Of MCP self-destructive tendencies, snapping the feet of the giant
Since winning the by-elections in October last year, the main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has been behaving like it is already in government. The party’s youths have been behaving like hysterical rabbits; they are all over the place, and on social media trumpeting the win as a precursor to what they say will be the party’s victory at Malawi’s national polls in 2019.
The by-elections have also not spared its president, Reverend Dr. Lazarus Chakwera. His ego has been so much bloated that he is now behaving like Sate President of the Republic of Malawi. He has gone full throttle throwing his weight around and firing senior members of MCP from their positions relentlessly.
As we are talking, Jessie Kabwila, the party’s former Publicity Secretary and senior member has been fired; the party’s Vice President and Speaker of Parliament, Richard Msowoya has been suspended; Secretary General, Gustav Kaliwo and a host of other senior members of the party have also been suspended, and the scramble for top positions in the party has reached a crescendo.
The party now appears to be jinxed by some kind of a ‘by-election curse’. Instead of building around its victory in the October by-elections to strategize for 2019, MCP appears to have been undone by the same. The party is now steadily plunging into a cesspool of chaos and anarchy with Chakwera as a helpless bystander. The by-elections victory is now only an insignificant blip that is fast receding into the distance.
As if this is not enough for MCP, the London-based Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) has just released a comprehensive intelligence report in which it has predicted a win for the incumbent President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika in 2019. In its ‘Briefing Sheet’ and 2018-2022 outlook for Malawi, EIU observed that despite the challenges that Mutharika and the DPP government are facing, he is still likely going to win in 2019.
As has always been the case, the MCP and the usual culprits whose career is to oppose government have risen to dispute these findings (although without any empirical facts, like what EIU has done). The truth, however, is that the EIU is an evidence-based institution and its report is based on very comprehensive understanding of the situation on the ground and analysis, something that continues to elude the loudmouths in the opposition.
The good thing is also that Malawians are able to know and understand lies when they hear them, and will not be held captive by desperate propaganda under the guise of alternative political voice. Malawians know that President Mutharika inherited an almost poisoned chalice in 2014.
Donors had just pulled out budgetary support which accounted to 40 percent of the country’s national budget because of CASHGATE. There was a huge domestic debt and confidence in government was at an all-time low.
Today, the economy is in positive trajectory and enjoys positive growth despite the country experiencing flooding and other acts of God in 2015 and 2016. Inflation is currently in single digits from 24.2 percent in November 2014, and foreign exchange reserves continue to stabilize as a result of prudent macro-economic balancing by the DPP administration, which has allowed the private sector to import raw materials with ease than it was in the past.
Governance institutions are also bustling and functioning under Peter Mutharika and his government. Infrastructure development continues to spread across all the regions of the country and has been a tell-tale sign that Malawi is indeed turning the corner in terms of development.
President Mutharika has also largely kept his campaign promises. His cabinet still remains at 20, and the much touted promise of establishing at least a technical college per district has been fulfilled.
The Malata Subsidy programme and the civil service reforms are also some of the testimonies that it is possible for a political party to deliver on its campaign promises. Mutharika has also just commissioned the power generators, which are slated to add 55 megawatts to the national grid, as a short term measure as other more long-term measures such as the 300 megawatts Kammwamba thermal plant are being implemented.
Mutharika and the DPP will go down in history as the only President who went out of his way to find a lasting solution to the power black-out woes in Malawi than all the presidents before him combined.
These are some of the developments that have come to define the Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika administration and no amount of political tweaking by Dr. Chakwera can vanquish that.
In fact, the report by EIU is an indication that Malawians are aware of the initiatives that government is implementing and can discern between real economic developments from mere political vanity. The other truth is also that this is a wake-up call for Chakwera and his MCP team from their sustained stupor induced by the by-elections wins in last October.
The EIU report will make Chakwera realize that his approach of opposing everything that the DPP government does; of deliberately seeing only negatives even when there are positives in what government is doing has done more harm to him than he could ever imagined. It will make him realize that the approach will not get him government in 2019 and that he must prepare to be disappointed.
Chakwera needs to do more introspection than he is currently doing. He must ask himself why it is that barely three years after blazing on the political scene with the fanfare of breathing new life into an old and tired political party, it is still the same old story of going three steps forward and five steps backwards? Why is it that after all that ‘rebranding’ efforts, the party of Kamuzu is still steeped in the tired mumbo-jumbo of unity, loyalty, obedience and discipline, the same cornerstones that were used by the notorious MCP’s paramilitary Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP) to commit untold atrocities against innocent Malawians? Why is it that despite the rebranding rhetoric, the party’s youths still find space to roam the streets with stubborn notoriety insulting and beating those who they don’t agree with including destroying drones for journalists?
