Dear Kamuzu Banda
Sir, sorry that I have to write you at this time of the year, and at a time when your soul is peacefully Resting In eternal Peace. But, I am sure that wherever you are, as the founder of the nation, and one who was booted out of power on reasons of dictatorship, to pave way for multiparty democracy, you could be more concerned about the plight of Malawians, fifteen years down the line, since your tragic fall from echelons of power, and about a decade ago since your demise.
I write you because I think we have derailed and need peaceful intervention of saints to pray for our country. Knowing that you are closer to canonised saints up there, I thought you would confide in them. We have not gone too far the bad way, but certainly political leaders are taking us too far there.
We refuse this.
Sir, in my beautiful country, I never knew I had to come from a particular region until a while ago. I never knew I had to search for my tribe till days ago. I never knew my parents come from two different tribes and regions till a week ago. I am now left wondering, figuring out my tribe. My surname is not enough, where I am presently staying matters even more.
You may think I am the only one in this predicament, nay, there are several others experiencing it this way.
You see, it is now important that one knows where s/he comes from. It will soon be a basis for one’s selection into the university. It may also give one an advantage or two over others to get somewhere in this society… so on and so forth.
Leaders, fifteen years after you were dethroned, are publicly uttering divisive and tribalist speeches. They are openly referring to Malawians as Southerners, Central(lers), Northerners and Easterners. And, they go as far as referring to one region as only being a friend to the rest, for instance, “anzathu a [ku chagawo chakuti].
In fact, statistics have been worked out to demonstrate how much more people of particular regions contribute to the country’s GDP. How this can be calculated in a country where each region has people from any other, is a puzzle for your thought.
Sir, how best do you explain it when appointments are being made based on political, tribal and regional belonging? You may frown, but that is some reality.
Well, it could be coincidence that those who qualify and please the appointing authority every time there is a vacancy for top positions are only those from one system of thought. However, should it still read as coincidence when it goes beyond three times? I know you have the best answer, you equally have experienced power in abundance, not so?
After all, it is also claimed you are the first architect of this unwritten policy.
Sometimes one would want to blame you. You know what? The whole breed of national leaders, enjoying in the perfumed gardens of power, wealth, corruption, and sycophancy, are products of your mentorship, directly or indirectly.
They have recycled over and over again. Some have lost taste, but still hold on to the stage, even when the show is over and curtains have been drawn.
This breed of politicians still practices the type you taught them. Political threats, unilateral decisions, bootlicking, political arrests, a culture of political and party ‘henchmen’ (though gender insensitive) and arrogance. It is not a surprise that most leave the stage, one by one, through an embarrassing vote of no confidence. Ask JZU and Muluzi.
The country has been rocked with issues of third term, open term, bouncing back, section 65, intraparty democracy, lack of party conventions so on and so forth. There is no better explanation than to reveal that these leaders have read the concepts of democracy but can not practice them, they can not upgrade their mental operating systems.
I assure you, a medical doctor working on their brains would recommend a complete overhaul and formatting of their grey matter. It is gone past its usefulness. It should not even get closer to the younger generation for fear of contamination. It is contagious, unfortunately.
Aaah! It is the second time I am writing you. The first time was through The Nation, in 2004. Yes, I was a varsity student then. I could not cope with academic pressure and at the same time writing you from time to time. Hence, the break. I do not promise, but once in a while, I will be writing you.
Rest in eternal Peace.
NONSENSE!!
Dictatorship at it’s worst. I COULD NEVER HAVE DONE THAT; NO, NO, NO.That is stupid politics! I was the best dictator the world has ever seen.
Anyway, don’t worry, I will deal with these guys very soon. They will be seeing me very shortly–according to my projections, that is: Remember I am a doctor!
A Real one and a good one too.
Great KK for me.
what is it that you want to communicate here? Heheheheh! You are wasting your time! Look for other strategies, but this one of nyasatimes is useless because it clearly shows which side of the country you are coming from and your intention is clear: playing victim!
It makes me sad when you remind of Kamuzu who never loved the Malawians and his history is not known. whethjer he is a malawian or not. How can one stay in the contry for 30 years and not knowing the language of the people. Am in another contry only for two years but i have aready known speaking french and the local language here. It really surprises me of kamuzu. we dont know his back ground,and when people say that he is from Ghana, we acan easilly believe.
This is a great letter, Stephen, and I am sorry that it has been such a long time!
Kamuzu Banda made Malawians think “What does the Big Man want? How can I be seen to assist him?”. Nothing much has changed since that time, but Malawi needs people to see what is right for Malawi and to fight for that.
This needs a lot of guts.
gg!
Dictatorship at it’s worst. I COULD NEVER HAVE DONE THAT; NO, NO, NO.That is stupid politics! I was the best dictator the world has ever seen.
Anyway, don’t worry, I will deal with these guys very soon. They will be seeing me very shortly–according to my projections, that is: Remember I am a doctor!
A Real one and a good one too.
Greet KK for me.
Tatopa ife ndi kukangana ndizamitundu yanu yosasamba.Always making noise with your useless tribes.I’m tired with this development.
Very good piece of writing but what is your point? Are you saying there were no such things like the north, south or central during Banda’s time? May be you were young. Kamuzu is the one who practised regionalistic tendencies. I remember vividly that time while at primary school. We had a certain Mr Mwandira, a Mr Chirwa, a nice guy who almost all pupils liked. These two were amongst the many Kamuzu ordered to return to the north. These teachers almost cried when saying good bye to us. And you know what? A lot of pupils cried for them regardless of where they came from! That was at Chilomoni Catholic Primary School. It is the same Kamuzu who started the quota system you are all crying about. It is the same Kamuzu who refered to the north as the dead north. Kamuzu cared very little for the north in reality. It is the same Kamuzu who dealt with Chisiza, Orton Chirwa, Kanyama Chiume, Chihana, the list will end Tomorrow. It is the same Kamuzu whom you wished Munthalika should be like. You actually called Munthalika ‘Ngwazi’. Meaning you admired Kamuzu and also wanted Munthalika to rule exactly like the real Ngwazi. Did not you know the real Kamuzu? Nay, but that you forget easily. Now brothers and sisters, welcome to reality. You are not dreaming. The ‘NGWAZI’ has just begun!!!!
The author of this article seem not to know much. He even do not know that when one is dead does not have any power at all. I guess he could have written to people who are alive.. Was it a poem? Do much research before writing about history to avoid unnecessary shame on the content of your wriring..
Are you sure the dead have no power?
Good and well researched article, Steve. But on quota system, political leaders of today are doing the right & the “BEST” thing for the nation. For now, its only quota system that’s gonna bring “real” national unity.