Malawi govt orders halt of Mahatma Ghandi statue construction
Government has ordered a halt to the construction of Mahatma Ghandi statue in Blantyre but is not known whether Capital Hill has bowed to increasing pressure from Malawians who feel the statue is irrelevant.
A visit to the place in Blantyre, looked abandoned with only two men loitering around, not working.
One of the men said the government had issued an order to stop the construction of the statue which drew sharp criticism from Malawians who feel it is immoral to honour and Indian in Malawi when there are many Malawian heroes who deserve such an honour.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Rejoice Chaponda Shumba said she did not know anything, pushing the reporter to Blantyre City Council whose public relations officer Anthony Kasunda said the council only provided the space for the statue and pushed the reporter to ministry of Information whose minister Nicholas Dausi said the council was better placed to comment.
This comes amid reports that an anti-statue grouping has obtained a court injunction restraining the council from going ahead with the construction of the statue.
Some people say it was ridiculous to honour an Indian in Malawi when Indians in the country look down upon ordinary Malawians and do not socialize with the locals as they socialize with people whom they do business with.
“The Gandhi statue is senseless in Malawi and a mockery to our heroes that deserve honour and reverence for the role they played for the very survival of this nation,” wrote Malawi News columnist George Kasakula.
“We only have the statue of founding president the late Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda in Lilongwe when so many, such as Masauko Chipembere, Orton Chirwa, Gwanda Chakuamba and the list is endless, fought for our independence. Others even died in the struggle.
“Then you have multiparty system of government heroes such as Chakufwa Chihana and Catholic bishops such as the late Archbishop James Chiona and other bishops who authored the seminal 1992 pastoral letter which started agitation for multiparty democracy we are enjoying today,” he added.
Some sections of Malawians say the Indian community treat Malawians as slaves as they give Malawian workers little pay with harsh working conditions.
As the columnist argued, India wants to feel good and conquer the world through the export of its ideals that manifest themselves through the lives of its icons such as Ghandi, regarded as a racist.
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How did Malawi get itself in this shameful position. Whose idea was it in the first to erect the statue. Nthawi zina mitu simakoka.
Reading through the statements from government officials on the matter, one is left with no option but to conclude APM’s administration is full of comedians who hold high positions and receive Huge Salaries for doing nothing.
By the way, what is the justification for paying huge salaries to ACB boss, Assets Declaration boss, Director of Public Procurement & Assets Disposal etc etc? They are not doing any work.
Everything the government is doing is worthy criticism. Constructions of roads, state of art buildings in institutions of higher learning, buying of furniture in institution of higher learning attract public criticism…eeh you see they are stealing through these projects….really? All this is out of jealous, especially the pp supporters who still feel humiliated by mighty DPP in 2014. Now they feel they have their political messiah in chicultivator. They are agitated by every move that deem development and will surely score marks for DPP. Of all the names given in this country, to roads, buildings, hospitals, why only attacking this one? This is pure hand work of DPP foes.
There is the road that is passing along college of medicine where the statue is being erected. It was named after the same ghandi in Kamuzu’s era. Why you people are not attacking the names of our roads to the foreigners? What about this road named after the same Indian icon? What about the international conference these guys are about to built? To be honest had it been that this statue was constructed in JB’s era or Kamuzu’s era the Katsakulas would have remained silent. All what can be seen here is not against ghandi or indians, but to show that you’re powerful than the government. Why not asking the same for the roads named after foreign icons?
Now it is the time to stop these Indians from having business contracts and foul our own people
The people have spoken! Racists and racisim should never be glorified in any shape or form A Malawi a dzuka!!!
Problem is not the decision to have anybody’s statue erected in this country but the policy that guides the decision to choose who deserves a statue erected on a public space. How do we come to say this deserves that one NO? As it is now anybody’s statue can be erected….
FREE AND SPECIAL ADVICE TO THE GOVT…Going ahead with this statue will make many people supporting you, turn against you. Please listen to us otherwise you will regret. We have very FEW thousands in our pockets and you have MANY millions, so don’t be tempted with the Indians money. It (money) can’t buy you happiness. Let that go and listen to the views of Malawians for our own good.
