Blood is thicker than democracy: Why Chakwera should avoid hiring close relations
The troubling trial with being a Head of State is that, once catapulted into the heights of power, you get captured in the crucible called ‘trap of power’.
The trap of power is where, if you are President Peter Mutharika in August 2019, you hear nothing but praise and worship from Nicholas Dausi and Mark Botomani; yet on the other hand, you hear nothing but attacks, ridicule and challenge from independent media, Timothy Mtambo and opposition grouping with firebrands like Richard Mwendo Banda.
In other words, when you soar to the heights of a Head of State, it is not easy to get a vivid picture of what, really, is happening on the ground; yes—on the ground where the people you are leading stays. There is barely anyone, out there, to dust off to you weighty words you must here with regards to the reality on the ground.
Most Heads of States, of course, understands this trap. To solve it, unfortunately, most Head of States, in trying to have people they trust close, ends up bringing their relations close through hiring them in key strategic public positions.
In settling for the closest relation, the philosophy is clear: your brother, your sister, your parents, your uncle, your step son, your son-in-law, your spouse, yes all of them, they can’t betray you.
Well, they can’t, seemingly, betray you; but Malawi’s political history, since 1994, is replete with examples of how most of our presidents orchestrated their fall in trying to safeguard the interest of their relation at the expense of the public.
Look at Bingu wa Mutharika.
Bingu’s first term was spectacular. However, the first time Bingu riled the public wasn’t when a word went all over that he wanted to use taxpayers’ money and buy the posh Maybach car.
It was when his young brother, Peter, fresh from US, was seen in town using State House vehicles yet he didn’t have a public office.
Instead of addressing that apparent case of abuse of office, Bingu—in trying to protect his brother, regularized the move by appointing him his advisor on Constitutional issues.
Interestingly, just after that appointment, the first thing Peter did was to; again, put his brother in a fix when he got involved in buying Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) houses in Nyambadwe below market prices.
Troubled, Bingu tried to defend the move saying Peter is a Malawian, as such, he has every right to everything Malawian. It was all in defense of his brother.
Even during his second term, much of Bingu’s political troubles started when he started positioning his brother as his successor.
Bingu’s first move was to position his brother, then an MP, in key ministerial positions such as Education, Justice and Foreign Affairs—which, in all of them, Peter faired terribly to the detriment of Bingu’s government.
The second move, by Bingu, was to start bulldozing his brother to power by eliminating those who looked potential successors such as Joyce Banda and Henry Chimunthu Banda.
We all know how protracted the war was between Bingu and Joyce Banda; the war that put the country on pause—all because Bingu was protecting the interest of his brother at the expense of the public.
Blood, I am telling you, is thicker than democracy.
Look at Peter Mutharika’s presidency.
APM started getting a bad name, principally, because of his wife’s increased involvement in governance issue through his son, Tadikira, and Norman Chisale, the president’s bodyguard.
Mutharika’s failure to keep his wife away from government saw a wayward stepson, Tadikira, being a symbol of State Houses’ extravagance.
Further, because of the wife’s relation to Chisale, all key people from Mutharika’s political base, the Llomwe belt, were whisked a far—something that brought cracks on the wall of DPP’s political base.
In fact, to underline that, DPP’s main reason of fall was their decision to kick out Saulos Chilima. But why was Saulos kicked out? It was the wife’s decision to have her relation, the unquestioning Everton Chimulirenji, take up the mantle. We all know how this ended.
The point is: You can have a relation who is educated and qualifies for the job you want that person to occupy to ensure that, as a president, you don’t get caught in a trap of power.
But look here, President Chakwera, blood is thicker than democracy. In the face of demands of your relation, you get conflicted because, as history has shown, most leaders end up choosing priotising interests of their relations at the expense of the public.
That is where the problem starts and that is where is advisable to keep your closes relations away from the circle of governance.
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If LMC’s speeches are being written by his relation,then I love that reletion of his.Iam DPP but LMC’s speeches since he became president are making me listen.Good speech writer at the state house.
May be thats why Dr. Banda kept away from politics the Kazombos, the Kandodos, the Nkhatas and the Mphonongos. Makes a lot of sense. Unlike Tembo who was meanwhile bringing in his relatives such as the Ntabas etc.
Please tell your Mr Covid Chakwera achepetse mkwiyo. Chakwera must know that he is an accidental president via judicial coup ndiye asawonjeze liwiro agwa. Ili ndidziko.
This is how should write not Za u cadet umalemba nthawi Zina.
You need to polish up your writing skills. You tend to misplace ‘s’ quite often.
For me I don’t see any problem if any president can hire Relatives or Friends,but you have to hire those who can be able to work with others not selfissnes..even if it’s me I can be a president I will not mind to give any position to my kids as long as they know how to work with others in Government.
We thought mike fiko is a cadet but you’ve proven some of us wrong kkkk
The cadet in him is now a reformed person putting the interests of Malawi first.
Good piece Mike! Right on spot! I hope Dr Chakwera reads this.
You could even go as far as Kamuzu’s time. In the Same MCP party. when influence of Mama Kadzamira brought JZU Tembo into key and strategic positions. JZU caused lots of problems and Ngwazi struggled offloading him. He kept shifting him @ times send him away in the name of official duty. But ultimately he had enough of him and passed him on succeeding him as MCP president and instead brought up Gwanda Chakwamba
no wonder JZU was just a floater no tangible development he did and till today. he cant point any from his brains
I can assure you you are misinformed on this point. Point is Tembo was a pillar of development. He was chairman of about 18 corporations. All of them very successful until Muluzi brought his dogs and failed badly.
