OF THE GAY MARRIAGE AND AFRICAN CONSERVATIVE SOCIETY

By: Qeko

In many African communities, the mountains trembles and the earth thunders in protest and anger at the mentioning of the word same sex marriage also called Gayism. This is the wicked and blasphemous action which is deplorable and not condoned in the conservative African society and any action to promote it is met with harsh and immense resistance from all quarters of life. Gay marriage is detestable because it destroys the core value of African existence since Africa has exist this long because of the belief in a family values where a man marries a woman and they have children. If it was not for the promotion and protection of family values by our grand fathers, the entire continents could have disappeared from the map. Therefore the key pillar of African society-family tends to be of great significance for the existing and wellbeing of the African people. Without a family you cannot have a community and without a community you cannot have a nation. So in other words, the family is the very backbone and foundation of a nation and this is a non-negotiable issue for many people in Africa.

The conservativeness of African society reflects what used to being the order of events in Europe when traditional Christian values were upheld. During those olden days’ societies in the west promoted and protected family values from destruction such that gay marriages were unacceptable. Those were the days when the church and the state existed as a unified entity and in the spirit of coexistence and mutual respect. But with time, western liberalism crept in and brought about the destruction of the core values of western society which also promoted humanism. People then began to question the existence of God if at all He was relevant. This later saw the removal of the bible and anything about God from public schools and offices across Europe and America and they argued that humankind should be left alone and free to worship whatever they want be it snakes, lizards, mountains, rivers to mention but a few. This article therefore is intended to show why people across African resent any talk of gay marriage and why they call it abomination against family values. The article will also show why the church in the west is blamed by many for the spread of same sex marriage.

Firstly is that western Church moderate approach to Gayism is unacceptable:
The western church’s moderate approach on issue of gay marriage is a sign that it is in support of the legalisation of this wicked act of terror against family values and God’s original plan for humankind to multiply. The legalisation of gay marriages across Europe and other parts of America explains that the church in the west has lost direction and is responsible for the demise of family values in Europe. The church in the west has become useless and a working social club geared to promote the demands of their western secular political administration. At this juncture, we need to recall that history shows that what we see in the western church is a repetition of what has always been the trend in that the church has failed to stand against the demands of secular political administration which includes separating the church from politics and removing God and the bible from all public institutions and offices. What we see in the west today is the outcome of such decisions passed long time back that today it is illegal for people to talk about God and the bible in public places in many parts of Europe and America. This also shows that Secular education gives birth to secular minded people who creates secular society and secular political administration which at the end enacts secular and ungodly piece of legislature which in this case would include the legalising of same sex marriage. Key questions for the western church are; Why has the western church been unable to stand up in support of family values? Why has the church not taken a radical approach in dealing with such wickedness in their society? Is the western church qualified enough to advise and teach the African people on the significance of family values when they themselves fail to protect such values in their society? What amazes many African people is that the western church which once advocated for the truth of the gospel and family values is doing little to stop their respective governments from pumping in Billions of dollars in support of the spread of abominable way of life. Western governments and their churches need to know that African people will not sell their core family value with money because what they cherish is worth more than silver and gold.

Secondly is that same sex marriage (Gayism) is despicable, wicked and abominable act
For African people same sex is immoral, wicked and despicable thing to be practiced by humankind in the 21st century. This is an abomination such that you even tremble at the mentioning of such a word in African society. It is in their nature that marriage is meant for a man and a woman while a family is composed of a man, woman and their children. Anything outside this definition of a marriage and family is abomination and not acceptable in African society. However western nations are pumping in Billion of US Dollars to many NGOs operating in many parts of Africa with an aim of helping them propagate the gospel of mass destruction for the family values. In addition to advocating human rights, these NGO have gone as far as stepping in a wrong territory and have met massive resistance from the African people. African people believe that not everything that comes from Europe is wisdom and empowering hence the resistance. The resistance to legalise this wicked act of terror for the family has met massive resistance from our parliamentarians who are men and women with a vivid belief in the protection of family values. Our parliamentarians realises that they also have children whereby legalising such a harmful bill could have serious repercussion on their children and grand children. So in addition to passing bills in parliament, our parliamentarians also act as custodians of family values by protecting the family from western pressure of mass destruction.

Finally is that African Heads of States supports family values
Head of states and governments across Africa supports the protection and promotion of family values. This is seen in that all of them are married and have beautiful wives. The wives of Heads of State have their own association where they once meet to discuss various issues of national development for Africa and their respective nations. This on its own is a message that shows that African Head of States believes in family values and that is why they have taken it upon themselves to protect the existence of a family amongst the African people.

It is in this regard that African Heads of States are against same sex marriage and many have vowed to make sure that this abomination is not even talked in their respective constitution. For instance in Zimbabwe both Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe has vowed to make sure that issues of gay marriage are not even discussed in their constitution. In Uganda President Museveni and his government doesn’t want people in Uganda to practice gay marriage and this remain illegal in the country. In Malawi despite the pressure from UN’s Ban Ki Moon and the various western forces, President Professor Muthalika and his government are resolved to protect the family values by making sex marriage illegal in the country. In South Africa in as much as gay marriage was legalized, 80% of the population don’t subscribe to the idea and still believe in the protection of family values and are not comfortable that there is such abomination in their country.

HAPPY 78TH BIRTHDAY YOUR EXCELLENCY NGWAZI PROF BINGU WA MUTHALIKA

By: Qeko

It is another birthday celebration today. His Excellency the State President of the Republic of Malawi, Ngwazi Prof. Bingu Wa Muthalika is celebrating his 78th birthday. The President was born on 24th February in Malawi’s southern region district of Thyolo in 1934. Ngwazi Prof. Bingu Wa Muthalika has been the President of Malawi since 2004 and he took over the reign of power from Dr. Bakili Muluzi who ruled the country from 1994-2004. Ngwazi Prof Bingu Wa Muthalika is an accomplished economist and a diplomat. The President previously worked with the both the Governments of Malawi and Zambia, the United Nation Economic Commission of Africa and COMESA.

Therefore we extend my heartfelt wishes to His Excellency as he celebrate this wonderful day today and praying that God continue to guide and give him more wisdom as he lead and take care of the affairs of the country. Also we pray that God shall continue to sustain and see him through even in these difficult times the nation is going through. The President should be encouraged with the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:6 where the Apostle, “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”.

As we join in this celebration, we would like to highlight some of the major achievements that the nation has seen during the few years that His Excellency has been the President of the country.

Food security
Since 2004, Malawians household have seen a positive change in food security. The Bingu Administration has been able to give Malawians fertilizer at an affordable price something which continues to make Malawians harvest enough at household level. Food is a every critical and the most needed item in every home and the presence of food makes everything around easy. As I give credit where its due, I realize that some people deliberately pretend as if the food situation has not improved in the country. The situation is far much better than 2001, 2002 and 2003 when I had to bring ufa all the way from South Africa to save my relatives because then there was literally no ufa in the main shops in the country. That season was bad and it left a mark in my life and that is why I say that comparably, this time around the nation is better in terms of food security which has drastically improved because at household level people have something to eat and can afford a good three meals in a day.

