The politics of tribe in Malawi
Published: November 26, 2009
The cultural festival of the Lhomwe tribe took place on 25 October in the village of Chonde in the Mulanje District of southern Malawi, its Malawian heartland. This is close to the Mozambican border over which this group migrated in the course of the last two centuries and across which chiefs Mutharika (whose name Bingu borrowed when he tired of his original name of Brightson Webster Thom), Nasiyaya, Mpeni and Khoromana came for this celebration. It was attended by the Lhomwe’s most prominent member, President Bingu wa Mutharika, and thus attracted to this small village in the shadow of Mulanje mountain a crowd estimated at 40,000; also a large number of official limousines and military uniforms, a television crew from the state-owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, many yards of Mulhako wa Alhomwe cloth, and a host of soft drinks traders to serve the usual thirsts of the country’s hot season. It was a peaceful and colourful festival which the President insisted, in his opening speech, was “non-political”. “Some critics”, he explained “suggested that I should not come to this function because I am president of this country …. But the Mulhako is non-political. It is about promoting Alhomwe cultural and traditional values including our language” [Daily Times 26/10/09]
It is Malawi’s misfortune that almost everything a president does is political. When its first president, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, shifted the country’s capital-city from Zomba to the heartland of the Chewa people, at Lilongwe in the Central Region, and made their language into the official one of Malawi, it was a political act against the Tumbuka-speakers of the North and the Yao and Ngoni peoples of the south, however justified by the brutal logic of modern state-building. When Malawi’s second president, Bakili Muluzi, made public appointments from his own Yao people, and was seen to be favouring the Yaos’ Muslim faith over Christian ones, and to be building more roads and power lines in their Mangochi district than elsewhere, he was strongly criticised too. The fact that post-independence Malawi has escaped large-scale ethnic violence, and is proud of its peaceful and friendly spirit, cannot altogether conceal those bitter ethnic resentments and jealousies that plague other African states and which lie close to Malawi’s surface at all times. A president’s favour or disfavour can make or break an entire region’s economy, just as they can do for individual careers, and if those favours and disfavours are seen to be based on tribe, then resentments gain political force and coherence.
Suspicions of Bingu’s ethnic favouritism had already surfaced before the Chonde gathering. The arrival there of official limousines containing Lhomwe Cabinet ministers such as Patricia Kaliati, Anna Kachikho, George Chaponda, Richie Muheya, and the President’s own brother and minister of Justice, Peter, was not the only occasion for a counting of Lhomwe heads in Bingu’s government. Lhomwes at the head of the Anti Corruption Bureau (Alex Nampota), the police service (Peter Mukhito), the Malawi Electoral Commission (Anastasia Msosa); of government-owned corporations such as the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Charles Matabwa) and the Malawi Social Action Fund (Edward Sawerengera); of Principal Secretaries of major government departments (Joseph Mwanamvekha is the latest on the scene: Chairman of Mulhako wa Alhomwe, and since October, Chief Secretary to the Treasury); the Chief Justice (Lovemore Munlo) and the Attorney-General (Jane Ansah) – all these Lhomwes in high places had been noted with varying degrees of alarm. Nor were the sellers of soft drinks the only businessmen at Chonde to profit by their proximity to greatness. Leston Mulli, the rapidly rising star of the Malawian business community, with a multitude of blossoming investments in Malawi’s freight and passenger transport, tourism and timber concessions, and in Mulanje District’s large tea estates, was there too as patron of the event. He too is a Lhomwe and the brother of Felton, another of Bingu’s cabinet ministers.
