MALAWI PRESS REVIEW October 2005
From Centre For Social Concern (see our house)

PREVIEW

The political scene press coverage was overcrowded with the impeachment saga. Despite the opposition parties making so much noise on the impeachment of the incumbent president the High Court stopped the National Assembly from going ahead with the process. As some political analysts indicate that political leaders want to rush through the impeachment issue so that they alone benefit from the outcome, others have said Malawi needs to talk about the hunger crisis, development and gaining more donor confidence.

On the economy it seems although there was a slight increase in Malawi's imports cover some months ago, the situation has now changed. Due to the food shortage the country's hard earned foreign currency is being used on the importation of food items.

The food shortage that has seen masses facing hunger has been well covered by the press this month. With some people feeding on termites and bamboo seeds the food crisis scenario has worsen unlike last year at the same time. However the coming in of maize supplies in ADMARC depots causes a sigh of relief, as some people will be able to access it. Again some religious groups are putting their weight on the distribution of food relief items to some communities in this time of hunger.

Civil Society and religious groups this month have also added their voices to the much talked about impeachment. The Civil Society feel the Parliamentarians should have emphasized the existing food crisis in their deliberations. To spend so much time on their political ambitions in the face of the starving masses calls into doubt their self-understanding as policy and lawmakers.

The health sector is still fighting for ways that would help end the problem of shortage of health personnel. With costs of living going up every now and then a good number of trained staff leave government hospitals in search for greener pastures. The result has been large numbers of patients who need to be attended to by too few personnel in the hospitals.
Despite earlier warnings from environmentalist against the use of fridges that use ozone-depleting gases some traders continue to import them. Much as people would want to conserve the environment some other characters do not care. Perhaps there is need for stiffer penalties to the culprits.

POLITICS

In the month of October politics enjoyed plenty of press coverage like just like any other recent month. With the National Assembly meeting in the month the issue of impeachment came again as members adopted impeachment procedures. However some quarters of society have condemned the way parliamentarians conducted themselves in their deliberations. Some have expressed concern over the pace that the legislators took in adopting the impeachment procedures. Bearing this in mind several civil society organisations have pushed their weight against using the impeachment of the current president.

On the same impeachment issue some political analysts have warned that the whole topic is waste of time, as the opposition will not succeed. They have cited the grounds for impeaching the incumbent president as insufficient. Instead it would have been sensible if the opposition had sought ways of helping government in averting the current hunger situation and combating poverty. People in general would appreciate it if the opposition would hold hands with government in solving these problems. Among others the opposition party Peoples Progressive Movement PPM 's president Aleke Banda has raised similar sentiments on the issue. On the contrary other opposition parties have brushed aside Banda's request that opposition leaders should hold talks with president Mutharika to solve their differences.

The impeachment issue has enjoyed a lot of press coverage in the month under review with every newspaper covering it. The issue seems to never run short of controversy as observed by recent remarks by leader of opposition in the National Assembly John Tembo. Honourable Tembo who is also president of the main opposition party Malawi Congress Party MCP pointed out that he might not support the impeachment motion if his counterpart in the move (the United Democratic Front) does not make sure that the issue of National Governing Council NGC is solved. According to reports the two parties had planned to establish an NGC that will rule Malawi for 6 months and Tembo is earmarked to be in the council. However recent reports have alleged that the UDF is using the MCP just to do away with Bingu and later on dump the MCP. That is why the NGC motion was being delayed.

This month some political analysts cautioned Mutharika on the remarks he made at a rally in Thyolo district. Mutharika who urged people who attended the rally to chase politicians, who might come to their villages, was condemned for trying to divide people at a time unity is needed most. Others have seen no wisdom in having such utterances coming from the first citizen. Meanwhile some quarters have accused the president for wasting so much time and money in moving around when the country is facing hunger.

The recent visits that Dr Mutharika made to various institutions have caused a stir in some quarters. This comes after media reports had revealed that Mutharika was spending K5 million on each trip he made, a move that opposition parties have greatly criticised. Spending such amounts of money on a daily basis when some people are starving to death has been greatly criticised. Analysts have therefore blamed Mutharika for failing to delegate some of these visits to his ministers who follow him like his shadow instead of doing the work they are paid for. On top of it all, Mutharika made several promises to each institution that he visited.

