The Dilemma of Mzimba South East Constituents

There is a saying, 'You get what you deserve'. Not very sure if Mzimba South East constituency deserves their member of parliament though. The Nation Newspaper today reports that the MP for the area Rabson Shaba has returned to the Democratic Progressive Party saying he earlier defected to the People's Party because' he was confused during Bingu's funeral'.

There is a place for people of his calibre and it's called a circus. His constituency don't deserve to have a clown representing them, like many other constituents whose parliamentarians are equally 'confused' hopping from one party to another under the guise of confusion, wanting development or whatever other nonsensical excuse.

Some circus is missing it's clowns!

"Blogging is about Freedom"

Sitting on the panel with Soyapi Mumba of Owinna.com (middle) and award winning blogger Kondwani Munthali (right)

That is how Kondwani Munthali, winner of the MISA Malawi Blogger of the Year Award, put it! Blogging is  something he has enjoyed doing though at times it has put him into direct conflict with his work as a journalist of Nation Publications. Kondwani made this revelation at an Introduction to Blogging event organised by the US Embassy in Malawi last week. Together with Soyapi Mumba and myself, Kondwani encouraged the mainly journalism students in attendance to embrace blogging as it gave them the freedom to express themselves, something they may not always be able to do freely when writing for a publication. Soyapi explained how after he had blogged about William Kamkwamba, the world opened up for the young boy from Kasungu and that managed to get an international scholarship.

Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu making a speech

Other contributors on the day included Global Voices editor Victor Kaonga, social commentator Jimmy Kainja, Ministry of Health spokesperson Henry Chimbali and Kumbukani Kuntiya who runs Malawi2014  on Twitter. The students had a lot of questions on how to start blogging and best practices.

Grace Nachiola making her presentation

The event was earlier opened by the Charge d'Affaires Lisa Vickers who stressed the importance of social media and blogging. Later the Minster of Information Moses Kunkuyu encouraged Malawians to use social media as it provided an alternative to the mainstream media. US Embassy's Grace Nachiola also gave a presentation on the background to Social Media highlighting key statistics of its growth, influence and use especially by the youthful members of society.

Blogging in practice

After the discussions and presentations the journalism students went through a practical session of creating blogs of their own.

Ghana: Democracy at work

My heart goes out to the people of Ghana on the death of their president John Atta Mills. My congratulations go to John Dramani Mahama on his assumption of the high office and wish him all the best in running the country.

Malawi, or rather a certain section of the country’s political class need to take a lesson in democracy from our friends in the west. The country managed a smooth transition of power within hours of the death of their head of state. It was a simple act of following what the constitution clearly states without any pointless need for legal interpretations. 

Of course the lesson is one for a whole lot of other country’s too!

DPP on Joyce Banda's 100 days

I am not one to listen to much radio but today was an exception. I happened to listen to three different interviews on three different radio stations with three different politicians but all from one political party, the Democratic Progressive Party.


First up was an early Radio Maria interview with Nicholas Dausi who, if I recall correctly, is the new spokesperson for the party. In his usual fashion, Dausi was all emotional screaming down the microphone. For once he was not showing off with any fancy English nor was he quoting Socrates but as usual he was being very economical with the truth. When asked about the first 100 days of Joyce Banda’s presidency he claimed there is nothing positive to point out. All he has seen are dismissals and arrests. He mentioned Matilda Katopola, Alexious Nampota and I think Christoper Ngwira to drive home his point.


Later in the day on Zodiak’s Tiuzeni Zoona programme Peter Mutharika, the party’s interim president, was being interviewed. When it came to the question of the president’s performance his response was that 100 days is too short a period to make a fair assessment. He also stated that his aim is to work with the president for the betterment of the country. How sincere that comment is is subject to debate but he at least sounded it.


Capital Radio’s Straight Talk in the evening had secretary general Wakuda Kamanga as it’s guest. When asked about the performance of government his response was similar to Mutharika’s that 100 days is too short to give a proper assessment but went on to say it's been a mixed bag. On the negatives he pointed out the Section 65 stalemate and rise of crime – a relatively fair comment (and a debate for another day). Unfortunately the interviewer never really gave Kamanga a chance to state the positives but at least we know he has seen one or more if my understanding of 'mixed bag' is correct.


What surprises me is why Dausi was foaming at the mouth spitting fire and brimstone. Which Malawi does he live in? Which patch of sand is his head stuck in? Considering the damage the DPP did to this country is it not somewhat of a miracle the country is actually functioning? With details of plunder by the previous government emerging almost weekly I really wonder how long he will maintain his party’s moral high ground.