The suspicion of Mutharika’s “tribalism” by members of Malawi’s twenty , or so, other ethnic groups expresses itself in many different ways. The veteran Sena-speaking political baron of the Lower Shire valley, Gwanda Chakuamba, who was leader of the powerful Mgwirizano Coalition in the 2004 elections, and who now leads the New Republican Party, was recently convicted (but not punished because of his age and growing eccentricity) of incitement to violence against the Lhomwe people. He told a crowd in November 2008 that the Lhomwe were becoming “cheeky” and deserved to be beaten-up. More significant, perhaps, was the more recent action of Harry Mkandawire, a powerful figure in Malawi’s Northern Region and (until his sacking last month) within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party hierarchy. His “Open Letter” to the President of 22 October expressed the concerns of Malawi’s northern, largely Chitumbuka-speaking, peoples, who had given Bingu overwhelming support in the recent general election, but who now feel sidelined and ignored by him. Mkandawire’s particular complaints were directed against the reintroduction of Kamuzu Banda’s old regional quotas for the selection of university students (because northerners were, and are, seen to be over-represented in the student population); and the Southern bias in Bingu’s appointments to government departments and corporations. He expressed a particular concern about Mulhako wa Alhomwe: “As the President of Malawi, you are expected to … embrace all tribes and their cultures. It is a paradox for you to be looked upon as favouring one tribe which is synonymous with being called a tribalist”.
Malawi’s ethnic and regional politics are, for the time being, balanced by a growing sense of a common, non-violent, Malawian culture. Its tribalism is often expressed in a healthy respect for cultural ties across those political frontiers established by nineteenth-century European colonialists with little knowledge or respect for such things. It still offers important solidarities and reassuring cultural identities and it allows the presidents of Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa to celebrate their common Chewa, Zulu, Lhomwe, Tumbuka, heritages as easily as their own people have always done . Bingu may be genuinely innocent of deliberate tribalism. His Democratic Progressive Party on the approach to the 2009 elections did well in the Tumbuka-speaking North, the Chewa-speaking Centre and the Sena-speaking South. But he has to be careful to ensure that the legacy he leaves for Malawi in 2014 will be the golden one he anticipates. He hopes that it will be that of the modern Moses, leading all of his people to the Promised Land of economic and political security. But it could be that of Humpty Dumpty on the wall in the popular nursery-rhyme of another cultural tradition, who carelessly fell off and could not be put together again. The tribal politics of Kibaki’s Kenya are a grim warning to Malawi of what happens when a president becomes careless with tribal politics. Malawians familiar with Michela Wrong’s “It’s Our Turn to Eat”, are now openly wondering whose turn it will be “to eat” after the Lhomwes of Malawi leave the dining-table
The cultural festival of the Lhomwe tribe took place on 25 October in the village of Chonde in the Mulanje District of southern Malawi, its Malawian heartland. This is close to the Mozambican border over which this group migrated in the course of the last two centuries and across which chiefs Mutharika (whose name Bingu borrowed when he tired of his original name of Brightson Webster Thom), Nasiyaya, Mpeni and Khoromana came for this celebration.
It was attended by the Lhomwe’s most prominent member, President Bingu wa Mutharika, and thus attracted to this small village in the shadow of Mulanje mountain a crowd estimated at 40,000; also a large number of official limousines and military uniforms, a television crew from the state-owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, many yards of Mulhako wa Alhomwe cloth, and a host of soft drinks traders to serve the usual thirsts of the country’s hot season.
It was a peaceful and colourful festival which the President insisted, in his opening speech, was “non-political”. “Some critics”, he explained “suggested that I should not come to this function because I am president of this country …. But the Mulhako is non-political. It is about promoting Alhomwe cultural and traditional values including our language” [Daily Times 26/10/09]
It is Malawi’s misfortune that almost everything a president does is political. When its first president, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, shifted the country’s capital-city from Zomba to the heartland of the Chewa people, at Lilongwe in the Central Region, and made their language into the official one of Malawi, it was a political act against the Tumbuka-speakers of the North and the Yao and Ngoni peoples of the south, however justified by the brutal logic of modern state-building.
When Malawi’s second president, Bakili Muluzi, made public appointments from his own Yao people, and was seen to be favouring the Yaos’ Muslim faith over Christian ones, and to be building more roads and power lines in their Mangochi district than elsewhere, he was strongly criticised too.
The fact that post-independence Malawi has escaped large-scale ethnic violence, and is proud of its peaceful and friendly spirit, cannot altogether conceal those bitter ethnic resentments and jealousies that plague other African states and which lie close to Malawi’s surface at all times.
