Malawians are patriotic Mr President but they just miss good leadership

As is usually the case, whenever President Peter Mutharika comes back from a State visit he appeals to Malawians to be more patriotic. He did the same on his return from China on  September 7 2018. From his speech about the success of China, the President was impressed and thought that he would appeal to Malawians to achieve the same success, like China, which relies on discipline, loyalty and patriotism.

When talking about patriotism, in this country, President  Mutharika should know better that ordinary Malawians are very patriotic, and it is the leadership and others, mostly in government, who seem to be very unpatriotic. Anybody who thinks this is a wrong assumption should simply look at the reasons there is not much progress in the country.  The main reasons seem to be corruption and stealing in government, indiscipline as well as lack of respect for ordinary people.

All this is mostly done by people in the corridors of power.  Take a look at cases and suspects of corruption, no villager or man in the street can be found answering such cases which involve lots of money and has a negative impact on development of the country. Therefore, appealing to ordinary Malawians to be patriotic is like preaching to the already converted. The patriotism appeal should target those in the corridors of power who do not care about poor Malawians.

If the poor majority in Malawi were not patriotic, they would by now have relocated to other countries. It is a sacrifice to live in this country with so much hardship.  It is so painful to see leaders becoming so rich from taxpayers’ money while the rest of the people cannot even afford a decent, let alone, get medicine at public hospitals. Despite all the problems, Malawians have decided to stay put because they love their country.

Meanwhile, leaders should not take Malawians for granted because they are capable of changing things around, including bringing in a new government.  Malawi Congress Party (MCP) primary elections are a good example.  Some of the old guard (MPs) have lost giving way to newcomers.

Just like any other African President who attended the recent Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (Foccac), it was expected that President Mutharika would hold discussions, on the sidelines, about funds for development projects in Malawi.  This sounds great but what the President and his government should be looking at is how big has the Chinese loans become, and if Malawians will be able to pay back the debt on time, and not burden the future generations.  Most leaders seem to have been misled by the fact that it is believed Chinese loans have no strings attached to the money.

Therefore, people borrow anyhow.  It might have surprised many African leaders that China has started biting.  Currently, the media is awash with stories that due to unpaid loans by Zambia. Reports that have been refuted by Zambia were to the effect that China had taken over management of Zesco [Zambia Electricity Company] to recover the debt.  The same will be the case with a Sri Lankan international port, which will be taken due to unsettled debt. Leaders should, by now, have realised that if a loan has no strings attached, it does not mean it is free. It is unfortunate that most of the loans do not directly benefit the poor, but they just suffer with the payback.

Malawians are patriotic, but they just miss good leadership to change the country into a developed one.

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master xu
master xu
5 years ago

the people arround Malawi president, they dont do what the president want, they want to use president to make money only, if u want to book a meeing to do investment, first u need pay money to those people, with out statting your investment, no matter how good the investment is.
thats the problem i have met as an investment 😂😂😂😂

Michezedek
Michezedek
5 years ago

Hats off Emily for a well written and objective article. It is every sober Malawian’s prayer and hope that things will change for the better of the common good

#DzukaniAmalawi
#DzukaniAmalawi
5 years ago

Malawians are known to be very patriotic and wonderfully patient. Malawians have been abused by various leaders but continue to actively vote with the hope their fortunes will change for the better. Malawians had still place a lot of hope in DPP to do the right thing but you bwana have disappointed them. Your own senior party men are are the ones who aren’t patriotic so please start cleaning up your house. It’s really sad that you keep telling ordinary citizens that you’re dealing with corruption decisevely and yet yiur own senior party members and those in govt are looting… Read more »

Hard Truth
Hard Truth
5 years ago

Stupid eMily “KAMANGA”…….your definition of patriotism is 100% WRONG.

Central
Central
5 years ago
Reply to  Hard Truth

Giving her the right definition would have been better than the insults……………………………………………..!! Take this a Spirit full of evil spits evil!! We do not correct a wrong with a wrong!!

Ntengo wa Kesia
Ntengo wa Kesia
5 years ago
Reply to  Central

Since when did @Central become the epitome of civility? He’s one of the worst abusers on the net. Aaaah.

Mfumu yopanda madyela
Mfumu yopanda madyela
5 years ago

This time he has proven you wrong. That is what we call wisdom.

Nick
Nick
5 years ago

You are right, Emily, to complain about the lack of patriotism in Malawian politicians who have displayed nothing but greed and gross selfishness since the time of Kamuzu. The Mutharika family have been absolutely typical and continue to enjoy the fruits of their enormous selfishness. Political labels change in Malawi’s strange version of democracy but the political class remains tiny, self-perpetuating, and disproportionately wealthy. It is not General Elections that change things at the top. Only death will do that in Malawi.

ordinally malawian
ordinally malawian
5 years ago

Well written.

otsam
otsam
5 years ago

this is so nice emi. in fact you sound to be a real malawian. this is the type of article we have been missing for long time. kumalemba zogwira mtima.

Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
5 years ago
Reply to  otsam

In fact some people are reserved in their words.Very difficult to diminish the value and credibility of what Ms. Emily Mkamanga has scribbled.

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