The EIU report maybe will help Chakwera to know that leadership is much more than just speaking English with an American accent. It would teach the retired reverend that transformational leadership is not fearful of dissent in views and opinions. In fact, transformational leadership celebrates dissent because a true leader is enriched with alternative viewpoints.
The report would teach Dr. Chakwera that leadership is about holding the boat together and not purging people with alternative views under the banner of ‘Nkholokolo’. The report would help Chakwera realize that he who thinks he is leading but has no one following him is only taking a walk, and that there is a lot that MCP as a party must do in order to be accepted again by Malawians as an outfit ready to govern this country.
Someone said MCP suffers from a curse that makes it plunge into furious internal bickering every time this country is about to hold general elections. It appears Chakwera is just another ordinary leader whose leadership has once again failed to remove that curse.
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I am a staunch MCP Supporter but very objective. Whilst whatever this guy has written is mostly trash but its important as MCP to really ponder and re-strategize on the few sentiments he has raised which to me are true. If not careful the 5-1 win for MCP could work to the advantage of DPP than MCP. It was a work up call. 5 CONSTITUENCIES won during the October by-elections represent only 2.6% of the 193 parliamentary seats. So don’t behave as if you are already in govt. winning a national election is different from winning a few constituencies. So here is my advice; 1- put our house in order-remove the msowoyas,kaliwo and kabwila at the forthcoming convention after all one of the 3 is an MP where I come from & I DONT THINK that MP will retain the seat. 2- be visible on the ground. the rural masses amafuna zinthu zochepa ie dzitenje. ma t shirt etc 3- rejuvenate ma structures and systems mma district 3- use of the media cannot be rulled out etc-I rest my case.
The article has been written by a DPP sympathizer who has deliberately missed important facts. The issue of Kabwira and her comrades started a long time ago and they were spared long enough in the party, removing them shouldn’t seem a big issue here, every party has protocols and if individuals are causing havoc in the party. If the same thing happened in DPP they would treat it the same way. I don’t see an issue here. The author is also wrong to accuse MCP supporters touting the by-election victory on Facebook, is the author blind that he doesn’t see DPP supporters making noise on social media? MCP winning the by-election is not a snap in the feet of the giant, DPP is not the giant the author is fantasizing, it is a big deal for MCP to win the by-election, credible political commentators can school this author what it means for a ruling party to lose elections, it is a vote of no confidence and that election was a miniature of the bigger elections coming ahead. don’t be fooled
These are words of a wise report he just reported what is on the ground DPP is fulfilling all what it promised to his people – may GOD continue blessing APM and his goverment and the entire NATION of Malawi.
Whoever wrote this article is a fool, and blind of the fact that DPP has failed to develop Malawi. Besides propagating nepotism what else has the government done? Beside road construction in southern region, check roads in northern region, and central region, including the M! from Lilongwe to Kasungu, they are in terrible condition. Regardless of what is happening in MCP, Malawians wont vote for DPP.
The Mcp guys take what this fellow have said ,if you are busy seeing only the negatives that this government is doing,Know that you are failing to read your opponents well.Learn to accept criticism and build on what others are saying.Dont think kuti kuchosa DPP M boma will be an easy task for you.Mind you it is not only central region and Nsanje lalanje that will vote next year ,its the whole country and if you will not be careful with your pastor be ready to remain in oppostion for the another 30 years .Musayambe kusimbwa ngati mwawina kale ,ndiye uthenga uli pankhaniyi .
Beautiful article
What is EIU?evidence based institution!!! My foot.. What evidence..have they been on the streets and in our villages to hear what we voters think? DPP out..2019…MCP boma…you think MCP won’t win cause of a handful of bastards..ie kaliwo ..kabwila etc..
kkkk.Who is the Editor of Nyasatimes now?Does he or she live in Malawi.What rubbish!Which economy is performing.As am writing there is no power ,nepotism is the order of the day .If you are not Mulakho you are not Malawian enough to be considered for top jobs in parastatals,govt etc.The EIU you are talking about predicted that JB was going to win the last election .Don’t give us crap,give us facts.Economy my foot!!!
