Centre For Social Concern Kanengo Malawi/ revue de Presse

As usual the month of June had a fair share of political events. Among other things the president announced a new cabinet that brought in some new faces from the opposition. The cabinet reshuffle that many people had been waiting for came with many surprises. President Mutharika announced a 37-member cabinet among which were 3 opposition Members of Parliament. The president also made some changes that have left people questioning the idea behind the moves. While some appointments have been commended as usual, others have been criticised. Mutharika who promised to appoint people on merit has made some changes that have left people wondering if at all the people newly appointed or moved to the other ministries will deliver. The dropping of Dr. Martin Kansichi at the ministry of trade and industry has left many business people with more questions than answers. This is not the first time Mutharika has dropped a minister who is seen to be performing as evidenced by his earlier decision to remove Eunice Kazembe from the same ministry.

The inclusion of some opposition Members of Parliament in the cabinet has also met mixed reactions from various sectors of the society. Despite the announcement by government that the just announced cabinet is a Government of National Unity (GNU) some parties do not agree. The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) have accused Mutharika of poaching opposition MPs to fill up his party's ranks. Similarly the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has reacted by suspending its MPs for accepting cabinet post offers. This is a clear indication that the party does not see such appointments as constituting a GNU. They have also condemned the president for not consulting with them.

Although some quarters have described the 2 years of Bingu's administration as the best others have chosen to differ with such observations. While some are saying the two years have been successful and full of developments, the UDF have thought otherwise. The UDF spokesperson Sam Mpasu noted the Kamuzu mausoleum as the only development that Mutharika has offered the country in the past 2 years. This contradicts with the analysis and findings of others in the last two years. They think that Malawi has seen the best reforms in the economic and other sectors. The fight against corruption has also been commended as one of Bingu's achievements.

The month also witnessed some political statements from both the opposition and government. The opposition Malawi Congress Party: MCP announced that the president's party the Democratic Progressive Party: DPP is so desperate that it wants to include its president John Tembo in government. However the DPP refuted these statements as mere allegations. With the internal problems that the DPP is reportedly experiencing, some would take such statements seriously and as a sign that of late Mutharika is reported to be having problems in his party.

The announcement by the United Democratic Front UDF about the coming of Dr Bakili Muluzi has caused a stir among some sectors. Immediately after the announcement the UDF announced that it was going to give Muluzi a heroes welcome. On the other hand rumour is circulating that when he finally arrives in the country the Anti Corruption Bureau ACB is going to pounce on him for alleged corruption cases. Although there are rumours of his arrest when he arrives, government has refuted this allegation. However the UDF has announced that it will try its best to protect the party's National Chair Dr Bakili Muluzi.

On a sad note the Malawi nation lost honourable Chakufwa Thom Chihana in the month under review. Dr Chihana who was a founder of the opposition party Alliance For Democracy AFORD died at the Garden City Clinic in South Africa. Late Chihana also served the nation as Second Vice President of the Republic of Malawi during the Muluzi regime. Chihana who was accorded a state funeral is going to be remembered as the one who boldly faced the former president Kamuzu Banda over his dictatorial rule. Although the demise of Chihana has left many questions about AFORD's future, press reports have disclosed the opposite. Recent press reports have shown that some other people who left the party over leadership issues are now willing to rejoin the party. This could be good news to the party that used to be vibrant but has now been left with only one Member of Parliament.

Press reports on the economy observed that the sales of tobacco, Malawi's 'gold' have gone down mainly because of the directive made by president Mutharika. Earlier this year Mutharika made an announcement to tobacco buyers that they should buy the leaf at a reasonable price. This however did not seem to have gone very far as the buyers failed to stick to the prices that were set. In the end the tobacco selling season this year saw a lot of problems among which the closure of the markets at some point in time. To this extent the Standard Group Bank of South Africa disclosed that the directive has affected the tobacco industry badly.

