THE FLOW AND FLAW OF THABO

By Greyson Chapita

There once was a man.. a man of virtue and integrity while working at Malawi’s central bank, the Reserve Bank as a Manager and Legal Counsel. Such a feat at his age of 40 and with all his academic handiness, a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Chancellor College and a Master of Laws Degree in International Financial Law from University of Sussex in the UK, there can never be another man other than Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda.

His experience in the trade is a topic for another day, but the highpoint of his career was on 27^th August, 2021 when President Lazarus Chakwera named him as the country’s Attorney General replacing Dr Chikosa Silungwe who was being accused by some section in the Malawi Congress Party that his legal opinions were calculated to expose and frustrate the Chakwera led administration…. So, Thabo was their main man.

Being Chakwera’s “main man”, Thabo never shillyshallied to get things working. He was all over making pronouncements about working to protect public money from dubious payments. He spoke about questionable contracts that needed to be sent to trashcans, the fight against corruption and instilling discipline in the public service and its financial systems.

Thabo was indeed our man of the moment… We all needed a Thabo to change things around, and true to that, Thabo spoke and represented change.

His name was also on the tongues of many praise singers, the “bola DPP inachoka” type of handclappers after the AG, new in the game, managed to whip DPP off their political maneuverings as they sought for nullification of the fresh presidential poll following the firing of some MEC Commissioners who were found “incompetent” by the Constitution Court hearing the 2019 presidential election case.

Thabo kept on pitching his work high, he picked on the Techno Brain’s passport contract with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services by questioning the procurement process. He went for the contract and it was cancelled accordingly and Thabo Chakaka became the “Chakalaka” flavor in our national pudding.

But then, satana amati akati akusake, Thabo never saw what was instore for him on 10^th January, 2022. He went on to give a 60-day amnesty to all alleged crooks accused of defrauding government in their business dealings or illegally acquired wealth, to voluntarily pay back the said wealth or face the law.

This was the beginning of his low moments, especially coming munyengo ya Mr Zuneith Sattar, Batawalala and other “Pangolins” around. Many governance stakeholders never took this lightly, they throbbed Chakaka, describing this as a move deemed to shield Sattar and his business associates from prosecution.

It didn’t end there…… Thabo kept on starring in the Sattar episodes and the latest was where the Platform of Investigative Journalism took their meat from. This is where the AG is alleged to have authorized payment to Sattar on some government business, while in public Thabo sounded all holly making a stance against dealing with Sattar’s owned companies and barred him from public procurement.

To “Sattar” his “Sattar-ing” he called Dr Kainja and his boys to action, reminding us once again that we still have some black cock traits within some so-called agents of change who would go miles clinching their fists against everything that seems to promote freedom of the press.

Like his many green jackets legionnaires, Chakaka went ahead abusing his power and authority pouncing on PIJ’s Gregory Gondwe, his gadgets and I don’t know what else…

Chakaka forgot that he is one of the custodians of the country’s laws. He is the face of our country’s justice system the last man to tow towards attempts that explore otherwise… All his accomplishments, gone; all the respects, gone.

Chakaka must be told in bold that Freedom of the press, if it means anything at all, means the freedom to criticize and oppose and that’s what it means to be in a democracy.

As the country’s AG, he wouldn’t wake up today and decide to pick and chose which types of freedom he would want to defend, its either he defends all of it or be against all of it… The best would be for him to resign for he is in the wrong office. He should try full time politics maybe and battle with journalists all he wants and see if he would make himself a political goon anyway.

People like Chakaka must be reminded that no government ought to be without censors; unless its being led by people that are not sane. Everyone deserves their legal rights in full, even when they disagree with us. Protecting their rights protects ours.

