Political bankruptcy is at worst in Malawi
‘A leader who relies on nepotism, tribalism or regionalism for support to get power or remain in power can best be described as being politically bankrupt’.This is what Prof Patrick Lumumba, a renowned social/political commentator said when he was interviewed by Brian Banda on Times Television recently.
What Lumumba said is very true even in the Malawi context. In fact, experience has shown that a politically bankrupt leader seems to think that his or her main agenda is to perfect nepotism and tribalism, instead of thinking about meaningful development of the country.
The worst thing is that in the process of perfecting nepotism and tribalism, a lot of public resources are wasted through bribes and favouritism in maintaining the power base.
When Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda was voted into power as the first post-colonial leader, his power base was from all Malawians and not just Chewas of the Central Region. Therefore, his leadership was about merit. If there was any tribalism or nepotism, it was so insignificant to make much impact on progress.
Kamuzu’s fearlessness and intelligence was enough to get him the leadership position. His agenda was to prove to the whites that he was capable enough to bring positive change to Malawi. This he did by bringing in economic development. At that time, Malawians naturally felt that they owned the country and; therefore, they always worked hard to achieve more.
As it were, political bankruptcy started setting in after attaining multiparty democracy in 1994. Since then home-boy syndrome has been practised during elections. This has been perfected and it is now full-blown.
When talking about presidential elections, people can even predict that the winner will come from the populous region. Experience has shown that even the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) dances to that tune and try to bend the rules to make sure the candidate from a region of many people wins. Presidents are no longer elected for their skill, intelligence or capabilities. Sadly, the result of this is lack of development in the country.
At the moment, political bankruptcy is at worst in Malawi. The alleged nepotism and tribalism by the Democratic Progressive Party-led government is at its peak. People have only talked about it with examples and, likewise, President Peter Mutharika has denied that it is happening. But the reality reveals it all. Most of the lucrative government businesses and appointments go to the people of the South, where Mutharika comes from.
The result of this is that people who are left out do not work hard and, likewise, those who are favoured work at their own pace since there is no one to take them to task because they are under the protection of the President. It is likely that DPP cadets came into the picture to protect nepotism and tribalism. Sadly, the cadets do not benefit much apart from the leadership thrown at them. This is temporary and can hardly raise their living standards. In fact, party militias are doing very risky jobs, which are life-threatening, and their families have nothing to fall back on.
It must be noted that swearing in a Head of State before all the election queries have been cleared is the start of political bankruptcy. MEC defends itself that it follows the laws. For goodness’ sake, MEC should not act like a robot. Laws are not permanent and can be changed as the case may be.
Lastly, for Malawi to have meaningful progress, this country needs people that have a national agenda, and not a tribe or a region. Failing which, Malawi will be history as it has been seen that politically bankrupt leaders have destroyed the country.
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CADET WANKULU JANE ANSA KKKKKKKKK, KUPHOZA NGATI ZENZEN
GRM,to me you are a hard-core tribalistic.In your sayings,you mentioned only Central and Southern districts as if the North belongs to foreign lands.where is the State of Malawi heading to? It is not only you who regard North as a foreign entity and yet the people of the North,have been in the forefront of the liberation struggle.On third March 1959, only in Nkhata-Bay,33 people were killed by the Colonial military forces.So why our brothers from the two Regions hate the people from the North? Why such a wanton treatment against your fellow Malawians?You can hate the people,but you can not… Read more »
This old woman thinks she is wiser than anyody. Instead of concetrating on her old age she is busy tumbukalising Malawi. If anything, Tumbukas have enjoyed more during APM
angalesee?
IN THE PHOTO !!! ALOMWE OKHA OKHA BASI ZIIII ??
Was it not kamuzu who forcibly transferred teachers from the northern region from the south and central back to the northern region? Was it not Kamuzu the racist who said “no mutu bii will teach at the kamuzu academy”? Amalawi sitichedwadi kuyiwala.
Useless writers, you are just looking at Mtambo and his friends create chaos and only to blame the president. Is the issue these dogs demonstrating not handled by the court? Malawi animals wake up!! You are so blind about this idiot Mtambo that he is serving the devil. Chakwela failed to unite MCP, that is why he is spiritually confused to the point that he does not know who to associate with. He is now among the devilish people using blood.
This is true. We miss a truely national leader. Bingu in his first term showed that a true Malawian leader with the whole nation at heart is possible. In his second term, All the regions voted for him and he had MP seats in all regions including the so called MCP strongholds. He did not diverted funds meant for a central region road for the south. Instead he started Dowa, Ntchisi, Zomba-Mulanje roads. He even used our taxes for such roads instead of stealing our taxes and asking donors to fund the roads as is the case now
That was not the only thing that he said. Suppose that was the only thing that he said, provide the following statistics for people to find out themselves bankrupt leadership: Mutharika. Chakwera. Chilima Number of MPs in the South Number of MPs in the Centre Number of MPs in the North Number of MPs in the East Number of votes in the South Number of votes in the Centre Number of Votes in the North Number of votes in the East. You will find that Chakwera is the most bankrupt leader. Remember Lumumba also said that in Africa Politicians go… Read more »
Kkkkkk kukanika kulanda boma nanga poti ine ndi wapakati koma ndi masapota DPP. ngati mukufuna loan pitani nokha ku bank boma silingakwanitse kukuyendera mmakomo mwanumo
Awatso kaya umazincha Charie ulibe kwanu, wekha pa post ina ukhale Mtumbuka waku Mpoto koma pa post iyI ukuti ndiwe wapakati ( Chewa)
Amwene kodi ungodumpha dumpha ngati Finye bwanji? Don’t think u can fool everyone u Cadet and u r a Lomwe as simple as it is. Don’t hide on some tribes when commenting .
We also follow and read these comments. Stop nosense u Cadets.