Here Comes The Father No More!

It never happened like this.
It never was like today.
The First Lady, Madam Callista Mutharika, never went ahead of the President.
Be it at public functions, be it a private event: Madam Mutharika always went behind, or in front of, the President.
But nobody went ahead of the other; at least, when the two had something to attend to (together). President Bingu wa Mutharika- now deceased; now history- (whenever they had to attend an event together) always went together with Madam Callista Mutharika.
It (the strange thing) happened today- as part, perhaps, of the sad story that started on Thursday last week, when President Bingu wa Mutharika collapsed at the New State House in Lilongwe. Medical experts at Kamuzu Central Hospital later called the condition cardiac arrest.
Mutharika (the nation was made to believe he was still arrive after 11:30 a.m. that Thursady) was then flown to South Africa. His (should we say 'his', or the body's? That is the question best answered by common sense and the passions of the day) body was flown to South Africa, and the destination was One Military Hospital.
The President will never know that he went there.
That he is here, too (he will never know); these he will never know. Because he was not there in person,just in flame.
These things, these circumstances, are what led to the happening of the strange circumstances today at Kamuzu International Airport in Malawi's capital city, Lilongwe.
Madam Mutharika came along, and came earlier.
She came off the plane an hour before the arrival of a man she loved so dearly. It is a not a long time ago, after all, that the two united in holy matrimony. It was an event of sorts. The nation, like the First Couple, was happy.
Come Thursday, and what? It was over between the two. It was over for the two. The President, Bingu wa Mutharika, had died.
Much to the dismay of people- some of whom were non-Democratic Progressive Party members- of all walks of life. Just in the nick of time a President has died. The first sitting president in Malawi to die in office. The first to leave citizens wondering. Wondering about the readiness of our medical facilities. Wondering whether death has any boundaries. Whether, in fact, death has eyes to see the boundaries.
The boundaries between the rich and poor. The boundaries well-guarded.
But this is a story for another day.
Madam Mutharika, coming out of that plane, did cut a sad figure. In her life, one more important individual has departed.
No one can say Madam Mutharika, who lost her former husband to invisible death, is used to this; used to this giant sadness that comes in this enormous hole of blackness. That is why she looked down when she landed at Kamuzu International Airport.
This started with the plane that ferried her from South Africa two hours before. It circled Kamuzu International Airport three times, before landing down. That is its way of 'looking down'- landing down.
Then, the plane having landed down, it let out Madam Mutharika- who looked down.
The plane landing down is a metaphor. And, so, Madam Mutharika looking down.
This sadness, this national sorrow, weighs us down. It is so strange nobody touches it. But so 'felt' the nation has come to a stand-still.
This sadness was, in Madam Callista Mutharika, today personified. Her sadness is the nation's sadness.
This Saturday Madam Mutharika came earlier. She was so tired she went to the Very Important Persons section to rest. But there is no rest. Someone in her life is gone. Someone in the sphere of this nation is gone.
There is no time for rest; just sadness. No time for rest; the nation is bracketed by this sadness.
That is why Madam Mutharika came alone.
One hour before her former husband. Just last Thursday, and today we call 'him' her former husband?
Life is, surely, unfair.
The former First Lady came alone today. And, as with the rest of the nation, joined others back home in waiting for the body of the former Head of State.
Bingu wa Mutharika, Malawi's most-immediate former Head of State, arrived (that is, his embalmed body) an hour later.
To be welcomed by Madam Mutharika. To be welcomed by a mourning nation.
South African soldiers were there, too. At Kamuzu International Airport.
Their duty was to hand over the body of Malawi's former Head of State.
The body had left lifeless that Thursday night, having spent the better part of the afternoon and evening at Kamuzu Central Hospital. Lifeless. Breathless. Hopeless.
These (lifelessness, breathlessness, hopelessness) are the symbols of sadness. Like the Red, Green and Black colours on our National Flag, they are three.
What is wrong with three, that there is three in our national colours, and three is represented in breathlessness, lifelessness, and hopelessness?
What is so special about (the name) Kamuzu; that the lifeless, hopeless, and breathless body of former Head of State and Government (Bingu wa Mutharika) went to 'Kamuzu' Central Hospital that Thursday morning, flew to South Africa (the body) through 'Kamuzu' International Airport (that evening, on the way to One Military Hospital in South Africa), and back through 'Kamuzu' International Airport today (for this last journey that is making us tearful; now that you (Angwazi- the name Bingu inherited from Kamuzu)?
The thing is, there is nothing special in all these names. The only speacial thing is that a Head of State and Government- someone so special to us- has died. These names have just taken in the importance.
It has been a sad day. Really. Callista coming (to her mother country) alone.
Until last week, she was the mother of the nation.
The mother that walked hand in hand with the President.
Never behind.
Never in front.
Together, always on schedule.
No more.
May the Soul of Ngwazi Professor Bingu wa Mutharika Rest in Eternal Peace.
The Once Mighty Heart of Bingu wa Mutharika Has Been Stilled At Last.
Some day, beyond the blueless skies, we may meet again.
And, then, Callista will never walk alone.    

