Malawi govt fully supports Mahatma Ghandi statue: ‘Ziko wathu, ndalama wawo’
Malawi government has dismissed the campaign against the decision by the Indian government to erect a statue of Mahatma Ghandi in Blantyre, saying it was not spending a penny on its construction.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation spokesman Rejoice Chaponda Shumba said Malawi government accepted a request from Indian Government to construct the Mahatma Ghandi Square “in recognition of his contributions of the fight against colonialism and promotion of human rights and social development for the underprivileged.”
She said the bust will promote Ghandi’s values of simplicity, social uplifting and the fight against social evils.
However, Malawians are outraged by the proposed statue, calling Gandhi “an ardent racist” who had “nothing but contempt for the black African race.”
Malawian citizens Mpambira Kambewa, Mkotama Willie Katenga-Kaunda, and Wonderful Mkutche launched a change.org petition to garner support for their resistance to the statue.
The petition in part reads: “As black Africans-Malawians we will find it very offensive to appreciate the value of the statue when the man himself thought we were inferior. If you erect this statue it will make a mockery out of Malawi’s independence movement which fought to extricate ‘classism’ between black, brown and white races.”
One of the activists Mpambira Aubrey Kambewa described Ghandi as a racist who never fought for the freedom of black people in Africa.
“He is not supposed to be honoured,” said Kambewa.
But Shumba said the Ghandi bust in Blantyre will strengthen the good relations and benefits between Malawi and India.
India requires the statue as a condition for funding construction of the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Centre, a $10 million (About K7.3 billion) infrastructure project which India is replicating in nine African countries.
The Gandhi centre will be constructed in Blantyre opposite Golden Peacock Five Star and International Convention Centre.
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Statue ya mmwenye ku Malawi, MCP akulu akulu ake amwenye, basi dzikoli atengadi ma foreigner, ifenso tikaike cha kamuzu Banda ku India,
Gandhi was a disgusting afrophobic like many of his kinsfork. Racist is not an accurate term because it implies they hate all other races, they don’t. Infact they are pinkphilic. Let them erect the statue – they will have to constantly provide armed security for it, otherwise it will be demolished.
Winston msowoya you are an empty tin and a loud mouth.you don’t know how to make an argument.Are you maybe talking through that other hole?
Can anyone prove Gandhi racism? I am just hearing he was a racist. Is conference centre a grant. If it is a grant go ahead build because it seems people from other regions are jealous
John Tembo,when you have nothing to say ,shut your stinking mouth!!!!!! You had been Banda’s stooge and killer machine for 31 years,why now on the side of Peter Muthalika? Have you forgotten your old master whose wishes,you carried with devotion?You and Ntaba carried the heinous demise of the founder President of the MCP,Orton Chirwa,became the enemy of the people of Malawi hence,saw multitude of killings of innocent people.There is nothing important that will drive sensible Malawians thanking bloody-mwenyes on top of their own stollen money.We know very well that you took part in the tragic deaths of Dick Matenje,Twaibu Sangala… Read more »
My apologies. Maybe I am missing something .Your comment on John Tembo , is it relevant to the Ghandi Statue/bust petion. I stand to be corrected
If the statute is a condition for the conference centre then to hell with their conference centre!! We cann’t be allowing everybody to do what they want in Malawi just because we want their grants!! Fotsekiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Wina akabwela ndi kunena kuti cabinet ikayenda maliseche akupatsani K1 trillion and five 5 star hotels muvomela!! What type of thinking is this?
Muthalika’s support to construct Ghandi’s statue,strongly gives an impression that Peter Muthalika and his brother Bingu,are foreigners in Malawi that is why they have nothing to loose in Malawi but,their corrupt behaviour.Right now,Mathanyula has received enormous bags of cash from corrupt mwenyes who have dominated political and economic spheres in our country.SHAME!!!!!!!! Malawians,if you have not learned a lesson from Banda and these two obnoxious Mutalikas,then Malawians you are brainless and mentally retarded.I hate Banda for what he did to Malawians but,in this case,I would warm-heartedly accept his statue.What has Ghandi done to Malawians or Africa in general? Chilembwe sacrificed… Read more »
idol worship at its better
We hate the statue itself not the monies. We hate Ghandhi and what he stood for.
Why they cant help their people in India? . Am tired of hearing ” ndi chithandizo from this that’ I miss Bingu,, Bingu could not allow tolerate this nonsense… Maybe in Blantyre but dont come with this in Mzuzu…. vauchindele takana