political battlefield where politicians are aiming every spanner that was meant for the country’s development on one another.
However with 2009 elections beckoning around the corner, such sort of behaviour and acts need not to be entertained. The environment needs to be under peace and order in all spheres. If one sees the opposing politicians attempting to trade fists in Parliament, what message are the politicians sending to their supporters? If such politicians tell their followers to co-exist peacefully, will the message make sense?
Unfortunately as the dust is swirling, with more violence occurring in some areas like Mangochi, Mulanje, Machinga and others, at a time when elections are some months away, it is very likely that when campaign starts coupled with hate speeches from the politicians, the environment will rear an ugly face.
Over the years we have seen spates of violence involving the political groupings. The nation has seen elections ending in violence, especially 2004. Since the coming of democracy the level of hate speeches cross firing from opposing camps have kept on escalating. Exaggeration on issues of national concern is a grievous sin, however, when one looks at the current scenarios, it becomes clear that there are indicators that shows that the coming elections will have faint fairness and levels of freedom due to some factors that instantly will result in violence in some areas.
In the very first place, the opposition parties in the country contested the composition of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) commissioners saying that they were not consulted in the actual appointment process. To this end, they fear that the commissioners might be biased towards the government.
Fortunately though unfortunate we will have to weigh MEC on scale when the campaign period starts. So far the preparation seems to be going on smoothly. If Mec managed to write a letter to Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) expressing its concern about the fairness of the programmes only to be responded by a mockingly response from Makiyolobasi – mocking the Mec officials – then one wonders if Mec will really manage to put the state controlled and other private media under control. Of course it is an open secret that state media has always tilted towards the ruling party. But there is different approach this time around – unlike before when the president could have the whole lot of time to make all sorts of political jazz on air today it’s the president having a dinner on the state media as well as the media itself becoming so creative that the professionals make programmes that castigate the opposition politicians.
Of course, the idea by Mec in conjunction with all other media outlets to frame a media code of conduct came at the right time. This is a document that among other things outlines how the media needs to conduct itself during the whole electoral period. However for this to be adhered to, there is need for a strong and impartial controlling mechanism. Mec will rely on Malawi Communication Regulatory authority.
Unfortunately, over the years MACRA has demonstrated that it is a highly biased organization that selectively controls the conduct of the media. It has showed that the ruling enjoys almost whole control of the public broadcasting houses. Although, some of the programmes are brilliant ideas from brilliant minds, their lack compliance with ethics of journalism. There is no fairness and balance. If it’s Joy Radio, it is all about tarnishing the image of the president and his DPP, and when the state radio it is all about stripping the personal and political reputation of the opposition members.
Media is such a powerful arm. The political violence that happened in Kenya is as a result of the media. In Rwanda memories are still fresh of the cockroaches’ stories where media played a destructive role. The violence can not occur the way they happened there as theirs were rooted in historical hatred. If Makiyolobasi can ridicule the commissioners, control over media is likely to be Mec’s difficult job. This will likely mean making the state media ‘blue.’
The fairness of general elections is “not only about the voting day, it is also about the period leading to the general elections.” The control over media is by the state is one such way the government is using to consolidate itself.
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MCRA) is on record to have barred private radio stations from airing live broadcasts of political rallies without government permission. The directive effectively targeted leading private broadcasters Capital Radio, Joy Radio, and Zodiak Broadcasting over coverage of former President Bakili Muluzi, considered the most likely opposition challenger in the 2009 presidential elections. If such scenarios occur, you only wonder how fair and free is information that is unbiased flows.
As the new saying goes, especially in Malawi, “everything in Malawi starts as rumours.” A month doesn’t pass without either reading or hearing of Muluzi likely going to be arrested. Such rumours are likely going to trigger violence. We are talking of a person who is the possible hope for the party to go back in government.
With 2009 elections around the corner we don’t need to always be pessimistic. However with the way the local political scene is, it suffice to conclude that 2009 due to lots of occurrences before elections, the elections even though they can be free and fair, some quarters will likely grumble. This is like that due unprecedented build up towards elections. This is especially when the ruling party wins again. – The author is a Media for Development student at Chancellor College
As 2009 presidential and parliamentary elections are coming a lot is happening involving all stakeholders – Malawi Electoral Commission, judiciary, legislators, the cabinet, Media, Civil society , the general public, not forgetting the outside players – all are doing all they could for free and fair elections. The good working relationship exercised by this network with consensus decision is a recipe for a credible electoral process right from the preparatory stage through actual voting to the phase of evaluation.
Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) is the body central to the whole process. Whatever happens to this crucial body for the election results that will be seen as a reflection of realities on the ground, needs to be the product of general consensus of the opposition and the ruling parties.
With the wave of unprecedented political wrangle that ticks as back as the time when Dr Bingu wa Mutharika dumped the United Democratic Front (UDF) painting the party as corrupt amongst the reasons. It is even more challenging as the UDF out of the frustrations for sponsoring the candidate who later ditched it, uses every opportunity to frustrate the ruling party. The hype of the approaching election is higher than the previous elections. This amongst other reasons is in place due to soar relationship that is employing tit-for-tat approach in political maneuver. This coupled with uncensored language that they trade each other, it worries a lot as to how will the environment be during the elections time.
Whilst the opposition is giving the ruling party tough time in parliament, ruling party uses all the mechanisms and institutions at its disposal to mudsling back at the opposition. By the end of the day there is creation of political battlefield where politicians are aiming every spanner that was meant for the country’s development on one another.
However with 2009 elections beckoning around the corner, such sort of behaviour and acts need not to be entertained. The environment needs to be under peace and order in all spheres. If one sees the opposing politicians attempting to trade fists in Parliament, what message are the politicians sending to their supporters? If such politicians tell their followers to co-exist peacefully, will the message make sense?
Unfortunately as the dust is swirling, with more violence occurring in some areas like Mangochi, Mulanje, Machinga and others, at a time when elections are some months away, it is very likely that when campaign starts coupled with hate speeches from the politicians, the environment will rear an ugly face.
Over the years we have seen spates of violence involving the political groupings. The nation has seen elections ending in violence, especially 2004. Since the coming of democracy the level of hate speeches cross firing from opposing camps have kept on escalating. Exaggeration on issues of national concern is a grievous sin, however, when one looks at the current scenarios, it becomes clear that there are indicators that shows that the coming elections will have faint fairness and levels of freedom due to some factors that instantly will result in violence in some areas.
In the very first place, the opposition parties in the country contested the composition of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) commissioners saying that they were not consulted in the actual appointment process. To this end, they fear that the commissioners might be biased towards the government.
Fortunately though unfortunate we will have to weigh MEC on scale when the campaign period starts. So far the preparation seems to be going on smoothly. If Mec managed to write a letter to Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) expressing its concern about the fairness of the programmes only to be responded by a mockingly response from Makiyolobasi – mocking the Mec officials – then one wonders if Mec will really manage to put the state controlled and other private media under control. Of course it is an open secret that state media has always tilted towards the ruling party. But there is different approach this time around – unlike before when the president could have the whole lot of time to make all sorts of political jazz on air today it’s the president having a dinner on the state media as well as the media itself becoming so creative that the professionals make programmes that castigate the opposition politicians.
Of course, the idea by Mec in conjunction with all other media outlets to frame a media code of conduct came at the right time. This is a document that among other things outlines how the media needs to conduct itself during the whole electoral period. However for this to be adhered to, there is need for a strong and impartial controlling mechanism. Mec will rely on Malawi Communication Regulatory authority.
Unfortunately, over the years MACRA has demonstrated that it is a highly biased organization that selectively controls the conduct of the media. It has showed that the ruling enjoys almost whole control of the public broadcasting houses. Although, some of the programmes are brilliant ideas from brilliant minds, their lack compliance with ethics of journalism. There is no fairness and balance. If it’s Joy Radio, it is all about tarnishing the image of the president and his DPP, and when the state radio it is all about stripping the personal and political reputation of the opposition members.
Media is such a powerful arm. The political violence that happened in Kenya is as a result of the media. In Rwanda memories are still fresh of the cockroaches’ stories where media played a destructive role. The violence can not occur the way they happened there as theirs were rooted in historical hatred. If Makiyolobasi can ridicule the commissioners, control over media is likely to be Mec’s difficult job. This will likely mean making the state media ‘blue.’
The fairness of general elections is “not only about the voting day, it is also about the period leading to the general elections.” The control over media is by the state is one such way the government is using to consolidate itself.
The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MCRA) is on record to have barred private radio stations from airing live broadcasts of political rallies without government permission. The directive effectively targeted leading private broadcasters Capital Radio, Joy Radio, and Zodiak Broadcasting over coverage of former President Bakili Muluzi, considered the most likely opposition challenger in the 2009 presidential elections. If such scenarios occur, you only wonder how fair and free is information that is unbiased flows.
As the new saying goes, especially in Malawi, “everything in Malawi starts as rumours.” A month doesn’t pass without either reading or hearing of Muluzi likely going to be arrested. Such rumours are likely going to trigger violence. We are talking of a person who is the possible hope for the party to go back in government.