Infrastructural development
The one thing that I like about His Excellency is his way of dreaming in colours where as an economist he understands that infrastructural development is a gateway to prosperity of any nation. Developed nations have state of the art road networks and buildings in their towns and cities. Now in enhancing the nation’s developmental agenda, the President has managed to complete six visible infrastructure projects which include;
-National Parliament
-Five Star Hotel
-Presidential villa
-Chipembere Highway
-Karonga Chitipa road
-University of Science and Technology

Having said this, I agree with those who give credit where it’s due in terms of the contribution that the President has made in the country. in all truthfulness, we need to appreciate this contribution because for example the Karonga-Chitipa Road will boast economic activities between karong, Chitipa and the rest of the country. This is the road that Dr. Banda and Dr. Muluzi could not construct and made Chitipa completely cut from the rest of Malawi. Also the three major project withint the Capital (Five Star hotel, Presidential Villa and Parliament) has changed the face of the City in a big way because the City Centre of today is more beautiful than what it used to. Driving through city Centre you can see a huge change in terms of beauty and this is what we need to give credit where its due.

Also driving through the Chipembere highway in Blantyre you see a change and the beautiful highway which has changed the face of the city. Driving from Limbe to Blantyre you can see a change because in all its fairness, Blantyre is not the same in terms of road network and the beauty the Chipembere highway adds to its face. All these are the projects that we need to appreciate that at least finally we can see with our own eyes tangible projects finished unlike previously when projects could start and be suspended and remain unfinished. Finally the University being constructed, the state of the art Institution of Higher learning is one thing that will add value to the life of the nation and this is also what we need to appreciate.

HAPPY 88TH BIRTHDAY YOUR EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT ROBERT GABRIEL MUGABE

By: Qeko

Today is the 88th birthday of Africa’s great son, His Excellency Comrade Robert Mugabe the State President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to the President as he and the people of Zimbabwe celebrate this day. Robert Mugabe is currently one of longest serving heads of state in African politics and has been in power since 1980 when the nation attained independence from the British. He was born on the 21st of February 1924 in Matibiri in Zvimba district northeast of the then Salisbury. He attended mission schools and between 1949 he got a scholarship to study the B.A degree in English and History at the University of Fort Hare where he exposed to political ideologies through the Youth Wing of the African National Congress.

Apart from Makerere University, the University of Fort Hare was the only University in the olden days that admitted black intellectuals’ from across African countries. This was and remains a place where African leaders are processed and produced and sent into the world to make a difference in society. In the late 50s, Mugabe joined the liberation movement in Zimbabwe which saw the country attaining independence in 1980. He remains the godfather of the Zimbabwean politics because no history of Zimbabwe can be written and will ever be written without a mention of this great son of Africa who has ruled the southern African nation since independence.

Misunderstood by many western critics
Robert Mugabe has been one of the great African leaders who has been greatly misunderstood, demonized and accused of various forms of human rights violations by the western backed civil rights institutions across Africa. He is hated by the west because of his anti-western sentiments and the land reform program that gave land back to the black majority Zimbabweans. What Robert Mugabe did by giving land back to its rightful owners is what the western nations did not like hence they put sanctions to bring the Mugabe administration to its knees. However since the sanctions were imposed; only the poor and not the ruling elite have been affected.. In the administration of the economic sanctions, the western nations and agencies miscalculated the situation and were hoping that the sanctions would force the poor take up arms against their government.

Anti-Western critic
No African leader has criticized western governments more than Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has openly criticized western governments for plotting a regime change in his country through the sanctions and economic empowering of the NGO who were helping in their fight against the government. As is the tradition everywhere, western donor agencies normally pump in more money to NGOs to help them fight a regime while at the same time they withdraw aid to the government hoping that ordinary people would go to the streets and protest until there is regime change. Now Mugabe never minced his words to condemn western nations’ sanctions against his country which by and large negatively affected ordinary people more than the politicians themselves.

Champion of Education and human resource development
As the President celebrates his 88th birthday today, one thing keeps on coming into my mind and that is the heart and love that he has to develop his country and his people. Mugabe is one of the best African statesman who invests in the lives of the youth by giving them University education. This is the side of Mugabe that most of his critics do not know. What they know about Mugabe is the one sided history without considering the good part of his leadership.

While the world has concentrated on the negative aspects, Robert Mugabe has done more in African political economy. Thousands of young Zimbabwean attends various Universities across South Africa on a Government Scholarship in addition to the many who are admitted within the country. It is due to this that Zimbabwean students form the largest population of international students in many of South African Universities many of whom are on government scholarship.

African liberation
In the history of Southern African liberation, Robert Mugabe remains one of the key figures together with the likes of Kenneth Kaunda, Kamuzu Banda, Samora Macheal, Seretse Khama, Julius Nyerere, Nelson Mandela, Sam Nujoma and Do Santos to mention but a few. Robert Mugabe belong to the old guards, the first generation of liberationists and Zimbabwe remains unique in that they the country is still ruled by a President who physically took part in the liberation of the country.

Highest literacy rate in African under his leadership
Finally under the leadership of Comrade Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe has become the beacon of hope for Africa. The United Nation Organization stated last year that Zimbabwe has overtaken Tunisia as a country with the highest literacy rate in Africa. Statistically Zimbabwe as the Champion of African Literacy has 92% while Tunisia which comes second has 87%. This achievement has been realized due to the good policies that the President has for his people in terms of higher education and training. In as much as critics of Robert Mugabe concentrate on the negative side of life, we want to make it clear that there is also a much more positive side that shines even brighter as evidenced in the many achievements that the nation has seen since independence in 1980.

OF CHINA-MALAWI RELATION AND THE INFRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTRY

By: Qeko

The opening of the state of the art Chinese funded African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa last month marked the presence of China in Africa’s social political and economic life. However China’s relations with individual African nations’ remains cordial and many nations continue to benefit from this Africa-China partnership.In this regard, Malawi is one of the few African Countries currently benefiting from the Chinese African relations where the Chinese Government is funding major infrastructural development in the country. These are the state of the art construction work that continues to change the face of the nation.

Malawi as a sovereign state is benefiting from the extension of the China-African partnership where China has become a key partner in African social and economic development. Of course this point of view normally faces hostile western thought where for decades now many have looked at China as a country that produces cheap second hand material and turn African into a dumping ground. Malawi particularly is currently benefiting from the China-African partnership because the Chinese have just finished constructing the state of the Art Malawian House of Parliament in addition the 5 Star some few meters away. Also the country is benefiting from the Road construction of the long awaited, Karonga-Chitipa which since independence had been neglected by all the regimes that ruled Malawi. It has been the current leadership of Prof. Bingu Wa Muthalika that this construction of this road network was made a priority project of his administration. Also in higher education development, the Chinese Government is constructing the University of Science and Technology in the southern region of the country.

Having said this, these infrastructural development of such magnitude shows that China is a real friend of African nations particularly Malawi where the nation within a short possible time has been given such projects that will improve the social and economic lives of the people. In as much as many mainly those who are too much pro-western social economic point of view, may come up with various forms of argument against the Chinese role in the nation’s social development, the truth with Malawi will remain because what the Chinese have done is what every Malawians wanted to have for many years but were denied due to the nature of politics done then.

CHINA-AFRICAN RELATIONS AND THE GIFT TO THE AFRICAN UNION AND THE AFRICAN PEOPLE

By: Qeko

At the last month AU Heads of State and government meeting in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian Capital, the one outstanding even was the opening of the new AU headquarters constructed by the Chinese Government, fully funded and at a cost of USD $200 million. This has been described by many analysts as the Chinese Government Gift to the African Union and the African People. This 20 storey tower is the tallest building in the Ethiopian capital of Addis. The construction of this magnificent building is the symbols of African-China relations in this age and many African governments are repositioning themselves and have their eyes toward the East.

The amazing thing about this project is that the Chinese Government paid for the project something which shows the commitment China has in promoting social economic development in Africa. While the Chinese fully funded the construction of this project, if this was the West, surely we could have been talking of the loan from the IMF or World Bank to finance such a project. But that China paid for it all is a good sign of China-African relation something which shows that China’s approach to African needs is a little better than the West. The Western nations do not give such free gifts but they are good at providing loans which is the other form of modern day slavery where even the unborn kids come to the world where their countries are in debt.

