MALAWI PRESS REVIEW AUGUST 2007
From Centre For Social Concern (see our house)

News clippings with analysis
From the Major newspapers
in Malawi

Compiled by the
Center for Social Concern (CFSC)
Box 40049 Lilongwe 4
Area 25
Next to St. Francis Parish
Tel: 01 715 632

LIST OF NEWSPAPERS REVIEWED

Daily Times, Malawi News, The Weekly News, The Nation,
The Weekend Nation, The Guardian, The Sunday Times, The Chronicle,
Nation on Sunday,

PREVIEW

At long last members of parliament shelved their political differences to discus the 2007/2008 national budget. Leaders of different political parties in the month commended government for coming up with a pro-poor budget.

Malawi's economy has been praised by donors who feel it is on the right track. Coming after 10 years of mismanagement, the three years of president Bingu wa Mutharika have seen domestic debt being dropped by 25%.

Government came under attack from several experts who feel it is not right to sell maize to Zimbabwe when people in some districts in the country are starving. But government has even gone a step further to donate maize to Lesotho and Swaziland.

The civil society spoke at length about the political impasse that Malawi experienced following the National Assembly's conduct. The parliamentarians felt discussion of the budget would hinder deliberation on the budget.

Cases of witchcraft are still on the high side. This situation is more worrying because the perpetrators are now targeting innocent children who allegedly are being taught the 'trade'.

The education sector is continuously in problems of shortage of materials. Among others teaching and learning materials for pupils with learning difficulties are hard to come by. The situation needs urgent attention.

The nation is silently losing some of its young citizens to rabies. The disease has a known cure and the Ministry of Health has been blamed for negligence. A lot has to be done for Malawians to access treatment whenever they visit health facilities.

Following press reports on gender based violence people are now aware of the domestic violence bill. Cases of domestic violence that were published in newspapers have made people realise the existence of different forms of gender based violence, This has resulted in people reporting whenever they have fallen victim of some form of this violence.

POLITICS

Press reports in the month of August revealed that former president Dr Bakili Muluzi made some surprising utterances concerning his political career at a rally in Mwanza district. Muluzi has been telling people that he will try to work through thick and thin to make sure that he ousts Mutharika in the year 2009. It was in black and white and everyone knew that he was going to stand in the next general election come 2009. But recent speeches like the one he made in Mwanza have shown that he will finally retire for good. The announcement is a sign for the party that democracy is prevailing and it now lives up to what it preaches. Will Muluzi anoint another person who is going to stand as a presidential candidate in the next general election?

While the opposition members of Parliament have managed to hold Malawians at ransom since June 29, discussions took a sudden turn for the better on Wednesday afternoon, August 15 when members started to discuss the 2007/2208 national budget. Spokespersons for finance committees in MCP and UDF Respicious Dzanjalimodzi and Friday Jumbe respectively congratulated the Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe for a job well done. They told the House that Malawi has been declared the third best performer in the SADC countries after Angola and Mozambique. But they requested the Finance Minister to increase constituency development fund from K2 million to K5 million if the 2007/8 budget was to be called pro-poor. It is only in that way that the opposition can be sure to reap some of the so called benefits of development. On the other hand, some observers have shown some scepticism on the proposal saying it is subject to abuse by the MPs and some haven't even used the 2 million which was voted in the past budget year.

According to media reports some quarters of society have labelled president Bingu wa Mutharika as a dictator following his latest outbursts against the opposition. Mutharika whose government has always had tough rides in parliament lashed out at leaders of the opposition saying they are responsible for the political tension that the country is experiencing. It takes two to tangle. Mutharika on the other hand is equally to blame. The fact that president Mutharika and the opposition are failing to solve their differences through dialogue can safely be said to be the reason behind the political impasse. At one of his rallies the president threatened to close parliament if Members of Parliament failed to start deliberating on 2007/2008 budget. But Mutharika has denied being a dictator.

A lot has happened in the month of August ranging from injunctions to petitions. All this came about because of the political situation that saw the National Assembly being adjourned for more than 3 times in a row. This pattern meant there was no discussion on passing the 2007/2008 national budget. Such a scenario provoked different reactions from various sectors of the society. Some civil society organisations and university students staged demonstrations aiming at forcing parliamentarians to pass the national budget. To some the national budget is what directly concerns the masses rather than section 65. Who exactly does the society blame for the current political situation? Is there anything that could be done to avoid a repetition of this in future?