Lucius Banda's Unartistic Behaviour, The Hypocricy of Malawian Journalists

It must be more difficult to run away from a pattern than it is to run away from the truth.
But musician Lucius Banda doesn't seem to realise this, and has, unwittingly, become a victim of his own anger.
The Balaka-based musician has built a reputation (for himself, not for Malawi) as a mature artist who comes handy during 'heavy' times in Malawi.
And the 'heavy' times have come, sadly, handy for Malawi the past 15 years. First, it was former President Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda- the Father and Founder of the Malawi Nation.
It was in September 2007 that the flamboyant leader lost his life to eternal progression. It came as a surprise, then, though others so it coming. That month, both the former President and Bakili Muluzi- the then incumbent President- were taken ill.
It was strange; so strange. These were both heavy-weights, in their own respects.
Sadly, and to the shock of Malawians, their most-beloved former President died.
Lucius Banda, always ready to play song in line with the national mood, took to his head in the search for a befitting song for the departed leader.
Kamuzu was no ordinary man. Though limited in height, he set about a tough mission: To abolish the "stupid federation of Nyasaland and Rhodesia".
And that he did.
He did many other things, too. Road, rail infrastructure improvements. The transfer of the Capital City from Zomba to Lilongwe.
He did more. He did more.
His death was thus always going to be a big deal.
So, Lucius Banda the multi-talented  musician composed 'Mulandireni'. In Mulandireni, Lucius begins by sharing his experiences, especially on how shocked he was to hear that the Ngwazi (hero) was gone. He, then, reminded Malawians that the Ngwazi had chalked his own achievements, including the tattering-up of the "stupid federation of Nyasaland and Rhodesia", his leadership skills at uniting Malawians, and conceding defeat when Malawians 'voted' for the 'back' of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
It was such a touching song, with its sombre melodies. Paul Banda (who else could it be?) did well with the mixing, and the drumming, and the repercussions. In short, the production.
That act made it; it established a pattern for Lucius Banda.
He became Banda the musician who peddles his way to fame by effectively employing the national psyche as the currency.
It came as no surprise, therefore, that Lucius went Chakufwa-Chihana-lyrical when the later died mid-way through the last decade. 'Chihana Wapita' reminds Malawi of the man who arrived at Kamuzu International Airport with his life on his finger-tips, raising two fingers: the symbol of plural politics.
It was like a man coming from outside, and demanding that, in your own house, it will be him and you as husbands to the only woman you love.
Two fingers were to become the unmistakeable symbol of Chihana's Alliance for Democracy, the party credited for defying the prevalent political air of the time, and fighting for general respect for total freedoms.
Before that moment, intellectual discourse was anathema to the political order of the day.Press freedom did not exist. And others so numerous to count at this dark hour.
Of course, some would argue that it was the Catholic Bishops that set the pace through that famous Pastoral letter which will remain a symbol of positive change for Malawi. True, it is the Catholic Bishops who risked their lives before Chihana came onto the scene. It is the Catholic Bishops, through the Episcopal Conference of Malawi, who started rolling this chain we now call democratic governance in Malawi.
But Chihana, too, remains the courageous man who showed the, then, scarce commodity of courage, and came out (almost from nowhere) to challenge the powers that be.
In composing Chihana Wapita, Lucius did not bring anything new. He was merely living up to the pattern he had established himself. He was living up to his own standards.
But, today, following the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika on Thursday- April 19, 2012- Lucius has become a shame. He has evolved into a total shame for the country,  a man so bitter he has allowed his emotions to prevail over reason.
By not composing any tribute song for the fallen Mutharika, a leader so unanimously elected by Malawians during the May 21 Presidential Elections, Lucius is showing Malawians that he has been lying all along in telling Malawians that he sings for others, and that he is a "Souldier for the poor". The guy has been fighting his own battles in the name of Malawians.
Take, for instance, what has happened now. Lucius has abandoned his artistic objectivity to allow emotions take their course and affect his reputation as a no-holds-barred musician.
Lucius was once a Member of Parliament in Balaka District. He was a United Democratic Front Parliamentarian.
But, somehow, he danced to yellow politics and started a campaign that, if successful, should have seen Mutharika park his bags for Ndata Farm.
But, somehow, one of the ruling party cadres 'went back' to their memories and discovered that Lucius had skeletons in his closet: the man's Malawi School Certificate of Education was fogged.
Bingu, taking his chance, pounced on Lucius by instituting court action. Lucius was convicted by the Zomba Magistrates' Court, and sentenced. He, in effect, became a convict. Lucius is an ex-convict.
That, predictably, must have made him bitter. Whereas Lucius was supposed to be a clean man, he now is associated with past criminal activity.
He carries this reputation (of an ex-convict) wherever he goes.
It is this reputation that has shielded his vision as an artists who sings for others, and not himself, and make him so mute (musically) over the death of Mutharika.
Where is the singing for the people now?
Do artists fool people when they claim to 'sing' for others, and not themselves?
When is the artistic spirit here, when musicians take things so personal, and deprive their fans (who have different political affiliations)  of heart-rending music?
This is the shame of this time.

Where is objectivity in journalism
 When I noticed this pronounced silence from Lucius Banda, I asked some of Malawi's seasoned arts' journalists and their attitude seems to fall in line with Lucius's bad tempers over the death of Mutharika.
The journalists, including one international journalist, told me it would be absurd for Lucius to wax lyric about a man who got his imprisoned.
I have told the journalists that they, too, have lost the plot and objectivity.
I told them it is bad to allow emotions overtake their reasoning.
One of the veterans even told me to "shut up; what are you saying that (Lucius should sing)? Something has gone wrong in your head".
But I defied him, for once, and never got quiet. The Republican Constitution guarantees press freedom. The problem with Malawians, journalists inclusive, is that they feel that if you don't agree with them, then, you must not speak. You must keep quiet. That, at the point you differ with them, you are no longer entitled to freedom of expression.
But I say no. Respect other people's opinions even when you don't agree with them. Attack people's views by offering better alternative views instead of hushing them. If you don't agree with someone, don't shut them up; close your ears by placing two fingers in them!
That's why I defied the veteran journalist. I will always speak my mind. At least I have that right.
The problem is that some Malawian journalists have abandoned objectivity and are so excited with the events now so much so that they have thrown objectivity to the wind. They want others to do this as well.
I will not be one of them!
Granted, Mutharika attempted to muzzle press freedom through the much-hated Section 46 that empowers the Information Minister to ban publications deemed anathema to the public interest.
He might not have done better in other areas, too. People now queue for sugar; they queue for fuel. The fight for money.
But all these are not good grounds to deny Mutharika the respect he deserves.

