Bushiri is a Maverick Industry,” Analysts say
“I was thinking about the benefits.”
Malawi’s tourist industry is vital to the overall economy of the country and significantly supports huge numbers of local Malawians through employment and community projects, as well as helping conserving the nation’s natural riches.
Dubbed the ‘Warm Heart of Africa’ Malawi is a pot of gold, which is relatively a little known visitors-destination gem has so much to offer; wildlife, culture, scenery, adventure, Mulanje mountain and its peak, Sapitwa and hills, and, of course, the third largest fresh water lake in Africa, the beautiful Lake Malawi.
And then, there is Prophet Shepherd Bushiri.
Just five months since he returned to his home country, Malawians have already feeling the positive impact of having Prophet Bushiri in their fold.
Loathe him or love, but the flamboyant and self-styled Prophet, Shepherd Bushiri is a force to reckon with, in as far attracting attention, to Malawi’s outside world.
The nonconformist Prophet Bushiri is a global institution and his moving back to the Southern African impoverished nation is a fresh beckoning strand to revitalise the country’s tourism industry, which has affected by the the global novel coronavirus pandemic.
Recently, debate ensued on social media with regards to observable hundreds of people jetting in the country to meet with the revered Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, the leader of Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG).
Leading the debate was renowned social media activist and influencer, Idriss Ali Nassah who posted his observation just after landing at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) weeks ago.
Nassah said: “Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways touched down at Kamuzu International Airport at about the same time yesterday.
“A good number of the people in the arrivals hall were holding South African and Botswana passports, far outnumbering Malawians.”
Nassah, who is best known for telling things as they are, said Prophet Bushiri is an attractive powerhouse when it comes to attracting people from far and beyond.
“In the airport parking lot were several buses picking them up on their way to the Shepherd Bushiri Ministries. I was thinking of the benefits along this chain; airlines, hotels, transportation, food, Bwandilo, etc,” said Nassah.
Nassah, a global media and development expert and a renowned investigative journalist and also well-travelled academician, added that “whatever you think of him, that man Bushiri is an industry!”
His post attracted several comments from people across the board, agreeing with him that Bushiri is indeed ‘an industry’ Malawi must treasure and keep.
Dr Henry Chingaipe, one of Malawi leading intellectual and academic authorities on social justice and governance issues, aptly called it “the Bushiri value vain.”
Dr. Henry Chingaipe is a Director and Lead Consultant at the Institute for Policy Research and Social Empowerment, based in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The Institute is a local thinktank that focuses on politics, governance and development in Malawi.
Dr. Chingaipe is a former Lecturer in Political Science at Chancellor College, University of Malawi.
Another social media commentator, Macwilliam Chikapa said: “Indeed he us industrious, home is best.
“Such trends of inducing visitors coming to Malawi to his ministry is an advantage. Its matter of utilizing it the better way as those visitors will spend money inside our country.”
While in South Africa, Bushiri was hailed as one of the top most contributors to the City of Tshwane through arrivals of thousands of religious pilgrims to the Pretoria economy.
‘Maverick industry’
A 2018 research conducted by Dr Acha-Anyi from Tshwane University of Technology reveals that ECG congregants noted 90% stay between 1 to 2 days and 20% stay in commercial tourist accommodation.
Bushiri’s influence on Malawi tourism industry impact may on prima facie appear to be an extravagant claim but the truth lies in the facts and figures that the celebrity preacher has on the fact-sheets.
Thousands of people have visited Malawi to visit the Bushiri industry and whilst in the country to visit the country’s natural endowments and treasures.
Malawi, a landlocked country is South-eastern Africa, is defined by its topography of Highlands split by the Great Rift Valley and enormous Lake Malawi.
The Lake’s Southern end falls within Lake Malawi National Park – an unparalleled God-given treasure – which shelters diverse wildlife from colourful fish to baboons and its clear ware famous famous and popular for diving and boating.
Blessed with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and teemed with nine national parks and wildlife reserves, Malawi is beautiful and a quality tourist attraction.
Malawian people are the country’s greatest assets; friendly, welcoming and warm-hearted to the hilt.
“Bushiri is a maverick industry that we must embrace as a country,” said Nassah.
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It’s unfortunate that a Malawian writer describes our country as “the impoverished Sourthen African country”
It is an industry based on deception and exploitation. Regardless of the benefits it brings to Malawi’s tourism it should take an ethical standpoint. Just because something is profitable does not make it acceptable. There are many profitable aspects of tourism which were deemed unacceptable and were therefore banned. For instance some tourists were prepared to pay huge sums of money to hunt and kill endangered species. What do you consider first, the welfare of the animals or the profits that hunting practice generated? It is the same with Bushiri. He might generate income but there are many overiding negative… Read more »
how much is Bushiri paying Nyasa for these puff pieces? The guy is wanted for fraud in SA, He’s no icon
bushiri is indeed an industry on its wn. if our govt can support him, our country stand to benefits more.
let our govt support our own TB joshua, our own joel osteen, our own TD Jakes
Very good observation on the potential of the likes of Bushiri to enhancing religious tourism. However, the Bushiri brand is fast on its sliding trajectory. It’s just a matter of time. We wait and see if the Malawi Government will eventually extradite the self proclaimed prophet and close the Bushiri chapter and the positives that come with it.
Amen, glory be to God, we want positive thinking people like Idrissah. People with no jealousy or envy. Let the truth be told. Those fighting the prophet are just competitors in the Body of Christ. People filled with envy and anger, as Dr Kamuzu Banda said, envy, poverty and jealousy are a cancer disease. Some people are just blessed since their birth, njee by God. Let them fulfill their dreams.
Good news
The best Malawi Government can do is to give him full support, Bushiri is an asset even South Africa Govt knows that, they have lost him and the impact is huge. Taxi drivers were working 24/7 felling international Visitors, Hotel like Sun 1 hotel were always filled to capacity during Cross over and International Visitors programme. I wish there was a register at KIA to document all visitors entering MW becoz of this crusade to know the importance of this man. Malawians are good at pulling down each other while Nigerians are good at supporting each other. Shame.Lets support our… Read more »
Major one you were sent back home by the power of God in order that you should contribute to the development of this country.Therefore consider construction of mega church at Rumphi so as to attract international visitors to see the beautiful Nyika National Park after their prayers. Look at TB Joshua and other Nigerian pastors who contribute to tourist industry in their country.
Babylon was an attractive city too with lots of ‘pilgrims’ and ‘tourists’ visiting the it… but it eventually fell down with Cyrus as the weapon of terror… spiritual eyes.