So the popular Section 65, which the Speaker to declare vacant the seats of MPs who are deemed to have crossed the floor (changed their party for another than the one that voted them in) has been put on hold. This is a surprising turn of events considering the way the whole issue was being handled in the past. One moment they were making us believe that Section 65 is exactly what they wanted to prioritise. Now all of a sudden they make an announcement that they are no longer tackling the issue and instead will deliberate on the budget. Whatever the case commentators feel priority should have been given to the budget a long time ago because the delay is what has fuelled the increase in political tension in the country.

New Republican Party president Gwanda Chakwamba stunned the nation when he begged Malawi Congress Party leader John Tembo to become running mate to former president Dr Bakili Muluzi. According to press reports Chakuamba who has encouraged Muluzi in his bid to come back as president, stood at a political rally and asked Honourable John Tembo to become Muluzi's running mate should the latter stand in the 2009 general elections. Some political commentators have wondered why Chakuamba who is seen as an enemy of Tembo all of a sudden decided to work with the MCP leader. It remains a mystery why Chakuamba who some analysts have described as a fading star in political circles chose to say these words when the country least expected it.

ECONOMY

Economic experts continue to show their scepticism over the current political state of affairs. It seems the delays in passing the budget will have a bad impact on the economy. Just when both the donor and local communities were thinking that the country's economy is back on track things have started going the wrong way. Reports have shown that government needs to have a full budget so that its operations are done to the satisfaction of the masses. The fact that there are disagreements on whether the house should deliberate on the budget has left some executives wondering where this will take us as a country. It would have been wiser if all arms of government worked together so that the economy can improve for the better.

Along the same lines observers have noted that the stand off in the budget is going to influence the cost of living. It has never happened in the history of Malawi for parliament to keep adjourning without passing the budget. However recent developments at the National Assembly have given hope to Malawians because legislators have started deliberating on the budget. It remains a mystery whether the political tension will ease down. What the country desperately needs is a budget so that developmental work can continue in earnest.

The country's macroeconomic performance continues to improve more and more. During the month of august, reports indicated that the country's domestic debt had dropped by 25% over a period of 3 years. This is attributed to an improvement in revenue collections.

During the same month opposition members of parliament finally agreed to debate on the budget, automatically ruling out fears reported in the media that the delay in passing the budget would negatively affect the currently stable inflation rate.

Commercial banks also responded positively to the Central Bank's reduction in bank rate from 20% to 17.5%. Initially the commercial banks, except for NBS Bank, were reluctant to reduce their interest rates. The Consumers Association CAMA raised concerns of their customers. The drop in interest rate has given prospective Malawian business people an opportunity of borrowing at an affordable interest rate. During the same month the exchange rate continued to be very stable with the United States Dollar selling at K139 at major commercial banks. These good macroeconomic developments continue to improve the country's foreign investment climate.

FOOD SECURITY

Recent revelations from president Mutharika seem to have left certain quarters doubting whether the current food situation is going to last. It is not a secret that Malawians can now afford a smile following two successive years of bumper yields. But then are these smiles going to remain on the faces for long. President Mutharika is reported to have made maize donations to the governments of Swaziland and Lesotho. Surprisingly past press reports had disclosed that people in Nsanje, Chikwawa and Karonga risk starvation. It should be noted that the mentioned districts were hit by floods hence their harvest was not that much. Are we not going towards the same scenario as to what happened in 2002 when maize was sold to Kenya and Malawians were left to starve? We all need to do some soul searching so that we maintain the current food security status.

At times it is difficult to believe that some people are starving when everybody is talking about Malawi being a food secure country. It goes without saying that although there is plenty of food in the country, a number of people still do not have enough in their homes. This is evidenced by news reports that people scrambled for rotten maize seeds. To make matters worse reports indicate others were planning to plant the rotten seeds despite being told that there is no chance of such seeds germinating. If people cannot afford to buy seeds for their gardens, then the levels of poverty in Malawi could possibly be deeper than what is reported. It is obvious that not everyone in the country has enough food and at the same time it reveals that not everyone can manage to buy seeds.

The distribution of fertilizer coupons came under heavy attack once again. Unlike in the past this sitting of parliament saw government being scrutinised for the way it handled the subsidised fertlizer. A number of MPs expressed worries that not too many people in their constituencies had access to the coupons. This system failed many hard working farmers to buy cheap fertilizers. Against this background some observers have advised the government to evaluate the fertilizer subsidy programme so that the mistakes that were made in the past should not be repeated. It has been noted that government distributed fertilizers coupons to people who are democratic Progressive Party members while sidelining those from the opposition. The central region can arguably be called Malawi's food basket but politically belongs to the opposition. Politics should not play a part in fertilizer coupon distribution. They are not be used for patronage!