Its funny that no one in government seems to know why construction has been halted..kkkkkkkkk. Limenelo ndiye boma la DPP
Most of us in Malawi, the new generation, were born after the Ghandhi the racist was long dead. Our history has nothing to do with him. Kubwekera boma iri. Whoever dangles money before the government is welcomed with their stupid imperialist s ideas. What an ignoble generation of leaders
@Aka:
That is really shallow thinking and short sighted, or even “no-sighted” id I may say so.
So, you are not concerned about anything not experienced by your generation? Is that right?
You are not concerned about the human psychology around the African slavery, centuries ago? Ditto for colonialism, like during the Scramble for Africa? Ditto for colonization of Malawi, or the atrocities committed by Kamuzu, the dictator and his MCP?
You must, I trust, know that heroes who against these and other injustices and atrocities were not necessarily personally aggrieved.
And it’s now your turn to step up to the plate, Man.
Truth be told, Malawi has never honoured anyone. John Chilembwe legacy is used to get votes from the religious community; Kamuzu Banda legacy is used to get votes from the central region, Chakufwa Chihana is a bait for votes in the northern region and the list is endless. Ife mtundu wa Malawi ndife anthu osayamika olo pangono. Timangodziwa kunyoza zopanga ena koma sitipanga kanthu. Today we want to be clever over the Ghandi statue. The same people who danced on top of Bingu’s grave, the same people who are killing albinos, the same bloodthirsty vampires who are sucking blood in Mulanje, the same people who are Cashgating public funds, the same people who are stealing drugs from hospitals. What moral ground do such people have to condemn the racism of Ghandi. Nepotism and cronyism is worse than racism because nepotism is practiced by our very own brothers and sisters. Akumpoto akulembana nchito oka, mwana wakwitu syndrome. Leave this statue alone and fix the real problems facing Malawi. This project is funded by the Indian government. You are busy eating Sidik Mia’s money, is he not of Indian ancestry? Some of you fools even want Sidik Mia to be the next Vice President of Malawi. Are we not therefore appointing an Indian to be the second most powerful person in the land?
Why personalizing this straightforward issue!! I for one says to hell with your personal issues that you have with Mia!! Do indians mix and help Malawians as Mia does!! Forsake…………….!!
DPP government wanted nkhwangwa mmutu to succumb to that. A Dausi was defending the erection of the stature in the first place. Shame on Matchona and Magogo government.
Planning is a problem at Blantyre City Council, by the way who is the Director of Planning, he/she needs to be fired.
Mr Kasunda , where are you? I still remember what you said during the interview with B Banda, You did not say , the council just provided that piece of land’ ,…..
I bet you guys don’t have the balls to post my below comments coz you are the ones who are bloody racists and unappreciative thickheads.
You ass holes as nyasatimes are also full of kuk n pig shit n your heads that you allowing your stupid fellow dickheads put comments against the Indians who have done a lot for this country….. you guys at nyasa ought to know the fact’s and not allowing all this hatred remarks to be posted just you ass holes don’t have brains to think and have always been and will always remain unappreciative bunch of stupid blackass idiots. Go fuck your self you MFs 😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠😠
@ pussy shit
Black and in our country ?
May the wrath of the Almighty ALLAH descend on you and everyone in your family
By reading the comments here, i think u have missed the point here “Pussy Shit” most of the people here are not against Indians or any foreigner for that matter. We are just against our government for allowing such idea of erecting the statue of someone who had no, hasn’t and will have NO influence in Malawi society no matter what.
And if i may ask between you Indians and Malawians, who has benefited more from other ?
Don’t talk too much, just appreciate how good u are staying in this country because some time u won’t be able to talk like that.
thank you
Total idiotic n stupid mentally from the mass. Instead of pushing for pressing issues currently making headlines everyday, and the hardship all are facing on daily basis from the total mismanagement of DPP Government, you thickheads wanna create stupid scenes on Mahatma Gandhi’s statue. Totally pathetic to take out your stupid frustration on something of no relevance. Get the kuk out of your brains and face and stand up for real issues and challenges. GROW UP for once.😠😠😠
I wish George Kasakula and Owen Khamula could also be clear in their writing that the statue is not financed by the Malawi government but the Indian government itself and in addition they will also build the infrastructure that will beautify the face of Blantyre. So as Owen Khamula has given a thumbs up to his fellow ant government stupid writer George Kasakula for suggesting that people he has mentioned deserve to have their statue erected instead, the question these idiots must ask themselves is; With whose money? Because it would be very dull of them to think that Indian government would shift its plan to fanance Mahatma Ghandi’s statue and erect Orton Chirwa’s statue instead. You Owen Khamula and George Kasakula you seem to know how to run the affairs of government better, yet your writing is manyi eni eni. But i’m not surprised that you have such negativity towards the current government because you are agents of the opposition MCP. Do you remember that time towards 2014 election? Both you and Kasakula tried everything in your power to paint DPP with all evil and bad things but sttill DPP came top. Just a reminder don’t waste your time, if you can’t beat us then join us.