With 2009 elections around the corner we don’t need to always be pessimistic. However with the way the local political scene is, it suffice to conclude that 2009 due to lots of occurrences before elections, the elections even though they can be free and fair, some quarters will likely grumble. This is like that due unprecedented build up towards elections. This is especially when the ruling party wins again. – The author is a Media for Development student at Chancellor College
Battling against past
By Pacharo Felix Munthali
The political gridlock that has locked the country seems too much. Perhaps it is the sort of impasse nobody thought of when accepting and embracing the democratic rule in 1994. One stalemate after another is engulfing the country. Is the democracy itself, our past, or ourselves to blame?
As professor kings Phiri, a historian of repute, ponders on, he realizes that the country is “going through a phase that is very much a transition.” The country is in the transit. This is the time when “we are trying to democratize,” yet while the country is craving to be a democratic institution, it is also a product “of the past when we used to accept only certain individuals as capable of providing leadership.”
Malawi has numerous individuals. In fact they are bright. Political fraternity is not void of such treasured breed. Surveying through all political parties there is unexploited crop. United Democratic front offers one admirable example. There are people like Friday Jumbe, an individual of sound understanding of issues. Of course, with wide spectrum of knowledge.
But over the years such individuals have remained underground players. Of course, they have in other instances endeavored to show their interest to stand during presidential nominations, but every time Muluzi has cleared his throat, like fielding his preferred candidate or himself showing interest to stand, such gems have coiled their tails and faded out – instantly their dream of standing as a presidential candidate dangled on almost flair thread.
In most political parties in Malawi, the spirit of leaving the party stewardship, especially when fielding the presidential candidate, seems to be no longer an issue merited by primaries.
As the dust starts swirling with 2009 hastily approaching, the candidates for the three major parties in Malawi are very obvious – at least in Malawi Congress Party Tembo is undisputed; in democratic Progressive Party president Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has clearly told Malawians of his intention to go on; as for the United Democratic Front the landslide victory that Bakili Muluzi chalked utters volumes. He is in for it, so are all. For Muluzi, only section 83 stands in his way. For others, it’s absolutely nothing.
With informal preparations for next year’s general elections choking some parties, a lot is ensuing. The parties will have to field running mates as well. Experience in Malawi has proved that the running mates are either very quiet or if eloquent or critical they end up crossing paths with the president. They part ways.
The wrangle that surfaced between JZU Tembo and Gwanda Chakuamba is enough. The vice wanted to be the man captaining the party. At the time the vice was Tembo. They at first held two separate conventions, both won in each convention of course. They agreed another convention. Gwanda Chakuamba absented himself. John Tembo attended and won it. Few weeks later Gwanda Chakuamba dumped the party.
Democratic progressive party had Uladi Mussa, now captain of Maravi People’s party (MPP). With the aid of state controlled media and endowed with eloquence, Uladi Mussa became very popular. In fact some say, he was popular than the president himself. There may be more reasons than the eye can see, perhaps, but he also got the chop.
There is an enigmatically unresolved puzzled of Dr Cassim Chilumpha, Dr Bingu Wa mutharika and the Constructive resignation so are the treason charges. The case is in court especially involving the latter and the former. It is not worth a comment. But one thing is clear outside the legal limitations. For those that know Chilumpha, say he is such a critical man. Be it with Muluzi or the first citizen, the man stands his ground.
In this long journey of politics, the running mates or vice presidents if very ambitious or eloquent have in one way or another gone the opposite direction to that of the president. If quiet they have remained calm. Such individuals have let the president please himself, and his wishes. Such leaders have made themselves semi-god. People praising them always. Such leaders, says Professor kings Phiri, they believe in “commanding loyalty.”
Currently, the dust of the political impasse is not settling, nor is it nearing the settling point. With each passing day it is becoming more unpredictable. Everyone pointing finger at everybody. Others are accusing Muluzi for fueling all this. To some Tembo has an absolute influence over his members of parliament in the House. The ruling DPP is not going free either. They accuse it for not going by what the rule of law stipulate in the constitution. The speaker is not spared as well. There is chaos.
“Looking at the political gridlock on the local scene closely you will find that the problem…is that the old leaders have not reconciled to the necessity of handing over power to the next generation as is usually required in democracy,” he says.
For the people like Friday Jumbe and Auspicious Dzanjalimodzi to ascend to the top of their parties, they have to wait. But for how long? Isn’t this another good laboratory for creating another set of political dinosaurs? Because the bigwigs have established themselves, the young and brightest are quieting. Possibly, waiting for their turn. Waiting for themselves to get old, sometimes very old.