Now China is giving Africa infrastructure development that people can see with their own eyes something which needs to be appreciated. Like the African Union Headquarters, this is a legacy that will stay for centuries to come and a symbol of Chinese power and influence in Africa. The good thing with China is that they make things easier for African countries unlike the west who through their banks, the IMF and the World Bank continue to oppress the African people in many different ways.

Currently, there is no African country that has not witnessed the Chinese touch. African nations have benefited from the Chinese government in many different ways and we are yet to see how far AfriChina relation will go mainly that the western nations are going through economic turmoil

JULIUS MALEMA SHALL NOT RESIGN: THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS YOUTH LEAGUE STRUCTURES SPEAKS OUT!

By: Qeko

At a recent ANC Youth League Lekgotla which took place at St George Conference in Tshwane, the League structures spoke with one voice that Julius Malema and all those suspended by the mother body, the ANC National Disciplinary Committee, will not resign their position but that they will stay on until the 25th ANC Youth League’s National Congress which will take place in 2014. The Youth League’s delegates to this important meeting included leaders from the region, province and national executive committees across South Africa. The ANC Youth League’s position on this matter means that in as much as the ANC National Disciplinary Committee passed the judgment against Malema and the other leaders, they remain the in their respective offices until 2014. This also means that the ANC youth League recognizes the significance of the power that is invested in the grass-root and that any decision about their leadership need to go through the structures.

However the tricky part is that ANC Youth League President Julius Malema, his spokesperson, Floyd Shivambu, the Vice President, Ronald Lamola, Treasure General, Pule Mabe, Secretary General Sindiso Magaga and the League’s deputy Secretary General Kenetswe Mosenogi, were suspended not by the ANC Youth League structures across the country but by the mother body, the ANC National Disciplinary Committee. The suspension process itself has been questioned by many as to whether the democratic process was followed with due respect to the involvement of the grass-root the structures, who voted these into office.

In their communiqué, the ANC Youth League clearly states that the leadership of the Youth League as elected by the 24th National Congress of the ANC Youth League will never be removed by any process that does not include the structures and membership of the ANC Youth League. The communiqué further states that internal process of the ANC Youth League can decide to elect or un-elect leadership of the ANC Youth League. The League voiced out that as far as it is concern, it will never agree that its leadership be subjected to unfair and unjust treatment or banishment for narrow political purposes. Now this stand taken by the league raised debate regarding who has the power to suspend a democratically elected leader? Is the power with the structures nationwide? Is it a Special Committee put in place by the party? Where does the power reside actually?

In a democracy the people are given the power to vote somebody into office and it is expected that the same method that is used to put one into office be used to remove him/her. It becomes conflicting when those who put someone into office through democratic means are sidelined and instead the power to remove one’s from office is done by a small group unlike the majority that voted. This is where the point of conflict many times is. Like the ANC Youth League, the structures across the country voted in Malema and his cabinet to take care of the League programs. However the point of conflict has been that the removal of Malema did not involve the structures that voted him into office. This automatically questions the democratic process itself because the argument that many have raise is why should the structures only vote and have their candidates removed by a different small group of people. Why did the mother body not involve the voters through any form of democratic means even the referendum? Now that the ANC Youth League has taken this stand, many political analysts are yet to see what next step the mother body will take in response to the league.

SOUTHERN AFRICA AND THE POWER OF INCUMBENCY: AN INTERESTING POLITICAL SCENARIO TO WATCH

One of the most interesting concepts in the study of political party election is the power of incumbency. Many have asked questions as to why many times the ruling parties across Africa retain power and win elections? Also questions are asked as to why have the opposition parties failed to dislodge the governing parties? Of course rigging has been the usual cry from the opposition parties. In this brief article I share the notion that the major mistake the opposition parties make is to undermine the power of the incumbency in many of the southern African States. I will show the prevailing power of incumbency in some of the southern African states which include; Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi.

 Now elections have been one of the major systems used to bring political parties into government. Through elections, parties have formed governments and some have been dislodged and humiliated. Individuals also through elections have made it to parliament (based on the system used) while some have miserably failed and recalled back by their constituencies through the vote. In all this, citizens have demonstrated that they hold the power to decide the destiny of their countries.

 To begin with in Angola since independence in 1975, the country has had a very unstable electoral life because of the civil war which only ended few years ago after the death of the Angolan lebel leader, Jonas Savimbi. However since their first election, the ruling party the MPLA led by the incumbent President José Eduardo dos Santos, has never lost any election. They have managed to win elections and continued to govern through the power of incumbency. The ruling party has an advantage as the party in government to move extra mile in delivering the basic needs of the Angolan people.

 In Botswana, the ruling party currently led by the Lt General Seretse Khama Ian Khama, the BDP continues to rule Botswana. This party has been in power since independence. Sir Serese Khama was the first President then came, Sir Ketumile Masire and Festus Mogae. In as much as the opposition are in existence, Botswana politics shows that the power of incumbency is hot and it may be argued that the nation practices democracy in a one party state.

 In the DRC, in as much as the Banyamulenge overthrew the Mobutu Seseseko through military invasion, they managed to reform themselves into a political party machine which through the Kabila’s is now ruling the country. Since the coming in of the Kabila’s in the Congo politics, party politics have been an active venture where elections have help to determine who gets into state palace. In the elections that have taken place in the DRC, the ruling party, the PPRD has managed to return power in as much as the nation is fragile democratically. The opposition party the UDPS led by their key man the veteran Etienne Tshisekedi has failed to dislodge the power of the incumbency in the country.

A look at the Basotho electoral politics shows that Mosisili’s LCD has been in power since 1997. Now in all this Basothos’s political dispensation, the oppositions parties, the LPC and ABP have tried to fight but they have failed. The power of incumbency has always prevailed in the Basotho politics such that Pakalitha Mosisili’s LCD continues to serve his Majesty government.

 In Malawi, since the birth of multiparty politics, the incumbent has never lost any election. In 1994-2004, Muluzi’s UDF won the elections in as much as that time the opposition was more popular due to the worsening economic situation the nation was going through. Also since 2004 the current DPP Government remained in government and won all the elections they had. However the tricky situation is this coming elections where the Peoples’ Party will be contesting as a ruling party after having ruled the country for only two years after the death of the former president Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika. However looking into what goes on in the power of the incumbent regime, we can still then argue that the ruling party as usual has more chances of winning the coming elections than the other opposition parties. This is because the doctrine of the political party and the power of incumbency is to their favour and they are more advantaged than the rest of the political parties in the country.

 However the Mozambican political story shows that the nation has two main political parties the Renamo and the Frelimo. However since independence, the Frelimo has been in power. All the Presidents who have ruled Mozambique have been from he Frelimo party and this has been due to the power of the incumbency. Of course the Renamo in the past elections tried to gain some grounds but could not manage to dislodge the Frelimo party.

 In Nambia, the liberation party SWAPO, currently led by the incumbent President Pohamba, continues to rule the country. The opposition which is weak in that country can mot match the power of the liberation party which makes it difficult in terms of the opposition party politicking. Before Pohamba took over government, the nation’s Father and founder, Dr. Sam Nujoma ushered the nation into independence and was the first democratically elected President of the country. Since then the Namibian party politics in controlled within the parameter of the SWAPO politics.