Although some press reports have disclosed that pressure on the Malawi Kwacha is easing, some observers have noted that the results are affecting badly the poor. Economic experts have revealed that Malawi's import cover has gone up from 1.6 months to 1.74 months. Despite the fact that this is good news to especially business people and the private sector, to the poor in the urban and rural areas it does not mean a thing if the prices of goods continue to rise. Reports have shown that the devalued kwacha haunts the poor heavily as they struggle to make ends meet. The poor pay dearly because goods and services become too expensive for the poor to buy. They feel the pinch more dearly than anybody because of their scarce but hard earned cash.

This month the minister of finance Mr Goodall Gondwe unveiled a K138.7 billion national budget. Among other things the agriculture sector got the lion's share with K16.81 billion going to the ministry of agriculture and K2.5 billion to the water and irrigation ministry. This according to the finance minister will help Malawi in its food security programmes and avoid the repetition of last year. The budget has also seen some reforms in tax where the first K6000 earned will be tax-free. The inclusion of proposed reduced tax to the private sector is also a good way of beckoning new investors in the country. To the surprise of many the opposition have hailed the budget as the best despite their earlier threats that they would shoot it down. Perhaps it is because their sitting allowances have been raised by 50% from K8000.00 to K12, 000 a day. Economic experts have labelled the 2006/2007 financial plan as a business oriented budget.

Despite government being optimistic about the economy being on the right track, reports have revealed that Malawi might never have its debt cancelled. This comes amid reports of the country missing International Monetary Fund IMF targets. Malawi is supposed to meet targets under the Poverty Reduction Growth Facility (PRGF). Now it seems that it will not be possible to meet the June targets under the programme. But if Malawi's debt is not cancelled this year the much talked about improvement of the economy will not materialise.

Press reports have revealed that although many farmers have produced a bumper crop this year very few of them sell their crops at local markets. The situation becomes bitter when there is food shortage as the same farmers find it difficult to access food crops because the local markets do not have enough to sell to them in the trying times. Against this background the Initiative for Development and Equity in African Agriculture (IDEAA) has noted that there is need for farmers to avoid cross border trade. While it is true that farmers prefer cross boarder trade for better prices that they are offered there is also need to consider local markets for the sake of the future.

Although some farmers are willing to sell their produce at ADMARC, the situation at the grain markets has forced them to think twice. The Press revealed that as farmers are going to the markets to sell their produce ADMARC does not have enough cash to pay for the produce in large quantities. The farmers who are desperate for money come from the markets very disappointed. This has led to some of them selling the produce to traders who while offering less pay them on the spot. Now this situation is not a healthy one as the same traders will sell the grain to the farmers in times of food shortage at very high prices.

After a couple of months of food shortages, reports have revealed that Malawi and other countries in the SADC region are expected to have bumper yields this year. Such news is good news because if neighbouring countries have a lot of food and some surplus there might be no need for those living in border areas to come and buy food from here. Similarly Malawi's economy will also not be affected by the fact that it will have to use its minimal forex to import the grain from other countries as otherwise would be the case.

The 2006/2007 national budget allocated K16 billion to the agriculture industry. It is the first time the sector has enjoyed the lion's share of the budget. Perhaps this allocation will help to move things in the sector and the stories of food shortages will become a thing of the past. There is also an allocation of K2.5 billion for irrigation. After criticisms from some sectors of the society over the misuse of water among farmers, this allocation is supposed to help turn around things in the sector. Irrigation in Malawi is not taken too seriously as observed by the fact that the country has a lot of water that it is not being used fully. If Malawi used the available water the food security situation would improve.

Press reports in the month under review have revealed that some Non Governmental organisations have questioned the increase in MPs daily sitting allowances in the 2006/2007 national budget. The concerned NGOs have condemned the increase in the daily sitting allowance that will see MPs getting K12, 000 per day from K8000. The announcement has met mixed reactions from the civil society who feel the raise is too much bearing in mind the fact that civil servants' salaries have not been increased. Among others the police and other sectors like the army have not been included in the package. Some organisations have viewed the new allowances as immoral because the MPs already get fat cheques for their salaries.

