MALAWI AND THE UNSTOPPABLE DESTINY: A SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND SPIRITUAL REFLECTION

By: Qeko

The recent political events in Malawi have forced me to seriously look into the question of the unstoppable power that flows in peoples’ destiny. Each one of us has got specific destiny that God has prepared and everything in our life works toward the realization thereof. Nothing just happens but that all events that occur enhance the realization of our destiny. In this regard, we have put down brief summaries of the five leaders in Malawi in relation to God and the power of destiny. My main argument is that the power of destiny is unstoppable and that no one and no system can stop it.

Dr. Kamuzu Banda

Dr. Kamuzu Banda remains that Father and founder of the Malawi nation. In the life of the late Kamuzu Banda, we still see the power that destiny releases in peoples lives. We are all aware that the Pre-1958 Malawi Kamuzu was not in the country as he was in Britain then Ghana practicing medicine. As the wind of political change blew across Africa then, the power of destiny caused the young politicians in Malawi led by the likes of Chipembere, Orton Chirwa, Dunduzi Chisiza, to call for Dr. Banda to come back home and lead in the African struggle against the British colonialism. The power in Kamuzu’s destiny caused a lot of shifting in then Nyasaland in that the like of Chipembere and entire Nyasaland African Congress had to request Kamuzu to come back home and lead them. Dr. Banda did not come to Malawi on his own but that he was invited. Destiny caused many changes in the lives of Malawi politics in that the ground was ripe for Dr. Banda to come and lead the nation in the struggle against colonialism. So the nation of Malawi had Banda because he was destined by God to lead the nation. Having said this, I want to mention that everything that Dr. Kamuzu Banda went through from the Livingstonia examination saga, South Africa, USA then UK and finally Ghana were working toward the realization of his destiny which came to pass as he become the first President of the country.

Dr. Bakili Muluzi

In the life of Dr. Muluzi, we see a very clear line that shows that Destiny can not be changed. What God has designed is what comes to pass in peoples lives. When the wind of political change was blowing across Malawi in 1990-92, the name Muluzi never existed and nobody knew that there will be a man called Muluzi one day to rule Malawi. Even Muluzi himself by 1990 never new that he was to rule the country. The names people were familiar with include Chakufwa Chihana, Kamlepo Kalua and Unandi Banda plus others who were fighting Kamuzu from the diaspora. However as the political wind continued to unfold, the power of destiny began to pulls strings together and new names came on the political scene and this included that of Muluzi, Aleke Banda, Edward Bwanali and others. But we later saw Muluzi becoming the leader of UDF pressure group and later a political party. This time Chihana was in jail because the MCP government arrested him for treason. While Chihana was in jail Muluzi gained support of the people and eventually he won the 1994’s first ever democratic Presidential elections. The argument is that if Chihana was never arrested by the MCP government and left free, he could then have been the most powerful and popular politicians and may be he could have won the election. But since destiny never allowed Chihana to be the president of the country, his arrest paved way for what God designed, that Muluzi rule Malawi and this is exactly what happened  that Malawi had Muluzi for ten year as the President. Now the hand of God behind Muluzi presidency was another sign to show that destiny is unstoppable.

Dr. Chakufwa Chihana

A critical look into the life of the late Chakufwa Chihana one sees a life of a man who all expected to the next President of Malawi after Banda. Even in his heart, Chihana could see it that he was the one to take over from Banda. This was due to his huge sacrifice of openly defying Dr. Banda on the 6^th April 1992. This was a courageous man and he had the indescribable courage that no Malawian has ever seen because in those days no one would go against Dr Kamuzu Banda and still live. However in as much as Chihana was instrument and the father of Malawi democracy, he never became the President of the country because destiny never allowed it for him. According to destiny, Chakufwa Chihana’s mission was just to lead the way for the liberation of the country. His arrest while all the other political players were busy campaigning was a clear writing on his political wall that the Presidency (as of being head of state) was not meant for him. So Chakufwa Chihana’s account shows that in this life, some people are there to just pave way for others to fulfill God’s agenda for the nation.

Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika

When you critically look into the life of the late Bingu wa Muthalika what we see is that this man was destined to rule Malawi and that all what happened in Malawi from the coming of Chihana and then Muluzi were all preparing for the coming of this man Bingu wa Muthalika. A look at how he was chosen to be the UDF candidate during the 2004 election shows that destiny was behind every little move that Muluzi made. The power of destiny caused Muluzi to appoint Bingu wa Muthalika leaving all the potential UDF gࡵrus. It was God at work for the nation through Muluzi because it was all about destiny of the nation. In as much as ignorantly 聭ay think that he is he one who chose Bingu, the truth of the matter is that it ⁷as all about de聳tiny and God out of all Malawians, used Muluzi to cause Bingu’s destiny to come to pass.