A president’s favour or disfavour can make or break an entire region’s economy, just as they can do for individual careers, and if those favours and disfavours are seen to be based on tribe, then resentments gain political force and coherence.
Suspicions of Bingu’s ethnic favouritism had already surfaced before the Chonde gathering. The arrival there of official limousines containing Lhomwe Cabinet ministers such as Patricia Kaliati, Anna Kachikho, George Chaponda, Richie Muheya, and the President’s own brother and minister of Justice, Peter, was not the only occasion for a counting of Lhomwe heads in Bingu’s government.
Lhomwes at the head of the Anti Corruption Bureau (Alex Nampota), the police service (Peter Mukhito), the Malawi Electoral Commission (Anastasia Msosa); of government-owned corporations such as the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Charles Matabwa) and the Malawi Social Action Fund (Edward Sawerengera); of Principal Secretaries of major government departments (Joseph Mwanamvekha is the latest on the scene: Chairman of Mulhako wa Alhomwe, and since October, Chief Secretary to the Treasury); the Chief Justice (Lovemore Munlo) and the Attorney-General (Jane Ansah) – all these Lhomwes in high places had been noted with varying degrees of alarm. Nor were the sellers of soft drinks the only businessmen at Chonde to profit by their proximity to greatness.
Leston Mulli, the rapidly rising star of the Malawian business community, with a multitude of blossoming investments in Malawi’s freight and passenger transport, tourism and timber concessions, and in Mulanje District’s large tea estates, was there too as patron of the event. He too is a Lhomwe and the brother of Felton, another of Bingu’s cabinet ministers.
The suspicion of Mutharika’s “tribalism” by members of Malawi’s twenty , or so, other ethnic groups expresses itself in many different ways.
The veteran Sena-speaking political baron of the Lower Shire valley, Gwanda Chakuamba, who was leader of the powerful Mgwirizano Coalition in the 2004 elections, and who now leads the New Republican Party, was recently convicted (but not punished because of his age and growing eccentricity) of incitement to violence against the Lhomwe people.
He told a crowd in November 2008 that the Lhomwe were becoming “cheeky” and deserved to be beaten-up. More significant, perhaps, was the more recent action of Harry Mkandawire, a powerful figure in Malawi’s Northern Region and (until his sacking last month) within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party hierarchy.
His “Open Letter” to the President of 22 October expressed the concerns of Malawi’s northern, largely Chitumbuka-speaking, peoples, who had given Bingu overwhelming support in the recent general election, but who now feel sidelined and ignored by him.
Mkandawire’s particular complaints were directed against the reintroduction of Kamuzu Banda’s old regional quotas for the selection of university students (because northerners were, and are, seen to be over-represented in the student population); and the Southern bias in Bingu’s appointments to government departments and corporations.
He expressed a particular concern about Mulhako wa Alhomwe: “As the President of Malawi, you are expected to … embrace all tribes and their cultures. It is a paradox for you to be looked upon as favouring one tribe which is synonymous with being called a tribalist”.
Malawi’s ethnic and regional politics are, for the time being, balanced by a growing sense of a common, non-violent, Malawian culture. Its tribalism is often expressed in a healthy respect for cultural ties across those political frontiers established by nineteenth-century European colonialists with little knowledge or respect for such things.
It still offers important solidarities and reassuring cultural identities and it allows the presidents of Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and South Africa to celebrate their common Chewa, Zulu, Lhomwe, Tumbuka, heritages as easily as their own people have always done .
Bingu may be genuinely innocent of deliberate tribalism. His Democratic Progressive Party on the approach to the 2009 elections did well in the Tumbuka-speaking North, the Chewa-speaking Centre and the Sena-speaking South. But he has to be careful to ensure that the legacy he leaves for Malawi in 2014 will be the golden one he anticipates.