The month also saw the church praising the Mutharika administration. The Roman Catholic Church read a pastoral letter in all its churches praising the incumbent president and the way he is handling government. Mutharika who is also Catholic has been praised for his fight against corruption at all levels. Bishops, who authored the letter, noted that Mutharika's government is trying its best to stick to what he promised the nation as compared to others who failed to deliver on their promises. Such gestures are good as they give the current government morale to enhance their plans in running their affairs. The letter also says specifically that the church expects and hopes this will continue for the remainder of this term of office.

After getting positive comments from the Catholic Church, Mutharika's government faced contradicting sentiments from the United Nations Developments Programme UNDP. The UNDP mentions the tendency of arresting people in the opposition without charging them. This observation comes after a series of arrests were made in the month under review and in the month of May. Some were arrested and put on remand only to be released some days later. The UNDP has observed that this is worrisome as it violates people's human rights.

There have been concerns among parliamentarians over the president's delay in appointing an Inspector General of Police. This observation is made because some legislators noted that it has taken a long time for the president to appoint a new Inspector General. Last year Mutharika appointed Mrs Mary Damson Nangwale as the first female inspector general but the Public Appointments Committee PAC of Parliament refused to confirm her. Against this background the concerned parliamentarians have questioned the long time Often Thyolani has been acting inspector general since the removal of Nangwale. Now the question is for how long is Thyolani going to be acting, is he going to 'act' for life? The government reacted fast because Mutharika appointed Mr Kumbambe as a new Inspector General of Police

The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation CHRR in the month under review observed that president Mutharika's involvement in politics has spoiled the good image he used to have. In his early days as president Mutharika gained people's trust by being the first person to separate party and state functions. However immediately after leaving the United Democratic Front UDF the president has been making decisions which are questionable for the survival of his political carrier. CHRR also disclosed that despite the promises that Mutharika made in his inauguration speech his will to survive politically has ruined many of his programmes.

Press reports in the month under review have disclosed that a high percentage of married women in the country shun family planning methods. According to a survey conducted many women in the 15 to 49-age bracket do not use family planning methods. This has resulted into families having large numbers of children to the extent that some fail to look after their own children. The trend has highly contributed to high levels of poverty among Malawians. The Malawi Demographic and Health Survey also revealed that 1 out of every 3 women between the ages of 15 and 19 years are mothers. Women in the country constitute more than 52 % of the 12 million people and with such trend there is no doubt Malawi's population will continue to rise at a fast rate.

The month also had another surprise coming from the ministry of tourism as it disclosed that there are active homosexuals still existing in some lakeshore districts. Reports have shown that some tourists are involving young indigenous boys in these acts. This has forced some young boys who are posing as tour guides to drop from school only to be used in the trade. Some foreigners come in the country and pose as tourists only to use local boys for their actions. Against this background the ministry warned some lodge owners of a possible closure of their business premises if they encourage such occurrences. Other observers have urged government to trace the culprits and bring them to book for the good of the young men who are deprived of their right to education by involving them in the trade.

Reports have disclosed that a court sentenced some traders in private parts to 10 years imprisonment. The news came at the right time when people's hearts were worried about this most gruesome of businesses. In recent times Malawi press covered some stories of people having been killed and having their body parts removed. This did not spare children, as some of the targets were found to be under aged boys and girls. Now that some of the culprits are slapped with such a sentence it is good news to people who have lived in fear because of such dealings. The acts also ruined the country's reputation in other nations that take Malawi as a peaceful country. May be such stiff sentences will give would be private parts traders a lesson that they will think twice before indulging in the practice.

The issue of overcrowding in the country's prisons came in the press once again. After a series of reports on the conditions of the prisons in Malawi and the food shortages that prisoners face, the press this month disclosed that 39 inmates died in the month of May at Chichiri prison only. It is revealed that the 39 prisoners died of some diseases like tuberculosis that might have spread because of overcrowding. It is no doubt that the figure is higher if all the prisons records are put together. The reported figure is very alarming and needs quick intervention because the idea of reforming offenders is not fully met if some die in such large numbers in a month.