What Muluzi did to work so hard symbolizes the power of the unstoppable destiny that normally causes shiftings everything to that destiny comes to pass in somebody’s life. So the life of the late Bingu wa Muthalika shows that destiny can not be stopped and that it will ways be realized and come to pass.

Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda

Having looked into Dr Kamuzu Banda, Bakili Muluzi and Bingu wa Muthalika, the story of Malawi current President, Her Excellency Joyce Banda in relation to how she ascended to the highest office of the land could be best described as “the power of destiny at work”. Many Malawians did not imagine a situation which happened weeks ago that led to Her Excellency into becoming our President and the Head of State. Even the late President when he was choosing her as his running mate in 2004, he did not imagine a situation like the one we are in today as a nation with the first ever female President in SADC and Malawi. The late President like everybody else thought he was to finish up his second term and have all plans effectively carried out. However this thing called the unstoppable destiny had a different plan all together. The bible says that we can make up plans for our lives but God has the final say on each one of them. Only God takes absolute control of them all.

Now we need to know that what happened weeks ago were the results of the power that flew from Her Excellency Joyce Banda’s destiny. Her destiny is unstoppable and a hot one. As human beings could not see her becoming the State President of Malawi by Mid April 2012 because we were all busy waiting  for the 2014 elections to bring some solutions to the country’s problems. Now while our eyes were focused on the 2014 elections, God in his mysteriousness had a different plan for the nation in that he prepared the destiny of Her Excellency Mr. Joyce Banda that she rules now and not wait for the 2014 elections. That is how deadly some peoples’ destiny could be hence we are always advised not to play games with peoples lives because we have no idea what they shall one day become.

Lessons for the Malawi situation

In conclusion we want to mention that the political events that took place in our country did not just happen but that God allowed it so that we may learn some lessons and properly. In life nothing happened outside the plan of God and in every thing God is in control. So we need to look at what we went through as a nation with the eye of the Spirit bearing in mind that this was all God speaking to the nation of Malawi. God speaks through many different ways and this time in Malawi he decided to speak to His people (Malawi) through the events that we witnessed the past weeks. Having said this, we want to send a word of warning to many of us that we watch out how we treat people around us because we do not know the plan that God has designed for their destiny. As has been the case in Malawi, the lesson is that we be very much careful and treat everyone with dignity and respect bearing in mind that in life anything can happen anytime and any how that those we mistreat today could rule and become our bosses before our very eyes. Its not only in politics but also in offices where likewise we need to treat everyone with respect due to them those we mistreat today could become our bosses tomorrow since we all do not know what God has prepared for each one of us.

MALAWI’S PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA

 By: Qeko

Malawi’s new President Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda arrives in South Africa today on an official visit. President Banda who took over the mantle of leader after the demise of President Muthalika weeks ago, was amongst the VVIP delegates who attended the freedom day today at the Union Building in Pretoria.

According to the spokes person for the South African’s department of International Relations, during her state visit to the Rainbow nation, Her Excellency the President Mrs. Joyce Banda will among others meet his South African counterpart, President Jacob Zuma where the two will share views on mutual interest and other issues in the promotion of the two nations relations. Also the Malawi leader will thank the South African government and the people for the dignified manner of how they took care of the late President Muthalika’s body and the US$35m (about K585 million) for fuel.

South Africa and Malawi signed the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JCC) in 2007 to enhance bilateral relations between the two countries. South Africa is currently the second largest provider of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Malawi.

From South Africa, the Malawi leader will proceed to Monrovia-Liberia for yet another official visit. According to an Executive Mansion release, the President of Malawi will be received at Roberts International Airport by her counterpart, Liberian President, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

MALAWI PRESIDENT, HER EXCELLENCY MRS. JOYCE BANDA APPOINTS A NEW CABINET

By: Qeko

Latest reports from the corridors of power in Malawi confirm that Malawi’s President Mrs. Joyce Banda has appointed her new cabinet. This new cabinet which comprises the old guards from key political parties in Malawi, UDF, MCP and Aford, replaces the team that late President Muthalika left. Some analysts have said this cabinet has taken the shape of a Government of national unity with the presence of key politicians from the opposition parties. The list of the new cabinet is as follows;

Her Excellency Mrs. Joyce Banda             State President and Head of Government and