Senior Chief Kaomba's view 
"Our culture does not provide room for criticising dead people. Those who have died, no matter their short-comings, deserve to be praised for their efforts in life. That's what our culture dictates," Kaomba says.
It is common sense, really- something Lucius and some Malawian journalists have lost touch with.

Zachimalawi's conclusion
Excitement killed Lucius Banda's artistic mind and some Malawian journalists' objectivity.
It this happens, the end result is called 'shame'.

This was an opportunity for Lucius to show that he can rise above personal vendetta and help Malawians remember a man who came onto the scene, did his part in achieving food security, and left unexpectedly- when Malawians needed him to solve some of their challenges and create a legacy as a man who faced challenges and won his battle.
So bad for creativity and journalism.

New Day, New President

How things change.
Within three days of President Bingu wa Mutharika's sudden death, government administration has changed hands.
From the Democratic Progressive Party regime, which was unanimously elected in May 2009, we have the People's Party (PP)of Joyce Banda.
Like the DPP in 2005 (which came into power through the back door), we have the PP-  a party that was not elected to assume the rains of power.
Now, Joyce Banda is Malawi's first female president, and Africa's second.
How things change, though the days and nights remain the same.
Chief Justice Redson Munro will go into the annals of history as the man who did it; administering the oath of allegiance and office.

From Foreign and Commonworth Office: Saturday 7 April 2012

Foreign Secretary sends condolences to President Mutharika’s family


Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “In this moment of sadness I offer condolences to President Mutharika's family. I urge all sides to remain calm and that a peaceful handover takes place as provided for under Malawi's constitution.”


Kind regards,


Newsdesk
Press Office l Foreign and Commonwealth Office

MISA MALAWI STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF THE STATE PRESIDENT, THE LATE

07th April, 2012




The Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and the whole media fraternity in the country join the nation in mourning the passing of President Bingu wa Mutharika who died on 05th April, 2012 in Lilongwe.

The news of his death has come as a shock to us as there were no reports that the late Mutharika was not feeling well.

MISA Malawi Chapter extends its condolences to the First Lady Madam Callista Mutharika, the children and the entire bereaved family at this very difficult time.

MISA Malawi Chapter would like to commend both local and international media for keeping Malawians informed about the status of our departed President at a time when government was not forthcoming with
information.

We appeal to those in authority and responsible for the funeral arrangements to ensure that the media is supplied with accurate information so that Malawians are kept informed of what is happening at every stage.

It is our hope as the fourth estate that constitutional sanity will prevail as the country goes through the transition period. We remain vigilant to provide our watchdog role for the benefit of democracy in the country.

May the soul of our late President Bingu wa Mutharika rest in eternal peace.
Signed


Anthony Kasunda


MISA MALAWI CHAIRPERSON

From the Episcopal Conference of Malawi: Condolence and Solidarity Message

                                                             April 7, 2012
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi, an umbrella body for the eight Catholic Dioceses in Malawi, has learned with sadness the demise of His Excellency Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika.








The Episcopal Conference of Malawi joins all people of good will in expressing condolences to the President–in-waiting, Her Excellency Madam Joyce Banda, the First Lady, the Mutharika family and the entire nation for this sudden loss of the leader of the nation.



We call upon all Malawians to mourn the death of our leader with the kind of dignity befitting the Head of State always ensuring that we rise above personal and political self interests. In this regard, we appeal to the conscience of all those in relevant decision-making offices to strictly adhere to the provisions of succession provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of Malawi.







In the spirit of peace and in keeping with the command of Jesus, “Peace is what I leave you, it is my own peace that I give you…..” (John 14:27), we pray that the peace and calm that has been characteristic of Malawi as a nation is seen and allowed to prevail in our country at this juncture.







May God, our Creator, who by the power of Christ conquered death, in his infinite mercy and love, enable the late President share his victory and rest in peace.







Fraternally yours:






Right Reverend Joseph M. Zuza Chairman and Bishop of Mzuzu






Right Reverend Thomas Msusa Vice-Chairman and Bishop of Zomba






Most Reverend Tarcisius G. Ziyaye Archbishop of Blantyre






Most Reverend Remi Ste-Marie Archbishop of Lilongwe






Right Reverend Peter Musikuwa Bishop of Chikhwawa






Right Reverend Emmanuel Kanyama Bishop of Dedza






Right Reverend Alessandro Pagani Bishop of Mangochi






Right Reverend Martin Mtumbuka Bishop of Karonga






Right Reverend Montfort Stima Auxiliary Bishop of Blantyre






















Date: 7th April, 2012

Vice-President Joyce Banda to Be Sworn in Shortly

Malawi's capital city, Lilongwe, is awash with anticipation.
Malawi is about to have a new Head of State and Government.
The Chief Justice, Redson Munro, will in less than one hour swear Vice-President Joyce Banda as the country's President at the New Parliament Building in Lilongwe.
The function was scheduled to start at 2 pm, but their have been some delays.
However, Banda gets sworn in in less than one hour time.
She will become Malawi's first female president, and Africa's second. The only other country with a female president is Liberia.