Political analysts have warned of tough times ahead for Mutharika's Democratic Progressive Party DPP after the resignation of a few top officials. The resignation of Mutharika's once trusted Ken Zikhale Ng'oma came at a time Mutharika needed at least somebody whom he could trust. Reports have indicated that Ken' resignation shows that Bingu is surrounded by people he cannot trust. Almost all the DPP members currently holding top positions are former United Democratic Front UDF members. However some members of the UDF a party that Zikhale is sympathising with have not shown happiness over his closeness to the party's chair Dr Bakili Muluzi. Against this background some party officials have warned Muluzi about Zikhale who was instrumental in the arrest of several UDF gurus.

 

ECONOMY

Media reports in the month under review have revealed some negative effects of the current food shortage in the country. The country's import cover has gone down from 3.5 months to 2.6 months due to massive importation of maize foodstuffs and fertilizer. Economic experts have also predicted the acceleration of inflation as maize contributes a large weight in the basket that is used to calculate inflation levels in Malawi. Overall low import cover has significant impact on the economic growth of any particular country, as most industries would have no foreign exchange to import raw materials for production of output.

On the same note as the local currency continues to depreciate against some major currencies, the economy continues to feel the impact. This is evidenced by reports that some traders are quoting their prices in United States dollars (USD). As Malawi Kwacha is losing its value against the other currencies, imports are become very expensive. However the Reserve Bank of Malawi disclosed that there was nothing wrong in quoting prices in foreign currency so long as the transactions are done in local currency. The Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA) has expressed concern over the development in the financial sector.

While some people have welcomed the South African retail shop "Game Store" to Malawi, the local business community have indicated that this new development will put their trade at risk. This will be a result of lower prices the shop will be offering compared to the higher prices charged by local traders. However some economic experts argued that the coming in of the shop would increase competition and result in the creation of employment opportunities.

Media reports on the economy have disclosed a continued increase in cost of living. The monthly survey on basic needs by the Centre for Social Concern CFSC reveals that most commodity prices have gone up while very little has been done to raise people's income. Most Malawians continue to live in dire poverty and cannot afford their basic needs. Recent reports have indicated that southern region is worst hit by poverty with one person living on less than K68.00 per day. This means that most Malawians are living in poverty.

Some donors have expressed fears that ongoing political tension will negatively affect aid flow to Malawi. These predictions are coming amid reports of impeachment of the incumbent president Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika. While the donor community is interested to assist Malawi, they are discouraged if the country's political situation is not stable. If politicians are busy with wrangles every now and then Malawi's recent hard earned donor confidence might be lost. The results are continued shortage of forex and low economic growth. All in all Malawi needs to check its political tension to avoid falling in a situation where donors desert the country.

Preparations are being made by government and civil society to prepare for the World Trade Organisation's ministerial meeting in Hong Kong. Civil society produced a strong statement blaming trade injustice for many of Malawi's economic ills. It will remain to be seen what impact Malawi will have in this 'world government'.

 

FOOD SECURITY

As the hunger situation continues to worsen political parties have blamed government for failing to contain the situation. Reports have pointed fingers at government for taking it easy when some people are dying because of the food shortage. The media have disclosed some incidents of people eating leaves and bamboos in Nsanje and Salima districts respectively. This could also be the case in some other districts that have not been reported on. With parliament meeting some quarters have advised members to concentrate in their discussions on the current hunger situation.

In the month president Mutharika declared Malawi a State of Disaster. While some have applauded the move others have criticised government for taking its time in making the declaration. This has cost the lives of some people with 29 cases in Nsanje district only. Some reports show that Malawi is in the current hunger situation because government ignored the food shortage warnings. Others have blamed government's poor policy implementation for the food shortages that have now turned into an annual occurrence. A lot has to be done if government is to save its starving citizens especially those living in rural areas.

The current food situation dominated the press this month with reports of maize scarcity making headlines. It has been reported that most ADMARC depots were running without a single grain. In line with this development some press reports have highlighted cases of people sleeping at the grain markets in search of maize, Malawi's staple food. However rumour is rife that some traders are hoarding truck loads of maize to be released and sold at a higher price some time later. While a few will benefit from the sales of the high priced maize others will starve to death as very few can afford such prices. Politicians have not left the hunger issue untouched as they have found used it to argue against and blame the government.