Those corporations operated at a time where Malawi was a closed economy without competition. It was hence easy to succeed
You only worry about betrayal if your intentions are suspect, otherwise the question of betrayal does arise and the need to turn inward-centered–nepotistic or otherwise–would not arise. Selfless Chakwera just needs to keep his eyes fixed on the prize–serve the country (Malawi) and its people (Malawians) selflessly and with dedication!!!!!
Well said Mike Fiko. First I heard his relation was Press Secretary at State House then I heard that his relation will represent him at dress rehearsals. I am not sure if he is the same relation or not–I have no time to follow such things.
I am also aware of the Kenedys in the US and Donald Trump and his son-in-law and daughter. Of course there are marked differences between the Kenedys and Trumps in the US with the latter having messed up quite big time.
In the case of President Chakwera the issue is where we are coming from. Malawians said no to nepotism and cronyism. So the president should as much as possible desist from negative perspectives. He should not only be transparent and accountable but should also be seen to be so.
I voted for LAZ because I wanted change in the way Government and State House are run.
posachedwa zirombo zapatsidwa maudindo. tikazipeza ku ma board meeting.
this so called reverend will be even worse than bingu or peter where employing relatives is concerned. he did not wanted chilima to be minister of finance because he wanted his cousin to control finnce so that they are able to steal,
Well balanced article
This was bound to happen as it is common all politicians are SELFISH and SELF CENTERED as if they appoint there own Relatives in the GOVT Dept every thing will be covered up by each others wrong doing it will Not be Disclosed to Public
Trump appoints family and friends. His daughter and son in law are his advisors and cabinet ministers are his rich friends
Chilima & chakwera are not related, if chakwera tries to put his related people we beg chilima to speak up. We don’t want nyenkhwe government, we want government that would save all citizens of this country.
What stops them from colluding. Believe every politician with a pinch of salt
The spirit of constitutionalism must prevail. The president has power to appoint his house boy as minister of agriculture. But is that the spirit of constitutionalism. The president must always remember his oath of office. Not to favour or ill will. This is what destroyed Pitala. Favouritism.
BJ asalowe chipanichi. It’s back to NDA guys & gals, chipani chokwapuka.
Power corrupts. You will see many of them appointed- relatives, friends and friends of friends. It has just began by dissolving the board of directors and watch the people that will be filled in.
We need someone to be bringing these advice pieces to Chakweras attention. Otherwise the Dausi and Botomani types will rush to his side and start clouding his mind. Anyway I hope he already has an idea about these things from the many years he led a national church
Depends on the relative. President Kennedy appointed His brother as AG and they worked well until of course both were assassinated. The problem with Malawi is the relatives are more interested in abusing their given positions.
All the Kennedies were practical politicians starting from their grandparents, parents and then them the brothers.They all belonged to one party, were lawyers and they all were conversant with government machinery. The last one of the three was a Senator over 40 years. Is there such a perfect fit in Malawi?
You are protecting them merely because there are white. Colonial mentality. None talk of George Bush, father, George Bush Junior , and Jeb Bush..What of Donald Trump , Ivanka Trump, and his Son in law.. America is supposed to be the epitome of Democracy but look at the close relations close to power.There is absolutely nothing wrong in Chakwera appointing his son in law to stand in for him so long he knows what he is doing. Please fellow Africans lets not look down upon ourselves. The issue is like you said, knowledge of what is required of one. Sean seems to know. Afterall its only a dress rehearsal. Thats supposed to be done by a very junior Minister. But all the Ministers that have been appointed are Senior Minister.
Sounds like Bingu and Peter, kkk.
Both belonged to same party, both had worked before as civil servants, were conversant with local and international governance issues and pretty well exposed to international institutions, koma in our case it didnt help much….
I think primarily its because of weak institutions in Malawi which have no teeth to hold the executive accountable. In the US it doesnt matter that you are President, you cant just go around breaking the law willy nilly.
Just accept that Africans are a greedy lot basi. Our brothers were not captured by the white man into slavery. WE SOLD THEM. Even our own families have a sense of entitlement. “Ndalama za Achimwene”. No point burying our heads in the dust.
Law as a qualification is not comforting considering how Peter and Jane performed. Very pathetic.
Well said Mike Fiko
This peace of advice I bliv is intended for a good course for Chakwera’s govt.
It is up to Chakwera to buy it or not.
But , to me , I feel the tip has come at a right time before Chakwera starts pointing his kismen into govt position
Paja akulu anati Wakutsina ndi mnasi , pakuti Wandisokosera mkulinga utava
If you ( Chakwera) ignore this advice, am sure you’ll rule only for one term
Point taken and thanks for writing it a very humble way.
I can’t comment much but Trump is at this. I don’t know I don’t know. Mpongozi ndi mwanache m’mboma woooooooo ku USA kumeneko 😩
The article makes a lot of sense.
Why are you beating about the bush? Tell us that Chakwera has appointed his son-in-law to attend guard of honour rehearsal instead of sending a cabinet minister which is often the tradition. It is time people realised anaombera mfiti m’manja.
Eti eti akuzembera chani. Zoti ochakwera akuika able ndi abwenzi ao madindo aliyese akuona ndipo aziwe kuti tikuona. Zithu izi zandale zovuta. Umangoonautaziyamba
Beautiful and sensible article. Free advice