What is the Interest of Bakili Muluzi in Bingu wa Mutharika's Death

Bakili Muluzi- the man who wore democratic credentials in 1994 and won people's votes to preside over the destinies (social, economic, political, religious, cultural, among others) and finished his Constitutional two-terms call in 2004, amid some thin-veiled reluctance to leave the centre stage through the miserably executed and failed Third Term bid- cut a very angry and sad figure the other day. The day was Saturday, the date was March 24, and the time of day was mid-morning.
Muluzi- a patient of dislocated back-bone disks whose pain has, many a time, forced him to fly (not to heaven but) to, towards and, then, into South Africa for medical attention- was, visibly, a patient of double blows: anger, which made him swagger from left to light after touching off at the archtectural-piece-of-confusion that is Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, and; sickness, in form of the dislocated disks that have but reduced him to a pale of his former self, as he looks older now than he were one year ago.
One thing must be clear on the case of the former United Democratic Front (UDF) chairman's sickness. Muluzi- now hardly the man who mocked former, and his own, Vice-President Justin Malewezi for taking medication in relation to a liver condition- carries his troublesome disks on his back because there is no choice, really- the disks are the sickness, the disks are the disease. So, when he goes to South Africa, he takes the disks there. When coming back, they are there, causing the pain he always controls through medication.
The nation wishes him well. That is why the tax-payer foots his bills. And, form what he has gone through, he seems to have captured some lessons on sickness:  no one chooses, sickness comes as  a pain the back (no pun intended).
Talking of lessons, Muluzi seems to be a man who doesn't take free lessons. This is clear from the way he has been managing himself, politically. The UDF, now as divided as residents of a border town, has split in factions: There is the faction of former Finance Minister, and Admarc general manager, Friday Jumbe; then, there is the faction that used to be headed by former Health Minister George Nga Ntafu. That faction has now transformed into the former President's son, Atupele Muluzi's, faction. This faction happens to be the faction of UDF secretary general, Kennedy Makwangwala.
Makwangwala, a one-time member of the Jumbe faction which, other than on the grounds of ideologies, united on the strength of their hatred for Bakili Muluzi's continued political machinations. Makwangwala has since gone back to the 'mainline' party faction, leaving Jumbe and others stuck with the wood of their faction. 
Jumbe has been accusing Muluzi the senior of meddling in politics despite announced his retirement from active politics. Jumbe has accused Muluzi the senior of convincing his son, Atupele, to vie for the UDF presidency.
"(Bakili) Muluzi wants to rule through the back door through his son, Atupele. But this is not chieftainship. His (the former President's) behaviour is bringing confusion in the party," Jumbe told Zachimalawi.
Well, this is an issue for another day. We may do ourselves justice by delving into the issue of the former president; his interest, especially, in the death of former President, the late Bingu wa Mutharika. Other than being a predecessor to Mutharika, Muluzi seems to be interested in something, something unknown. But, as Malawians vey well know, it could be power he is after. He wants to take advantage of the current situation and 'sale' his son's presidency.
Any surprises, looking at the way Muluzi suggested the formation of a "Constitutional Forum" on Friday. He, surely, thinks that, through formation of such an 'illegal' (because it is not constitutional), Atupele may get a go, and real taste, at the presidency. But that won't happen. Joyce Banda is taking over.
From what seemed like a trip aimed at being together with his arreasted son, Atupele, on Saturday, March 24, 2012, Muluzi has gone full throttle in mainline politics.

Muluzi's arrival 
Muluzi has been to, and outside, Malawi so many times. It is his 're-entry' on March 24 this year that we are interested in.
Muluzi arrived back in Malawi on March 24. He flew from South Africa, where he has been receiving medical treatment. The treatment is bankrolled by tax-payers.
Upon arrival, Muluzi drove (well, he was being driven) to Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre. His son and aspiring presidential candidate, Atupele, was taken ill. He was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (experts said to make the disease, whatever ailment it was, appear "serious. Now, that was strange. Atupele himself said it was Malaria. Malaria gives our people problems; it robs Malawians of their children. But no one among the general populace goes to the Intensive Care Unit for something as 'small' as Malaria. Especially now that our public hospitals are short on drugs. People get Aspirin for Malaria here; they don't go to the Intensive Care Unit. That tells you how detached from reality Atupele is. How luxuries have littered his life. That is the strange part).
Atupele was arrested on Tuesday, March 20. The authorities said he had incited violence. It was until Friday that he finally got the police bail his lawyers so gallantly fought for. That is an example of human rights violations has littered the Democratic Progressive Party regime. 
Later, the police officers who were handling Atupele changed tune, and charge. The charged him with the strange offense of ignoring instructions from government authorities. Government officials did not like the idea of Atupele holding a public meetting in Lilongwe's Area 24.
When police officers disrupted the meeing, people went amok. They turned a police unit 'upside down' with fire. The people also stole a gun from the police unit they baptised with fire.
Bakili Muluzi spent an hour with Atupele.
He emerged afterwards. He had one message condemnation.
He condemned the Malawi Police Service for being brutal in their handling of opposition figures. He sounded as if he were different from the Malawi leader who, between 1994 and 2004, let his Young Democrats terrorise the country.
He was not happy with the police officers arrested his son at Bunda Turn-off, took him to Lumbadzi Police (some 30 kilometres from Bunda Turn-Off), where he was dumped in a police cell without electricity and infested with mosquitoes.
Now, there is nothing strange in that. Ordinary Malawians have put up with such treatment both during Bakili Muluzi's regime, and that of the late president, Bingu wa Mutharika. Bakili Muluzi did nothing to change that.
Bakili Muluzi was angry that the police officers wanted to transfer Atupele to Ntchisi. That, too, is not strange. People get transfered to Ntchisi all the time. Infact, there used to be people on remand at Ntchisi Police during Muluzi's regime.
What has changed now? Nothing. Just the people at he helm of power!
"This only shows that Bingu is targeting me and my family," Muluzi fumed. The same Muluzi wose regime arrested the ageing former President, Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
But Muluzi, who said he would return to South Africa within 14 doctors, on the advice of is doctors, has forgotten about all that, and started meddling in Malawi's politics.
He has already called for the formation of a 'Constitutional Forum' to decide on who will take power.
But the Malawi Constitution says the Vice-President (in this case, Joyce Banda) takes over.
On Saturday, Muluzi also expressed disappointment at the delays to announce (formally) that President Mutharika was no more.
People fear that Muluzi could be positioning his son for the country's top job.
People feel that Muluzi wants his son to take over through hook or crook. That he wants to 'confuse' the Malawi nation tyhe same way he has managed to 'confuse' the once mighty UDF into factions.
Just what Muluzi's real interest is, nobody knows. He knows it himself.
He knows it; he hides it inside.

