Malawi minister Jappie’s racism attack on MCP’s Mia unacceptable: ‘Don’t portray DPP as a party of bigots’
Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jappie Mhango, should sing another song for Malawians because this song of ‘racism’ that he is singing now, for political expediency, will not win political votes for his boss, President Peter Mutharika and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). 
Since independence in 1964, Malawians have lived together, in harmony, without regard to race, creed, religion or tribal extraction. Following the dawn of multiparty democracy in 1993, a new Republican Constitution was adopted in 1994, complete with the Bill of Rights that guarantees and promotes various human rights and freedoms, including the protection of citizens against racial segregation.
It is therefore against the spirit of the Constitution and popular thinking when minister Mhango decides to make disparaging ‘racial’ remarks against Muhammad Sidik Mia, the famous Lower Shire business mogul and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) aspiring Vice President, calling him a ‘colonialist’, owing to his mixed race status. Mhango made the remarks when he officially launched the Thumbwe Bridge project in Chiradzulu on Friday, March 8, 2018.
The minister unashamedly described Mia as a descendant of colonialists and that the people of Malawi must reject him, as a political leader, on that basis. This was a blatant show of political immaturity and carelessness because Malawians would certainly not condone such mediocrity a few months before crucial national polls.
The fear factor
Mia has publicly announced he would challenge MCP Vice President Richard Msowoya at the upcoming MCP national convention and that his utmost ambition is to become MCP President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s running-mate at the 2019 presidential polls.
Since he officially joined MCP mid last year, Mia has been instrumental in helping MCP gain some political ground in the southern region. On October 17, MCP trounced DPP and won crucial five (5) out of six (6) parliamentary and ward by-elections, including the highly-contested Nsanje Lalanje constituency and Ndirande Malabada ward.
Being a powerful political force Sidik Mia has proven to be, it is not by mistake that the DPP, through overzealous lieutenants like Mhango, would attempt to employ dirty tricks to fight Sidik Mia ahead of the crucial 2019 tripartite elections. The DPP and its leadership are well aware that they are at the high risk of losing southern region as its considered political bedrock should they allow MCP and Sidik Mia to operate in a fair political environment. The by-elections of October 17, 2017 are a case in point.
The decision by Mia to partner Dr. Chakwera has put the DPP in a political quandary and that the ruling party will not spare a moment to employ character assassination tactics such as this ‘colonialist’ one. The dominant narrative now in the DPP is ‘Sidik Mia’ and how they can deal with MCP’s growing popularity in the south, courtesy of Mia.
Mia’s decision to join MCP is a matter that is playing heavily on the mind of the DPP. Indeed, if the DPP was untroubled by Sidik Mia and his enormous political influence, how would a whole minister stoop so low to call a bonafide citizen of this country a ‘colonialist’?
There are many politicians of mixed race in almost all political parties in Malawi, including President Mutharika’s DPP. The state Vice President, Saulos Klaus Chilima is of mixed so are other prominent politicians such as David Bisnowaty, Brian Bowler, Yunus Mussa, Gabu Khamisa, Zahir Issa. Jan Jaap Sonke was a white MP who served the people of Blantyre Kabula for many years and no one ever called him a colonialist.
It is indeed ironical that Mhango should call Mia a ‘colonialist’ today when the same person served the late President Bingu wa Mutharika and the people of Malawi as MP and Transport Minister with utmost dedication and loyalty. When Bingu died in 2012, his successor, Joyce Banda maintained Sidik Mia as Transport Minister until he voluntarily resigned in 2014.
It should be everyone’s prayer that such racial stereotypes as pursued by minister Mhango must not take root in the DPP because they have the potential to divide Malawians as a people. Politics of hate has no place in the democratic nation state of Malawi. President Mutharika must reprimand his cabinet minister and make a loud statement unity among Malawians.
As a people, particularly political leaders, we must avoid making comments that have the effect of denigrating or humiliating another because of their race. Politicians and all Malawians must respect one another in a spirit of ‘civilized’ democracy. Issues of tribe, race and religion are seriously emotive and as such, one must always think twice before they comment on anything based on these aspects.
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Milomo yakeyo imaonetsa ngati amasuta zowawa ameneyu.
Yes Mhango should apologize, he was erroneous. But this is a personal error and I see no relationship with DPP as a party. In fact Alekeni Menyani an MCP legislature made same racist sentiments towards Hon David Bisinowaty some months, so strong were the remarks that it took the whole Lazarous Chakwera to apologise to the nation, but nobody went into a frenzy then.