CIVIL SOCIETY AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS

The fights in some churches continue despite concerns from their members. In the Anglican Church, one of the oldest churches, members of the church are still divided on the issue of appointing a bishop who is known for backing gay unions. Some members feel such a person should not be allowed to do pastoral work in Malawi. To some Anglicans having a church leader who backs homosexuality is against their faith. The issue has sown division as evidenced by press reports. On the other hand the wrangle between the two synods of the Church of Central African Presbyterian CCAP continues. The Nkhoma and Livingstonia Synods have been at loggerheads quarrelling over borders for the past 40 or so years. As if the two cases are not enough some pastors in other churches are alleged to have embezzled funds. Whatever happened to the church as a sacred place!

Other commentators have expressed concern over the conduct of some Non Governmental Organisations NGOs that exploit orphans. Experience has shown that some NGOs ask for funds from donors in the name of orphans. Strangely the money ends up in the NGOs pockets and the orphans continue to suffer. This is what has prompted some traditional leaders to question NGOs. Such reports do not reflect well on what is expected of NGOs who are a 'voice of the voiceless'. No doubt the traditional leaders have expressed their concern on the matter because they are the eyes of the grassroots where the orphans live and know the situation.

President Mutharika's utterances at public meetings also met with the civil society's wrath. The Public Affairs Committee Pac condemned the president for his continued attacks on the opposition. The committee feels Mutharika, as the first citizen should always avoid hate language and should not blame the opposition for everything that has gone wrong. Instead he should speak in a way that helps in bringing peace to the masses. Mutharika and his predecessor have not seen eye to eye ever since the former came to power. In fact recent reports have revealed that the two stopped talking to each other way before the 2004 general elections. Indeed such a situation demands that both parties accept that there is a big problem that needs to be solved.

As watchdogs the civil society this month continued with their 'stop EPA' Economic Partnership Agreement campaign. Civil Society groups think that as a poor nation Malawi will not benefit by signing the agreement. Signing it means, that a lot of cheap foreign products will flood the markets. Experts have shown that this would mean our own local products would have to compete with the cheap foreign goods. The result is obvious; the local merchandise will suffer and some local business people will be forced to close down. Not being able to raise revenue from tariffs will reduce the income Malawi up to now gets from these. Therefore a heavier burden will need to be imposed on the pay as you earn category. This is one of the issues that has shown civil society as having teeth and not just as watchdogs. Recently the organisations also had a bone to pick with the government over the signing of the Uranium mining project at Kayerekera in Karonga District.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL LIFE

As the Malawi press continues to be choked by witchcraft stories, there have been calls for a law that will make people think twice before they get involved in such practices. Daily newspapers in recent weeks have carried stories on witchcraft especially about people who are alleged to be involved in teaching it to children. Surprisingly most of the people accused to be involved are old people and often devoted Christians. One might think that as a God fearing nation, witchcraft should be a thing of the past.

Recently some children in Zomba confessed to have been taught the trade by older women. To the shock of Zomba Diocese Bishop Msusa, the children actually saw the "teacher" in broad daylight threatening the innocent souls. As if this is not enough "the little witches" made it known that they also attempted to kill their biological parents. Gone are the days when stories of witchcraft were scarce. Today a child can surprise you by confessing that they know how human meat tastes. As some Members of Parliament said: the issue of witchcraft should come out in the open so that the better side of it, if at all there is any, could be given a chance in the society. Other people have had their houses torched down on suspicion that they are witches. Giving in to this belief without much reflection can lead good people to mob justice and the punishing of innocents.

Experts have shown that it is difficult to prove that one is a witch or wizard. It remains a mystery as to what has provoked all of sudden this outbreak of 'witch-hunting'. As one parliamentarian said there may be a need to put laws that would safeguard innocent children from being forced into the trade.

While it is widely believed that these children are taught witchcraft without their consent, there is need for deep research on the issue. At the moment it looks as if we have an outbreak of accusations. Is this not also a 'sign of the times' which asks for great discernment? Why all of a sudden now? Is it a way of trying to cope with the pressures of modern life and the many illnesses, premature deaths that we see all around us?

During the second constitutional review conference some members proposed a law that would recognise the existence of witchcraft. They mention that even in hospitals it is difficult to diagnose illnesses when witchcraft is involved. The non-recognition of witchcraft might have been applicable at the time the constitution was first put into place. But now the allegedly increasing number of witchcraft cases is a reason enough to recognise there is a big problem and some laws might need to be put in place.