                                                     Minister of StatutoryCooperation, HIV,   Disaster and Nutrition

1.    Right Honourable Khumbo Kachali        Vice President and Minister of Health

2.    Hon. Dr. Ken Lipenga                        Ministry of Finance

3.    Hon Mganda Chiume                         Ministry of Foreign Affairs

4.    Hon Dr. Cassim Chilumpha              Ministry of Energy and Mining

5.    Hon. Anita Kalinde                             Ministry of Gender,

6.    Hon.Prof. Peter Mwanza                   Ministry of Agriculture

7.    Hon. Ralph Kasambara                     Ministry of Justice and Attorney General

8.    Hon. Eunice Kazembe                      Ministry of Education

9.    Hon. Atupele   Muluzi                         Ministry of Economic Planning

10. Hon Catherine Gotani Hara               Minister of Environment and Climate Change:

11. Hon Sidik Mia                                      Ministry of Transport

12. Hon.Grace Maseko                            Local Government

13. Hon.Moses Kankuyu                           Ministry of Information

14. Hon. John Bande                                 Ministry of Trade and Industry                  

15. Hon. Liwimbi                                        Ministry of Tourism

16. Hon. Duncan                                        Ministry of Lands

17. Hon. Rich Muheya                               Ministry of Irrigation

18. Hon. Uladi Mussa                                Ministry of Home Affairs

19. Hon. Ken Kandodo                              Ministry of Defence

20. Hon. Eunice Makangala                      Ministry of Labour

21. Hon. Reen Kachere                              Ministry of Elderly and Disability

22. Hon Enock Chihana                            Ministry of Youth and Sports

Deputy Ministers

Hon. James Ulemu Chilapondwa                        Agriculture:

Hon. Jennifer Chilunga                                         Gender:

Hon. Ralph Jooma                                                  Finance:

Hon.Racheal Mazombwe Zulu                             Foreign Affairs:

Hon. Chiku Hiwa                                                      Education:

Hon. Sosten Gwengwe                                          Transport:

Hon Augustine Mtendere                                       Local Government:

Hon. Ibrahim Matola                                                Environment:

..

MALAWI CENTRAL BANK HAS A NEW BOSS

By: Qeko

Malawi has a new Central Bank Chief and his name is Mr Charles Tchuka. Mr. Charles Tchuka has been hired by the Her Excellency the President, Mrs Joyce Banda after firing Dr. Perks Ligoya. Dr Ligoya was appointed by the late President Muthalika and has  been the Central Bank Chief for only two years. However Mr Tchuka will not be a new face in the corridors of Central Bank because he once worked in the same bank as the General Manager for economic services. Mr Tchuka who has a Master of Philosophy in Monetary Economics from the University of Glasgow joined the Central Bank in 1979 after graduating from the University of Malawi.

In a related development, Her Excellency has appointed Mr. Sande and Mr John Tembo Jr to represent Malawi in the United Kingdom as High Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner. Mr Sande was once the Malawi’s Ambassador to the United State and also worked as the Principal Secretary in the various government ministries while John Tembo Jr is the son of the Malawi’s leader of opposition and also worked in similar capacity in the Malawi embassies in Brussels and the London. Also in exercising her power invested on her, Her Excellency the President Mrs Joyce Banda has appointed Hawa Ndilowe as the Deputy Chief Secretary  replacing Necton Mhura

Also reports from the corridors of power at Capitol Hill indicates that Malawi's diplomatic envoy to the UN, India and South Africa, Mr. Brian Bowler, Prof Mughogho and Mrs Agrinna Mussa have been rrecalled and given three months to wind up their terms of duties. Currently Malawians are curiously waiting for the reshuffle of cabinet.

MALAWI’S PRESIDENT, PROF. MUTHALIKA LAID TO REST TODAY

                                   

 By: Qeko

The body of the late Malawi’s President, Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika has been laid to rest at his Ndata Farm in the southern region district of Thyolo. At exactly 4:32pm, the casket of the late President was lowered into the grave constructed inside the Mausoleum next to his Zimbabwean wife Ethel Muthalika who died in 2007. The late president prepared his grave in advance  inside the state of art Mpumulo wa Bata mausoleum which he buried his wife.

Reports from Thyolo say that thousands of people across Malawi and beyond flocked to Ndata farm to witness the burial ceremony of their leader. And in his eulogy representing the diseased family, Prof Peter Muthalika is reported to have made two outstanding remarks; firstly that the former first lady Madam Callista Muthalika will not walk alone and that the DPP will not die with the demise of his brother and emphasised that he will stay with the Party and also die in Malawi like his brother.

In her eulogy, the Malawi President, Her Excellency Mrs Joyce Banda assured Malawians that she will continue on the economic path left by the late president and also repeated the call for national unity and peace. This comes in the midst of call from some Malawians who are putting pressure on Her Excellency’s government to prosecute the former DPP Cabinet ministers who are alleged to have plotted to take over government soon after the former president collapsed and was being attended to by medical personnel at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe. However Her Excellency as a God fearing Christian has repeatedly reminded Malawians that her government will not revenge on anyone but shall promote unity and people in the country.

Attending the funeral today were some key African leaders which included Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Hifikenpunye Pohamba of Namibia. Zambia and South Africa were presented by their Vice Presidents, Dr. Guy Scott and Kgalema Montlanthe while Angola had their speaker of Angolan Parliament Paulo Kassoma. Also present at the funeral ceremony today was Zimbabwe’s Morgan Tsvangirai, Jean Ping the AU Chief and many dignitaries from across Africa.

