malawi elections

simk · Newbie

malawi elections

Akhibula · Member

"....to show an emotion of any kind is a sign of weakness........"
who said that?

simk · Newbie

i dont know who said it, but i dont see it as a weakness, we are all seeing whats happeing in our country, somebody has to have a say whether positive or negative. i want to hear comments of any nature on this issue.

Observer · Member

Honestly, I dont give a **** about who rules Malawi because they are all the same (Kamuzu, Bakili, Gwanda, tembo, Malewezi, Bingu etc). By being all the same I mean no one really cares about the plight of the common man. They are just power hungry maniacs seeking to boost their egos and personal wealth/fortune.

However I feel there are a lot of people who need to drop out of politics and let others try to compete for the presidency. Gwanda, Tembo and Chakufwa fall in this category. No matter what they do, these morons will never become president of Malawi. They are denying their parties a chance at winning the presidential seat by holding on to the leadership position. I wear a size 13 shoe and I would be more than willing to give them a freaking kicking in the rump.

The key to ending all this senseless and irrisponsible political behaviour is to reduce the illiteracy levels. I am sure if more rural people got more fundamental education, they would realise that they are being taken for a freaking joyride by being coaxed with 5 kg bags of maize and all the free banter that the politicians give during the campaign period. Malawians easily forget about all their other hardships when they get a few miserable "freebies".

Now, where the hell is that Kamlepo fella. At least that chap used to tell the truth during his campaigns. He used to exercise his right to free speech pretty well. He might have been a loose cannon but at least he used to talk some sense.

mamacita · Member

I am a woman and so emotions are an integral part of my being -- the way God intended for woman to be. But that doesn't mean that I am neither objective nor lacking in common sense. It's a matter of knowing when those emotions should be allowed to surface and when they should not be.

That said...Malawi elections this year leave a lot to be desired. I am not taking sides with anyone, but it sure doesn't make sense to me that the party with the highest number of parliamentary seats didn't get the presidential seat. Are they trying to say that those same people who voted for a certain MP changed their minds about a president of the same party? No offense intended, but I don't think Malawians think in that complex manner.

Just my 2 cents...kudos

Mbili_Ku_Njanji · Member

Contrary to some people, I do care about who rules Malawi coz I have personal interest in her. I think we have been taken for a bumpy and muddy ride that might not end soon. The election results are proof of poor Democracy at its best.

Either Democracy is not for us, or we do not understand it. I am talking about those in power and those who are looked up to for guidance. I have four Uncles that belong to four different parties, and whenever they meet we always expect fist fighting amongst themselves. See, when one watches american politicians debating on CNN one sees so much respect towards each other regardless of their parties. They might be at loggerhead on air but will drink coffee and share jokes thereafter. That is what is needed in Malawi. Our leaders do not love each other. They want to cut each other's throats. They are supposed to love, respect and support each other, then they will do likewise to their people. They have to understand that they belong to different parties coz of different principles not to cut the other's throat or for money.

USA is a great country but it took years to be where it is now, the leaders had to swallow their egos and came together for the benifit of their country and built strong democracy foundation. Democracy in Malawi is being built on a very very weak foundation.

Thatha ndine,

Ku Maliro kuli Nkhani aka Zuze Chilombo Chapamudzi aka Mbili Kunjanji

Whats up Mamacita, Nabarro Samora, Whoodin and Khibo!

ree · Newbie

First, to observer, you are sad to think that you are too busy critisizing people who are trying to change MLW. Whatever gives you the right to say Kamuzu was like the rest of them let's me know you are shallow and have no understanding of anything happening in mlw. so your two cents, keep to yourself. Kamuzu did so much to than country than anyother person.

I am devastated by these elections. It has made me realise that MLW will never be the same and that is so sad. We will in five years be the poorest country in the world. I mean in ten years we came from being one of the well to do DEVELOPING countries in africa to one of the poorest and as we see the trend we will be the poorest. What annoys me the most is how UDF can get away with so much theft and all these So called educated law makers in MLW sit around with their arms folded. Do you people kno the price of Fertilizer is K2000 a bag? that means 80% of mlwians cannot afford the one thing that helped them in the past, farming. Leading to the hunger that has been going on the past 3 years. My heart goes out to those 80% villagers who have nothing and will not have anything in years to come. people are actually dying because of hunger. Have you ever been hungry? so imagine someone giving up thE ghost because of hunger. People drink therere for breakfast lunch and dinner. Who can farm and work in those conditions?