To Professor this is a puzzle: “I don’t know how to reconcile that with democracy because democracy is really about giving people of choice which means you can’t have leaders who have been there for over a generation.”
Professor accepts that Malawi is experiencing some roadblocks, particularly Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika administration. But, he says, its complex. There is more, than just the president ditching the party that sponsored him. He observes that the country is “still trapped in the old way of running things…unless people accept change, [the nation] will continue having problems.”
As the country ponders ahead, with eyes forecast as back as before democracy, soul searching must take place. Malawians are Africans. A chief don’t need a deputy. May be that is why Kamuzu had nobody as a deputy. There is no tenure for the chief. May be that is why Dr Kamuzu Banda was made life president. Possibly, that is the reason why Dr Bakili Muluzi wanted a third open term. He wanted to beat thirty one years record of leadership set by Dr Banda.
Such a spirit has spilled over into the country’s political cycle. To the country this is a problem requiring not just urgent solution, but also a solution that the whole country can readily embrace. The youths must not be told that they are the leaders of tomorrow. When does tomorrow come, when the likes of Friday Jumbe, Auspicious Dzanjalimodzi and others are on the waiting list for tomorrow? All top positions are filled by old guards. Who is to blame, our past, democracy or ourselves? The nation needs not to shrug the past, but learn from the past. Possibly use it to reshape the present, to define the future.
The political gridlock that has locked the country seems too much. Perhaps it is the sort of impasse nobody thought of when accepting and embracing the democratic rule in 1994. One stalemate after another is engulfing the country. Is the democracy itself, our past, or ourselves to blame?
As professor kings Phiri, a historian of repute, ponders on, he realizes that the country is “going through a phase that is very much a transition.” The country is in the transit. This is the time when “we are trying to democratize,” yet while the country is craving to be a democratic institution, it is also a product “of the past when we used to accept only certain individuals as capable of providing leadership.”
Malawi has numerous individuals. In fact they are bright. Political fraternity is not void of such treasured breed. Surveying through all political parties there is unexploited crop. United Democratic front offers one admirable example. There are people like Friday Jumbe, an individual of sound understanding of issues. Of course, with wide spectrum of knowledge.
But over the years such individuals have remained underground players. Of course, they have in other instances endeavored to show their interest to stand during presidential nominations, but every time Muluzi has cleared his throat, like fielding his preferred candidate or himself showing interest to stand, such gems have coiled their tails and faded out – instantly their dream of standing as a presidential candidate dangled on almost flair thread.
In most political parties in Malawi, the spirit of leaving the party stewardship, especially when fielding the presidential candidate, seems to be no longer an issue merited by primaries.
As the dust starts swirling with 2009 hastily approaching, the candidates for the three major parties in Malawi are very obvious – at least in Malawi Congress Party Tembo is undisputed; in democratic Progressive Party president Dr Bingu wa Mutharika has clearly told Malawians of his intention to go on; as for the United Democratic Front the landslide victory that Bakili Muluzi chalked utters volumes. He is in for it, so are all. For Muluzi, only section 83 stands in his way. For others, it’s absolutely nothing.
With informal preparations for next year’s general elections choking some parties, a lot is ensuing. The parties will have to field running mates as well. Experience in Malawi has proved that the running mates are either very quiet or if eloquent or critical they end up crossing paths with the president. They part ways.
The wrangle that surfaced between JZU Tembo and Gwanda Chakuamba is enough. The vice wanted to be the man captaining the party. At the time the vice was Tembo. They at first held two separate conventions, both won in each convention of course. They agreed another convention. Gwanda Chakuamba absented himself. John Tembo attended and won it. Few weeks later Gwanda Chakuamba dumped the party.
Democratic progressive party had Uladi Mussa, now captain of Maravi People’s party (MPP). With the aid of state controlled media and endowed with eloquence, Uladi Mussa became very popular. In fact some say, he was popular than the president himself. There may be more reasons than the eye can see, perhaps, but he also got the chop.
There is an enigmatically unresolved puzzled of Dr Cassim Chilumpha, Dr Bingu Wa mutharika and the Constructive resignation so are the treason charges. The case is in court especially involving the latter and the former. It is not worth a comment. But one thing is clear outside the legal limitations. For those that know Chilumpha, say he is such a critical man. Be it with Muluzi or the first citizen, the man stands his ground.