Atolankhani mukuwamanga lerowa, muzawafuna pa mmawa…. Amanyozeka lero poti mudakali nazo mphamvu, pammawa nthenga zizathothoka muzawafuna… Besides, at 40 you are still young Mr Chakaka to make things right and leave a legacy. Your fall though has fallen too soon…

Dear Mr President

 

Forgive my demeanors thus far for writing you in this manner; in fact, your present comportment coupled with your middle finger altitude towards Malawians, puts you in a position where you don’t deserve any pleasantries. You give us a middle finger; we give you some... That’s how we are rolling, that’s what you taught us with your HRDC gang that “Osaopa”, yeah sitikuopa.

Some few days ago I was sent some video clips of you Mr President during your yesteryears, sharing the word of God at the pulpit as President of the Assemblies of God in Malawi, oh my! I was impressed. The power, the energy, the passion, the art in your language, your familiarity with the word moved me, not only me, I believe you moved a number of souls during your time.

 

Mr President, it’s an indignity to your past feat that you are failing to translate the same, now that you proceeded to the secular world. Your show thus far is a minus zero, below everything that we call excellence. 

 

Apart from some good English, your biceps, that army uniform you wore someday, nice suits, taking the Covid-19 jab, “fuming” and “spitting” nothing and a display of many other nothings, you stand to be the worst president to have ever occupied State House, but for the sake optimism I refuse to make such a conclusion. 

 

You asked for patience, for some good 12 months Malawians gave you all the time. 12 months is long enough to lay foundation for change. 12 months is long enough to offer hope for a new Malawi. 12 months is long enough to get rid of nepotism and corruption.

 

12 months is long enough to lay foundation for the country’s social and economic transformation. 12 months is a century which can give a new face to Malawi, with some good policy direction and well thought for governance decisions.

 

Mr President, 12 months is even long enough to learn the trade of governing and staying away from blunders, scandals, and mediocrity that have characterized this current administration at each and every second of your stay at Kamuzu Palace. 

 

12 months is long enough to create jobs, reduce presidential powers and turning away from all the ills and the mess that were created by DPP as you made us believe on the campaign trail and as Leader of Opposition.

 

Mr President, to say you have failed is not an invention but the truth. Malawi is sailing on troubled waters without a captain. You don’t exist anymore; we can’t even hear your footsteps. 

 

Your ministers Mr President have gone rabid, and you can’t even tame them. I guess you are happy to be called the "King of thieves" as former president APM called you a couple of days ago.

All you know is turning this country into a Chakwera monarchy where Prince and Princess with their spouses are all over taking charge.

 

Mr Chakwera you gave Malawians a dummy, such a scam. Unfortunately, the Laz SKC pair had the goodwill of Malawians. But now the people that stood by you, the people that gave it all, the people that ushered you into power, the people that fearlessly fought to send DPP to the opposition benches feel cheated. All their hopes, all their wishes, everything was just in vain.

 

I can go on and on… Mr Chakwera, for once, would you please stop snoring at Kamuzu Palace, wake up and start doing the right thing. Is that asking for too much? I guess NO!

 

Ndisiyile pompa kaye kwa lero

 

Truly yours

 

Che Adyamani.

BJ IN 2021? NO PLEASE

Brown Mpinganjira has had a colourful political career whose story spans from 1986 when he joined the list of people who were detained for fighting the one party regime, to his release in 1991. It proceeded to the time he joined a team of fighters that formed a pressure group that lobbied for a referendum and made history in 1993 when Malawians voted for multi party democracy.

His political journey continued in 1994 when he won the parliamentary seat for Mulanje Central where he served his people for 15 years before they gave him an exit for not representing their development agenda.

By the way, BJ comes some one or two villages away from my late father's village in Mulanje, so i have a very good understanding of the reasons why my people gave him that middle finger in 2009.

Mpinganjira's political story continued. He became a darling of many when he fought Bakili Muluzi's third term bid and contested as a Presidential candidate for his NDA in 2004 and as a running mate for JZU in 2009. He failed on both attempts and that marked the begining of his political fuss. The way he jumped from UDF, NDA and then MCP revealed how desperate he was, for power.

The way he abandoned most of his NDA cronies, the way he betrayed his NDA agenda, disappointed the youth who formed  a bigger bunch of his NDA followers. The way he threw away all his manners and became obsessed with power. The way he normalised political prostitution, as long as it promised him some grip to power, Mpinganjira was ready to serve himself the dish to glory.