Please nyasatimes i like reading your articles but don’t allow some of these nonsense articles to be read by people who are able to differentiate sense from nonsense. This idiot thinks things are oky in Malawi now than before? I’ll only agree with this fool for one reason, simply put,he was born from bargirl mother by more than 15 fathers so he has different genes of madness, robber,rapist among others.
The people you are referring add no value to the party.. Their presence in the party is more parasitic than symbiotic.. I c nothing wrong with their suspension..
Nyasatimes editor lives in UK and he is expressing his opinion as a DPP supporter you can know this by the language he has used in this story. However, people will decide in 2019. it is easy for people to predict the out come on an election, they did it in the USA and we all know the out come. Have you really understood why some people had to be fired? They were pulling in the wrong direction.
Well done Nyasa Times for this comprehensive and honest analysis. I totally agree that president Peter Mutharika has achieved SO MUCH than he is given credit for. He has kept most of his promises and made a lot of economic improvements despite inheriting a country and economy in chaos. I am very impressed with his commitment on infrastructural development.
Malemba nkhaniyi ndi wa DPP and ndi Bulutu heavy ndaniso angavotele mbava za DPP m’boma kuli mwina walembayu ndi akazi ake kkkkkkkkkk
Yes you are right about Malawians knowing a lie when they hear or read one. And for your information we know that the rubbish you have written here are lies coming from a brain in a skull painted blue linke the zombies one sees at a DPP gathering.
This writer is a useless moron sent by DPP in their desperate attempt to tarnish the image of opponents. Unfortunately, the guy is brainless. How can you claim that Mutharika is demonstrating seriousness on Malawi Power supply when he just initiated fraudulent procurement of generators. All the current infrastructure on electricity generation and distribution were constructed under the previous governments.
This Nyasa editor does not leave on this land of Malawi. A waste of time to argue with him. One question though to this fool ….. what did EUI predict about Jocye Banda?
This is clear DPP propaganda. They are a bunch of scared boolies who will stop at nothing to return to power in 2019. Everyone clearly sees where the wind is blowing unfortunately away from them. MCP so called squabbles are as a result of a stupidly written Constitution which cannot discipline misconduct the tight way. DPP has exploited the situation and has been using this to create illusional squabbles in MCP for intentional reasons. Remember the District Chairpersons case out of which the main culprit, Kaliwo still remain on the payroll of the DPP to mastermind the so called squables. Dzanja lalemba bwana and the words are on the wall. Send your article to MBC they can help you better than on this forum. You thieves will not cheat Malawians forever.
And you call yourself an Editor?
If the DPP can manage to give me electricity and water 24/7 by whatever means I will give them my vote as for MCP I thought you were the alternative but lol RIP
It is embarrassing to note that this is coming from the editor. The article has wrong facts and lacks objectivity. It is as if it is writing by someone who is learning journalisms.
1. Power
The facts are there that MCP and UDF added more power to the grid and their approach was proactive and not reactive approach that DPP is using now. You can get facts from ESCOM that MCP and UDF had strategies to do interconnect with Mozambique and also to start going for solar power having noted that with environmental degradation the reliance on hydroelectric power would not be enough in future. It is only DPP that did little investment in power during its first 10 years of rule. They had the first 10 years to invest in power but they did little. They could even had taken on board strategies that MCP and UDF had left. But the problem is that every new gvt wants to trash what previous gvts establish.
MCP had strategies on population controls. Get facts from National Statistics Office, you will note that there has been more population increases now than before because there are no population control strategies.
2. EIU Poll Opinions
Those that are disputing the poll opinions are giving facts. In the first place, EIU had goofed on many opinions the recent being the Malawi 2014 elections, 2016 USA elections. Most times their opinions are that ruling parties would win the elections casting suspicions that they work to please ruling parties
3. Economy
Does the editor live in Malawi or abroad? If he is abroad does he read more about Malawi? PP went into power when DPP had made the economy collapse and when donors had pulled out? Were you in Malawi when we had fuel crisis, forex crises, July 20 killings, Chasowa murder? Don’t you know that cashgates started when DPP was ruling? Are you not aware that all these political institutions were established under UDF and suffered a lot during DPP from 2004? Are you aware that there is insignificant fight against corruption now than before? Do you know that Auditor General’s Office is unable to audit State House now than under UDF and PP? Have you seen the quality of some roads that are being constructed in cities? Does that alone not a sign of corruption?