Confused People

I am coming from Machinjiri Township, located on the outskirts of Blantyre city.
People are talking of the President's health. People ae concerned with what they are hearing from various media outlets. People are sad.
What interested me most is an argument some chips traders had.
Two of the seven guys put stumped their feet down, claiming that Vice-President Joyce Banda is not elligible to take over the presidency from Bingu wa Mutharika because "she comes from a different political party (People's Party)" and not the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
But Malawi Law Society president, John Gift Makhwawa, has already responded to that. Mwakhwawa says "it doesn't matter which political party the Vice-President comes from, so log as she is the Vice-President, she is mandated by law to take over in cases of incapacitation on the part of the President".
The other five chips' sellers also stood  their ground, too, saying Banda is poised tio become Republican President because the Constitution of Malawi says so.
This just depicts the levels of confusion in the country, and highlights the need to conduct civic education and enlighten the citizenry on what, exactly, should be the case, using the Constitution as the basis.

Looking Beyond Bingu wa Mutharika: Joyce Banda's Two Headaches

After the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Bright Msaka, officially announces that President Bingu wa Mutharika is dead this noon (in less than 10 minutes' time), the burden will shift to Vice-President, and President-designate Joyce Banda.
From nowhere. there will be a shift of, not only power, but headaches from the late Mutharika to Banda, wife to former Chief Justice Richard Banda.
Before he died, Mutharika had headaches, some of which include the decision of whether to devalue the Malawi Kwacha (as the International Monetary Fund and World Bank officials have asked), or perish in the lonesome, prodigal economic way.
The rural masses are against devaluation. For example, during Capital FM's 'Mau Akumudzi' programme- produced and presented by the accomplished Timothy Kateta- Thursday evening this week, constituents from business magnet, Felton Mulli's constituency in Southern Malawi, decried government's decision to devalue the local currency by 10 percent in August 2011.
That decision sent commodity prices flying in all directions.
The constituents were unanimous in their riles against devaluation, asking the governing authorities not bend to IMF and World Bank implorations to take he Kwacha down the slope again.
"I would even appreciate it if the government le the Kwacha appreciate. In the village here, we are buying sugar at K500, instead of K214, said one of the constituents who identified herself as Esther.
Now, Joyce Banda will have to decide whether to devalue or perish.
If she devalues the Malawi Kwacha, she will face the wrath of Malawians while pleasing the Bretonwoods institutions. So, commodity prices will rise, but that will be cushioned by donor inflows.
That is Banda's first headache.
The second headache, and this one applies to Malawians, too.
In 2004, President Bingu wa Mutharika took over from Bakili Muluzi on he United Democratic Front (UDF).
Unexpectedly, Mutharika dumped the UDF to form his own Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). In so doing, he made history for himself and Malawi. He became the first African president to "go into governmet in order to form a political paty" instead of the norm when "you form a political party in order to go into government" as former National Assembly Speake, Sam Mpasu, says.
In 2009, Mutharika has the opportunity to legitimise the 'reign' of the DPP through the polls, and he did so "overwhelmingly"- becoming, according to Malawi Electoral Commission records, the first President in Democratic Malawi to whip fellow Presidential contenders by over half a million votes.
So, the DPP has been 'legitimately' ruling since May 2009.
But the DPP, just like the UDF on February 5, 2005 (when Mutharika dished the UDF during an Anti-Corruption commemoration day in Malawi's capital, Lilongwe) now faces the unexpected: the prospect of being booted out of  power to pave way for Joyce Banda and, in effect, her People's Party (PP).
Malawi, again, will be in the news. The PP will become the second political party in democratic Malawi and Africa to go into 'power' without passing thrugh the ballot.
The headache for Banda is: Will she take the PP with her, and make it Malawi's unelected ruling party, or she will leave the PP out of governing politics up until May 2014?
But that, going into government as an independent President,   will irk PP followers, whom will take her as ungrateful.
These are the two immediate headaches for Banda.

Official Announcement on Mutharika's Death 12 p.m.

The Government of the Republic of Malawi, over-taken by the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika, will officially announce 'news' of the 78-year-old's death at noon (in 26 minutes time).
The announcement will be made by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Bright Msaka, on State-run Malawi Broadcasting Corporation.
The nation of Malawi, now at a stand-still, waits with abated breath.
Mutharika is dead; Mutharika lives no more.
His death comes two years after he wedded Callista, following the death of his wife Ethel Zvauya Mutharika.