His story, is one that has seen him jump to bed with all political parties in power without shame, and made his way to some positions of influence.

Mpinganjira has appeared in almost all political fights in Malawi. In UDF, in MCP for JZU to pick him as running mate, in PP after JB's loss in 2014, and now at the center of the fights within DPP.  As long as there is power play, Mpinganjira's name will appear somewhere leading and fueling the same.

BJ hates competition... He loves making headlines. He thinks because of his MBC and Ministry of Information background then he stands better as a communication specialist for all political parties he has worked for, even at 71 in 2021.

The truth of the matter is, 2021 is the time to get rid of him and all these old cronies of his that introduced politics of handouts to our people and promoted laziness. Politicians that normalised political prostitution and think politics in Malawi must evolve around them and them alone. Politicians who have used the youth for their political gains and dumped them. 

The Brown Mpinganjira's of this world who have brought down rulers with their bad advice and love for money and power. Remember he was once fronted by JB in 2014, she failed, APM made him part of his campaign team during the fresh presidential poll and chaired the media and publicity sub-commitee, and APM lost.

We cant keep having people that made the art of handclapping in this country our daily dosage. They introduced themselves as heroes and want us to keep worshiping them as long as they live....

BJ? No please... Part 2 please... Loading.

DPP..... THE RETURN OF NYEKHWE

One thing i love about DPP supporters is their ability to turn some low situations into high and wow moments. Their love for the party, passion, dedication, enthusiasm and unity of purpose is what makes them look different from other political parties..

The young and the old, they set aside their economic status, ethnicity, education and religious backgrounds to speak with one voice and work towards a common goal and that is to defend their May 21 hard earned victory..

Most of these supporters have seen it all, from April 2012 when Bingu died where they lost government to their May 2014 glory. They have survived all the insults, they have survived being victims of hate and bitterness, they have survived or the tribal tirades and recently the court Injustice which will be vindicated soon through the fresh election which the DPP is poised to win at any cost..


Am seeing the DPP spirit coming back to life like the one we experienced in 2012 on the road to the 2014 polls..

The coming fresh election is not about putting back the DPP into power but about the DPP stamping authority over all its distractors. Its about saving Malawi from all undemocratic elements that have characterised the better part of the APM regime.

The fresh election is about uprooting all agents of hate, jealousy and bitterness. It's about the beginning of new politics where Malawi becomes one not belonging to certain individuals, political parties, region, tribe or religion.. Here is an opportunity that has presented itself to Malawians.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the DPP might be down but not yet out. The court case might be won but not yet done. The DPP will rise again...

MY TAKE ON THE ALBINO KILLINGS

People are still commenting, a lot has been said, conclusions being made, the media has brought to light the ills, others are treating the issue while wearing their political lenses, but mine will be an honest opinion based on how I feel about these killings of people with albinism.

According to the recent released report by the Human Rights defending body, Amnesty international, these killings have been recorded in 23 countries in Africa, with Malawi and Tanzania recording the highest number.

Yesterday I argued with a friend who was saying that these killings are as a result of weakness in the country’s leadership and my answer was simple; this is how I presented my arguments, starting with some examples;

In South Africa, crime is a prominent issue. The country has a very high rate of murders, assaults, rapes (adult, child, elderly and infant), carjacking and other crimes compared to most countries. But wait a minute; South Africa has had prominent leaders in Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki now Jacob Zuma. Is the high crime late as a result of weak leadership for the past years?

To me the issue is all about the sickness of the society in South Africa. The high crime rate is being contributed by social factors from poverty, high unemployment rate, emigration, illiteracy, over population, post apartheid effects etc.

Yes, some of the issues can be sorted by government but others are beyond government because the rot is just deep rooted in the South Africa’s society.