Do you know that Malawi remains one of the poorest countries in the world where more people live on less than a dollar a day? Does the single digit inflation have on impact on the lives of rural Malawians? Do you know that some pupils still learn under trees in primary schools not because they want a tree shade but because of inadequate school blocks? Do you know that the teacher – pupil ratio in Malawi?
4. MCP infighting
Get facts right. Infighting started long before NEC decided to. For your own information, Kaliwo and Msowoya were nowhere to be seen when there were by-elections campaigns and that is enough proof that they do not wish the party good. Soon there will be plans for conventions for other parties. You will see conflicts. Were there not conflicts in PP recently on power and did you not cover it? Did PP not fire Change Goal (Hon Mussa)? We about 40 parties in Malawi and the reason is to choose the party they want. I therefore think, people know what they want. They can vote any party into power. Are you not aware what happened when Chimunthu Banda contested with APM during convention in 2013? Are not aware of party fights that have been there leading to removal of Hon Patricia Kaliati from her post? There is the Bon Kalindo saga when he organized a march against the killing of albinos? I can mention more. The blackout of coverage of some functions of the state VP by MBC? The reading of the Catholic letter by the VP asking catholics to join PAC in demonstrating for Electoral Reforms bills which some DPP gurus felt was like betraying his own gvt. The speech by the president that some people were calling for cabinet meetings when he was sick in USA. The only issue here is that MCP internal wrangles are exposed to the public while most of other fights in other parties are inside. Some of the people that are causing the divisions in MCP now were also the cause of division some years ago leading to two camps of JZU and Gwanda but at last the issues were resolved through conventions. I am sure most internal wrangles in most parties will be solved after their conventions.
EIU Opinion Polls.
There are facts that some people are giving as reasons for not depending on their EIU Opinion polls. They were also based on political wrangles etc in other parties. The EIU had goofed on many elections and some of them are as follows:
EIU goofed on Zambia in 2016 Edgar Lungu won while Hakainde Hichilema (HH) lost
https://www.lusakatimes.com/2016/04/14/economic-intelligence-unit-predicts-hh-victory/
Big Polling Opinion Miss in USA (Trump won while Clinton lost)
https://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2016/11/economist-explains-3
EIU goofed on Malawi elections in 2014 when their poll said JB would win the elections (APM won the elections)
DPP also disputed this EIU opinion poll.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2014/04/23/what-you-should-know-about-malawis-upcoming-election/?utm_term=.947fb4baa69f
Nyasatimes also suggested that Malawi should have its own public opinion pollster because international pollsters are goofing:
https://www.nyasatimes.com/its-about-time-malawi-developed-own-public-polling-industry/
You cannot even get your own information. Shame!!!!!!
Achimwene apa ndiye mwaitha. Asa. (I mean, so accurate in descriptions, and fair in the analyses and even attempts at prognostication).
This should be mandatory reading for especially Times Group media editors, and their ilk.
Ardent critics just cannot give credit to the current government: disgruntled and disingenuous. That is politics: but us BAO players (average citizens) we know how hard working and public service oriented the major players of the governing Party are. Without contradiction.
They made quick work of Joisi Band and PPs programs (there were no policies and real advance tactics or strategies), and embarked on well thought out ideas: Target goals and outcomes set: And within a year, Joisi Banda became inconsequestial, even in the eyes on most economic influencers, like Davos stalworths. Isn’t that good, abale inu?
Such a tsunami as in the recent shakedowns in MCP, and subsequent court challenges, won by the illegally dismissed executives, should really be unheard of in a major political party. Especially, so close to the next major elections.
It’s like DPP being given wins on a platter by MCP. There is probably truth in the proposition that ruling Parties win elections mainly because the Oppositions lose them. Especially since o”Chakwer, MCP takes one step forward … and the three steps backwards. What’s the haps with that? A curse? I don’t believe in that; I am too enlightened. Maybe Preaching was the man’s plan A. There might not have been even Oen Plan B. His performance heretofore is demonstrative here..
Even the most optimistic members of MCP, including many in the executive, must be having nightmares in stead of sleeping from thinking about the latest saga and what it portends in the near future; and getting headaches from mental conflicts and contradictions. And from almost continuous shaking their heads in disbelief. Their investments are tanking right in their presence, based on their own bad moves.
If even the most Eeyorish MCP members down to the yufi League, did not and could not see this as a potential disaster in making; just makes wonder who are the MCP people working full time on strategy? Heads should role, even if it is only for o’Chakwera to prove that he has now graduated from the pulpit to politics. The rules are different, abale inu. And the sooner oChakwera gets that in his head, real quick, the better FOR HIM HIS PARTY.
