Malawi desperately needs a focused leader
When talking about countries in Africa which have turned around their economies and brought about tangible development, Rwanda and Tanzania stand out.
Rwanda is a country that had a genocide in which one million people died in 1994. But now, 25-year later, Rwanda is a different story. Its development is beyond any imagination. Under the leadership of Paul Kagame, Rwanda has gone as far as making its own cars and this is a country where importation of second-hand items, including clothes (kaunjika), is not allowed. Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is probably the cleanest in Africa. Corruption and abuse of taxpayers’ money, which destroyed economies of most African countries, especially Malawi, are totally unacceptable in Rwanda.
Turning around an economy can easily be done provided there is a leader with an agenda for the country and the people. For example, among other things, the President of Tanzania John Pombe Magufuli impressed his countrymen; by using the available resources, he made beds and mattresses for the biggest hospital in Dar-es-salaam so that no patient would sleep on the floor. This is unlike in Malawi. The leadership considers it acceptable for patients to sleep on the floor.
Magufuli believes in saving resources by reducing travelling, including going to the United Nations General Assembly (Unga). This is unlike President Peter Mutharika, who goes to each and every Unga, even if there is nothing to address the assembly about. This year, his speech included domestic politics to which most people had no time to listen to. Hence, during his speech the assembly hall was almost empty as compared to when Kagame took the floor. The hall was full as people wanted to hear from a successful President.
It is possible that Malawi can achieve such success provided there is leadership whose main agenda is to bring progress to the country, instead of using Malawi and its resources as a stepping stone to ill-gotten wealth as is the case now. There is no direction as the country gets poorer by the day. Since Mutharika came into power in 2014, Malawi is just a cauldron of all manner of problems—ranging from corruption to food shortages. The Mutharika government has totally failed to find solutions. Hence, corruption and abuse of taxpayers’ money have been institutionalised.
So far, the President has no time to solve any problems in the country, instead he is well occupied protecting his position. This is why there are the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) cadets who publicly warn people that whoever plays with the President will hear from them.
Unfortunately, the cadets will know too late that what they are doing is not beneficial. Some anonymous commentator rightly stated that when it is political rallies, leaders mobilise the youth, but when job opportunities come, they mobilise their family members and friends. This is a wake-up call to youths such as cadets.
Meanwhile, four months into his second-term, Mutharika is yet to find his feet. He is now caught in the crossfire of nationwide demonstrations calling for the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson to resign because of the May 21 alleged fraudulent elections. These are the worst demonstrations since 1994. It is naïve for anyone to think that Mutharika can have a solution to the demonstrations. He can call for dialogue but experience has shown that his government can hardly hold dialogue with anyone.
Malawi desperately needs a focused leader who is ready to learn from fellow successful leaders. A leader, who just barricades himself in State House, while protecting his position like is the case now, is not wanted.
So much ignorance from Emily about who is really a dictator. Malawi is a peaceful and democratic country. Kagame and Mwagufuli are dictators. In fact, Kagame is one of Africa’s worst modern-day dictators who is killing people, imprisoning people (opposition, journalists etc.) and denying Rwandans freedom and democracy. Emily would not live in Kigali with her views. The problem is Kagame has used genocide to present himself as the ONLY great rescuer of Rwanda. Idiots in the international community believe him as do fools in Malawi and Africa.
you have hatred for APM and sold out!look at ur models.Kagame dictator Magafuli human right s violator. What R u trying to say?u respect these two people? Shame!
You are a fool,Emily Mkamanga is not a fool like you guile.You yourself,you are a junk and brainless rat eater or NYAU dancer.For your information,Magufuli and Kagame are brilliantly Pan-Africanists who have worked hard to put their two countries in the hands of their people who are to-day,enjoying their economic and political gains.For your information,Tanzania and Rwanda are one of the politically and economically leaders in Sub-Saharan Africa.Tragically,Malawians from the Central and Southern Regions,are busy demonising ATUMBUKA who are leading the two Regions educationally hence,the imposition of the obnoxious QUOTAR SYSTEME!!!!!!!!!
Do you know that brilliant pan Africanist Paul Kagame has been President of Rwanda since 2000, 19 years in power? Do you believe one can rule a country in Africa that long democratically? Even for him to run for President this time the constitution had to be ammended. Why do we have Rwandan refugees still in Malawi?
Jane must resign because she has failed her job.The other guy who supports her on media is just a PUNK!!!!!!!!
Umhuu re run yakwamanu kkkk.Koma MCP iiiish ikufunitsitsa iotalamulira kkkk.Even kutakhala rerun DPP iwinabeeeee kkkk
Emily Mkamanga, I really find it surprising that your heroes are Kagame and Magufuli. Do you know that if Mtambo and Trapence were in Rwanda or Tanzania they would be in prison today? Ask Kayumba Nyamwasa now in hiding in South Africa. Unfortunately you cannot ask Paul Karegeya because he is dead. Ask Mdudu Nyagali and Lissu in Tanzania. They will tell you of the democratic credentials of your so called heroes.
What we need are those dictators
Typical CADET my foot!!!
Mtambo and Trapence would not have reason to stand up in Rwanda and Tanzania because what they are fughting for in Malawi does not exist in those countries.