Will Peter apologise to Mia just like Chakwera apologised to Bisnowaty?
The denunciation is proper and appropriate.
Minister Mhango just has to swallow his pride and APOLOGIZE to Mr Mia. PERIOD. The minister doesn’t need anybody, including APM, to urge him on this matter. It is simply the right thing to do, in this multiracial country. Minister Mhango is a descent individual, who is NOT known to play the tribal or racial card. That was NOT himself; and something must have rattled him. In any case, APOLOGIZING is the right thing to do. And there is NO shame in doing that.
But, we can still address the political landscape, as it currently presents itself in this country.
Minister Mhango is capable of attacking Mia on policy, rather than on the personal. And he knows it.
It’s easy: MCP has no coherent policy (maybe we may have to wait until after their convention), but at this juncture, MCP are simply a group of ringers, with dubious familiarity with each other; a Party with few NO policy CONVERGENCE, and no common belief, EXCEPT TO WIN. (Listen to Ms Kabwila in her latest Audio Malawi interview)
A Party like that, in the Malawi context, can only count on their tribal affiliation. And that is NOT adequate to get enough MPs and form a a majority.
To be clear, the minister and his Party (DPP) have not much to fear, politically, from Mr Mia or MCP. Hence no need to stoop so low. Because MCP should not win a majority of the votes next year (even if they are deluding themselves at this point) Mia may rope in only a two or three MPs from the Lower Shire because he doesn’t that that uber-swagger of Chakuamba. All Mia is famous for is giving free goods (food) to people during, and only during, elections. in the Lower Shire. Even if he was rich rich, can he risk his wealth and donate free food to the whole populous Southern Region? His family wouldn’t even allow it.
And MCP’s reliable allies: the Northern Region? Forget them – especially after dumping one of their own sons, Speaker Msowoya (looks like a predictable scenario at this juncture, anyway)
Now, Mpando Wonona (The Presidency): This requires a different strategy and completely different tactics.
Recent bye-election results do not reflect a Presidential race at all. Nationally, oChakwera will still be burdened by the Nazi-like history of his Party, and recent and not-so-recent wars in his Party. while APM will be basking in visible progress, like infrastructure projects; and empathy through the food distributions in a nation ravaged by famine. How can oChakwera counter that? No credible way possibloe.
If oChakwera wins, it would be a miracle: one he wishes from the heavens.
But, you know what? Politics is reality.
And APM will not woo-hoo his way out of the election results: he’ usually calm.
The next day, the Politics lede in the Opposition political papers will be complaining , once again, that their might Party, MCP (Tambala Wakuda) was cheated. But without proof.
And they will be singing “Kwada!, Kwada!, most appropriately.
Dear/ Madam/ (idiot)
I try to be petiance not to say any word especially political issues, but u leave me with no choice, mr who so ever u called urself maybe u forget the uguement here the artical says Jap Mhungo made remarks that Mr Mia simbadwa yaku Malawi and u talk lot of things contrally what the topic was..!? Anyway am not so sure weather ur normal person or Mad man!? But refference to ur coment am not doubt ur idiot even ur family knows that. Lastly I don’t want to loose my tym with someone lyk u but quation is ar u supporting Mhungo or not???
a jappie mhango mwayamba liti ndale anthu olephera ku ndale inu ndipo mugwa mu 2019 ndithudi komanso mia its a threat to dpp ndipo mcp is gaining momentum in the southern region ndipo munya abakha inu muluza
This minister is out of order and lacks vision to propel Malawi forward
I think apepese dziko. Watukwa dziko.
Not fit to be a Minister
Bwana Japie Mhango za ma kaladi kumwera kuno si nkhani bola nkhani iyo mukanakanena ku Mzokoto. Koma ku Rumphi kuli MP wachizungu. Foja mukulu lekani
Nkhakufuntha ka Jappie
galu wamchila jappie chola boy wa late chingola
Is the writer of this story serious. No racism since when. You have been talking of tumbuka and Lowe. We have seen stories of Lomwelisation, tchopamanics what was that. Kawezeni chirombo ngati mwasowa nkhani. Kapena mukamange njobvu anthu akukolola zopangira zilipo.