 As regard South Africa, the African National Congress, which is the oldest African political party in power, remains the most popular party in the country. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, the ANC has remain the only ruling party and the power of incumbency in this country is too strong than in any other African country. in as much as key opposition parties the DA, COPE and the IFP have come on the nation’s political scene, they do not have enough strength to overpower the and dislodge the incumbent ANC. Signs on the South African political walls are clear that the ANC will rule the country longer than any political party in the political life of African continent. This is due to the principles and pillars that govern the party. Dr. Nelson Mandela was the first democratically elected president followed by Thabo Mbeki then currently the nation is ruled by His Excellency the State President Jacob Zuma.

 In Zimbabwe, the power of incumbency has proved to work a miracle in that in as much as the nation went through hard economic crisis, the incumbency survival formula worked out. The history of the nation through the ZANU PF continues to be the key determining factor in the life of the nation’s party politics. Currently under a Unity Government with the opposition MDC, Zimbabwe’s politics continues to be directed by the power of incumbency. Till will be a determining factor as to how long the incumbent regime the ZANU PF will be dislodged by the MDC or any other party that may come on the political way of the nation.

Having looked into the political scenario in Southern African countries, the Malawi situation is a kind of tricky at the moment even though we are aware that many times incumbent regime do not fail to get back to government. However we need to get to understand that Malawi’s power of incumbency is unique in that whoever gets into government has the chance of retaining power. The economic crisis the nation is going through will not do any big harm to stop the ruling party to get back into government. Also the ruling PP through their political party strategist (if any) must have put together a winning strategy ready for the 2014 electoral battle. Also it is important to note that in any battle you need to know the skills and expertise that your enemy has so that you can properly come up with the kind of strategy that can give you victory. Just as the incumbent regimes across Africa continue to enjoy this political game, it is expected that if the ruling PP in Malawi can put themselves and get focused they then could, according to the doctrine of political party incumbency, get back to government and continue ruling.

MALAWI IS A GOD FEARING NATION AND NOT A SECULAR STATE

By: Qeko

The stipulations in our constitution on the rights Malawians have continue to raise a hot debate regarding the status of the nation, whether Malawi is really a secular state or a religion nation. Some have argued that it is wrong to say that Malawi is a secular state while others continue to preach what this writer calls the alien message that does not represent and give a true picture of Malawi, that the nation is a secular state. Realistically Malawians are religious people and Malawi itself is a religious nation. This is the true picture and a true representation of what Malawi is and what Malawi shall remain for centuries to come.

Malawi has never been a secular state and it will never be a secular state due to its history and the religious view the nation shares. The message that is being propagated that Malawi is a secular state is false which need a quick re-visitation by our parliamentarians so that they put the house in order. In this article, I will show that Malawi is not a secular State but a God fearing nation, full of people with religious values and a belief in the unseen Being, a God who made the heaven and the earth.

To begin with, Malawi is a nation where the people believe in the God who made the heavens and the earth. They belief that there is the unseen Being somewhere who caused all what we see today come into being. This makes Malawians religious people. Statistically close to 98% of the population shares this belief in this unseen Being the God of the heaven and earth, the cause of all things. This includes the Christians who are 80%, Muslims (25%), Hindus and Bhahai (8%), African Traditional Religion (5%) and Atheists (2%).

The irony about Malawi’s situation is that in as much as the situation on the ground shows that the nation is a religious state with a belief in the unseen Being, the God of the heavens and the earth, the country’s constitution through the bill of rights seem to propose otherwise. The argument that as Malawians we are a secular state is dangerous and means that the nation has no sense of spiritual direction of which is not true as far as the situation on the ground is concern. To say that Malawi is a secular state is to hand over the nation to the unseen evil powers. Also to say that Malawi is a secular state is going against the truth about this country because since pre-colonialism, Malawi has never ever been a secular state but a nation and a people with a belief in God. Having said this let me show that the people of Malawi are religious beings who believe in the unseen Being, the God of the heaven and earth.

Firstly is that all our Presidents who have ruled this nation have always used words like, “God bless our nation”, and have mentioned words like, God, Mulungu, Chauta and their speeches shows that they likewise shares the notion that the nation is a religious state.

Secondly in all the presidential functions in the country, meetings are opened with a word of prayer from either a Sheik or a Pastor or Reveland of any church chosen that particular time. This researcher has never seen Presidential meeting starting without a prayer which is a strong sign that the nation is a God fearing nation and a religious one.

Thirdly is that all the major religious institution in the country which make up 98% of the nation population believes in this God, the unseen Being, the maker of the heavens and the earth.
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Fourthly is that we are all witnessed in that on our national currency, we have John chilembwe a clergy who led in the liberation of our nation. All these marks show and refute the notion that this nation is secular. The puzzle and argument of it does not fit and fails to be fixed properly in this regard.

Finally we also all are aware of the influence the religious institutions have over the many issues in the country. Now it becomes strange to hear that Malawi is a secular state when in actual sense the nation is religious. Even if referendum can be done today, close to 99.9% of the population will agree to the notion that this nation is a religion state and not a secular nation as is being wrongly advocated.

MALAWI CIVIL SOCIETY: AGAINST FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND CHASE JOURNALISTS AWAY

By: Qeko

The news that the Malawi Civil Society Organization chased journalists from the MBC TV from their press conference at Crossroad hotel is unfortunate, disappointing and a sad development in the democratic Malawi. This action is regrettable and shows how much the Civil Society in Malawi are dragging the country backwards in terms of freedom of the press and the journalism. This is a sad development in the life of the Civil Society Organizations’ activism and their campaign in promoting democracy, the rule of law and the rights of journalist in the country.

The chasing away of journalists is the highest form of segregation and apartheid in Malawi journalism where such reputable organizations that are meant to promote freedom of the press can turn their back and destroy the very work they are called to do. The fact that journalists from the private institutions were not allowed to attend a particular press conference does not give the NGOs a ticket to do the pay back thing because they have the duty to do more because even the donors who support and pay for their bread expect them to be exemplary and walk the talk.

This action has demonstrated that civil society organizations have failed to put into practice what they preach about freedom of the press in the country. In other word, they only talk about freedom of journalists but are not able to put this into practice. As advocators of democracy in the country it is expected of all Civil Society Organizations to be exemplary even in accommodating all journalists and not segregating some. Now if they can chase journalists just because they come from their opposing side then why do they preach about freedom if they are the destroyer of the same freedom they preach? Why making the presence of journalists from their enemies camp an issue? Would they not have used this opportunity to show and demonstrate that they are able to walk the talk and not just preach this freedom of the press gospel? It is sad that at this particular time these Civil Society Organizations missed their opportunity to show that they exist to promote the well being of journalists and their freedom in the country.

ZAMBIA DISMANTLES IVORY COAST TO WIN THE AFCON 2012 FINALS

By: Qeko

The mighty Chipolopolo boys are this year’s African football champions. In a final match played in Libraville, the Gabonese capital, Zambia beat the African Giant the Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout (8-7). In the ninety minutes of play and extra time the team failed to score. It was Stophira Sunzu’s last penalty kick that crowed the mighty Chipolopolo boys as the AFCON 2012 champion.

Zambia came to this tournament with a big purpose in mind of wining the Cup in honour of their Heroes who died in 1993, just some a Kilometers away from the venue of the match. It was in 1993 when the Zambian Air force carrying the Chipolopolo boys crashed off the coast of Gabon killing all the 30 passengers on board.

The match started with both teams demonstrating their willingness to score an earlier goal but they failed utilize their chances. However Zambia almost came to making the lead in an earlier minutes of the game but the Ivorian goal keeper denied them the chance.

The Ivorian led by their key European based players, Drogba and the Toure brothers did all they could but failed to stop the Zambia team spirit led by the Katongo brothers, Emmanuel Manyuka and Chansa. Zambia who came to the tournament as the underdog, proved many wrong that its not about the number of experience players in the field of play but team work and team spirit. The Ivorian with big names in the life of African football played fantastic football but could not hit the back of the net.