I think we need focused and unbiased journalists in Malawi otherwise leadership is okay!!!
There are more information on how to run a country nowadays even on you tube you will find why Qatar is rich or why Mauritius is rich, that even if our leaders are clueless on how to make Malawi our of poverty, they can be helped to.
This article is sweet to those who lost elections and sour to those who won the elections period. But Emily Mkamanga a hardcore tribalist who is naturally against southerners should know that APM was chosen in May 21 by malawians according to our constitution. She has no mandate to speak on behalf of malawians. I know in her racist thinking she thinks those who voted for APM are not Malawians. She thinks Malawians are northerners because they are educated. This woman is evil and what she is saying tantamount to treason. She is inciting pple to revolt against this govt. We southerners should not tolerate people of her kind who undermine our constitution. We contribute more resources than the northern region.
@Reginald Oliver Nakhumwa: Looks like you’ve the markings of yet another hand-clapper! Emily is not “inciting pple to revolt against this govt….” but saying it as it is! She’s not speaking on behalf of Malawians, but expressing her opinion, which is sanctioned by our Constitution – freedom of speech, my friend. Wake up!!!
if what we need is just a focused and visionary to reverse our fortunes then good luck waiting for a very long time, with no guarantees, for such a benevolent individual!
If truth be told we have a collective bunch of uncaring, unpatriotic, indifferent, or morally bankrupt individuals in pretty much all levels and positions of leadership elected or not. If one is spared these vices they are incompetent! There are times when Malawi looks like a hopeless cause.
One person can make a difference but every wave and tide of meaningful change needs a certain number of individuals for it to succeed. In Malawi, it is very hard to find such individuals these days.
I do not agree with this crap. Even if we chose a rocket scientist and or Jesus himself, if he/she does not come from one tribe then no visionary. Tiyeni tidziopa Mulungu, APM a good and visionary leader. You the initiator of this write up, what do you have to judge others?
Joseph Banda, what has Peter done for you lately? Would you truly say that you’re better off now? You have good hospitals, education, roads, energy and all be simple basics that government is supposed to provide for the common good. The missionaries who influenced you with the BS of “tizingowopa Mulungu” gave you piety but did not impart on you pragmatism
Idiot… what do you expect the president to do for you? its a collective effort. What have you done for Malawi apart from demonstarating?? CHI MTUMBUKA
Yes indeed Malawi needs a visionary leader with focus on developing infrascture developments lather than shouting on MCP the past atrocities which can’t bring back the NEEDS of many intellectuals and civils who go to bed hungry without jobs ,social life hardship and economic burden.
Malawi needs a strong and unique leadership to come out from poverty which is is caused by greediiness nepotism tribalism regionalism and corruption forgoting the NEEDS of needy.
Deserring Infrascture development plans has cost Malawi so dearly that foreign and local investors can’t came to trade in Malawi.
No .after how they can market Malawi abroad, investors won’t come abroad.
Roads network system and Energy has been cripling Malawi’s economic growth which has led many intellectuals, skilled eben alocal farmer who puts food on the table for Malawians and semiskilled to immigrate to foreign countries to find a better life and face xenophobia Afrophobia etc.
I dont understand the leadership skills of this hungry man who has been in a world class economic growth hub America and never flourish his skills to uplift Malawi from a castrophic economic disaster only what he preaches is MCP old atrocities of which he can just sing it every day every month every year to innocent poor Malawians.
It’s like opening old healed wounds inside innocent people.
I strongly doubt his leadership credentials to heal the nation of which has been RAPED under his fake administration.
Malawi was much more better on the econo mic map before 1994 compared to date standings.
Where are we going in five to ten years as things are deeply tough to many intellectuals and civil ians?
Yes indeed Malawi needs a visionary leader with incredible amount of FOCUS.
😂 😂 😂 😂 😂 ku Malawi olo tikanangoika mbuzi ku state house. No difference 😂😂😂😂😂😂
ONLY CADETS WILL NOT APPRECIATE SUCH GOOD THINKING.
What a good article Emily,you’re right we need a focused Leader. i watched the UNGA, it was so embarrassing for APM the hall was indeed almost empty.#SAD#
TRUE
YOU ARE 100% RIGHT
You are Hypnotised with hatred for APM Emily, you need healing, its not good for your heart. Five years is too long to harbour such melancholy for APM.
Is she wrong? What she has written is a true reflection on the ground. Malawi needs a strong leader who can propel the country to greater economic heights.
She is wrong!!!! A very tribalistic woman. She will go to hell…MAi oipa ameneyi. To her a northerner is always a prince or princess……
You need a brain and an education!! Peoples lives have to improve not corruptions nepotism and those retrogressive shit this president is offering!
@Tizanka: You’re hypnotized with APM’s stupidity.
You’re the most stupid, delusional, dunce, crass human being I have ever seen. To hell with your cadetism
It’s because of people of the likes of @tizanka who follow leadership blindly simply because the President is his homeboy that Malawi will remain a poverty-stricken outpost on the world stage. My fellow blind Malawian, give credit where it’s due – Emily, thank you for such an enlightened unbiased article. Keep it up
I agree with everything in this article. Let everyone who loves Malawi read and meditate upon this article.