Mzuni endorses 'dream ticket' –observers
Dream ticket? Mutharika and Gondwe
A political scientist and observers have described the award of honorary degrees by Mzuzu University to President Bingu wa Mutharika and Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe as an endorsement of a "dream ticket" for 2009 general elections.
Nigel Mwalweni an observer in political matters said President Mutharika chances of winning the 2009 election look bright if he will run the presidential race alongside Gondwe as his running mate.
"The awards by Mzuzu University were a clear testimony that the two are a befitting ticket for the presidency," said Mwalweni.
"No one can wish away the Gondwemania which is sweeping across the political terrain. He is a performer, an achiever and leaving him out of Mutharika's presidential ballot will cost ruling DPP massive votes," said Nyekanyeka.
He said Mzuzu University honorary degrees to the two were a statement of intent.
"The University was putting forward the two –President Mutharika and Gondwe – as two leaders to look at for a better Malawi," said Nyekanyeka.
He said Mutharika would have to go along with Gondwe as his running mate saying another choice will cost him votes in the northern region and the academia fraternity.
The awards also triggered debate on the Nyasanet is discussion forum.
Rev Macdonald Sembereka of Maphunziro Foundation and Congoma observed that Gondwe's award was a "campaign" for his running mate post to Mutharika."I must be understood that I am not in any way writing off Goodall's achievements, rather my argument is that most of the professors at the Unima should have seen this as opposed to a university headed by no other person but Goodall's cronies. Perhaps this is a way of campaigning for Goodall to clinch the running mate ship with Bingu next year- who knows," posted Sembereka.
The debate also raised tribal connotations for the awards but one netter, Cuthbert Kachale who is a sympathizer of the ruling DPP said Mzuni has awarded honorary degrees to ex-president Dr Bakili Muluzi and former first lady Dr Shanil Muluzi."Please remember that both Dr Bakili Muluzi and Dr Shanil Muluzi got the Hon Doctorates from Mzuzu University. Did you raise an eyebrow as to why these beauties from Machinga/Mangochi were given the awards by a university in the Northern Region," argued Kachale on tribal discourse.
Canada based Tom Likambale an avid supporter of Muluzi contended that the tribal accusation against Mzuni were well-founded.
"Don't dismiss the criticisms against [Mzuni]. These criticisms are well-founded. The pandering to politicians and tribal clusters is vile and odious and needs to be exposed. There are many volunteers doing valuable work in communities in Malawi. Why doesn't Mzuzu University recognize those and award them? Why pander to Goodall Gondwe and Bingu? for political favours now and IOUs for the future? What kind of garbage is that?" Likambale posted.
Qatar-based Malawian lawyer Timothy Nundwe also pointed out that Dr Muluzi was awarded an honorary degree at Mzuni and Likambale "never said anything".Nundwe however attacked Prof Kondoole of University of Malawi on the introduction of controversial quota system of selecting students into the University of Malawi."By the way, I will never stop talking about Kandoole until he apologizes publicly for unashamedly lying to the public that the reason he wants Unima to introduce quota was to share public resources
which is a very stupid excuse for dumping merit," writes Nundwe.The award of an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws to President Mutharika was however criticized by the Citizens Committee on Democracy (CCD) which said Mzuzu University has become party to the
impunity and self-serving ambitions of President Mutharika.
"By taking a pro-establishment stance, particularly at this moment in time, when issues of constitutional violations committed by President Mutharika have eclipsed every other aspect of national life, the University has exposed itself as an appendage to the dark forces that threaten Malawi's freedom and the multiparty system of government," said a statement issued by CCD executive director Veronica Xerox Mashangu.
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Comments (14 posted):
A true patriotic Malawian deserved the honour and it could be wise enough to give him DPP candidature. No ethnic thinking on Gondwe but merit.Why not? * should not comment whether COMESA gay deserved it or not?
Akubulokerani web page and many fail to access you now.Only smart people overcome challenges
* have finally come to reliase that the issue of university selection is becoming very sensitive and political. * request people like Nundwe to educate me on the matter because he seems to know better. * would also love Nundwe to comment on my observation that its only people from the northern region who are against the system. What is it that you people know that we dont know?
The best appoach is to advance an agenda that ensures equitable sharing of public resources. Which ever way is chosen,merit should reign high.
You're castigating your own malawian osakamba zamzunguyo bwanji. Alwez we give credit to foreigners forgetting our own Malawians, Whyyyy???? ***** chani??? Chilichonse mungolowetsa ku ndale vuto lanu mchiani, we dont eat politics.
Even you Nyasa times guys why always you beat the drum loudly when it comes to negatives issues affecting the governmemnt? Is your motive to see this current government failing or improving? Remember that some of these visitors are outside malawi and they miss home that by visiting your website they want to hear something from home. Therefore * dont think its good that always azingomva nkhani zonyozana tokhatokha.
Tiyeni tisintheko abale. Tizikumbukira kuti zigwe kumalawi nzatonse. Lets hold hands otherwise divided we will fall and our strength is in our unity.
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