We want the next elections to be competitive, including MPs’. For a better Malawi!
I must DECLARE that I, o’Machemba is NOT affiliated to any party in Malawi. And, as such, I have no conflicts, like ndadya ma bunz or given money for a stipend or rent.
The editor of this column, it’s very evident loves the corrupt DPP. He is the one who needs to introspect the 5 Years of failed policies & rampant corruption of the current administration. I will also tip him to travel right in the heart of our neighboring countries like Zambia, Tanzania to witness economic transformation & infrastructure before he publishes stupidity. The wrangles are orchestrated by the ruling Dpp to divert attention of a chaotic state, which is proven to be FURTLE DURTLE!
A Malawi tayivomera New MCP. Dausi, Bakili, Ntaba, were some of pipo who tortured pipo now in DPP
Kulemba from mkwiyo.kkkkkkk. Time for reality check has come DPP. Take it for granted. MCP boma
Mr Editor Nyasa Times – somehow you are too personal with Dr. Chakwera just to please whoever paid you.
Please, take it easy – election is just a competition and any of the contestants can win. What you are saying about elections is just exactly what Honorable Kusaila was saying before recent by elections.
These politicians are just competing on policies , management and governance but non of them is super human.
If you think APM is good enough let him disclose the names for the 13 files at ACB or who killed Ngaunju then i will believe.
Who is this fool again? What is he talking about? The fights in the mcp started long before the by-elections and the people you are mentioning wanted mcp to lose so that they could prove to be bigger than the party itself but people voted otherwise. Which economy are you referring to? People are suffering more than ever before, the exchange rate is at the worst point than ever, even Joice Banda inherited the most poisoned economy than these fools; no fuel, no foreign currencies but she turned it around in 3 months. Don’t write your rubbish as if you are writting for standard one kids.
Tell him man
This is why you will not form a Government 2019, you only like criticising others and don’t take criticism very well. You are on social media, how many voters that matter do you think are on social media?
All it takes is one person pointing these things at a rally and it spreads like wild fire.
You really believe that a member of a NEC would want their party to lose a by-election?
This tendency by all parties to ignore what their constitution says about issues, and members like you agreeing with them is very worrying.
Your ignorance about what Joyce Banda did to bring fuel by borrowing it from Zambia and South Africa is a tell tell sign of what you know about Politics and the economy.
There is more to governing than being a Reverend or printing Money like Muluzi and Bingu did and borrowing fuel from friendly countries.
My friend just write facts remember you will be marked and score highly because of castigation. We are all malawians lets respect each other bcoz you dont who to meet around the corner!
…….you will not be marked or score………
Joyce Banda you’re talking about was receiving all budgetary support from all donors. No sanctions. No wonder she did what she did. Peter muthalika in under tough sanctions, no budgetary support no wonder services are limited to basics.
This exactly what this article is saying. The MCP stooges like yourself think you have already won. You despise, swear and curse everybody that does not agree with you. You idolize your president as if he is already in government. If you can’t accept criticism of Chakwera now while out of government what will be the situation like when he becomes president? The article is just telling you that Malawians are wiser than you think. They are able to see what is happening. They take notice of your swearing at tjose who do not agree with you. They take not of the undemocratic tendencies in MCP and all the negatives that your party is doing. Only that Malawians are people of few words and they keep everything to themselves. They only show their true colours when the D-Day comes. Pitilizinani kutukwana onse okutsusani, muzaziona mutsogolo muno.
Why can’t you respond with facts instead of being abusive? That’s typical of MCP and it’s supporters! The making of a failure. Cursed party MCP, you will remain in opposition forever! Ask me after May 2019. Ana a njoka inu!
Comments on this platform is free but those participating must be knowledgeable of matters of the government and development. Peter is leading and that does not make him the most intelligent. We need to suggest to him what he can do to make Malawi better than spoiling the image of your own country. I can understand now that MCP has sinister motives of getting into power than development evidenced by squabbles and selfishness of the leader. The role of the leader is to bring people together than scaring them. How can you insist on the four corner stones in a democratic era? The spirit of Matenje, Chiwanga, Sanglala and Gadama still haunting the party! He he he he!
Martin, typical of what the article says about MCP stooges. Can’t wait a minute and open eyes to see things with sober mind.
Zooona Mu MCP zilibwino or atani ife tikudziwa chochita or asokoneze chakwera 2019boma siife ana