And then on the issue of economy! it will get worse! people think mlw is prospering because there is mwaiwathu hosp. and shoprite and places like those. So people go around claiming Buluzi has brought out chitukuko when those places have nothing to do with the govt. but are privately owned. And companies outside MLW will only invest in a few private companies that look like they have potential but not the govt. so basically we are messed up for another 5 years cause there will be no aid and things will only get worse.

on education, it has gotten worse, i feel bad for public schools because conditions have detiorated, the govt. closes them when they feel the need and people are not getting educated. So the free education we hungered for means nothing now since it have not materials to help suceed.

What to do now that we see what a messed up country we have? almost makes me wish for the days of Kamuzu, we did not have democracy but atleast people were not dying of hunger, your money value had meaning, education meant something in MLW and outsiders actually wanted to invest. We wanted democracy so much but not we can't even exercise it cause we do not know how to or when to and when we make the attempt to do so, Buluzi's police are killing us off. Oh yeah Bingu is a also a puppet for Buluzi so we are simply messed and i leave you with a quote from MC Hammer "we need to pray just to make it todat, I saY we PRAY'

simk · Newbie

i am pretty impressed with the discussion,but from the way i see it, that country needs serious action else its gonna collapse like crazy. what kind of country is just a consumer country, we cant even produce enough eggs and tomatoes, we have to import those things. this is a damn sad state, we all want to be proud of our malawian heritage but damn is sad to say it out loudly now that 'im a malawian and im proudof it.' this is what saddens me. one time a friend of mine asked me what the hell can we say comes out of malawi that we are proud of, all i cld remember was weed and witch craft. seriously sad. we claim to have a beautiful country and yet we dont exploit it, our tourism effort is insignificant in comparison to other countries. why does it have to be expensive to holiday in malawi that in south africa, en thats why south africa creates an annual average revenue to the tune of $10billion coz they have strategy.

all im saying is, at the end of the day i dont care who rules the country, but he has to make sure that there are drastic changes, so that some of us one day, will put our heads up and stand high and proud to call ourselves malawians.

Jane Doe · Member

This whole elections thing doesnt bother me...I mean really! If Kobe or Kubwalo or what ever his name is, is the president? SO what!! It really doesnt make a difference in my life..and i dont see how it makes a difference in yours....Most of yo'll are so far away from home anyhow!
Let it be...
I hope that lying son of something i wont mention excuse of a president we had gets whats really coming to him...!!

mamacita · Member

Jane Doe, unlike you some people have plans of going back to Malawi and so do care about what is going on. Not only that, but also the fact that our families are wallowing in Malawian misery as we speak and if they are miserable, then we are miserable too.

But that aside, the fact remains that as educated and hopefully better exposed Malawians, we should take an interest in that which has brought us to the point where we are. Education is at its lowest, hunger -- koma inu anthu amakhalira kudya mango awisi kumudzi uku!

As for Free Education: they shouldn't have rushed the process. Kamuzu knew what he was doing when he took a gradual approach to it. He knew that you just couldn't do it overnight. This should never have become a political issue because look at what has happened to the country now. It used to be that anyone finishing STD 8 could converse somewhat in English. Now, forget it. If they can say hello, that is something in itself.

Kunjanji, I have to agree with you on the fact that Malawi has no idea what a 'civilized' democracy is all about. There is truly no respect for each other whatsoever. Professionals get kicked out of positions because they are affiliated with the wrong party -- what a shame. How in the world are we going to progress if we remove professionals and replace them with someone less qualified, but with party affiliations. That is being very stupid if I do say so myself.

What to do...what to do!!