You totally missed the point, the issue is not who is financing it but the significance of The statue to Malawians period!. In my opinion Ghandi didn’t do anything for Malawi, he represents all the Guptas ( Mwenyes) who think of themselves as superior compared to Malawians, they treat their Malawian helpers like shit! So a Ghandi statue leaves a bitter taste in a lot of Malawians
@ Pathfinder
What difference does it make whether the statue was /is being constructed using resources from Indian government or from Malawi government ?. Pathfinder this is a straight forward issue please. Can you for once understand issues with a sober mind and not always looking at issues thru blue eyes. The issue here is why Ghandhi Statue in Malawi ?. You may look at that question against a consideration of the fact that this was a guy who had questionable attitude towards black people. Is this rocket science to you?. The problem and tragedy with this government and it’s orchestra of cadets and supporters is that they think that those that are not affiliated to DPP are bad people, cannot say anything sensible, they are jealous etc etc . Nawonso nida malawi Ndipo ambiri aiwo ndi anzeru kuposa inu
Oh no Mchacha i know exactly why Ghandi and the answer is, Indian Government is going to build modern international conference center in our beautiful city of blantyre to add to its beauty. You are the one who doesn’t get it. I don’t think it would bother me at all if i drive or walk pass that statue if i don’t give a damn about its value as long i know there’s a building that beautifies our city. Why would it bother you anyway? What shocks me is that most people who are against this especially knowing that there will be a magnificent building in exchange, those people are from Lilongwe and Mzuzu cities. Why jealous hey mumafuna zabwino zonse zizimangidwa madera akwanu?
@ pathfinder
Still you don’t get it. Anyway buddy I have to respect your stance on the matter. We look at issues from different perspectives and this is attributable to myriad factors. You have every right to air your view as that is what is enshrined in our bill of rights.
Kindly replant those trees and replace all the bird nests which were there….
If there is the most racist and isolative people, note that its Indians. Whenever they are close to any race, you must know they are looking for some benefits. Its not a genuine relationship or socialization. Within a working environment where some of us are, they can not be trusted at all. Very crooked and bad mouthing, gossipers ….you can name it. Indeed there are some that show the face of we are together and lets unite, but ask them how many in your family follow them? We must never have the insane thinking of erecting statues of racist nations. We have our own. I have never seen a statue of Nelson Mandela in India. Lets stop this nonsense.
Gandhi lived in South Africa from 1893 to 1914. During that time, he neither said nor did anything to help Africans to improve their lives. On the contrary, his words and actions show that he favoured the separation of Indians and Africans – a precursor to apartheid, about forty years before the imposition of ‘real’ apartheid.
In 1893, he wrote to the Natal parliament, saying that a “general belief seems to prevail in the Colony that the Indians are little better . . . than savages or the Natives of Africa”.
In 1904, he wrote to a health officer in Johannesburg that the council “must withdraw Kaffirs” from . . . the “Coolie Location” where a large number of Africans lived alongside Indians. “About the mixing of the Kaffirs with the Indians, I must confess I feel most strongly,” he wrote.
In the same year, he wrote that unlike the African, the Indian had no “war-dances, nor does he drink Kaffir beer”.
Furthermore, when Durban was hit by a plague in 1905, Gandhi wrote that the problem would persist as long as Indians and Africans were being “herded together indiscriminately at the hospital”.
He is condemned by his own words.
While Gandhi was undoubtedly a hero of the Indian struggle for independence, he was also a proponent of what became apartheid. Consequently, the place for statues of Gandhi is India, not Africa. There should be no place for his statue in Blantyre.