Media reports disclosed that some opposition leaders are hoarding maize in a bid to sabotage government. Although no names have been mentioned hoarding maize at this time of the year when some people are reportedly dying due to starvation, is inhuman, immoral and should be made illegal. President Mutharika, who has warned to take to task anybody hoarding maize, has taken his time in issuing out the warning. It needs the severe punishment of somebody for hoarding the staple food, so that others will take a lesson or two. Recent reports have shown that Mutharika has asked Malawi Defence force soldiers to guard ADMARC storage depots.

Some political leaders have expressed concern over Malawians' attitude towards work. According to opposition leader Aleke Banda if only Malawians become hard working food shortages will be history. In the past 10 years people were used to hand outs a tendency that led to laziness. Against this background the honourable Banda who was once the minister for agriculture observes that hard work is the only solution to end the annual food shortages. Reports have shown that with hard work Malawi might forget all its hunger problems.

Members of parliament in the month condemned journalists in the country for not reporting on the actual hunger situation. The whole issue of the hunger situation should have been reported with all the facts. This could also have helped government to plan ahead foreseeing the food shortage. However others have commended the media fraternity for making it known that some people are dying of starvation. Some agricultural experts claim that government ignored the signs of famine.

As the food shortage situation continues reports have shown that the poor in rural areas are the ones that are hit most hard by hunger. Among them are the tobacco tenants who live very pathetic conditions. The tenants who are taken from their home districts to work on tobacco estates are given little amounts of food regardless of the sizes of their families. According to the Centre For Social Concern review of working and living conditions of tobacco tenants and other workers on tobacco estates these people live in worst poverty in spite of the fact that they produce most of Malawi's foreign exchange. Recent reports on tobacco tenants in Kasungu tell of them fleeing their places of work due to starvation. These reports have revealed that the situation has forced the tenants to seek government's intervention so that they may go back to their respective homes. While the signs are clear that Malawi is facing a food shortage, the situation should not have forced the tenants to flee their masters if there would be good working and living conditions enforced by law.

 

CIVIL SOCIETY AND CHURCHES

 

This month has seen a number of press statements from civil society airing their views on the much talked about impeachment issue. Much as some opposition political leaders would want to quickly use the just approved impeachment procedures on president Bingu wa Mutharika, some organisations see it otherwise. The civil society organizations continue to question whole idea of prioritising the issue when there are some matters that need the legislator's attention even more. Some churches have added their voices and shown their concern on the same matter.

The Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central African Presbyterian's secretary general Reverend Daniel Gunya never seems to get out of controversy. October reports highlighted Gunya's utterance on his position on the impeachment of president Mutharika. The Secretary General who earlier in the year announced that he was in favour of the impeachment this month came again with the same stand. This time around the Blantyre synod has distanced itself from the statements. However without the church's blessings Gunya still stood by his declaration. But the Livingstonia Synod has chosen to differ and instead have advised all conflicting parties to talk about their differences.

Almost every other corner of the society was aware of the impeachment procedures that were adopted in the month under review and that the opposition wanted to apply them to the impeachment of the incumbent president. Among them are various religious groups who have spoken against the proposed impeachment procedures. The churches have instead advised government and the opposition to resolve their differences through dialogue. It is only through mediation talks that the two sides can solve their problems amicably. Others have noted that the ordinary Malawian is the one to suffer the consiquencies while politicians and those involved in the motion will fulfil their selfish ambitions. The Public Affairs Committee PAC has also voiced its concern on the issue.

Just like most, religious groups and civil society have also added their voice on the current hunger situation. As some are hammering government for the hunger crisis the church has promised to help in averting the problems. Among others some faith-based organisation like Catholic Development Commission CADECOM, World Vision and others have joined the distribution of relief foods.

In the middle of the sitting of parliament this month, the Malawi Law Society MLS condemned the speaker of parliament's conduct. The Society observed that the Speaker Honourable Louis Chimango formerly member of the Malawi Congress Party MCP proved to side with one side in the house to the extent of ignoring some members of the house who failed to make their contributions. Not only did he fail to show his impartiality, but he also failed to understand some of the proceedings and had to ask other parliament staff for help. Others have rebuked Chimango for failing to emulate his predecessor's acts in the house. In this view thousands of government sympathisers have demanded the immediate resignation of the speaker.