Big up to Kunjanji...it's been a long time

Just my 2 cents...kudos

ree · Newbie

Jane Doe I take pride in my country and it bothers me who is president because he is the foundation of our country. If you do not care much for your country that is your buzz but I have relatives who live in MLW, I am not there now but I visit ever so often year so it does affect me. So may be you will never go back but I will in a few years, so when I go back there should be some opportunities.

At the end of the day the aid that we could get is contingent on who the president is. If we get some illmannered peopel like Buluzi and co. international investors will not help us. Right now we are in dire need, I repeat DIRE need of aid otherwise, we are done for. That country I once was proud of will be nothing, infact it will be nonexistant. Where if things keep detiorating, will I open my shops and hospitals and those big companies? If I were some of you I would start caring because your generations upon generations, lineage upon lineage from where your success was build upon is still there.

Jane Doe · Member

As a matter of fact I'm not that far away from Malawi so I’m there almost every now and then...That’s why I'm just giving u my perspective from the way I see the situation.
It's easy to say...'yea, lets support Malawi' and yea 'lets try and make it better' ‘oh the educational standards are poor” REALLY okes, The fact that this person is in presidential power means something obviously Koma the way I see it is, I don’t make a difference in their life, they are just looking out for their own selfish needs, I really doubt the people in them high places give a dogs tooth about the rest of us, Why should I really care what they do...Andi thandiza bwanji??
It’s too late for hope!
And Yea maybe the whole political issue doesn’t tickle my fancy, and…?? I am allowed to my own opinion right??

ree · Newbie

Jane doe, you are missing the point, it is not that we care about what he does casue he is a mess anyways, we care about the people that have been affected by this first hand. Yeah they do not care about the rest of mlwians, but what can I do to help! A whole lot. What you are saying is that we should just sit here and wallow in the fact that buluzi and his boy have won again! But we can't, the more we talk about this, the more we are likely to find some way to help the country. not through the govt. but around it, so you and your non caring self keep your opinion cause that is really yours to keep. Let us go on discussing this in hopes this could influence change.

mamacita · Member

I think some wise thinker said it best when he stated (and I am not quoting directly but...) for evil to triumph, all it takes is for good men to do nothing.

If we are complacent and are happy with the status quo; if we don't strive to have better lives, then we will never improve our social status -- and that IS very sad.

Sungani · Veteran Member

We all make choices bad or good but for me its Bingu. Just because some of you don't like him then dont make us sympathise with you. Even the last USA presidential elections there were some disputes so give the man the benefit of a doubt.

His profile:

http://allafrica.com/stories/200405040339.html

mamacita · Member

I don't think this is about choices (yes, we all have them and have a right to them), but even so, let us not fail to look at the situation OBJECTIVELY. And the truth of the matter is that Malawian political leaders do not have INTEGRITY! I doubt that they have even heard of the word.

Our ex-president...goodness, where do I start. We all know the stories.

Our current one...has a better profile, but his getting the seat of power has been tainted with dishonesty. Integrity would call for someone to require from those around him and working for him HONESTY in all their dealings.

The opposition...each one of them has so many ISSUES this forum doesn't have space to cover.

If Malawi continues at this rate, we are headed for worse than Zimbabwe. Our young people would have been exposed to dishonesty at the highest level and their dealings, whether personally or in business will reflect such. Remember that the repercutions for our behavior and choices today can go years beyond what we expect.

ree · Newbie

I miss Dr. Hastigs KAMUZU Banda.

I cannot understand anyone who would support Bingu, My family has first hand dibbs with UDF and even though he stayed he didn't agree with Bingu being president. Because as most of us see it he is a puppet, for someone who is any MP to say agree on this note, there is something wrong. Ofcourse my uncle is in it for the money and he is not ashamed to say so, He knows that winning elections is like winning the lottery because with this title (in MLW) it means having no responsibility. So excuse me for not agreeing with whoever things Bingu could be the man, he is simply a puppet who won the lottery.

I am not saying that the opposition would have done an exceedingly good job, no I am simply thinnking outside the Box, Someone told that doing the same things over and over and expecting different results is a sign of insanity. Same applies here, allowing UDF to run the country over and over again expecting an improvement in our infrastructure is a sign of madness. But some how I think this will work out in favour of the opposition, since they have merged and have collectively an outstanding number of MPs they might be able to influence change. Maybe not the change we wont but atleast it will be harder for UDF to get away with things that they did before.