Months after a series of educational conferences, there seems to be nothing that has been done in line with the recommendations that were made during these meetings. The gatherings that were held to find ways of improving education standards were nicely planned and publicised but up to now very little if not nothing has been done. Press reports have disclosed that there is lack of political will to enforce the resolutions that were made during such conferences. To imagine that a lot of money and time was spent on these conferences and not much has come from them is like a joke. Things like improving education standards should be a priority as the future of the nation depends on them.

This month the press disclosed that the absence of corporal punishment has greatly contributed to gross indiscipline among students. Reports have shown that some time back students used to respect the people in authority, because whenever needed they would face corporal punishments. Now the scrapping of such punishments has resulted in indiscipline. This has greatly contributed to the downfall of students' performances in class. As others have suggested there is need to use a little bit of beating to help some students behave. It may stop some students to involve themselves in fights on school premises.

Reports that the University of Malawi fees may go up to K100, 000 have met mixed reactions from some sectors of the society. The proposed fee increase comes barely some years after former minister of finance Professor Mathews Chikaonda raised the fees to K25, 000. To make matters worse the increase is coming at a time when the 2006/2007 national budget has not allocated enough money for the smooth running of the education sector. On another point some parents and guardians will obviously find it very hard to cough all this money to pay the fees because as a recent survey indicated, more than 50% of Malawians live below the poverty line. Such increases are not realistic to those under the poverty but also for those who earn more. It will make university education more for the elite only.

Although press reports have shown that some teenage mothers who drop out of school return later to finish their education, others are failing to have that chance. Those that go back to school after having children, progress with their studies. On the other hand there are some who do not attain education afterwards for fear of being harassed by friends. Now if students who are still in school harass teenage mothers, the idea of having Education For All (EFA) in Malawi will not hatch. It will be very difficult to have many teenagers who drop out of school return, if fellow students harass them. It all calls for a change of attitude among the teen mothers and the other students as well.

The ministry of education came under attack in the National Assembly over the issue of female teachers who dance at presidential functions. It is alleged that some of them abandon classes just to dance at presidential functions. Now that female teachers are the majority in many schools the result of leaving their classes every now and then has negatively affected efforts to raise education standards. The MPs have observed that it is high time government looked into this problem and solve it once and for all. One would have thought the Banda era had passed.

With increasing cases of HIV/AIDS in the country children have not been spared. But despite the fact that some children are infected with the disease press reports have indicated that a good number of them have no access to HIV drugs. The media have disclosed that 1 in every 20 children who are HIV positive in developing countries are missing out on the drugs. It becomes very pitiable because without such drugs the children die before they reach the age of 5. With so many children dying at such a tender age, countries need to do a lot of homework to control the deadly situation. Just like adults children need to be given access to such drugs.

On the same issue of HIV/AIDS it has been noted that some people have no access to messages about the disease because of their status. People with disabilities most of the time do not get the messages because their physical challenge makes it difficult to access these messages. Much as HIV/AIDS cases have been there since 1985 reports have shown that the disabled still encounter some hindrances as regards receiving the messages. Among them are the blind who want to have the messages written in Braille. Now Malawi being a poor country very few of the blind are in contact with Braille Aids messages. On the other hand some being deaf cannot hear any radio messages. It is high time government and all stakeholders put in place ways of ensuring that every Malawian citizen has access to HIV AIDS information. It is only after such things are done that the fight against the pandemic can make progress.

The health sector continues to be haunted by shortage of staff. Amidst problems of drug shortages and lack of equipment, the sector has also faced shortage of medical personnel. Press reports in the month under review disclose that currently Malawi has been hit severely by a shortage of nurses. It is disclosed that 100 nurses migrate every year. Such a number of nurses leaving the country is too much considering how congested our hospitals are. With very few nurses hospitals are forced to use the available workforce some of whom are not competent enough to handle patients. The situation calls for concerted efforts from all stakeholders if the country is to keep its nurses. There is need to put in place more attractive packages attached to the nurses salaries so that they are motivated to remain in the country and serve Malawi.

Press reports in the month under review have disclosed that the period that Tuberculosis patients take to finish their treatment has been reduced. The National TB Control Programme announced that it has shortened the period that patients take to finish their treatment. This comes after technicians combined some of the drugs. Such a development has therefore reduced the time that patients take to receive their TB medication from 8 months to 6 months.