He hopes that it will be that of the modern Moses, leading all of his people to the Promised Land of economic and political security. But it could be that of Humpty Dumpty on the wall in the popular nursery-rhyme of another cultural tradition, who carelessly fell off and could not be put together again.
The tribal politics of Kibaki’s Kenya are a grim warning to Malawi of what happens when a president becomes careless with tribal politics. Malawians familiar with Michela Wrong’s “It’s Our Turn to Eat”, are now openly wondering whose turn it will be “to eat” after the Lhomwes of Malawi leave the dining-table
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Bingu is useless,just because Muluzi had lots of yao’s in whatever position they were and him too should follow suit by picking Lomwes unnecessarily?If Muluzi was so nepotistic like him,would he have picked Mlakho like him..total Mlomwe to be a presidentleaving his tribal yao behind?
We need ma politicians anzeru osati omangobwebweta chilichonse influenced by hate.We don’t have a president in Malawi at the moment other than being led by Lomwe tribal chief.Malawians are fed up with useless Bingu politics.He is doing nothing to improve the situation in Malawi than just dividing Malawians for nothing.We need somebody who can unite Malawi and Malawi should move forward.
interesting to note that this guy has no Phd he claims to have. the so called western pacific university was closed back then and therefore anyone who had acquired a qualification from the university was made invalid. I mean INVALID..it happens every time a university is closed down – INVALID – on the other note.. this president stated to have acquired this qualification in 1977..ohh..thats the same year the university was opened and made their first INVALID graduates in 1980! ‘Pacific Western University, prior to an ownership change, changing its name and becoming accredited, was the subject of criticism concerning its unaccredited nature and quality of its programs.’ the university was later bought and is managed under a different name.
More, still to come because they are no records of a bingu wa muthalika in the archival system at California Miramar University – after changing ownership – most records of people from 1st year in 1977 are avaialble. the university never offered any Phd course by then as well.
guys, lets wake up because we are dealing with the devil himslef..LETS NO TO TRIBAL DIFFENCES -WE ARE ONE – LETS GET BACK OUR HARD EARNED FOREX FROM THIS USELESS PERSON
Wagwa nayo Malawi in Diaspora or whatever you call it. Ulira siunati
To be a leader you need wisdom, not education. A country is run by civil servants.
A wise president can put in place an educated cabinet and govern very well.
The problem with us Africans, and lately UK and US we want to rule.
It is called Government, because those in government should govern.
Having no PhD is not an issue, to lie about it is an issue.
The guy has no Phd what do you mean? You are useless don’t you know that we can sue you for that. Who are you to to talk about about the president who is being honoured all over. Stop that nonsense and I repeat stop that nonsense. Next time you will say something about Pro. Peter Mutharika. Don’t you know that family ya Bingu ndi ya ma brains. Stupid tumbuka.
During the press conference, editors wanted to find out from Bingu why the cabinet was dominated by the Southeners(Lhomwes}, Instead of acknowledging his error, he wanted to overshadow this act by concentrating on castigating people from the North as being dominant in Universities, so that most Malawians who already hate people from the North may suddenly change their concentration from the dominance in Public appointments to a quota system. No matter how Bingu may do by “stepping on the shoulders of the Northeners to reach the top of the tree”, people are still haunted by the composition of the cabinet. REMOVE THE LOG IN YOUR EYES FIRST(Lhomwes dominance) BEFORE YOU CAN REMOVE THE SPECK FROM YOUR ENEMIES(Northeners’ dominance in University). ACCEPT IT BABA KUTI NDINU OKONDERA BASI. SIMUKUCHITA CHILUNGAMO PAMANENA ANZANU KUTI AMASANKHANA OKHAOKHA POMWE NANUNSO MUKUPANGA ZOMWEZO, IS IT BECAUSE YOU ARE THE LEADER?
Let us just kick him out then it will set a lesson to whoever will take over otherwise the ” IT’S OUR TURN TO EAT” syndrome will never stop.
Though we are peace loving nation the breaking point will not hold anymore one day, this is just too much. We should not wait for 2014 to vote him out, this is the right time to stand up and remove him.