Sungani · Veteran Member

quote:

Originally posted by:
"I miss Dr. Hastigs KAMUZU Banda.

There are some people who up to now think that Adolf Hitler was the greatest leader and so was Mobutu Seseko or Kamuzu Banda. A year or two from now some will also start saying that they miss Bakili Muluzi such is how mother nature made us to be: we easily forget the past. I don't miss Dr Banda simply because me and my family felt his wrath. Maybe you and your family were some of the few favoured and fortunate ones who enjoyed the "messiah's" glory, unfortunately thats not my story. I am not going to say what me and my family went through and I am sure there thousands with similar experiences such as Gwanda, Aleke, Brown just to mention a few.

ree · Newbie

u know what sungani you have issues, i am not saying that Kamuzu was any messiah or whatever! don't just start saying stuff without havign an understanding of those things. Truthfully, I was not favoured by Kamuzu but I know that we needed a leader like him to set us apart, we were controlled but people had food, jobs and could get an education. Malawi is a third world country with 80% illiteracy, instead of making things better Buluzi made them worse and made them work only for his situation. How many MLWians today are grateful for UDF? Less than 40% and the majority of them are only supporters because they were bought off with money, There is no pride in that. Kamuzu might have been a dictator but he knew we could not stand if he did not set standard and he was right.

People are dying, people have no jobs and those who don't have lots of money can't afford a decent education in mlw, and you are telling this, it shows me you are narrow minded and don't like to think ahaead. What Bulizi done for MLW inn the past 10 years? Let me help you out whatever you will tell me don't include Shoprite and Mwaiwathu because those had nothing to do with him so you tell me, what has he done for the people of mlw. Nada! He won the lottery and is stil winning. Did you know that Buluzi was declared bankrupt a month before he became president and in ten years he is one of the richest people in africa, give me a break. You don't see the picture. I mean what thing I have realised is that it is not about me but about that 80% who live under poverty line and they will never moved from the status quo becasue Buluzi has just messed them up. Akuti free primary for everyone, people leave primary school but can't even say a word in English so what are you talking about. This thing is not personal btw buluzi and me but it is the truth.

So ten or fifteen years from now, me and the other 60% and the % is still rising we will ask Buluzi that what ahve you done for me lately?

Sungani · Veteran Member

quote:
Originally posted by:
it shows me you are narrow minded and don't like to think ahaead. What Bulizi done for MLW inn the past 10 years?

Narrow minded, huh? Funny, thats what I thought of you too. I never said that Muluzi (whom you choose to call Buluzi) was a great leader, what I said was that I don't miss Kamuzu because I suffered a great deal under his leadership (so you wanted me to lie to you and everyone else that I had fun during "the life presidents" time?) . I honestly believe that Kamuzu was evil ( thats what I believe and I am not going to give you false stastics like what you did about what other people think). And by the way, where do you get those figures from? Do you just cook them up in your head? Yeah "messiah'" or "mpulumutsi" thats what we used to call him. There was no debate in parliament "zonse zimene munene ife tadzagwirizana nazo" else even positive debates were seen us questioning mpulumutsi's leadership and that could mean rotting in jail or even losing your life. Husbands could not even trust their wives "kamuzu's mbumba" . You could not even build a house on top of hill unless you were ready to go to prison for trying to copy Sanjika Palace. Organisations or clubs could not use the term president for that was reserved for mpulutsi (just like we are not allowed to name ourselves GOd). Dreadlocks, trousers worn by women or earrrings worn by men could land you in jail. Well, the list goes on and on but like I said that typical of human beings we easily forget the past. Go back to 1991 compare how people felt about Kamuzu back then and how they feel about him right now. All that animosity towards him is gone.

Muluzi didn't help Malawi a great deal and I mostly dont have good or kind words for him, he messed up the country BUt Kamuzu was EVIL

Sungani · Veteran Member

Watchout as the drama unfolds: Gwanda joins the government

http://www.nationmalawi.com/articles.asp?articleID=8243