Environmentalists noted that the degradation in the sector affects the country's economy greatly. Malawi being an agricultural country mainly relies on the environment. Now if citizens do not jealously guard the environment Malawi will continue to suffer greatly. As a farming country, Malawi depends on the rainfall pattern for its agriculture. If the environment is in a dilapidated state, it means Malawi's tobacco farming would not be abundant. This has a very bad impact on the economy considering the fact that tobacco is the main forex earner the country. It is not only the tobacco industry that will suffer if there are no rains because the environment has not been a conserved; food crops will suffer as well. As was the case early this year when government spent a lot of money in importing maize because of the grain's shortage caused by changes in the rainfall pattern over the past years. All this calls for concerted efforts from all Malawians if we are to preserve the environment and at the same time save our economy.

With continued cases of charcoal burning that have seen many hills becoming bare some traditional leaders have resorted to use their powers to ban the business. This comes against a background of the deforestation that has raised some related problems to many villagers. But although traditional leaders have pledged to fight the charcoal traders, the businessmen have vowed not to stop. The gesture by the traditional leaders in Machinga is a welcome move towards the conservation of trees. It is an example that others should emulate if we are to keep our trees, promote good rains and protect the beauty of our mountains.

Although some traditional leaders are doing their best in trying to avoid deforestation, press reports have revealed that is not only businessmen who are involved in the malpractice but some top government officials too. Much as one could expect top government officials to lead by example, press reports have proved that this is not the case the situation on the ground being quite different. It is made known that some top government officials head the list of people who are in the trade of trees especially Mulanje Cedar. This scenario becomes very difficult for those that really want to conserve the trees, because for fear of their jobs, they fail to bring the government gurus to book. It all calls for a change of attitude. And interventions at the highest level.

In the month of June the Malawi joined the world in commemorating the World Environmental Day on 05 June 2006. Among other things environmentalists observed that there is need for awareness on environmental issues and the dangers caused by not looking after our natural resources. It also needs political attention and action if our natural resources are to be guarded jealously. One environmental organisation the Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust took advantage of the month and recognised the works that some media houses and journalists have done over the year as a regards the environment. This is a commendable project that needs to be emulated. Of late environmental issues have enjoyed press coverage unlike in the past when such things were never covered.

Although there have been calls from almost every sector of the society over the need to have more women in positions in all branches of work, the media seems to have failed to reach this goal. Press reports have shown that female employees in the media industry fail to be recognised despite the fact that it is the same journalists who preach about equality. It is reported that most of the time female reporters are looked down upon as a result they do not go further with their profession. At times women are so invisible that they are not given crucial assignments despite the fact that some deserve the assignments more than their male counterparts.

In the month under review president Mutharika appointed Oliver Kumbambe as a Inspector General of police. After a series of complaints from some quarters of the society over the delay in appointing the head of state nominated Mr Kumbambe to head the Malawi Police Service. However some women groups expressed concern over the appointment of a man in the position. Mr Kumbambe's appointment has come after the office fell vacant following National Assembly's failure to confirm Mrs Mary Damson Nangwale in the position. The situation however has not pleased some of the women organisations that strongly feel the replacement of Nangwale should have been another woman not a man. On the contrary some analysts have observed that there is no point in replacing Nangwale with another woman when there are some men who deserve the position more than women in the police. They have noted that people should be appointed on merit and not necessarily based on their gender.

Some gender experts have noted that while people are celebrating the passing of the domestic violence law, there are still some practices that have not been covered but need to be forbidden as well. Press reports have shown that many women continue to be abused verbally and physically. In some occasions some men have made funny remarks about how women have dressed. Such embarrassing remarks have left women wondering why they have to face such ugly scenes at the hands of men who walk off scot-free. One other thing that some women have found to be irritating is the finger tick. At times what looks like an innocent handshake turns out to be some funny tick in the woman's hand. While some have joined the men to tick their hands in laughing about it, others have not. Some women feel bad about it and want something to be done. It is against this background that women activists want such men to be dealt with.

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