HAMBA KAKUHLE UBABA WETHU: EULOGY OF MALAWI’S THIRD PRESIDENT, PROF. BINGU WA MUTHALIKA

By: Qeko

It was first the death of Kamuzu Banda in November 1997 then Chakufwa Chihana in June 2006 and now it’s Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika. Death has once again robbed Malawi of her valuable Son who happened to also be the third President of the country since independence. It was on the 5^th of April around 10am that I received messages stating that State House convoy were at Kamuzu Central Hospital where a very important Person was being treated in an intensive care ward. I infact ignored this message because somebody told me that this was part of the extension of the 1^st April Fools’ Day. So i went about doing my normal books assignment. By lunch hour as I open my email, there were close to 20 messages stating that the Malawi President Bingu wa Muthalika was being treated at Kamuzu Central Hospital. I quickly recalled the Prophecy made by the famous Nigerian Prophet, TB Joshua that an old African leader was to die a sudden death. Upon remembering this, my hearts melt down and realised that the messages that i had received from many of my friends may be true. However by the end of the day business, many prominent websites covered the event in Malawi that the President was to be airlifted to South Africa for further medical treatment. However days later we heard the official news that our president Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika passed on into the Lord’s glory. Yes death had once again robbed our Motherland of a leader who has been buried today at his Ndata farm in Thyolo district in the southern region of Malawi.

HIS EARLY LIFE

The late President  Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika, who was the  father and founder of the Democratic Progressive Party and the third President of the Republic of Malawi since independence was born on the 24^th Feburary 1934 in the southern region town of Thyolo. His parents Mr Ryson and Eleni Tom Muthalika were teachers who got their education from the early Scottish missionaries schools in the region. As a young man Muthalika attended many primary schools in the southern region which included Ulongwe, Ntambanyama and the Henry Henderson Institute in Blantyre. In 1956, Bingu wa Muthalika passed the UK’s Cambridge Oversea School Leaving Certificate at Dedza Secondary School which booked him a place into University education overseas.

SECONDARY AND UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

After passing the UK's Cambridge examination Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika  got a scholarship to study Economics at the renown University of Delhi in India. At this India’s prestigious university, Muthalika studied the Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Art in Economics and graduating in 1963 after which he went back to Nyasaland to work in Dr. Banda government as the Administrative Officer. During this time, Muthalika was one of the first educated Malawian economists in the Kamuzu Banda administration. However due to political tension that resulted to the famous 1964 cabinet crisis, Muthalika fled the country into Zambia where he joined the newly independent Government of Zambia and worked in similar capacity in the Kenneth Kaunda regime. 

In 1984 however, Prof wa Muthalika attained his PhD in development Economics at the Pacific Western University in Los Angeles in the USA.

In honour of his great achievements in life and his career, various world institutions recognized his great service to the world, Africa and Malawi in particular by awarding him with honorary degrees. For instance, the following institutions awarded him with such honourary recognition; The Professorship of Economics from the East China Normal University in 2010; Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) Degree Honoris Causa from the University of Delhi in October, 2010; Doctor of Law (PhD Degree (Honoris Causa) from Mzuzu University, in 2008 and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree (Honoris Causa) from the University of Strathclyde in Scotland in 2005.

PROFESSIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Before becoming the President of the Republic of Malawi, the late Muthalika worked in various international organisation and governments serving in different capacity. To begin with, from 2004 to April 2012, Prof Bingu wa Muthalika served the Malawi people as the Head of State and Government. From  2003-2004, Prof Muthalika Senior served as a Senior Minister of Economic Planning and Development while from 2001-2003 he served as the Deputy Governor of the Malawi Central Bank. From 1991-1997, he served as the Secretary General of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) where he pioneered the establishment of several regional economic organizations such as the Association of African Central Banks (AACB), Conference of African Ministers of Finance, African Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (AFCCI), and Eastern and Southern Africa Business Organization (ESABO). From 1978-1990, Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika served as a Director for Trade and Finance Division at the World Bank. From 1975-1978, Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika served as the World Bank’s Loan Officer for Tanzania and Kenya in the Secretary’s Department while from 1966 -75, he worked as the as the Chief, Africa Trade Centre; Head Africa-EEC Relations Unit for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Finally in from 1963-66, Prof Bingu wa Muthalika worked as the Administrative Officer in the Governments of Malawi and Zambia respectively.

HIS POLITICAL CAREER

The late Prof. Muthalika Political ambitions were clearly seen in the formation of his party the United Party which contested the first multiparty general elections in Malawi in 1999. However it was in 2003 when he was appointed into Cabinet as a senior Minister responsible for Economic Planning that his political ambitions took off. His involvement in the nation’s planning at the Cabinet level created the trust that the former President Muluzi had in him and was later appointed as the UDF Presidential candidate for the 2004 presidential and parliamentary elections. However Muthalika won 36% of the Presidential votes in 2004 and became the third President since independence. Soon after assuming the highest office of the land, Muthalika came into conflict with his former boss, Muluzi over issues of corruption which led to his abandoning the UDF and forming his very own the DPP in 2005. At its formation, many UDF members of parliament crossed the floor and joined the newly formed DPP which later became the main ruling party in control of government.