Gracing the AFCON 2012 for Zambia was the Father and Founder of Zambian Nation, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, former President, Rupiah Banda and the current Vice President, Dr. Guy Scott, the Zambia football icon Kalusha Bwalya and may Zambian fans dressed in the nation's colours.

OF THE CHIPOLO POLO BOY' MISSION AT AFCON 2012: WINNING THE CUP IN HONOUR OF THE 25 ZAMBIANS HEROES

By: Qeko

On the 27th April 1993, the most devastating news in the life of African football was announce, that the Zambian Air Force carrying the Zambian National Football players crushed and perished along the coast of Gabon killing all passengers on board. Those days I loved to update myself with every little detail of the beautiful game. I remember that the Zambia national team was on their way to play Senegal and that Kalusha Bwalya who at that time was playing his professional soccer in Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven was to join the team in Dakar hence he survive the crash.

Actually it is emotional and touching to remember this Gabon Air Disaster because it was the most shocking and distressing news in the life of this beautiful game. This disaster took away the best of African’s footballers as follows;

Efford Chabala-Goalkeeper
John Soko-Defender
Whiteson Changwe-Defender
Robert Watiyakeni-Defender
Eston Mulenga-Midfielder
Derby Makinka-Midfielder

Moses Chikwalakwala-Midfielder
Wisdom Mumba Chansa-Midfielder
Kelvin Malaza Mutale-Striker
Timothy Mwitwa-Striker
Numba Mwila-Striker
Richard Mwanza-GoalKeeper
Samuel Chomba-Defender
Moses Masuwa-Striker
Kenan Simambe-Defender
Godfrey kangwa-Midfielder
Patrick Bomber Banda-Striker

To honour these Zambian National Team Heroes, the Chipolopolo boys upon arrival at Libreville, the team went to the site of plan crash where they had a brief funeral and emotional service to remember the departed. It has taken 19 years for Zambia to come back to the site where the players died. Headed by Kalusha Bwalya, and the Zambian sports Minister, Kambwili, the Zambian national team visited the site. In his speech, Bwalya stated that the Zambia National team is there to respect the dreams of their beloved brothers who died. In as much as many have concluded that Zambia will be defeated by the Giant of African football this weekend, it would be dangerous to undermine the spirit that is energizing and propelling the Zambian team this particular moment. This is because the team has a mission and a goal to win the cup in honour of their friends who perished during that Gabon Air disaster in 1993. In as much as they are the underdog, this weekend there will be some fireworks as Zambia fight with a common goal

CIVIL SOCIETY'S ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN MALAWI DEMOCRACY

By: Qeko

The call by Malawi’s President, Prof. Bingu Wa Muthalika that civil society need to be transparent and accountable is a welcoming development in the country. Key to this call is that civil society needs to show how they are funded and how the money is used in the country. For years civil society organisations in the country have been criticising and questioning government over similar issues of accountability and transparency. Now it is interesting that the same measure they used to criticise government will be used to measure them. Of course some of the civil society organisations have questioned the motive of the state over the matter.

I may not know how many civil society organisations are in the country at the moment but a quick look into our democracy shows that they have contributed in one way or the other in retarding the growth of our democracy. In as much as they are fast to accuse Government on the matter, they have equally played a huge role in hindering progress in our democracy.

Now step taken by government is a positive development because some things need to be done which would include a review of the operation of the civil society since their inception in the country. Such reviews would be a best way forward so that civil society organisations that are effectively and positively contributing to the country’s social, political and economic development be given the space to function while decision could be made for those that have failed to carryout their give mandate. Reviews are important in the operating of any agency because this gives room to indentify the weak areas and propose for a best way forward for their improvement. Without review, it would be difficult to exactly know if progress is actually made. It is not about having million civil society agencies in the country but its about quality and their effectiveness in a democracy.

Since the dawn of democracy in 1993, civil society organisations accountability and transparency has been key issue. They have been accountable to their donors and not government in as much as it is from government that they get permission to operate and function in the country. This writer believes that that if in their original application civil society stipulates that they would function to confront government then for sure they would not been accepted and allowed to operate in the country. Now that they have by and large turned into political movements then we may as well argue that they have abdicated their original intent. It is in this view that review of the civil society operations in the country could assist to exactly identify and know their original plan of action as per content of their registration.

The argument that civil society in Malawi are accountable to their donor and not government is babish and unfounded because in the first place the civil society in family operate within the parameters of the nation of Malawi and that being the case, government is the chief custodian of everything that happens in the country. In the first place all civil society organisations get permission from government to operate in the country. Now just as Government gives them licence to operate in the country, the same government has to power to determine their operation in the country.

UNIVERSITY OF MALAWI KICKED OUT OF THE BEST 100 UNIVERSITIES IN AFRICA: A WORRISOME DEVELOPMENT

By: Qeko

It is official now that the Malawi’s NO. 1 State University-UNIMA is not among the TOP 100 Best Universities in Africa. This news announced weeks ago is sad, unfortunate, worrisome, and disastrous and something which is raising questions regarding the quality of higher education in Malawi. Also this is sad and discouraging because as Malawi’s State University, UNIMA is expected to do better and be part of the major African’s best universities.

What has gone wrong at UNIMA?
That the nation’s University has been kicked out of the best 100 best African’s Universities leaves many with unanswered questions like; what has gone wrong at UNIMA that things have gone this worse? Who is to blame for this misfortune that has befallen the nation? Is there anything that the UNIMA Council, Government, UNIMA Alumni and the Private sector failed to implement that has led to this misfortune to the nation? Now that the nation of Malawi has been kicked out of the Africa’s best 100 Universities means that something is wrong or something has gone wrong somewhere and that something urgent need to be done to address this problem. This is serious and worrisome and Government and the UNIMA council need to seriously look into this matter because the effect of this does not end up in Malawi alone but shall affect all Malawians across the globe as they shall be undermined and underrated. The relevant authority need to look at this matter with urgency because we are talking of the nation’s Number One University here.

SOME CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
Lack of intensive Research
One of the major factors that enhance quality of university Education is research. Many of the major African Universities have research as the backbone of their education. They don’t compromise on research because this is the main reason of their existence as Institutions of higher learning. Now regarding UNIMA, the question is the extent of research done? Does UNIMA Departments carry out intensive research on key issues affecting the country? Does UNIMA various faculties promote research as their main reason of existence as a University? Does UNIMA Council encourage and promote research? Do they partner with other world renowned research agencies in the promotion of research in the country? I ask this because there are many issues that have happened in the country which needed the UNIMA researchers to do something about them. UNIMA as the nation’s NO. 1 University need to know that they are the only academic hope for the nation and that they need to do more and become the research hub for the country. If the UNIMA quality education has to be restored then the authority needs to begin looking into how they can handle the issue of research at the College. There has to be advanced research where all University departments gets busy in one way or the other.

Lack of postgraduate studies initiatives
The other key factor is lack of intensive postgraduate studies at UNIMA. It is due to lack of such postgraduate studies that the question of research comes in because by and large postgraduate studies involves research. It is through postgraduate studies that research is done intensively which in turn brings revenue to the University. What I am saying is that postgraduate education at UNIMA is limited and that is why many Malawians and even lecturers at UNIMA prefer to go outside the country to pursue their Masters and PhD qualifications. If UNIMA was well equipped, the University could have been offering all the postgraduate qualifications and there would be no need for lecturers and Malawians to go overseas or within Africa to pursue postgraduate studies. However UNIMA need to go back to the drawing board and re-strategise and begin to position itself properly in this decade of advanced postgraduate education.