Rather than going back to the mabvi ordeals of the past, Christian churches should teach that the power of good is always stronger than the power of evil. Once more how is it that witchcraft accusations are increasing when we have so many churches around. Wouldn't it have been the duty of men and women of God to help people to discern and find a Christian response to it? If they had would it have come to the following: in Kasungu prayers were stopped because they allegedly failed to stop a fire that was caused by witches. Those who trade in human body parts are (may be justifiably so) called witches. But is calling everything that is bad witchcraft going to help us deal with the problem? Perhaps what Malawi needs is divine intervention?

EDUCATION

Although earlier press reports had shown that the enrolment of pupils in primary schools is on the higher side, recent reports have shown that the number of dropouts is also increasing. Among other things girls and boys in lower classes leave school because of the poor learning environment. The fact that some pupils learn under trees has also contributed to the dropout rate of pupils in primary schools. Changes in the weather pattern force some students to stay at home than go to school because learning under trees becomes very hard when it is raining. Statistics show that more that half of the girls that enrol for primary school education leave school before reaching standard 5. Now wonder not too many people in the country know how to read and write.

Human rights experts in the country have asked the ministry of education to consider adding human rights education in the school curriculum. This proposal came mainly because it was observed that not too many people know their human rights. Even to differentiate between one's rights and privileges becomes so difficult. With this entire situation the Malawi Human Rights Commission feels these issues should be part of the syllabus so that pupils are aware of what their rights are.

The ministry of education came under attack from the special needs education. Reports have shown that the ministry has failed in the special needs education by not providing the sector with enough materials. It is reported that people with learning difficulties are not given enough attention in classes instead teachers concentrate on normal pupils. Among other things teachers have problems teaching pupils with learning difficulties because of the inavailability of learning and teaching materials. IT should be noted that as citizens of Malawi each and every pupil should have access to education. Lack of learning materials should not hinder some deserving students from gaining knowledge.

Some years ago distant learning was the best option for people who fail to get selected to secondary schools. By then the Malawi College of Distant Education MCDE used to have good and adequate learning and teaching materials that made distant learning a bit simpler. To add to this some students excelled from the MCDE's and went to the University of Malawi. But today the situation is not the same as people have now changed their mindset and distant learning is longer attractive. It is stopped being looked at as the first choice of getting secondary education when one has not been selected to go to secondary schools. Sources have admitted that the MCDE's do not have adequate funding, as result there is shortage of learning and teaching materials. Such a scenario forces teachers to leave hence the shortage of teaching staff. It should be noted that the situation needs concerted efforts if MCDE's are to be redeemed

HEALTH

A health ministry in any country, poor or rich ought to be one of the key ministries. It should not only be a key ministry in that it gets a lion's share of the annual budget, but it should also deliver to its citizens a great deal of the country's requirements. Sadly it isn't the case in Malawi where according to media reports this month the whole Central Queen Elizabeth Hospital could not afford a single anti-rabies vaccine. As a result a five-year girl Chifundo Januale lost her life after being bitten by a rabid dog. One clinical officer at the referral hospital and another at Ndirande Health Centre said they had no vaccines in stock. One nurse at the health centre advised Chifundo's grandmother to treat the wound with salt water. It is shocking to learn that while Chifundo was writhing with pain at the referral hospital, in fact the vaccine ought to have been in stock because reports indicate, at least on paper, that delivery had just been made. Chifundo's needless death has awakened the government to launch a massive hunt for stray dogs in the country.

More media reports show seven people have died of rabies after being bitten by mad dogs in Mulanje district. These are data available to the press but for sure there are many more rabies related deaths in the rural areas that are not known to the newspapers. In the early years of independent in Malawi there was an annual campaign to kill stray dogs. The faster this is revived the better to save innocent lives.

Tsetse flies have invaded Rumphi district and have claimed 18 lives from sleeping sickness. Media reports indicate 132 others are under treatment. While sleeping sickness is a curable disease, it is the delay to seek treatment that is a great contributing factor to what is a preventable death. The spread of tsetse flies is dangerous enough to alert the rest of the country.

In addition to the many constant media reports, the HIV and Aids killer disease has not escaped coverage this month. According to National Aids Commission data, 30,000 Malawian babies were born with HIV and Aids virus last year. Currently Malawi has a prevalence HIV infection rate of 14 percent. Many pregnant women are not willing to go for HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing either because they are afraid of the consequences especially when they are married or because they still believe that being HIV positive means death is knocking at the door.

