Expatriate calls a domestic maid ‘slave’: Apologises to Malawi citizens after being rebuked
An expatriate Mike Harper attracted the wrath of Malawians over his comment on social media when he described a faithful Malawian maid as ‘slave’.
Expatriates in the Capital City has a Whatsapp group named ‘Lilongwe Expat Leaving/Arriving’ in which they update each other on who is leaving or arriving as well as informing each other where to get good services.
Apparently, one expat Pennie Ginn is leaving and posted on the forum informing the members that they were sad to leave behind a faithful maid who had taken very good care of them, especially their kids.
Ginn’s appraisal of the maid apparently was to inspire others who might need services of a faithful domestic that they might consider to inherit her.
But Mike Harper responded so ruthlessly by saying: “Hey why don’t you take your slave with you? Just a thought.”
This attracted a backlash from the group and the discussions went viral even on Facebook and other Whatsapp groups.
One comment said: “I bet he is well protected that’s why he can say rubbish. He needs to pack up and go. Before he goes he has to make an apology.”
Another comment said: “This is pathetic at this time and age for somebody to call another person a slave, worst of all [being] black people who suffered as slaves for people like Mr. Mike Harper. If he has a concious and is a human being the least he can do is apologize. Very sad indeed!”
Harper decided to eventually apologise but his explanation of why he went to that extent fell short of someone feeling remorseful and it was received with a pinch of salt.
He said: “Dear Emily. I’m truly sorry my post has offended and I apologised unreservedly on the page and I apologise unreservedly to you.
“My ill thought out and poorly worded post was aimed at the person who, in my opinion, tried to ‘sell’ someone on that group. It made me really angry to see that and I aimed my comment purely at him without thinking of the consequences.
“I have been told that his post had since been taken down. I am neither a bad man or a racist, just stupid now and again. God bless.”
He was attacking Ginn for trying to ‘sell’ the maid when she recommended the maid to whoever might need services of a faithful domestic that they might consider to inherit her.
There are so much mixed reactions to this apology on social media.
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Malawians are a pathetic lot. Go around Indian shops and Chinese shops. You will be shocked to see outright slavery taking place. Nobody talks but hear Mike calling a domestic worker a slave and everyone wants to shout the loudest. Foolishness at it’s best.
In my sober mind, I would urge APM to do a few things. First , he must correct the way Temporary Employment Permits(TEP) are issued in the country. These should be managed by the Ministry of Labour. The Ministry of Labour should annually get a census of how many graduates our University have graduated from Ministry of Education. In a committee where Ministry of Labour chairs, with Ministry of Home Affairs as co-chair with Education as secretary, the committee should work with ECAMA, Institute of Engineers, ICAM and other professional associations to determine and come up with criteria for issuing… Read more »
Another so called expat. It makes me laugh what these people think they are. But then am not surprised that thats how they feel about the locals. when it is an educated or uneducated africans in europe you are economic immigrants assylum seekers, spongers, criminals etc. Europeans in africa whether educated or not ‘expats’ and that includes mercenaries, paedos, Perverts, exploiters, wealth grabbers. Genuine apology, i dont think so. He is embarrased he has been caught out.
Wonder what’s wrong with us. We call these guys “Expatriates”. If you go to their country they call “Aliens” or at best “Economic Migrants”, who in this country , they are, in the truest sense.
Kamuzu could have given him 24 hrs to leave the country but I am not expecting anything from our sleeping president. He’s busy hiding K145m. However, this is what mzungu thinks about black pple. It upsets me when I see Malawians busy kissing mzungu’s ass in our own country.
The British are always ASSHOLES.I wonder why they should be talking about our people in such derogatory terms. My request to Ministry of Internal Affairs and Immigration is just deport the BAGGAR,.. These are people that cannot find any jobs back in their shithole country and pretend to be well off when they come to Malawi when they are supposed to be behind bars.AM REALLY ANNOYED AND I WILL MAKE SURE THIS BRITON GOES BACK HOME AND CONTINUE TO WORSHIP THAT WOMAN CALLED THE QUEEN..
Where are the so called human rights defenders? What are they doing? This is the issue they should be fighting not politics. Osangokhalira kudya mang’ina ku bwandilo or chilambula.
Send me his house number-like now! NOW!I WANT TO TELL HIM IN PERSON AND BUNDLE HIM OUT OF OUR BEAUTIFUL MALAWI
Dis one now na shithole muzungu.
Mike Harper looks like white trash/trailer trash, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over this ignorant fool, he needs to go back where he came from
They are all the same even here in Europe they all racist they think they are superior just boot him out after all
What is he doing there.
Even facially you can always tell a racist blood idiot big nose and ears
l wouldn’t waist my time with this mzungu!! he looks like white slave himself. apology not accepted any way! !!!