Private sector negligence and stinginess
The private sector in Malawi have contributed greatly in the decline of University education by their stinginess in that they by and large do not provide financial support to the University through scholarships and bursaries. Ironically Malawi’s private sectors employs graduates from UNIMA and they themselves (private sector) do not want to be involved in the production process of these graduates which is selfish and unfortunate. In South Africa and other Africans Universities, private sectors are the engine of University Education and they play crucial role in the provision of bursaries and scholarships to students which in turn bring revenue to the University. The Malawian situation is pathetic and sad because private sector in as much as they make huge profits in the country, they are stingy and do not want to be involved in the production process of quality graduates at UNIMA. If all companies in Malawi were to provide bursaries and scholarships at UNIMA, the University could be having some money and enough funds to take care of some of its businesses.

Malawi has many companies which makes big profits yearly but the question is why are they not contributing to the educational needs of the country? Why are they not providing scholarships and why are they not giving out even small bursaries to students? What are they using the profits they make in the country for? Why are these companies operating in the country in the first place? Are they in Malawi to make big profits and reward their CEOs big yearly bonuses and not serve the nation’s educational needs? What is government is doing about this? This writer believes that companies doing businesses in Malawi have the social responsibility to serve their community and provision of bursaries and scholarships is the best way to go if they have to be more effective in this area.

WAY FORWARD
A commission of inquiry over the matter
As a way forward, one key step to address this situation is the institution of the commission of inquiry over matter. Serious steps need to be taken to making sure that Malawi get back on this chart. Now the commission of inquiry will help explore and find out key reasons as to what actually has happened at UNIMA that the nation’s university is kicked out of the best 100 Universities in Africa. The sad thing is that on this chart there are many private Universities meaning that Malawi can not even match the standards of these many private Universities in Africa which is very sad as a country. UNIMA is a State University which means that everything that happens there need to be done with extra care and seriousness because whatever happens affect the nation as a whole. What I am saying is that this misfortune to the nation is unacceptable as it questions the value and quality of qualifications offered at the nation’s NO.1 University.

Government deliberate policy- 10% of the private yearly profit for scholarships and bursaries
It is a fact that Malawi’s sector has been missing in the financing of education in the country. For decades, Government has financed University education without meaningful support from the private sector in the country despite the country having many companies which make huge year profits. Some have blamed government for being lenient on the private sector by not giving them assignment to do in terms of ordering them to provide a specific number of bursaries and scholarships to the University. The few i interviewed on the matter stated that there is nothing private sector can do if government does push them onboard. They pointed out that government need to have a list of all companies in Malawi and give each company a specific number of bursaries and scholarships to give to the University each year. The number of bursaries and scholarship provided by each company would depend on the profit made in a year which means that big companies operating in the country would provide more scholarships than the small ones.

To effect this, Government need to come up with the so called, “deliberate policy on University Educating Financing-Scholarship and Bursaries-10% of annual profit”. This deliberate policy would be geared to make sure that the private sector contributes in the financing of university education in Malawi as well. In this regard the policy could show and state that 10% of the company’s yearly profit goes toward this University Education funding project. In this regard Government would provide the monitoring mechanism that all companies abide by this policy rule and that each and every company operating in the country equally contributes in the educational needs of the country. Having said this we need to know that Government alone can not manage to finance University education in the country hence the need for the private sector to play a role in the promotion of University Education in Malawi through provision of scholarships and bursaries.

DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE PARTY AND THE 2014 VICTORY

By: Qeko

As the next Presidential and Parliamentary Elections are around the corner, the main question that many ask is whether the ruling DPP will carry the day or not. With the current political situation many mistakenly are convinced that the ruling DPP will not form the next government. However in this brief article, I will be sharing the opposite part of the debate where my main argument is that come 2014, the ruling Democratic Progressive Party is likely to win both the Presidential and parliamentary election with a simple majority and not a two third as was the case in the previous election. To argue my case, I have put forward some key factors as to why the DPP will form the next government.

THE POWER OF THE INCUMBENCY
The first factor that gives the DPP advantage is that this is the party with power of the incumbency with them. This is the party which through the President will call for the election in 2014 and as government they will have to organise and pay for the electoral expenses. With this then, there is no reason for the ruling party to lose the elections. What the writer means is that the ruling party can not lose the election which they themselves organise. The power of the incumbency in this regard gives the DPP advantage and they will win the election though with just a simple majority.

Many have counter argue my notion on this matter using the Zambia situation where the ruling MMD and Rupiah Banda lost to Michael Sata’s Patriotic Front. In as much as the Zambia scenario is a vivid one, the DPP through their political party strategist, will not allow the MMD and Rupiah Banda situation to happen in Malawi. The DPP Strategist must have analysed the Zambian situation and by now they must have done everything possible to avoid the Zambia scenario to repeat itself in Malawi. The ruling DPP exactly is aware of all the factors that made the MMD lose that election in Zambia. The researcher is convinced that the DPP strategist must have done all the necessarily research on this matter where by now they have enough information that will help them avoid the Zambian Scenario happening in Malawi.

As I wrote somewhere, it is a political carelessness for the ruling party to lose an election. The MMD in Zambia had no workable strategy to give them victory during the last elections. They undermined the Patriotic Front and never put up enough effort to stop Sata from getting to State House. As the ruling party they had every type of strategy around them to use so that they win the election but they were just careless and lost it. Presidential and parliamentary election is like warfare where contestants have to do research and know the strength of the other in terms of how they fight the battle and what type of weapon do they use to fight. You don’t go to the battle field without a winning strategy. In Zambia, the MMD had no winning strategy and did not even know the strength of the Patriotic Front hence they were defeated

What we saw in Zambia was just one of those political carelessness’ by the Rupiah Banda’s MMD party. As for the Malawi’s DPP, it will be a huge political carelessness to lose the coming election after having learnt clear lesions from their Zambian counterpart. Since the DPP have a case in point to use to strengthen their position, they are therefore likely to win the coming election. It is from this point of view that the DPP in Malawi will form the next government. In as much as many argue using the current economic situation in the country, this will have little to stop the DPP from forming the next governemnt because they are the governing party.

POLITICAL PATTERN IN MALAWI PRESIDENTIAL VICTORIES
A critical look at the political parties’ victories since 1994 shows that the ruling party has never lost any election. The argument here is that from the available evidence, since 1994, the ruling parties seem to have the magical formula to get the victories during the elections. We are aware that in 1999 the UDF won the elctions in as much as it was not very popular that time. In 2004 in as much as Muluzi with his third term bid made the UDF unpopular in the country, the party still won the election. We are all aware that the pre- 2004 general election political situation in Malawi didn’t favour the UDF but still this party which was demonised that time won the election. Some of us are witness to so many political and economic events that brought the UDF to its knees that time but still the unpopular UDF won the election in 2004 which brought in Prof. Bingu Wa Muthalika as the second President in a democratic Malawi. Having said this, we are also aware of that during the 2009 election, the DPP took over almost the entire country as they got the two third in Parliament. The mistake that many are currently making is that they are using the current social economic and political situation to judge the DPP and quickly say that they will not make it come 2014 which is a misplace judgement. The current social economic and political situation will not be the same come 2014 and even if it remains the same, Malawians have their own way of how they elect their leaders and they normally use wisdom. It is from this point of view again that this writer is of the opinion that the political party patterns in Malawi in terms of victories, shows that the ruling party since 1994 has not lost any election.