HIS FIRST TERM OF OFFICE

President Muthalika’s first term has been described by many as the most productive time where he had the support of all Malawians. During this political era, Muthalika demonstrated and planted trust in the lives of Malawians and during those days, many commented that he was the only hope for the nation and their long awaited man in the transformation of the nation. This was a time when Malawi had all her foreign debts cancelled a situation which made it easier for the stabilisation of the nation's economy. In Bingu, Malawians had a leader whom others have described as having a listening ear and able to work with the people. It is due to the trust that he created in the lives of many Malawians that he won the landslide victory during the 2009 Presidential election where Malawians gave him the overwhelming mandate to lead them.

However like his predecessor, Bakili Muluzi who also started very well in the first term of office and failed in the second term, Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika also had a rough political time during his second term of office despite the fact that his party the ruling DPP had 2/3 in Parliament. Many analylists have said that during the second term of office there was the abuse of the majority rule in parliament in that Muthalika and the DPP passed laws that were not in line with the democratic values of the nation. The second terms of his rule was the time when the wa Muthalika's government went flat in conflict and head-on crash with the civil society over governance issue which led to donor withdraw of aid to the country which in turn created the worse economic crisis in Malawi which was evidenced in the scarcity of fuel and forex.

INTERNATIONAL HONOURARY AWARDS

The late President received many international awards in recognition for his effort to transform Malawi and improve food security. These awards included; The United Nations Special Millennium development Goal Award and the COMESA Distinguished Award (2010); Southern Africa Trust Drivers of Change and the Medal of Glory Awards (2009), The Most Excellent Grand Commander (MEGC); The Food Agriculture and Natural resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) Food Security Policy Leadership Award and the FAO's Agricola Medal (2008); Louise Blouin Foundation Award for Exceptional Creative Achievement and the Danish Government Award of recognition for outstanding performances in promoting gender equality and women empowerment (2008). In addition, the late President was the the founder and chairman of the Bineth Trust – a nonprofit organization promoting education; Founder of the Silvergrey International; and founder and Chairman of the Bingu Silvergrey Foundation of the elderly and retired persons. He was also the founder of the Malawi University of Science and Technology and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources

HIS LEGACY

The legacy of the late President could be described as having the good and bad just like any living being. There is no-one born of a woman who has gone to the grave with a perfect and good legacy. Dr Kamuzu Banda, Dr. Chakufwa Chihana who were our leaders, had the good and the bad side only that the world tend to magnify the bad side of them ignoring the good and positive contribution they made to the country. So in terms of the late Prof Bingu wa Muthalika, he had his strong points and also his weak points in his leadership. A brief summary of his strong points could show that this Prof was a visionary leader whose focus was to transform Malawi in terms of infrastructural development. He had vision of a better and transformed Malawi. The advantage he had of having worked with the World Bank and other international bodies helped him to come up with viable infrastructural projects that showed that he dreamt in colours and not in black and white. The state of art hotel, new parliament building, Kamuzu Banda Mausoleum, presidential villas, the University of Technology, Karonga Chitipa Road, Research Bank office in the Northern Region and many other infrastructural projects underway in Malawi will remain the benchmark of his legacy and his contribution in the social economic development of the nation and Malawians will remember him for this contribution. 

However in terms of his weak points, the late president made some few wrong judgement over the following; the University quota system, education freedom which led to a brief closure of the University of Malawi, surrounded himself with hand-clappers instead of depending on professional advice. The lack of professional advice on matter of national governance created a situation where the President many times had to make decision himself on matters which in other instances led to disgorgement on issues. In politics its dangerous for the President to surround himself or herself with hand-clappers because these are the same people who many times contribute in the downfall of a leader. If President Bingu wa Muthalika had picked professionals with whom he could sit down one on one and discuss with them on issues of national interest with open mind, all the mistakes he made could not have been there and the later part of his reign could have been good. With this therefore, we can conclude that the later part of his reign had some challenges that negatively affected his legacy.  

OF JANA’S STATEMENT ON NSANJE PORT AND A POLITICAL CARELESSNESS

By: Qeko

The recent statement by the Peoples Party Director of Economic Affair Jerry Jana that their administration will put on shelf the Nsanje Inland Port project is sad, unfortunate, poor advice, political dangerous strategy and a huge political suicide for the Party as they prepare for the 2014 General elections. Malawians across the globe have reacted to this unfortunate and sad statement because they expected the new government to continue the good and economically viable project initiated by the late President as a way of enhancing economic progress in the country. Many have commented that the Peoples Party need to be extra careful in the way they handle various issues since their victory in 2014 depends on how they will deliver these 20 remaining months. In this regard, there are some few things to note.

