Whispers of my mind

Taking you through the whispers of my mind. Making known the voices inside me.

Monday, 2 September 2013

The return: Peter Mutharika's communication skills under the microscope part 1.



“People who do not have the talent to speak can be wonderful communicators”, Kevin Hogan. He says it is difficult to effectively communicate if you do not know what you want in the communication. This is where I am having problems to fully understand the debate in town about Arthur Peter Mutharika and his communication skills.


I have been following Peter Mutharika on his campaign trail and analysed the core message of his 2014 comeback bid. In Peter Mutharika I have seen a man who is so passionate about Malawi. I have listened to a man who knows what he is talking about. A man who opens up his mouth to speak only when it’s necessary. He is so brief and straight to the point. 


Talking about his leadership skills; Peter Mutharika has demonstrated his leadership skills in the way he has managed to put together the DPP and make it become the likely party that is poised to form the next government come 2014. After the death of Bingu in April last year, DPP was written off, people jumped ship but Peter Mutharika lived by his words at Ndata “sindikusiyani, I was born here and I will die here”.


During the time of Bingu, Peter Mutharika was overshadowed by some of the lows of his brother. Now that he has to carry himself without any shadows of his brother, the evidence is laid bare on the ground for all to see; a complete leader who is queuing to becoming Malawi’s next president and this is slowly becoming a reality. 


On the same, I have come to realise that those that are intoxicated with Fanta orange are the ones who are having problems to comprehend his messages because they are used listening to some folklores and the “ine ndikuti ine” pronunciations by amayi. Besides, their “amayi” has this ear-splitting and irritating voice that has the potential of damaging your eardrum. I am not surprised that all orange sympathisers have problems in getting right what Peter Mutharika says. They all have got damaged eardrums.


Imagine listening to this;


“Amayi ndi abambo ine ndinali ku chikwawa, kumeneko ndinali mu nyumba ya amayi ujeni awa, ndiye anandikhazika pachiujeni ichi. Inetu pano ndagula mabulangete ndipo ena akubweletsa anthu, nkhalamba mmidzimu muzifunda. Inu mukumudziwa Estere Jekete inu? Ine mayi ake ndakumana nawotu ku Ndirande. Iwe Skeffa Chimoto tayima ndikupatse moni, iwetu umayimba bwino, wandikumbutsa malemu a bamboo anga”


Then you listen to this;


“Lake Malawi belongs to Malawi. The issue of the lake is not negotiable because it’s ours. You don’t negotiate with people that have come to your house to steal from you. You protect your property by being tough, standing up to them as a real man”.


Which one of the two statements makes sense? Peter Mutharika is somebody who wastes no time by going straight to the point. He knows Malawians are suffering therefore all they want is to hear that message of hope. Malawians have got no time to listen to folklores. Malawi is not a kindergarten  

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