DIRECTIONLESS AND POWER HUNGRY OPPOSITION
The other key factor is that the opposition parties in Malawi are not organised and also that they are led by selfish politicians with no vivid agenda for the nation. This writer has looked into all what the key opposition leaders continue to say so far and all of them are empty with no tangible agenda for the nation. What we hear them saying is just criticizing the weak areas of the ruling DPP which is their sign of political immaturity. The opposition in Malawi have absolutely no agenda. What Malawians need is a party that has an agenda for the nation with clear vision and direction. What we mean is that the MCP, PP, UDF and others do not have any tangible agenda and work plan on the table for the nation and with no key ideology to guide their party politics. What we hear is this noise and that noise and not any progressive agenda for the nation.

In addition, many of those in opposition are in politics because they don’t have anything to do and would want to find a little something to keep them busy. They are by and large political opportunist and political party prostitutes. This may sound hard but it is just a sober truth about Malawi politics which is a sad development. You don’t build a party with political prostitutes because they can leave you anytime based on where the pasture gets more greener. Political prostitutes have no philosophy and principles to guide their operations. What they only know best is to wait for an opportunity, speak and criticise the political agenda and policies of the ruling party. They operate in a political blindness and have no political direction. They have no plan of action apart from taking negative against the ruling party and government. Having said this, those in opposition need to realise that Malawians are not looking for political opportunists or political prostitutes but the type of leaders who have the heart for the people.

ANC-DPP PARTNERSHIP URGENT AND IMPORTANT FOR MALAWI DEMOCRACY

By: Qeko

On his arrival from the ANC centenary celebration, Malawi’s President Prof. Bingu Wa Muthalika said that the ANC and DPP will soon enter into partnership aimed at fostering democracy in Malawi. In this regard, the President said that the ANC delegates will visit Malawi. In line with this, I would want to highlight some few things regarding the significance of this partnership in as far as Malawi democracy is concern.

Firstly is to welcome this partnership between the two parties, the ANC and the DPP and requesting that if possible this should be done quickily where within the DPP they should form a steering committee to take care of this very important action. I say this because there is a lot that the DPP can benefit from the African National Congress. The ANC is the Africa’s olderst political movement and in as much as this party is 100 years old, it still have the capacity and abilities far much better than the many newly formed parties. The ANC is like the a full house and like a government machinery itself. Within the ANC there is a lot that the DPP can learn from and if only this can be done then the DPP can become the type of a party that can survive and stay in Malawi politics longer.

During my many years of stay and studying here in South Africa, I have observed that South African Democracy is far much mature than the type of politics done in many of our countries. South Africa like Malawi attained political pluralism in 1994 but strangely our South African brothers have moved many miles positively in their democracy and they can demonstrate and show that they are practicing true democracy with maturity. However in Malawi, in as much as we attained our political democracy in the same year as South Africa, we are still far and our democracy is still at a baby stage. In a mature democracy, the government and the opposition work together in a spirit of nationhood in all issues of national interest.

Babish opposition politicking
In Malawi, the challenge has been that due to childishness and babish politicking, the opposition seem not to know what it means to be in opposition because the only thing they know best is to only oppose and not propose the best way forward for the country. To be in opposition is to be a government in waiting and that means acting responsibly to create trust in the lives of people so that they can vote them into office. Since opposition party represent government I waiting, they need to be a group of politicians who could put to pen proposals to develop the country. The major problem has been that many things are said to the media without being written down for reference. Opposition politicking is not only about talking volumes to the media but writing down issues and presenting them to government for consideration.

Mature opposition
In South African politics, there is a mature opposition and they don’t just oppose for the sake of opposing but they are progressive and patriotic as citizen of the country. In South African opposition politicking, their country comes first and there is patrioticism. The opposition have love of their country and this enhances productively in their politicking. They are the ones who positively contribute and make the ruling party even perform better. Opposition politicians need to know that they re part of the state’s governance structure hence they need to do better.

Mature civil society
Also in South Africa there is a progressive and mature civil society. South African Civil Society is the best coz they exactly know their job description and they operate within their mandate. This makes South African Civil Society flourish in what they because they are focused. South African Civil society do no work and fight the ruling party the ANC as is the case in Malawi where the civil society gang with opposition to fight the ruling DPP. In Malawi it seems things are out of hand in terms of the rules that govern civil societies because you can not exactly know the mandate of some of the civil society. Some function like opposition parties and the whole thing is out of hand. In South African civil society add value to the prospering of democracy where they positively contribute in the development of the country unlike in Malawi where the civil society has become part of the opposition parties.

Having said this, the partnership being talked about between the ANC and the DPP would be a welcome development particularly in Malawi so that the ruling party can learn on how their South African brothers are handling similar issues in the democracy.

A BIG NO TO GAY MARRIAGE IN AFRICAN SOCIETY

By: Qeko

In many African communities, the mountains trembles and the earth thunders in protest and anger at the mentioning of the world same sex marriage also called Gayism. This is the wicked and blasphemous action which is deplorable and not condoned in the conservative African society and any action to promote it is met with harsh and immense resistance from all quarters of life. Gay marriage is detestable because it destroys the core value of African existence since Africa has exist this long because of the belief in a family values where a man marries a woman and they have children. If it was not for the promotion and protection of family values by our grand fathers, the entire continents could have disappeared from the map. Therefore the key pillar of African society-family tends to be of great significance for the existing and wellbeing of the African people. Without a family you cannot have a community and without a community you cannot have a nation. So in other words, the family is the very backbone and foundation of a nation and this is a non-negotiable issue for many people in Africa.

The conservativeness of African society reflects what used to being the order of events in Europe when traditional Christian values were upheld. During those olden days’ societies in the west promoted and protected family values from destruction such that gay marriages were unacceptable. Those were the days when the church and the state existed as a unified entity and in the spirit of coexistence and mutual respect. But with time, western liberalism crept in and brought about the destruction of the core values of western society which also promoted humanism. People then began to question the existence of God if at all He was relevant. This later saw the removal of the bible and anything about God from public schools and offices across Europe and America and they argued that humankind should be left alone and free to worship whatever they want be it snakes, lizards, mountains, rivers to mention but a few. This article therefore is intended to show why people across African resent any talk of gay marriage and why they call it abomination against family values. The article will also show why the church in the west is blamed by many for the spread of same sex marriage.

Firstly is that western Church moderate approach Gayism is unacceptable: The western church’s moderate approach on issue of gay marriage is a sign that it is in support of the legalisation of this wicked act of terror against family values and God’s original plan for humankind to multiply. The legalisation of gay marriages across Europe and other parts of America explains that the church in the west has lost direction and is responsible for the demise of family values in Europe. The church in the west has become useless and a working social club geared to promote the demands of their western secular political administration. At this juncture, we need to recall that history shows that what we see in the western church is a repetition of what has always been the trend in that the church has failed to stand against the demands of secular political administration which includes separating the church from politics and removing God and the bible from all public institutions and offices.

What we see in the west today is the outcome of such decisions passed long time back that today it is illegal for people to talk about God and the bible in public places in many parts of Europe and America. This also shows that Secular education gives birth to secular minded people who creates secular society and secular political administration which at the end enacts secular and ungodly piece of legislature which in this case would include the legalising of same sex marriage. Key questions for the western church are; Why has the western church been unable to stand up in support of family values? Why has the church not taken a radical approach in dealing with such wickedness in their society? Is the western church qualified enough to advise and teach the African people on the significance of family values when they themselves fail to protect such values in their society? What amazes many African people is that the western church which once advocated for the truth of the gospel and family values is doing little to stop their respective governments from pumping in Billions of dollars in support of the spread of abominable way of life. Western governments and their churches need to know that African people will not sell their core family value with money because what they cherish is worth more than silver and gold.