Imagine this is happening yet SA Police has over One thousand police stations across the country. Their police is also one of the most organized in Africa, with enough resources but crime is almost everywhere.
Crime rates can be reduced but cannot be ended everywhere in the world crime is committed almost every day, even in America but that doesn’t translate to weak leadership.

In Malawi we have had cases of defilement and rape where women and children are the most victims. Cases of armed robbery are recorded almost every day. And this has been happening even from the time of Bakili, Bingu, JB and now APM. Only that in the past we had no social media and the traditional media was still in its infancy.

Now in this era of Smart-phones, we no longer rely on the traditional media for breaking news. Within seconds the story is all over facebook, twitter and whatsapp. We were hearing albinos don’t die, they just go missing. We used to believe in such stories up until when the media started reporting that no, our friends are being killed by some monsters kind of people.

To add on to that, courts have been melting stiff punishments to the rape suspects, armed robbers are being killed through mob justice and sometimes killed by the police. Have these punishments stopped wanna-be-offenders from committing the very same offences?

I thought the killings and the stiff court punishments would scare away other criminals? NO! We can arrest the rapists, the robbers or even kill them etc, but almost every day, someone somewhere will be committing a crime.

As you can see, this is not as a result of weak leadership.

Now the case of Albinos, the president doesn’t live with the albinos in the villages, we do. We know where they live, we see them every day. What measures have we taken to protect them? What are the traditional leaders doing?

I remember we still have community policing in our communities, what are they doing to protect our friends? Have we done enough in our communities to protect our friends or we don’t care anymore?

How can we know that so and so is planning to abduct and kill an Albino? Can government afford to give the albinos police protection 24 hours? Should we say the albinos must drop out of school so that they stay home and remain safe? Or they should also stop going to church? Remain indoors? But some of the abductions have happened while the albinos are safely sleeping in their homes? Must the lives of the albinos come to a halt for them to remain safe?

Government has condemned the albino killings lead by our president which is commendable. The police have arrested some of the killers and the courts have successfully sentenced them.

So what’s the problem now? What must we do as a nation? Because the people that are killing the albinos could be MCP, PP, UDF, DPP or they could be CCAP, Catholic, SDA or Pentecostals. They could be Tumbukas, Lomwes, Yaos, Tongas etc. These are the people we live with.

These killings could also be as a result of poverty, superstitious beliefs, high illiteracy levels etc. We have NGOs oeperating in different communities, what are they doing? Instead of initiating the “stop open defecation” projects, why can’t they take lead in senstising communities against these acts?
What about church leaders? School authorities in the communities, traditional leaders and other village structures.

Why can’t companies compliment government’s efforts in supporting the police with resources?

This issue affects all of us and the solution must come from all of us. We must stop this finger pointing game. It will take us nowhere. It did not take a year to stop the killings in Tanzania, it took them years.

MY THOUGHTS ON BINGU (Part 2): UNDERSTANDING THE BINGU DREAM

The Bingu dream lives on

Why do we talk about the Bingu dream? Why was Bingu talking about dreams? Why do we scream words like “the dreamer is gone but the dream lives on?” Yes, Bingu our visionary leader is gone but not with his dreams. He was a dreamer but not just any other dreamer. He was one who would work so hard to translate the dreams into reality.

The uniqueness of this dreamer was that he was not only dreaming about himself but his dreams were always about Malawi.

He dreamt while eyes open, no wonder President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe spoke with admiration about this great leader this other day urging him to keep “dreaming and dreaming”. Why? The Bingu dream was so impressive, broad, significant, and persuasive.

Who could fault the late Bingu’s dreams when all eyes were there to see how the dream manifested itself on the ground in all sectors of development.

Wait a minute, before I go on and on we need to talk about something very important. For us to understand the reality of the Bingu dream better let’s look at how dreams are made in the brain. You would agree with me that dreaming is an important component of the human experience; I dream, you dream, we all can dream, but the value of the dream is what matters.

For us to dream here are the things that are needed; First a person needs to have a brain that is functioning. The second step in the construction of dreams is vision. You need a clear vision for you dream. It’s what we see, think and touch that is stored and processed in the brain to become a dream.