Fellow Malawians, let me remind you that Indians are racists. We must NOT agree to Ghandi statute. Remember Indians came to Malawi long ago but they have not changed the way they conduct themselves. They will only claim to be Malawians when they see that there are monetary benefits. If others are doubting my thinking just think of marriage. Have you ever seen Malawians marrying Indians? Unfortunately they have fathered many children with our sisters. On the other hand many Malawians have married Azungu and vice versa. What happens when our brothers date an Indian daughter? They start looking for their lives or transfer their daughters to other places. There are views that this happens because we are poor BUT I want to tell you fellow Malawians that Indians are the poorest in their country. THE GOVERNMENT MUST LISTEN TO VIEWS OF ITS CITIZENS.
First go tell your stupid government to listen to you to sort your fucken life out first, you dumb wit dickhead
Something fishy hear. What’s wrong with the Ghandi statue?. No man is perfect, we erected Kamuzu’s statue yet the guy was a tinpot dictator who ruled with an iron fist. Secondly, do we even have enough money, space and energy to build mausoleums and statues for every hero in Malawi? Unless we are trying to turn every street corner into a heroes acre. If Malawians want to honour our heroes let’s do it but let’s not mix Ghandi with our failed political system. Go and see Chihana’s grave in Mzuzu, it’s dilapidated and ugly like a chicken hut but his children are living lavish lives fighting for Aford presidency yet their father lies in ruins. If his own family are failing to honour Him, do you expect Malawians to spend our hard earned tax money for Chihana? At least the ‘racist’ Indians are funding the legacy of their own. Signing petitions and promising demos for a statue? Kutamba eti? Go and demonstrate against akulu aja akungolandila malipilo awu VP koma osapanga nchito yake. Or go and demonstrate against Madam President osadziwa kuvala ngati First Lady. Musatinyase ife.
Anzelu nzeru zakuvutani! What we are saying is that we cannot honour a foreigner who was a racist just like his fellow Indians here in Malawi when we have our own heroes who fought and died for the benefit of this country!
mbuzi iwe ya mino kusi, marundi yako mxiiii
Anzelu wanzelu please spare us ur shit, inu ndi anthu amene mukupereka Malawi ku anthu obwera inu. Hope u benefit a lot from these Indians, as for me, putting up this statue in exchange for a mere convention centre is a non-starter.
If indians are of good will and gesture they should just build the Convention centre looking at the benefits they have reaped from this country from day one they came to Malawi up to now.
Anzelu you are an embicile and a sell out.Inu ndimagulu oti mmwenye akakuyankhulani mumaona ngati ndi mulungu wanu wafika.No wonder Africa satukuka with stupid minds like yours.Slavery mentality indeed.WE WILL NOT ALLOW GANDHI STATUE IN MALAWI
Mbizi iwe!
Foolish government with no values and regard for its people. Why should Malawians expose their poverty by exchanging a statue with a convention Centre? Have pride and honor your own people you foolish politicians.
With determination and resilience plus servant leadership that promotes transformation, we can be like the BRICS economies because we have resources. We don’t need to keep begging. Even God is looking at us as irresponsible people who think foreigners will change our lives. Let the Indians build the statue in New Delhi or Mumbai. They can keep the money for the convention center.
Our priority is electricity which in long term will always be a necessary requirement for the productivity of Malawian companies. Let Malawi also have companies that can have a footprint regionally and globally instead of putting up a statue of a racist foreigner with no significance to Malawi’s cultural and political stories.
Good move end of the day . 💯 agreed.
DEAR PETER PLEASE GO AND
CONSTRUCT THIS STATUE AT NDATA
FARM ‘— YOU KNOW YOU HAVE ALOT OF IDLE LAND
THERE —NEXT TO NGONGOLIWA
FARM —OPPOSITE MULLI FARM—ADJUSCENT TO MALISECHE ROAD –PERPENDICULAR TO BEN PHIRI
HOUSE —OPPOSITE MCHACHA MCHAZA ROAD GOING TO NANKHUMWA NANDOLO BOREHOLE
Ekizakitile
I am not really surprised that someone who believes in miracles and not hardwork has a chicken-like brain that is full of mamina and nsanje. Udwala nazo mtimatu izi za ziii kikikikiki