Secondly is that same sex marriage (Gayism) is despicable, wicked and abominable act. For African people same sex is immoral, wicked and despicable thing to be practiced by humankind in the 21st century. This is an abomination such that you even tremble at the mentioning of such a word in African society. It is in their nature that marriage is meant for a man and a woman while a family is composed of a man, woman and their children. Anything outside this definition of a marriage and family is abomination and not acceptable in African society. However western nations are pumping in Billion of US Dollars to many NGOs operating in many parts of Africa with an aim of helping them propagate the gospel of mass destruction for the family values. In addition to advocating human rights, these NGO have gone as far as stepping in a wrong territory and have met massive resistance from the African people. African people believe that not everything that comes from Europe is wisdom and empowering hence the resistance. The resistance to legalise this wicked act of terror for the family has met massive resistance from our parliamentarians who are men and women with a vivid belief in the protection of family values. Our parliamentarians realises that they also have children whereby legalising such a harmful bill could have serious repercussion on their children and grand children. So in addition to passing bills in parliament, our parliamentarians also act as custodians of family values by protecting the family from western pressure of mass destruction.

Finally is that African Heads of States supports family values:Head of states and governments across Africa supports the protection and promotion of family values. This is seen in that all of them are married and have beautiful wives. The wives of Heads of State have their own association where they once meet to discuss various issues of national development for Africa and their respective nations. This on its own is a message that shows that African Head of States believes in family values and that is why they have taken it upon themselves to protect the existence of a family amongst the African people.

It is in this regard that African Heads of States are against same sex marriage and many have vowed to make sure that this abomination is not even talked in their respective constitution. For instance in Zimbabwe both Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe has vowed to make sure that issues of gay marriage are not even discussed in their constitution. In Uganda President Museveni and his government doesn’t want people in Uganda to practice gay marriage and this remain illegal in the country. In Malawi despite the pressure from UN’s Ban Ki Moon and the various western forces, President Professor Muthalika and his government are resolved to protect the family values by making sex marriage illegal in the country. In South Africa in as much as gay marriage was legalised, 80% of the population don’t subscribe to the idea and still believe in the protection of family values and are not comfortable that there is such abomination in their country.

GOD CAN USE ANYONE, ANYTIME, ANYWHERE ANYHOW

By: Qeko

The notion that God cannot use “certain people” to answer particular prayer petitions offered to Him is untheological, unbiblical, unfounded, and something which reveals a worrisome lowest level of biblical knowledge prevailing amongst both laymen and some clergy in Malawi. This is pathetic and really sad for the church and the nation at large. It is a sad thing because it is expected of the church leadership to be biblically versed and able to argue based on scripture and not on emotions.It was reported in the media that at this year’s graduation at Mzuzu University, a particular prayer for the nation was offered to God and latter His Excellency the State President made a statement that he wanted to respond to the content of the prayer offered by the clergy. This raised some controversial questions because according to some clergy and laymen, only God can answer prayer and thereby it was not good for the State President to say that he was to respond to the petition raised by the clergy in the prayer. This therefore raised the two main questions; how does God answer or prayers? And when does this God answer these prayer petitions?

In this article, I want to show that God can answer our prayers offered to Him anytime, anywhere and using anyone in line with His divine will and purposes.Firstly is that God can answer our prayers in many different ways. God answer our prayers through miracles or by using fellow human beings to intervene in our situations. Many times in the bible God intervenes in the lives of His people using the so called “angels” whom He sends to answer petitions. Sometimes these angels appeared like directly sent from heaven and sometimes God used the human beings to act as angels and instrument of intervention in the plan of His people. In other circumstances, God used individual persons or group of people or even unique situation and circumstances to respond and answer petitions and this is always in line with His divine will and purpose for his people. Biblical examples are too many to mention where God used some people in answering particular prayer items. For example, God raised Moses to deliver Israelites from Pharaohic oppression in Egypt. The bible says that God heard the prayer of His people and he raise up Moses as the instrument of deliverance for His people from captivity. God performed the wonders through the man- Moses and his younger brother Aaron. Throughout biblical history God has responded to people’s petition using different mode of communication even using human beings just like us. We need to know that God does what is best for us to satisfy His will and purposes. So the argument raised concerning the Mzuzu University prayer shows a worrisome level of biblical knowledge the country suffers from which is dangerous. Also if the bible in Romans 13 says that God appoints leaders for the nations (whether good or bad all depending on his plan for his people) then what is it that can stop the same God from using the very man He appointed to lead the nation? Surely if God can choose a leader for the nation then surely God can even use Him to answer some of the key needs for the nation.

Secondly is that Malawi has a unique history where we have seen God intervening in the social political and economic life of the nation. The problem with Malawians is that we tend to easily forget God’s past dealing with the nation which is unfortunate. There has been the great touch of God in the history of our country where God used some people to intervene in the political life of the country. To begin with let me mention to you that the history of the nation reveals that in the 1800s the Portuguese almost took over what we call southern region of Malawi. Sir Harry Johnston who was the British representative for Nyasaland almost gave in to the Portuguese demands to take over the entire southern region of the present day Malawi. But God used the Christians in Scotland and the few who were in Malawi to stop this from happening. If it was not for the great intervention work of God through the Christians in both Scotland and Malawi, what is southern region today could have been part of the present day Mozambique. But God intervened to give this nation what was the best in His divine plan.

Also you may be reminded that after more than 30 years of oppressive rule of the Dr. Banda regime, God finally raised some men and women in whom he instilled boldness and courage to lead the emancipation of the nation from the oppressive regime.I don’t have to remind you how God used our men and women in Parliament to stop the third term bill. If that bill passed that day, Malawi could not have been the same and we may not know why God intervened like that. God in His divine plan and love for the nation created a situation that made some MPs not be in the house and some not even vote and the bill failed to pass that day. We all were shaken those few hours and we all said that this was the hand of God and nothing else. It was God again who in His great wisdom, love and mercy for the nation also created mysterious circumstances that led to the failure of the whole impeachment process in addition to the many interventions that God has used in the life of the nation.

We need to know that some situation demands God to use people and other situations God comes down himself to answer our petitions. I don’t have to remind you how many times God has sent angels to answer particular prayers in your lives and you are all witness to this great hand of God through the people he uses. So if God can use you and me to answer other people’s prayer then surely the same God can even use the State President to answer particular prayer even in the life of the nation like Malawi. So it is wrong to quickly judge that the President was wrong to response to the prayer because being the Head of State, there are some petition that God can use him to bring about solution for the nation. We need to refrain from this spirit of being judgemental because sometime we may not know that we are arguing against the plan of God because God can use anyone, anytime and anywhere and anyhow according to His divine will and purposes for His people.

Finally is that we need to know that God can answer our prayers anytime and we are not the ones to dictate when God can answer these petitions. Like the Mzuzu University issue, the problem to many has been that it was too quick for the prayer petitions to be responded to because may be they wanted the response to come after some time or through a different mode of communication. We need to always remember that God’s plans are different and final and He respects nobody and He does things according to His own divine plans and purposes. Whatever thing we want, we shall not manage to dictate Him because He has a final say and does things in line with His divine will for His people. Now was it wrong to have the petitions responded to right there that same day? Response to prayer can be instant (right on the spot) or it can be gradual all depending on the plan that God has for a particular person or nation. His divine plan and purpose for His people is vital and supreme and its determines whether the answer may be instant or gradual. We have see prayers being instantly answered and sometimes God delays to answer all depending what is best for us. I don’t have to remind you that on the cross the thief made it to heaven instantly after he made his plea to Jesus. God does not care how chaotic the social political situation may be on the land but as God He is able to answer our petitions Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow and using Anyone (AAAA) all depending on His great plan for His people and the nation.