INLAND PORT IS A BLESSING FOR THE NATION

As Malawians continue to go through the daily problems of forex and fuel, many have now realise that the nation need the Nsanje Inland Port to boast trade and in turn improve on country’s social economic development which in turn would help solve the fuel and forex problem.You don’t need to be an economist to understand the significance of this inland port for Malawian’s economic development. If there is a project so important for the nation, the Nsanje Inland Port is one of them because it shall bring huge benefits to the people of Malawi. Some seem to disagree because of politics which is dangerous. This port belongs to all Malawians and it shall transform the lives of all of us hence many of us feel positive about it. With this port done Malawi will be economically transformed which in turn will also help improve the lives of the people. Our nation is almost 48 years old but still in poverty and amongst the top poorest nations on earth. This port would help redeem this nation from the economic mess which has led to more poverty in the country. The New administration need to seriously make a quick move and initiative dialogue with all key stakeholders and the Mozambican government and jointly sort address all outstanding issue pertaining to the port.

 POLITICAL CARELESSNESS STATEMENT SHOULD BE AVOIDED

The statement by the Peoples Party Director of Economic Affair has been described by many as a political miscalculation and a huge political carelessness because this come just few weeks after the party assumed leadership of the nation. This is a political carelessness because such a statement is not progressive and not positive in terms of the nation’s development. The Economic Director could have looked into the Malawian mood over the Nsanje Port and how majority of the people view this project. Consensus approach on the matter could have assisted. The Party need to avoid such statements which are destructive to the very goal and agenda to win the 2014 elections. The Party need to realise that they should not look at the Nsanje Inland Port as the late president dream but that this project belong to all Malawians and that it’s the only economic hope the nation has at the moment.

CONTINUITY IS CRITICAL

Reading between lines, the statement by Jerry Jana clearly shows the worrisome situation where (if not careful) the Peoples Party is likely to make the same mistakes that Bakili Muluzi made when he got into power in 1994. We all saw in 1994 that Dr. Muluzi put on shelf some of the most important projects that the late Kamuzu had  for economic development of the nation. This was a terrible political mistake in that the UDF could not pick the good out of Kamuzu and utilise them for their own political advantage. The Peoples Party should avoid repeating what Muluzi did but that they should emulate from what the late President, Muthalika did by continuing from where Muluzi stopped. This means that the Peoples Party should pick the button from where the late Muthalika left. The Party should use their wisdom by doing the right thing and that is to continue and finish up all the good project that the late President left which could benefit Malawians.

BAD ADVICE AND BAD ADVISORS

The statement to put on shelf the Nsanje Inland Port also shows that there has been bad advice given full of political and economic miscalculations. There has been bad advice from bad advisors who did not do a thorough research on the issue at hand. That is why political parties need to have Research department so that they can feed the leadership with tangible information on issues. Those who advise the President need to be sober people with knowledge and only able to tell the truth on issue so that they add value to the presidency. We are witnesses to how those who were close to Kamuzu, Muluzi and Muthalika could not tell the truth on key issues affecting the country and instead lied to the Presidents which at the end led to the downfall of these leaders. So statement like the one made by the Peoples Party Director of Economic Affairs is a suicidal and economically dangerous to the development of the nation.

SIX HEAD OF STATES TO ATTEND BURIAL OF PROF. BINGU WA MUTHALIKA

By: Qeko

Reports from the Malawi’s Capital indicates that six African Head of States will attend the burial ceremony of the late President Bingu wa Muthalika at Ndata farm in Thyolo district in the southern region.

African heads of states will be led by the current African Union Chairman President Thomas Yayi Boni of Benin and the other leaders includes Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania; Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, Mwai Kibabi of Kenya, Almando Guebuza of Mozambique and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. However South Africa’s Jacob Zuma who originally indicated that he was attending the burial function will be represented the country Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe.

However reports from the seat of Government in Lilongwe indicates that Peoples Republic of China will be represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs while Angola will be represented by the Speaker of Parliament. It is however not known as to who will come and represent our Zambian brothers. Some  have commented that Malawi and Zambia are one people and their representation at this burial ceremony will be important and a good step toward improving relations.

Malawi late President will be buried on the 23^rd May at his Ndata Farm in the southern region district of Thyolo next to his wife Ethel who died in 2007. It is expected that Malawians of all walks of life will attend the burial ceremony of their departed leader while some will watch the function on the nations Television, the MBCtv.

THE REMAINS OF PROF BINGU WA MUTHALIKA ARRIVES IN BLANTYRE

By: Qeko

The remains of the late President Muthalika arrived in the Malawi commercial city of Blantyre from the northern region city of Mzuzu on Thursday, the 19^th of May. The remains of the former president arrived in the country days ago from South Africa where the President died of cardiac arrest. The past days, residents of the city of Lilongwe had been paying their last respect to their leader after which the body was flown to the northern region city of Mzuzu.