Male circumcision is gaining momentum in the country, as it is widely believed it reduces HIV transmission. Recent reports suggest male circumcision can in fact reduce transmission by as much as 67 percent. If this proves to be true does this then mean that the government should make it mandatory for all male persons to be circumcised?

There is reason enough to smile on hearing the news that a new drug known as Coartem to treat malaria will soon be available, thanks to President George Bush's Malaria Initiative. Media reports say the new drugs are worth US$10 million and the program will run for one year. If it proves effective, surely the government ought to do all it can to purchase some more Coartem taking into account that Malaria is Malawi's biggest killer disease?

ENVIRONMENT

Environmental reports in the month of August took a new focus. Unlike in the past when all the talk was about deforestation and charcoal making, this time around reporters took some time off the trees and spoke about having a safe environment. It has been noted that the duty to make a safe environment lies in the hands of the people living around the area. Press reports have shown that some areas are highly polluted because of toxic chemicals that were dumped anyhow.

In the way the Blantyre City assembly cleaned the riverbanks of some rivers in the city. Against this background people in the lakeshore district of Mangochi at Chembe village also removed debris on the beach of Lake Malawi. Indeed such areas need to be kept clean so that the water is free from any toxic substances. It is common knowledge that dirty water is not good for fish breeding. Therefore the cleaning of the beach and the waters of the lake is a commendable job that others should emulate.

It seems despite all the sensitisation that concerned organisations have advocated for in the fight against deforestation people have continued to cut trees. Some people feel they have every right to access forest products. This kind of thinking has left mountains bare. Other sectors have attributed the continued cutting down of trees to the absence of other means of energy. Charcoal traders cut down trees so that they make money to keep body and soul together. On the other hand the charcoal sellers cannot stop cutting down trees because they are 100% sure there is a ready market for their charcoal. Similarly the buyers have no other cheaper means of getting energy so charcoal and firewood seem to be the only way. Although there are other options like using gel fuel and briquettes to change people's mindset to start using the above things has proved to be a hard nut to crack. There is need for concerted efforts if Malawi's forests are to be saved. Recent reports have disclosed that refugees have also joined the bandwagon. Surprisingly these asylum seekers are reported to be fuelling deforestation. More needs to be done before the situation gets out of hand.

Uranium mining at Kayerekera in Karonga district continues to enjoy public attention and press coverage. The issue has also caused some hot debates between civil society and the government. Recently press reports have shown that the issue has taken a new twist with the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA distancing itself from government's claims that the body authorised mining of Uranium. So it is alleged that government officials took it upon themselves and went ahead with the project. Whatever the case the NGOs feel government should have done its homework before venturing into such a project.

GENDER

The month of August saw a number of women organisations being involved in condemning attacks on some female Members of Parliament. Press reports in the month under review disclosed that University students attacked 2 female United Democratic Front Members of Parliament when they marched to the national assembly. It is not clear why women MPs were the ones that were targeted. However it is surprising to note that to date no one has claimed responsibility for the assaults. It is the general feeling that every citizen is entitled to security. Such attacks should be prevented at all costs.

Gender activists commended the media for a job well done in sensitising the masses on domestic violence. Reports have shown that following the news items that appeared in the papers most people now know some forms of domestic violence. It seems in the past many never knew that they were being violated against. To add salt to the wound, these cases were not being reported and people were suffering in silence. Thanks to reporters and their pens and other activists Malawi has a domestic violence law and the abused are assured of some redress when they report the cases. Evidence has shown that it is mainly women and children who feel the pangs of gender-based violence. Therefore there is a need for continued awareness on the issues.

On the other hand some men have reservations over gender issues. They think the whole movement is there to victimise men. Reports of women being victorious in gender based violence cases have left men thinking gender movements exist only to favour females. Although this is so, press reports reveal that there is another group of men that have managed to adopt the whole issue of equality and have changed some of the things. Malawi needs more men like that.

Government's efforts in having many women in decision-making position can only be achievable with concerted efforts from all stakeholders. One of the key factors is education. There is no way authorities can consider having a woman in decision making position when the woman did not go to school. According to Vice President Cassim Chilumpha, women should take advantage of the free primary school education. Chilumpha who has not spoken for some time urged Muslim women not to sit back but aspire for decision-making positions. There is nothing that can stop women from grabbing top positions if they are educated.

Center for Social Concern (CFSC)
Box 40049 Lilongwe 4
Area 25
Next to St. Francis Parish
Tel: 01 715 632
jkuppens@malawi.net -