Politics of tribe is too dangerous and BINGU is willingly advocating it. We are experiencing high tribalism and nepotism in our small country encouraged by Bingu who being citizen number one of Malawi is supposed to discourage such practice. Let us not pretend he is doing fine job, things are heating up in the offices. We have started fearing each other especially if you are of different tribes.
I DON’T KNOW, I DON’T KNOW what next.
We have a “Dr” and “Prof” syndrome in Malawi. See how every Pastor is “Dr. Pastor/Bishop so & so”. They struggle preaching through an interpreter to justify the title. Now every MP who has gone through the gates of a university wants the majic “Prof” title to go along with the household “Honourable” title – never mind the so so quality of their parliamentary contributions! Malawian universities are really liberal with their granting of this otherwise high academic honour. Then there is the recently discovered honorary degree. Remember how even 2nd Mai Muluzi had become “Dr” and was seriously addressed so.
It is no wonder then some people may have planned on acquiring the “Dr” title in advance, for future use at Sanjika. That was before the internet, mind you!
Should we wonder that secretaries in Malawi have taken over “Strategic Management Masters Degree” Programmes.
mulungu tipaseni president bcoz we aint gat any at the moment,we dont wanna wait till 2014 so God if u can send your angel of dealth then that will do,the sooner the better otherwise we all ganna b in a big big mess,tiifatu ndi mavuto ambuye lyk anthu omwe anafa ku zim
Mr president, tribes in Malawi are like your children in your house. You cannot scold each one that s/he dominates or contributes nothing to the house or display open hatred to each one of them. It is unethical to display such behaviour.
Your recent prouncements against people from the North including the quota system is brewing discontent in this country towards Kenya proportions. Do you know that boys and girls who wrote MSCE this year are too angry with you? God is watching you and it is not too to revoke those prouncements. Both the Bible and Koran talks against selecting less deserving candidates to posts or tertiary colleges while deliberately leaving out well deserving people. This is a grave sin that requires no debate and no compromise.
guys lets be real! why is it that anything the guy (our oresident) does is seen from a different and bad perpsective??? thats an abuse to the word perspective. US as AFRICANS have our own cultural values, and that what differentiates us to the rest of the world because other guys have lost their culture. Nowadays people thing that when they have studied and have gotten their masters and Phd’s from the western countries they must abandon their african culture and embrace a whiteman’s way of doing things, which is not any good at all). I say Bravo! my president i am proud of him for not forgetting his roots, i as angoni from the centre would also love to see us gathering once in a while and dance to our beautiful ngoma while we atre sipping masese. beat that! you haters!
I like that from Malawi in diaspora. Continue the research and give us more. It is ammunition for 2014.
It begin to make sense now . Even the recent award which the brother got from the US which was broadcast on TVM left some of us wondering. The people who offered the award sounded more like the crazy preachers of Eddie Murphy’s coming to America, who paraded naked girls and say “If you see beatiful girls like these, then you know there is God in heaven”. I have been wondering how these politicians think about the ordinary Malawian-nuts?
Even when you look at how we moved from 2005 to 2009, we used to notice intelligent decisions made in the finance Ministry but disastrous decions politically in the office of the President. I bet that this president of ours has survived because he is ruling people who are half dead. We have not changed much as a country. The same statement I have made here was made about us in the 70s and 80s by our neighbours in Zambia and Zimbabwe refering to how Kamuzu dealt with us willinilly.
Kalasa Agwiyo
is the north responsible for other regions failure to go school as evidenced by the nationa statistics office that in malawi only 28% of malawians go to school.the north is also leading in these survey with the north at 33% and cnter27% and south27%
again literacy level in the north its 79% the cnter 62% and south 62%.if bingu is concerned to raise the standards of education then if the whole country only 28%of Malawians are going to school what are you doing in order to make the remaining 72% of those not going to school start going to school.Bingu do have to blame the north again for other regions failure to go to school? MBULI ZOPUSA
mundiperekere moni kwa chief mutharika….the first paramount to chief over all paramounts and senior chiefs in malawi…