 

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL LIFE

Media reports on social and cultural have revealed traditional leaders position on the language that parliamentarians use. The traditional leaders revealed that some members of parliament fail to participate fully in debates that happen in the August House because of the language that is used. The use of English in conducting business in parliament should be stopped and instead MPs should use Chichewa. According to the chiefs this could help some MPs to express themselves fully in the house. It is against this background that the traditional leaders are asking government to speed up in allowing the legislators to use Chichewa.

The month saw a rise in number of murder cases. Remarks by the Director of Public Prosecution Ishmael Wadi on the current situation of murder cases evidenced this. Reports have shown that Malawi now experiences an average of 38 murder cases in a month. These figures are quite alarming because mostly youngsters are involved. It is also shocking because Malawians are known for being warm-hearted and reports of killing one another are therefore unexpected. It is high time people believe in dialogue whenever they have crossed each other's paths.

In the month under review the country experienced yet another fatal accident on Linthipe 3 Bridge in Dedza that claimed 35 lives. Linthipe an area that has been a death trap for many road users for quite some time has left so many questions lingering in people's minds. While some observers have blamed carelessness on driver's part and failure to maintain vehicles, others have speculated that the accidents are works of the devil under a satanic sect. The place that has witnessed some more accidents in recent years is believed to harbor spirits of some ancestors. Others believe the place is prone to tragic accidents because there used to be a graveyard close to it many years ago.

Although in normal circumstances chiefs are supposed to lead by example, reports have shown that some are in the forefront of the practice of property grabbing. Media reports during the month disclosed that a certain chief had taken a house from a widow whose husband was a chief. It is an especially shameful act on part of a chief because most people regard him as a father. To be involved in property grabbing is not exemplary and teaches wrong ideas to some juniors who might look up to their chiefs. The work of the Non Governmental Organisation that exposed this greedy chief should be commended so that more NGOs join the fight against property grabbing.

On another issue relating to chiefs, this month traditional leaders complained of having their powers trimmed down by politicians. Among other things chiefs have questioned the reason government is involving itself in the issue of administering customary land. The chiefs who have always allocated land to their subjects feel as if government is involved in the process to remove some of their powers. However government officials who are dealing with the land policies programme have argued that the chiefs cannot distribute land and at the same time be judges of cases on land that they themselves allocated to people.

 

EDUCATION

As the education sector is striving to save its face, October reports have disclosed that the idea of curbing illiteracy completely is a far-fetched dream. This observation comes after reports of men shunning adult literacy classes. Despite men shunning such classes women have been seen attending them and are now reaping their fruits. With just some years to the year 2010 when Malawi wishes to have education for all, these trends will make it difficult to achieve such an ambitious programme.

The press in the month under review have disclosed that the Malawi College of Distant Education MCDE denied 11,000 students that qualified to do distant education. Just when Malawi is fighting to have as many educated people as possible the College disallowed 11,000 students to do their distance education studies. The college mentioned lack of instructional materials as being the reason. Authorities should know that there is need to invest quite a lot in the sector if the high ambitions of having education for all by the year 2010 are to be met.

Form four students this month sat for the Malawi Schools Certificate of Education examinations MSCE amid reports of cheating in some areas. Reports also showed that some students were arrested for carrying unwanted materials into an examinations room. Earlier in the year reports indicated that Malawians lack a reading culture and as such fail to prepare for examinations. Because students do not culturally enjoy reading they end up resorting to cheating in examination. It is still an embarrassing report to see form four students being arrested for cheating even though there were only a few incidents of cheating. This is proving that the Malawi National Examinations Board MANEB did ensure that the exams were well administered.

Media reports on education highlighted the need to have better library services in schools. It was reported that most schools in Malawi do not have good libraries and as such students fail to have full access to research materials and reference materials. Perhaps it is high time all stakeholders thought of revamping library services in schools. For some time now Malawi has been experiencing poor quality of students in Secondary Schools, because these students do not have libraries, fail to study for examinations and end up doing badly in their examinations.

 

HEALTH

Amidst the HIV/AIDS pandemic some health experts have advised the health sector to consider taking messages concerning the disease to households. Reports have shown when such messages are delivered in public places; people do not take them seriously. With evidence from the ever-increasing number of people catching the virus that causes AIDS there is indeed a need to have a much more serious approach in disseminating information on the disease. Malawi is losing many of its productive citizens to the disease and if a new approach is taken in the broadcasting of the messages it could maybe have a greater impact. It is against this background that some chiefs in Mzimba district have resorted to eliminating some cultural practices that fuel the spread of AIDS.