Any damage to one distinct region of the brain which is said to be crucial for the generation of dreams would cause what is called Charcot-Wilbrand syndrome, named after neurologists Jean-Martin Charcot and Hermann Wilbrand, who first described it in the 1880s. This is an illness that causes people to stop dreaming. It usually develops when one is attacked by stroke.

As explained, dreams are constructed when one has a clear vision and a functioning brain. A person who is able to look at current developments and analyse them comprehensively. One who can gaze into the future and make sense of all the ideas generated in the mind before putting them into practice. A person who will be able to dream, interpret and make use of the dreams and turn them into a reality.

Unfortunately the truth is, not all people are gifted in that area. It’s just the same as leadership. Imagine having a gifted leader who is able to lead, dream and interpret the dream.

A leader, who is so visionary, well exposed to issues, one who is able to empower his people with a sense of self belief and reliance and sanctions them to own the country. That’s Bingu Wa Mutharika for you and that’s what the Bingu dream stands for.

Unfortunately Bingu never lived to achieve everything that he had in store for Malawi. The good thing is, the Bingu dream lives on. People that believed in the Bingu dream are all fired up to continue from where this great son of the soil stopped and build on the Bingu legacy. This is a legacy that gives Malawians hope.

As we gather on 9th May at Ndata in remembrance of the fallen hero, we remind each other to live in fulfillment of the Bingu dream.

MY THOUGHTS ON BINGU AHEAD OF HIS COMMEMORATION THIS SATURDAY

I will live to remember this visionary leader

Nobody believed it was true. The Nation was swallowed up with whispering voices of uncertainty. The news started making rounds around 11am in the morning. It was a Thursday morning by the way. 

A Thursday that brought an end to the life of a legend. A visionary and great son of Malawi who was so passionate about his country.  He was a man who loved everything about Malawi and had loved to be understood by his own people. A great leader whose legacy can never be exaggerated.

Each time we use all these adjectives and flowery language in trying to describe this fallen hero, we get buried into a sea of recollections that once upon a time there was Bingu Wa Mutharika the third President of the republic of Malawi.  

He came to Malawi as a nonentity politically. Apart from what we used to know of him at Comesa, there was no footprint for him on the political ground. Of course he co-founded the United Democratic Front UDF together with Bakili Muluzi in 1992, but that history seemed to have been swallowed by names that registered their significance on the road to the national referendum then. 

In 1999 he gave it a go on the presidential ballot with his United Party, sadly he finished last. An ordinary man would predict political doom for such a man. I would have declared him as a finished politician if it were me making an analysis of the 1999 polls. NO! Bingu never gave up. The passion for his country propelled him to display traits of greatness to the admiration of one political engineer.

In the political engineering process Bakili Muluzi made Bingu the Governor of the Reserve Bank, before roping him into cabinet. It never ended there, Bakili named Bingu as his successor in 2004. That marked the beginning of the manifestation of vastness in Bingu.

Bingu proved to the continent and the entire world that Africa needed an African solution to its problems. He instilled a sense of ownership of the country’s resources to the citizenry. He preached a message of self reliance. He reminded us of the vastness of our natural resources and how we can work to achieve even more in terms of production other than consuming. 

Bingu spoke with authority. His language depicted him as a craftsman of all trades. He was touted the “economic engineer” not out of sheer comedy but absolute enormous.  His first term was labelled a success by people from all sectors of our society.

Today as we think of joining his brother on Saturday, 9^th May, 2015, who will be leading the Mutharika family and the entire nation at Ndata farm where he is sleeping peacefully, it’s that time we reflect on the life and times of Bingu. What he achieved for this country that he loved so much. As a human being he might have made some judgemental errors, but they can never put to rest the Bingu legacy. They can never take away his dream that keeps living up to this very day.

Here was a man who was so committed to changing the face of this country. Who made us become proud of being called Malawians. For once we smiled each time people called us Malawians.

History can never be erased!

Till we meet again!