Still No Official Communication on Mutharika's Death

From doctors to senior government officials the message is one: President Bingu wa Mutharika lives no more.
The problem is that this is not official.
The world-acclaimed British Broadcasting Corporation, Reuters, among other media, are all awash with reports that the President has died in South Africa.
Some government, and medical, officials claim the President died in Malawi when he took ill following a cardiac arrest. They say he was taken to South Africa dead.
But all these reports remain unconfirmed, and Mutharika's death a hard-rumour.
Meanwhile, anticipation and anxiety has gripped Malawi.
Under provisions of the Republican Constitution, Vice-President Joyce Banda is expected to take over.
Mutharika's death comes as a blow to his younger brother, Peter, who was touted as the next president.
His dreams now lie scattered and, may be, may never be realised.
A dark crowd now hovers over Malawi.
The President is dead.
Something has hapened to Malawi.
Something unexpected. 
Banda, for three years considered a lame-duck Vice-President, will now be in control.

Poem: Heavy Air

By Richard Chirombo
There is an air now; it is so quiet it scares goodness away-
Smoothering bumpy tempers.
Even the sunshine; so feeble it has this shy smile.
The trees in the land, that heap of clay by the lake, shake so doubtfully they attract the half-empty eye
The birds sing at long, dead air intervals:
Waiting for the sun,
Waiting for the moon that runs.
It is so  strange,
There is an enormous hole in the choral cords.

The air,
Passing by the sandless throat,
Makes this whizzing, shake-some brush,
So heavy a brush it is so tiresomely-difficult to say:
The truth.

It is far away where the sweet-nothings dwell
And those closeby hide the trouble in their smiles,
Nobody fels the truth,
No one sings the truth.

This thing about the land:
The water so bluishly black-
Anticipation so great in the mind-
Smoothering our beaming hearts,
In this, so-called a breathful train,
That succumbs to the endless winds.

Malawi is Fine, Nobody is 'Unalive'

This is in response to all the inquiries on the situation in Malawi from followers far and wide.
The truth is that Malawi is fine.
All the people that matter are fine, and here- guiding the Malawi people.
There is absolutely no bad news in Malawi.
There is, absolutely, no death of anyone who matters in the public psyche.
Of course, one of the public figures is going to South Africa right now for further treatment.
But know, our friends, that Malawi is okay, and our leaders are with us- taking care of our social-economic needs.
No known public figure is in a comma in Malawi. The reason is simple: All Malawians that matter can make A or B out of the situation in Malawi. All the people are in control of their senses.
Just to say, also, that we have all the medicines that matter in hospitals, and that the situation is not as bad as portrayed.
Tobacco sales also continue at the Auction Floors, raising hopes that the much-needed forex will be 'harvested' and help propel our economy to greater heights.
The International Monetary Fund people were here last week, and on Friday asked Malawian authorities to either devalue the Kwacha, or dance up to the beats of uncertainty.
As it is, that is the situation in Malawi. Desregard the other reports.
If anything, Zachimalawi will surely be there to inform you.

Malawi has a new Deputy UNDP Resident Representative

Lilongwe 5 April 2012— The new UNDP-Malawi Deputy Resident Representative (Programmes) Ms. Naomi Kitahara aims at ensuring clear and effective delivery of programmes with concrete results in Malawi.

Ms. Kitahara, a Japanese national started her duties on Monday April 2, 2012. She previously worked with the UNDP Mozambique Country Office as Deputy Resident Representative (Programmes) from 2007 to early 2012. 

She takes over from Mr. Ram Shankar, who held the same position from 2009 until December last year when he completed his contract.

Before joining UNDP Mozambique, Ms. Kitahara worked with the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA) from 2006-2007 on a peace building and reconciliation programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

She started her career in the United Nations when she joined the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Zambia as Programme Officer for Reproductive Health. She then held the Programme Specialist position in UNFPA Headquarters in New York in the Asia-Pacific division.

From 2004-2006, Ms. Kitahara worked for UNDP South Africa Country Office as Deputy Resident Representative.

In 2010-2011, she was also chairperson of the UN Inter-Agency Programme Management Team for the implementation of joint programmes and development of the new United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) in the Delivering as One initiative in Mozambique.

While with UNDP Mozambique, Ms. Kitahara says one of her achievements was the increase in programme delivery by 40 percent, pushing the programme delivery from 16 to 23 million US dollars.

This was an indication of increased capacities of the Country Office and Implementing Partners, particularly in Results Based Management (RBM) and resources mobilized for programme delivery.

“I would like to see clear and effective delivery of programmes to respond to the challenges Malawi is facing today in the area of sustainable development,” said Ms. Kitahara.

Ms. Kitahara holds an MBA from the University of Warwick and an MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

She is married with two children and loves playing a piano and cooking for families during her free time.

Calm at Poly

After Monday's skirmishes between Polytechnic students and Southern region police, Tuesday came and went- peacefully.
Students from the Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi threw stones at police officers on Monday this week, and the officers responded by throwing tear-gas canisters. No compromise was reached.
But, thanks darkness, when night came, it was all over.
Peace descended upon Masauko-Chipembere Highway. Which peace has continued to flourish this day.

Thanks, Magnetic Island Artist Edward Blum

Tendering Malawi's Natural Resources

 The unkempt grass stirs restlessly in the background, as the multi-directional winds produce snaky noise in the after-math of their collision with tree-leaves. Sometimes, a careless mouse will be seen to loiter around, playing into the path of a hungry snake. If the mouse gets eaten; nobody cares, it was not known to the Blantyre City Assembly (BCA). If the snake suffers at the murderous heel of man; nobody cares, it trespassed on BCA’s land.