The press in the month disclosed that many infants die because they are not taken to hospitals at the right time. Reports have revealed that some parents delay in taking their children to hospitals and as such many children who abruptly get sick die because of the delays. A professor in Paediatrics Department of the College of Medicine highlighted the need for parents to have first aid skills to avoid sicknesses from becoming serious. If parents and all relatives acquire such skills the lives of many infants would be saved.

Unlike in the past when Cancer cases were rare now the disease has become something that a good number of people know about. Recent reports indicate that this is the case because Malawi has suffered a lack of diagnostic facilities. This has ended in an increase in the number of children suffering from the disease. Still on the same issue reports revealed that breast cancer is now on the increase among women. Records also show that up to 2000 women are affected with breast cancer yearly. Some experts recommend that women check for any lumps in the breasts on a monthly basis and if they note any lumps, they should seek medical treatment.

In the month under review the Ministry of Health acknowledge some the problems it is facing including shortage of human resources. Among some of the departments that have been severely hit by the shortage is the Eye Department. Reports reveal that the department only has 2 eye specialists who have to attend to 200 patients a day. However reports have shown that this is also the case in other departments in government hospitals. Such a scenario clearly indicates that the sector has been severely hit by the brain drain.

 

ENVIRONMENT

The environmental sector continues to face a lot of challenges as observed by the October press coverage on the topic. With so much attention given to politics very little has been said on the environmental issues. Reports have disclosed that as Malawi's forests are losing a lot of trees to charcoal sellers there is a ray of hope for the country's future mountain and forest cover. While people cut down trees for making charcoal, another source of making the commodity has been found. According to reports environmentalists can now have a sigh of relief as some people have now started using bamboos for making charcoal. The bamboos that only take two years to grow and be ready for harvesting will take off some stress from our forests and so help solve the problem of cutting down trees.

The press in the month under review has disclosed traditional leaders' concerns over wanton cutting down of trees. Against this background, some chiefs have asked
government to give them powers to punish people who will be caught
cutting down trees. The chiefs also condemned people who cut down trees in protected areas. The advent of democracy made it easier for people to access forests that were previously government owned. Because people were told that the forests are now their own they tend to take the law in their hands without fear.

Just like it was in the past month the environmental reports also tackled the issue of some unscrupulous traders who are still importing fridges that use gases that contain ozone depleting substances. The gases are not environmentally friendly as they deplete the ozone layer. Although some time during the year media reports highlighted the seizure of such fridges, recent reports show that people are defiant. This shows a lack of understanding because people are not aware of what will happen to their lives when the ozone layer is completely damaged.

 

GENDER

As Malawians are slowly getting the idea of gender issues the Public Affairs Committee PAC has joined the gender activists in the fight against some cultural practices that victimise women. PAC an organisation that has involved itself mainly in political and religious issues has now added its voice on gender-based violence. Reports reveal that the committee has highlighted some forms of gender-based violence that are victimising women only. There are some practices that women are forced to go through when their husbands die, but surprisingly men do not do the same when their spouses die. Despite the fact that some people are aware of HIV and AIDS the practices are still continuing.

In line with gender violence the press revealed that some women are still having their hard earned property grabbed when their husbands die. The situation is alarming especially among women who are not financially independent and have to look after their children without any means left to them. In some areas it is quite shocking to learn that women are being treated as if they are less then human. This also calls for sensitisation among the men folk so that they should start viewing women as their equals. Perhaps there is also need equip more women with skills that will enable them to be independent. If men could be aware that women are able to do certain things without their help, it would definitely change some views men have about women.

In the month under review the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA highlighted the high level of women maternal deaths and violence. UNFPA notes that Malawi has to include women in the fight against poverty and in development activities. With some women experiencing physical, sexual and other forms of abuse it becomes very difficult to participate in developmental works. Women who constitute more than 50% of the population need to be given equal opportunity in all sectors of life so that they contribute fully.

While the National Assembly was meeting early this month female parliamentarians were angered with the way their male counterparts addressed them. For example the belief that the topic that was being discussed in the house on that day, was for male members of the house only. Such outbursts came, as a shock to some gender activists who felt women's participation in the house should be appreciated. And again to have men who can demean women like that while the same gender voted for them to power.

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