Reports from Blantyre indicate that the remains of the late President Muthalika arrived at Chileka International Airport in the afternoon of Thursday from the Northern Region City of Mzuzu. Welcoming the remains of the President Muthalika at the Airport were the country’s President, Her Excellency Joyce Banda and leaders of various political parties, government officials and members of the Muthalika family.

From Chileka Airport, the remains of the late President were taken to Sanjika Palace where residents of the city will be given an opportunity to pay their last respect to their leader. However in another development, Government has declared the 23^rd of May a public holiday so as to give opportunity to Malawians to attend the burial ceremony of the late president which will take place at Ndata Farm.

OF THE PEOPLES PARTY AND POWER CONSOLIDATION IN MALAWI: THE SEVEN POINTS PLAN

By: Qeko

The death of Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika has created a political shift in Malawi politics where Her Excellency Joyce Banda has assumed the Office of the President and her party the People Party has become the ruling party replacing the DPP. The PP Government takes over power in Malawi politics in a time when the nation is going through various forms of social, political and economic challenges which need a workable strategy and action plan to have them solved within the shortest possible time. In this article, I have proposed seven specific action plans that would help the new administration quickly consolidate power in and help instill trust in the lives of Malawians.

ADDRESS THE ECONOMIC ISSUE IN THE COUNTRY WITH URGENCY

The first action plan is that the PP Government need to address the economic problem the nation is going through within the shortest possible time. Malawians main expectation is that her coming into power will bring an end to the economic situation. The Malawian leader need to restore the lost donor confidence in the country and she need to visit the various European Capitals. In this regard, the President has to travel to Brussels (European Union Headquarters), Washington and New York (USA and UN) and possibly London to talk to the British so that the nation normalizes the diplomatic mess. However it would be suicidal for the new administration to take long before they address the economic question in the country because this is the main issue that every Malawians is expecting to be address within the shortest possible time.

PROMOTE THE GOSPEL OF NATIONAL UNITY

The second action plan is that the new administration should promote the gospel of national unity and love amongst all Malawians mainly this time around when the nation is still mourning the death of President Muthalika. This is the most critical moment for the new administration because they have to show that they care more about Malawi in that they should ask Malawians to work together as a team. In this regard, the new administration should not accommodate and entertain any form of division because such actions would create the party’s downfall come 2014 since Malawians are watching to see how the PP government would handle and deliver these two years. It has to be noted that the PP administration has taken power in a time when the nation is basically divided due to tribalism and nepotism and this then means that they have to demonstrate and rise above nepotism and tribalism and unite the nation and make it a home of all. However we need to mention that it is not easy to promote national unity since this involves forgiveness and accommodating those who once persecuted them. In this regard, the new administrations need to demonstrate maturity by showing love and kindness and not bring pain in retaliation to how they were previously mistreated. What we mean is that God is looking into how they will use the power so given to them. That is why the PP victory in the coming elections depends on how they will handle and address the current situation the nation is going through. The new administration has to demonstrate maturity and forgive just as Jesus forgave those who persecuted him. Now if Jesus forgave those who persecuted him then who are the new administration not to forgive those who persecuted them?

AVOID POLITICAL RETRIBUTION

The thirdly action plan is that the PP Government should avoid political retribution and witch hunting of whatever kind so as to create good political trust in the lives of Malawians. Ofcourse the President made mention on her inauguration that there shall be no revenge or retribution which is a positive step to take. However we are yet to see if this promise made will be sustained in this political journey as the road takes the nation to 2014.The PP Government have two years to prove to Malawians that they can be trusted with power. The success of the PP Government depends on how they will handle the question of political retribution and witch hunting which basically is common in African politics. The PP government should promote love and forgiveness amongst all Malawians. Also the success and political trust for the new administration depends on how they will handle and address the various sensitive issues in the country between now and 2014. So if the new administration wants to win the 2014 election then they need to begin playing the political game of promoting oneness and love amongst Malawians right now. Crucial to the PP Government is how they would handle the Lomwes who are holding key positions in both government and private sector. Malawi political tradition shows that every President tends to appoint specific people into key office to help drive their agenda. Dr. Banda, Muluzi and Bingu wa Muthalika all had specific men and woman appointed into key positions to help them have their visions and agenda realized. Unfortunately many of those appointed happened to belong to these former Presidents place of origin. We were all witnesses to how Muluzi removed those Dr. Kamuzu Banda appointed and also we saw how the late Bingu wa Muthalika removed the Muluzi royalists from the strategic positions of both government and the private sector. All this categorically was referred to as part of political retributions which many commented that it was unacceptable. However we are yet to see how the PP Government will handle those Lomwes appointed by the late Muthalika and how Malawians will look at this.