What you refer to should be tribalism I guess not racism as Tumbuka, Chewas and Lomwes are of the same race. I hope you get the difference between tribe and race. All the same, any form of discrimination because of differences in these are vices. My interest is just in the use of the terms.
Uyu jappie uyu moni wakwamba ni thongo la wuso,wachiwili thongo lako.I’ve used such sarcastic language coz you’re also sarcastic. If you are benefiting from that corrupt government, don’t think everyone is doing so.Don’t take our democracy backwards, what we want to hear from your broken government are false promises and vote for MCP come 2019.You’ll not change our minds by castigating MCP. You must be the first person to be ashamed for presiding over the government that is even failing to construct the road to your home after laying a foundation stone a while ago. I happy that I don’t come from Rumphi otherwise I would not vote for people like you and your friend fucken AG Charles Mhango who instead of buying medicine to cure people, you’re buying a fridge to put in the mortuary, kkkk kkkkk muphoka mufwiti iwe,ndipo paumalilo pathako pako
He is not speaking on behalf of all Christian and muslim malawians,, this is backward thinking… By God,, leadership position were has not been instructed by revelation to be for such people,, si constitution ya independence yokha!
Ajappie tundalama tumene mwaba ku ministry of works has gone to your head now. Just shut up and enjoy tu ma bribes with Chinese.
DPP seems to excel in politics of divisiveness based on tribal lines and now race and religion are creeping in
self stabbing
Kodi a DPP akuchita mantha ndi Mia ? Pachedwa msulu pali nyerere, phokoso akuchita a DPP ndi mantha ndi MCP ndithu. Mia is more intelligent than Jappie, chitini chopanda madzi chimasokosa!
mwayamba vyamba a Mhango..ka nkhufuntha na uko..ise kutilengeska yayi tawena mpoto. ake! Mukukhumba mukondwese njani? Imwe ilyanipo waka na kagulu kinu kawena Vuwa Kaunda awo. Nyengo yikwanenge mumalenge. Sona apa mukhwengwenenge. Tikumuwonani waka.
Guest
Santana
“. President Mutharika must reprimand his cabinet minister “. Which Mutharika will reprimand Foul mouthed Muhango?. This man you call Mutharika has completely become useless and irrelevant . The nation had to drag him by the neck to act on Chaponda. He couldn’t and he can’t act on Grace Chiume who has perpetually disgraced every one including the so called President himself. He couldn’t deal with Chief Secretary Muhara who wanted to buy furniture worth 64 million while the lift at KCH is non functioning forcing guardians to carry patients on their backs up a 4 story building. He is falling to deal with disgraced Goodall and Nankhumwa who by now could not have been anywhere near any cabinet position where you have real presidents the likes of Magufuli and not the pretender we have at State house well known for ineptness and docility. Now do you think this person will act on one foul mouthed and racist Muhango?.
As a nation, We were up in arms against Trump when he used racist remarks against african and Caribbean countries. Now we have our own bafoon masquerading as minister using racial slurs against a bonafide malawian citizen and the so called president is smiling at him like wild cat. Actually we should be expecting a press statement from sycophant Mgeme Kaliani trading as Press Secretary conveying mutharika’s support for Racist Muhango. ” Malawians in Mutharika we lost it”.
Santana your comment is a big surprise today. Why change of tune? All along you defended thelse people
I hope this frees your mind now.
congrats
Very sad and primitive. People if mixed race are all over Africa. Maybe the minister needs to be schooled on how mixed race comes about. His own boss has mixed race grandchildren. Wonderful how he feels about that.
Mcp ndi zitsilu chisoni chokupha
Amene akulonza nzke ndi chala, zala zina zitatu zimaloza iye mwini! …………………….. so oyipa kwambiri amakhala amene akuloza chala mzakeyo!! Komanso, ndani lero lino anganame kuti sakudziwa kumene anthu amene amapha anzao ali mu MCP ya Kamuzu kumene ali. Nenani zoona, moti simukudziwa, ndikuuzeni kumene ali, ok ali ku dddddddddddddddd phiphiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Mukamuse Nick and Hether they will tell you.
Zitsilu
When did Mia become a colonialist? He was not when he was DPP and he has become one because he is MCP? Shame. The truth of the matter is that DPP is scared of MCP otherwise they could not have been spending sleepless night bad mouthing MCP and its leadership. people are seeing and hearing. Is DPP telling us to treat all people who are different from us because of there skin colour, race or tribe? Shame of you and all who subscribe to this kind of thinking.