In an ideal situation, the place where mice now come and go, and snakes play attack-and-hide under dry, brown leaves, was not supposed to degenerate into this state of nobody’s land  because, when lawlessness dominates where control was supposed to be the norm, it becomes nothing short of systematic failure.

This is the state on Njamba Freedom Park (NFP). On paper, the park belongs to BCA but, in effect, belongs to the trees, the ants, mice, snakes, birds, and rabbits. These natural features literally take care of NFP- fertilizing it with their dung, and, in the absence of piped water from BCA and water drops from the skies, supporting organic life with their waste waters.

NFP, home to a wide range of animals and supposed recreation centre for Blantyre city residents, is in a neglected form of sorts, and serves as a reminder that, for all BCA best efforts, the place remains underdeveloped.

Year in, year out, BCA’s Department of Parks and Wildlife has been singing one song: the song of promise to, among other things, improve the environment at the Park and make it as close to nature as it could be. It is a song whose chorus remains the May 1989 visit by head of the worldwide Catholic Church, Pope John Paul 11.

Hopes were raised, then, that Njamba- being the choice place where upon the Catholic Church’s head trod- could become a place of world tourism attraction. Councilor Luke Jumbe, one of the famous Blantyre city fathers in the 1990s, had grand plans for the park, just like the people who succeeded him. But nothing really materializes for NFP.  

Sand miners go about their business, drawing sand from the small river that cuts through the park- yet, both sand and river they do not own. They make no attempt to pay anything on the assumption that- looking at the neglect manifested in the withering grass, brown-leafed trees, and the human mongering- Njamba is nobody’s land.

And, quiet recently, others have gotten into this habit of parking vehicles in the park’s grounds, trampling upon the unwatered grass left to fend for itself by the City fathers who only care for their children, the people in the city, and not the natural resources that literally bring fresh air to the land.

However, BCA chief executive officer, Ted Nandolo, says time is ripe in reverse the deteriorating standards of NFP.

“We have big plans for all aspects of city development. We can develop our parks into revenue-generating sites. Our development budget for 2011/2012, amounting to K473, 855, 309, has provisions for infrastructure, environmental, maintenance and education programmes,” Nandolo says.

If not for the sake of Blantyre residents, at least the city authorities will do it for their own good. In November last year, BCA established the Directorate of Commerce, Trade and Industry headed by Dennis Chinseu.

The Directorate is not a cash-cow because, in the first place, it is not a cow per se. But Blantyre city has facilities whose revenue-generating capacities resemble the productive capacities of a cow.

“We are looking at things like city rates, recreation fees, and city parking fees as some of the ways of generating revenue,” Chinseu, who hastens that parks fall under this category, says.

Chinseu says this is the reason BCA wants to exploit all possible avenues of revenue, including such activities as business licencing, collection of property rates and recreation fees in all of the assembly’s parks.

“With this, we hope to be able to supplement the funds we get from property rates. 90 percent of the funds we generate come from property rates,’ Chinseu said.

As the City fathers reposition themselves to ‘fish’ from more ponds, apart from the deep waters of property rates, Blantyre residents can look west and find solace. There is a place, some 9 km west of Blantyre Central Business District, called Michiru Hill. The hill plays host to Michiru Conservation Park.

The park is home to a variety of wildlife, making it a tourist destination of magnanimous experiences and never-fading memories. Just that, as Senior Park and Wildlife Assistant Gracious Changani would have it, not many people seem to be aware of this place. 

But, each passing day, Changani looks at the Branchystegia woodland, reptiles, birds, and a variety of mammals. Common among the mammals are hyenas, who are so fortunate to have a cave named after them. The ‘Hyena Caves, made of granite, are believed to have formed some 50 million years ago.

Studies suggest that, 50 million years ago, Michiru Conservation Park was not a park; it was a valley. Somehow, the stones fell from the mountains, and filled the valley below. In the process, new homes were formed and found, and new animals became proud owners of these ‘homes’. At Michiru, the homes can be anything: caves, trees, stones, running water- anything that can sustain life.

Today, Michiru Conservation Park is a place so naturally demarcated (without human intervention) that pythons craw the days away in the upper part of the park, rock hyraxes have made the middle part nothing but their abode, while the lower layers, so carefully punctuated by caves, are the domain of the nocturnal hyenas.

“Michiru Conservation Park is a very beautiful place. Malawians should visit this place and appreciate the beauty,” Changani says.

But, in a way, Michiru also suffers from human ills. But, unlike the neglect that has characterized life at Njamba, its greatest challenge is poaching.   

The bad thing about poaching is that it is against good intentions. After all, all parks and conservation sites are like legislation: founded upon the principle of mutual love, care, and concession.

Which leaves one wondering: Why can’t Malawians appreciate this common sense, and leave nature to be what it was meant to be? How can people in authority fail to do their part, and expect nature to flourish?

After all, there is a thin line between poaching and neglect; they both border on neglect.

But, even against people and authorities’ best efforts, Malawi continues to reel under a myriad of challenges in the quest to take care of its botanic resources, and improve on the variety of the botanic endowments it has.

Take, for instance, the case of equipment. Malawi does not have a multi-purpose laboratory necessary to examine the chemical composition of most of its botanic resources, a development that transpired into little knowledge about the wide variety of botanic life endemic to the country.

This, in effect, renders the country vulnerable to theft of its would-be botanic patents as people posing as tourists would easily siphon indigenous knowledge from a friendly but unsuspecting people which may later be patented in their name, leaving Malawi perpetually stuck in the woods of poverty.