In this long journey of politics, the running mates or vice presidents if very ambitious or eloquent have in one way or another gone the opposite direction to that of the president. If quiet they have remained calm. Such individuals have let the president please himself, and his wishes. Such leaders have made themselves semi-god. People praising them always. Such leaders, says Professor kings Phiri, they believe in “commanding loyalty.”
Currently, the dust of the political impasse is not settling, nor is it nearing the settling point. With each passing day it is becoming more unpredictable. Everyone pointing finger at everybody. Others are accusing Muluzi for fueling all this. To some Tembo has an absolute influence over his members of parliament in the House. The ruling DPP is not going free either. They accuse it for not going by what the rule of law stipulate in the constitution. The speaker is not spared as well. There is chaos.
“Looking at the political gridlock on the local scene closely you will find that the problem…is that the old leaders have not reconciled to the necessity of handing over power to the next generation as is usually required in democracy,” he says.
For the people like Friday Jumbe and Auspicious Dzanjalimodzi to ascend to the top of their parties, they have to wait. But for how long? Isn’t this another good laboratory for creating another set of political dinosaurs? Because the bigwigs have established themselves, the young and brightest are quieting. Possibly, waiting for their turn. Waiting for themselves to get old, sometimes very old.
To Professor this is a puzzle: “I don’t know how to reconcile that with democracy because democracy is really about giving people of choice which means you can’t have leaders who have been there for over a generation.”
Professor accepts that Malawi is experiencing some roadblocks, particularly Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika administration. But, he says, its complex. There is more, than just the president ditching the party that sponsored him. He observes that the country is “still trapped in the old way of running things…unless people accept change, [the nation] will continue having problems.”
As the country ponders ahead, with eyes forecast as back as before democracy, soul searching must take place. Malawians are Africans. A chief don’t need a deputy. May be that is why Kamuzu had nobody as a deputy. There is no tenure for the chief. May be that is why Dr Kamuzu Banda was made life president. Possibly, that is the reason why Dr Bakili Muluzi wanted a third open term. He wanted to beat thirty one years record of leadership set by Dr Banda.
Such a spirit has spilled over into the country’s political cycle. To the country this is a problem requiring not just urgent solution, but also a solution that the whole country can readily embrace. The youths must not be told that they are the leaders of tomorrow. When does tomorrow come, when the likes of Friday Jumbe, Auspicious Dzanjalimodzi and others are on the waiting list for tomorrow? All top positions are filled by old guards. Who is to blame, our past, democracy or ourselves? The nation needs not to shrug the past, but learn from the past. Possibly use it to reshape the present, to define the future.
A MUSICIAN AT TEN
Alcapone, musician at 10
By Pacharo Felix munthali
Alcapone is just less than ten years old. But when he mesmerized an assignment and test sozzled audience of Chancellor College, one could not resist but applaud the massive talent embodied in the kid.
A standard four pupil at Rose Gardens School, with a real name of Robert Chimwembe, stepped into studio in late 2007. By early 2008 a well-cooked single titled Mwana Lira chiani I was out. It is this single that forced Chancellor College audience, which patronized the Winter Slash on Sunday evening, 13th July go wild with merriment.
As the kid talked to this scribe, for him to record the song it all started because he used to sing it day in day out as a result his uncle, the owner of Dom Dash Production told him that they should go to studio.
“He wrote me the lines of my song. After that we went to studio,” says a smiling kid who aspires to be not only a musician but a lawyer as well.
Hailing from Mchinji, the young musician with all confidence and good articulation of English says he “manages both well.”
In fact his uncle known as Dominic, who is also his promoter, boasts that Chimwembe is always in top five in his class.
By Pacharo Felix munthali
Alcapone is just less than ten years old. But when he mesmerized an assignment and test sozzled audience of Chancellor College, one could not resist but applaud the massive talent embodied in the kid.
A standard four pupil at Rose Gardens School, with a real name of Robert Chimwembe, stepped into studio in late 2007. By early 2008 a well-cooked single titled Mwana Lira chiani I was out. It is this single that forced Chancellor College audience, which patronized the Winter Slash on Sunday evening, 13th July go wild with merriment.
As the kid talked to this scribe, for him to record the song it all started because he used to sing it day in day out as a result his uncle, the owner of Dom Dash Production told him that they should go to studio.
“He wrote me the lines of my song. After that we went to studio,” says a smiling kid who aspires to be not only a musician but a lawyer as well.
Hailing from Mchinji, the young musician with all confidence and good articulation of English says he “manages both well.”
In fact his uncle known as Dominic, who is also his promoter, boasts that Chimwembe is always in top five in his class.
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