IDENTIFY AND UTILISE THE GOOD FROM THE FORMER REGIME

The fourth action plan is that the new administrations need to identify and utilize the good out of the Muthalika’s regime so as to properly consolidate their power and nature transition. In as much as the Muthalika administration is labeled as having caused the economic chaos, there are still some good things which the new PP administration needs to use and utilize in their wisdom. The PP administration should avoid what Muluzi did in 1994 when he could not utilize the good out of Dr. Banda and instead went on dismantling everything that Kamuzu Banda had put in place during his 30 years rule in Malawi. In politics, it is wise to identify the good from your enemy and be wise to utilize them for your own success. Some of the successes of the late Prof Bingu wa Muthalika was due to the fact that he did not cancelled or dismantled what Dr. Muluzi established but that he picked up the button from where Muluzi stopped and moved on which was wisdom. So in the spirit of nation building, the new administration needs to build on what the previous administration foundation. Dismantling and breaking what the previous administration instituted as did Muluzi in 1994 would be suicidal as the PP government looks forward to 2014 elections.

AVOID POLITICAL APPEASEMENT AND PROMOTE PROFESSIONALISM

The fifth action plan is that the PP government should avoid the politics of appeasement. Political appeasement is one of the major challenges in the life of any political system where people are appointed into the decision making offices to appease them. They should set up a standard on how politics has to be done in Malawi. Political history of Malawi shows that all the three Presidents who have ruled used this appeasement policy to reward their party royalists with position of power in both the private sector and government. This appeasement policy has become a political tradition in Malawi in that Dr. Banda, Dr. Muluzi and Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika all had people whom they appointed into various positions. However the drawback of this appeasement policy is that many times those appointed into such critical decision making position lack expertise and are not able to deliver. Having looked into this, we are yet to see how the new administration of Her Excellency Joyce Banda will handle this issue. However we are hopeful that Her Excellency will not appoint people to appease them but that her administration will be exemplary and set up for Malawi politics.

AVOIDING NEPOTISM AND TRIBALISM

Sixthly action plan is that the PP Government should not accommodate nepotism and tribalism in their administration. Tribalism and nepotism remains the two greatest disease and enemy of the land that continues to cause divisions amongst citizens. This is a spirit which refuses to die in the nation’s social political and economic life. During Dr. Kamuzu Banda tribalism and nepotism was the main cause of divisions amongst the people because Dr. Banda promoted his Chewa tribe and gave out key portfolios’ to those from the central region of the country ignoring the other regions. When Multiparty came in 1994, Malawians were mistaken to think that this wind of political change also meant the death of tribalism and nepotism. Surprisingly and at their shock, when Dr. Muluzi came into power, he went on promoting his own Yao tribe and those from the southern region which was tribalism and nepotism of the highest order. So we may as well say that Dr. Muluzi did the exact thing that Dr. Kamuzu Banda did by promoting his Chewa tribe. We are all witness of how much Malawians cried out and begged the UDF and the Muluzi administration to stop their tribalism and nepotism but things never changes. What pained many Malawians during the Muluzi era was the way the UDF smartly sidelines other tribes in sharing the nation’s economic cake because those terrible days, promotion and access to any economic opportonities depended on you being UDF or your place of origin which gave the central and northern region people not effectively have access to similar opportunities as those from the southern region respectively. Of course we need to remember that during his inauguration in 1994, Dr Muluzi vowed not to work with the MCP remnant of Dr. Banda.

When the Muthalika came into power in 2004, peoples’ expectations were that both tribalism and nepotism was to die a natural death. However like Kamuzu and Muluzi, Muthalika concentrated on promoting his tribe the Lomwe at the expense of other tribes in the country. Just like Kamuzu promoted the Chewa and Muluzi promoted the Yaos, Muthalika promoted his Lomwe tribes who share more opportunites than the rest of the citizens of the country. The Kamuzu Banda and Bakili Muluzi tribalism and nepotism extended to the Muthalika regime in that one tribe the Lomwe became a super tribe than the rest of the others in the country. This is what caused resentment amongst the rest of the citizen of the country. Those in leadership in Malawi need to realize that the reality of Malawi is that Malawians are by nature tribal people and that they need to be sensible in the way they handle issues that affect people in the country. What Malawians would want to see is that they should be no tribe which should be sidelined or denied opportunities in the sharing of the national development cake. Now the coming in of the PP government, with this whole history in their heads, Malawians are watching to see if there will be a change in the way the new administration will take care of business in the country. Malawians are not expecting any tribalism or nepotism but the application of the doctrine of accommodation for all in nation building.

LEARNING FROM THE PAST MISTAKES OF OTHER LEADERS IS WISDOM

The seventh and final action plan is that the PP Government needs to avoid political mistakes done by the previous administration. Politically there are mistakes that the previous administration made as they took charge of the nation. The PP Government need to identify such mistakes and keep records of them so that they should can strategize on how they could deal with a situation of similar nature. History is there for the PP government to learn from and the future is there for them to manage. It is wisdom if you utilize and learn from the past mistakes. So the PP Government is blessed in that it would be easy for them to govern Malawi because they have a huge data base of information from where they could learn from and avoid the past mistakes by the previous regimes.