While people like Prof. James Seyani have tried, through the National Herbarium and Botanic Gardens of Malawi, to do their best, the lack of a state-of-the-art, all encompassing laboratory is hindering efforts to examine all of the country’s botanic resources and deter business-minded visitors from profiteering from the country’s botanic resources.

Of course, plans are under way to establish one such laboratory, but it may be a time.

What is needed, in its absence, is the need for Malawians not to publicize indigenous knowledge to prevent it from getting into the wrong hands- people who may end up protecting our own botanic resources using patent laws.

Reason:  Traditional knowledge is becoming a billion-Dollar phenomenon around the world and needs to be safeguarded. This is true for Malawians who go to such countries as South Africa to sell herbal concoctions and other traditional medicine.

It would become easy for such people to pass out the knit-gritty details pertaining to the prowess of their medicine, in the process exposing Malawi to theft of its invaluable botanical resources.

Just such a thing happened in Chipata , Zambia, two years ago. A European national was bewildered by a plant that acted as an anesthetic and was being used by local people when removing teeth using the traditional hand method. Perplexed, he asked the locals how the herb worked, and where it could be found- knowledge he later took back home. He has, since, patented the plant and its chemical components.

People, including Zambians, now find their own concoction- now out of their hands and control, anyway- in up market London shops.

The use of botanical resources stolen from African countries and, later, registered as protected patents has raised moral questions over the moral responsibility of pharmaceutical companies, who happen to be the major customers and beneficiaries to such fraudulent deals.

These companies cough millions of Euros to get the nod to use the stolen patents ,a trend that also leads way to exorbitant drug prices as the pharmaceutical companies seek to off-set some of the costs incurred in production of such products.

So, the theft of this knowledge could be disastrous for Malawi, a country- if not the only one in the world- to have no comprehensive analysis of its botanical resources.

It is like wishing away your own cash, really; and, then, asking for a third hand to bail you out of biting poverty.

Jumbe Faction Refuses to Speak on Atupele Arrest

Bad blood may be thicker than yellow.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) faction led by Friday Jumbe has refused to speak on Atupele Muluzi, the arrested son to former State President and UDF national chairperson Bakili.
Jumbe told Zachimalawi on Friday he could only speak "competently" on the issue once Atupele writes a report to the "UDF presidency" on what has actually happened.
"Without that report from him, the party cannot be in a position to speak out on the issue," Jumbe said.
"You know that the UDF has so many members; millions and millions of members, in fact. It will, therefore, be strange to be commenting on issues to do with each and every member in the absence of any report. It will be like commenting on hearsay," Jumbe added.
Jumbe said, however, that "it is unfortunate that Malawi is sliding back into dictatorship, and, as the UDF, we will not allow the country to go to the dogs".
The former governing UDF is split in factions, with Jumbe, Humphreys Mvula, among others, belonging to the Jumbe camp. On the other hand is Atupele, whose faction includes such UDF figures as Kennedy Makwangwala, Ibrahim Matola, and UDF members in Parliament.
But UDF Leader of the House (in Parliament), Matola has urged all party factions to unite, "and get rid of the rot in our democracy".
Atupele was arrested for "inciting" violence and defying Lilongwe District Commissioner office's 'order' not to address a political rally in a week the Public Affairs Committee made headlines for asking President Bingu wa Mutharika to either resign if he fails to rectify Malawi's current challenges, or call for a referendum after 90 days.
But Mutharika, addressing a meeting during Thursday's World Water Day event in Mangochi, has said he is not game to resigning.
"Bingu does not run away from responsibility," Mutharika said, to the dismay of PAC officials out to oust him.

DRUG CERTIFICATION AND QUALITY CONTROL IN MALAWI

LILONGWE, 15TH MARCH 2012
The Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board would like to inform the general public and all District Health Officers that the drugs under the kit system or any other drugs that are currently being distributed to Government and CHAM facilities have been tested and certified to be of high quality, efficacious and safe.
Since the development partners came to support the Ministry of Health by procuring drugs on its behalf that are in kit form, several issues have risen surrounding the efficacy, safety and quality of the drugs. As a matter of standard practice and following the policy, mandate and the responsibility entrusted in the office of the Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board, all drugs that are used in the health facilities in the country are tested for quality before distribution. This is always a routine process that has to be undertaken by the Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board. Furthermore, the Ministry of Health facilities are required to receive and administer drugs that have only been certified by the responsible institution in the country.
The Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board and the Ministry of Health would like therefore to inform the general public that it is the responsibility of the Malawi Government to ensure that Malawians are not using substandard drugs and any drugs and supplies that have been found to have by passed the quality control process will be confiscated and an appropriate legal action will be undertaken to the importers and dispensers. In this regard, the Ministry of Health would like to assure the general public that all drugs distributed to health facilities have passed a rigorous quality control process.
Meanwhile, the distribution of the drugs will continue and the Ministry welcomes all the concerns and feedback that would improve the availability and reduce misuse of the drugs in public hospitals.

Henry Chimbali
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Health

Aaron Glyn Sosola
Acting Registrar
Pharmacy, Medicines and Poisons Board

Today's Fact

The Public Affairs Committee (Pac), a quasi-religious organisation in Malawi (which should not be confused with the Public Affairs Committee of Parliament), has no mandate to call for President Bingu wa Mutharika's resignation.
Pac has given Mutharika two month to 'deliver, or resign'.
Quite an outrageous call, this.
Mutharika was elected by the Malawian people.
Twenty-zero-four brought Mutharika, through a popular vote, to power.
But his May 2009 win was overwhelming. He won overwhelmingly.
Pac, on the contrary, has never contested in an election. It has no people. It has no government. No national flag. No national anthem.
Pac has nothing but a bloated ego.