MALAWI PRESS REVIEW September 2009
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

The problems within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) did not come as a surprise as some prophets of doom had already foretold them. The MCP, the Malawi's oldest established political party, is divided into two factions: one supporting John Tembo, the incumbent party president, and the other against him.

On the economic front there were mixed reaction over the deportation of three tobacco buyers. While some observers are happy with the president's move others are totally against what he has done.

Debates have arisen over the government announcement that only those with voter IDs will have access to subsidised fertilizer coupons. With just a few weeks to go before planting is due to begin some farmers are very concerned over the issue.

Now it seems it is not only public figures like the President, Vice President, Cabinet Minister and Members of Parliament, that will be required to declare their assets but Non Governmental Organisations as well.

September has been a month of mourning in Malawi. The country lost three of its prominent sons namely: Parliamentarian Ishamel Chafukira, Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani IV, and Traditional Authority Chimaliro. May their Souls Rest in Peace.

Education reports disclosed indiscipline among some teachers in Rumphi District. When parents expect teachers to be the guardians of students during school hours, teachers in Rumphi East are spend time drinking beer with their pupils.

There was good news in the press over the way Malawi performed in the gender 50- 50 campaign and that Malawi is the only country in Africa. The number of female parliamentarians has changed for the better mainly because of the campaign.

POLITICS

All is not well in the once mighty party Malawi Congress Party (MCP). In September media reports disclosed that trouble is brewing with in the party and divisions are now clearly visible. There are now two groups in the MCP: one supporting the party president, John Tembo, and the other wanting to get rid of him. Some members in the MCP who are on the party's president's side have since called the group 'rebels'. Among other things the 'rebels' have taken Tembo to task over the party's funding, which they claim their president misused. The rebels want Tembo to resign honourably to avoid embarrassments in the courts. If the divisions in the party if not sorted out amicably it could spell major trouble for the MCP.

It seems some parties have learnt their lesson and are now willing to put their house in order. This is the case with the United Democratic Front (UDF). The Party's General Secretary Kennedy Makwangwala, announced that all the members who were removed from the party are now free to come back. Makwangwala, who is now acting leader of the UDF in the absence of National Chairman Bakili Muluzi, revealed that party's doors are open for anyone who wants to return. In its hay day the UDF would easily fire and let people go who they considered to be of good use to the party. Now the party seems to be begging such people to return to the party showing that something has really changed.

The big man syndrome seems to be haunting the once financially stable UDF. The trend has been that it was only Bakili Muluzi who was financing the party, making all decisions and practically owning the party. But just recently Atupele Muluzi announced that his father will not fund the party for ever. The young Muluzi made it known that it is high time the party learnt to stand on its feet. The UDF is now feeling the absence of Muluzi who is recuperating in the United Kingdom.

Although we are still some years away from the next general election, there are strong rumours that the Vice President Right Honourable Joyce Banda is eying up the First Citizen's position in 2014. So far there is no clear successor in the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). Reports have shown that the Vice President has set up a task force to lobby for support on her bid to become the party's presidential candidate in 2014. Banda, who has already denied the media reports, is the first Malawian woman to hold the position of vice-president. Perhaps such kind of reports should give the DPP an incentive to put their house in order so that issues of succession do not haunt the party in future.

The Malawi nation mourned he death of Legislator Ishmael Chafukira in the month under review. Chafukira, who rose to fame for openly opposing the MCP leader John Tembo, passed away under controversial circumstances. Following the party's poor showing Chafukira, who was then the party's spokesperson, rebuked the leadership of the party. He openly said that it was time for the party to do some soul searching if they were to win the next elections. In effect Chafukira was leading a group that was asking John Tembo to resign. The legislator mysteriously died in a car crash in South Africa where he had gone on a private business trip.

The Public Appointments Committee (PAC) in September rejected a proposal by the judiciary to have salaries of judges revised upwards. This development comes after the previous PAC had approved new salaries for judges. Although the salaries were raised they have not started receiving the increased wages. The Malawi Law Commission feels that the judges are entitled to receive the raise because their constitution allows for an increase every three years.

President Bingu wa Mutharika in September received an international award on democratic governance in Africa. The award, which is called Medal of Glory award, is an organisation from the United States of America called Foundation for Democracy in Africa. According to press reports this award is one of the most prestigious awards that the organisation has given to selected leaders in Africa. Following the track record of Mutharika, who has managed to improve the food security in Malawi, the organisation felt the award should be given to the Malawi leader.

ECONOMY

There have been mixed reactions over the deportation of some tobacco buyers. In September President Bingu wa Mutharika issued deportation orders on three tobacco bosses who he accused of continuously buying the gold leaf at a lower prices. Mutharika is reported to have noticed that although the quality of the leaf was at times very good the buyers still bought it at very low prices. The President had set a minimum price of tobacco at US$2.15 but the prices have always been lower than this. Reports have further shown that there was plenty of quality tobacco this year, which does match the income that came from the sales.

Some trade experts are of the view that Mutharika should not have deported the tobacco bosses. Instead he should have dealt with the problem from another angle. According to the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce (MCCCI), the deportation of the bosses is not a solution to the problem that has always been there since time immemorial. On the other hand some people feel the deportation is ill timed because the tobacco season will close very shortly. Meanwhile there are reports that the prices of the leaf have since improved.

President Bingu wa Mutharika in the month of September appointed seasoned economist Perks Ligoya as the new Reserve Bank Governor. Ligoya replaced Victor Mbewe a former banker who retired seven months before his contract expired. The new Reserve Bank governor joins the Central Bank at a time the country is rocked with forex shortages. According to some economic experts Ligoya is expected to make things rights as regards the strength of the country's currency. Economic coverage in the month of September continued to show that there is shortage of forex in Malawi and it seems the future looks cloudy but the Reserve Bank has assured the nation the situation is manageable.

As the global economic crisis continues economic commentators have revealed that although the recession is easing in the West, Malawi will still feel the pinch. According to Mavuto Bamusi the situation is easing in the West but then the rich countries are busy putting their houses in order. These same countries are the ones that Malawi and other poor nations rely on for donor funding. This certainly means the rich nations attention will not be on the poor nation.

Malawi is still one of the countries that has not yet signed the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). Recent reports have shown that most members in the Eastern Southern Africa (ESA) have at least signed the interim agreement it is only Malawi that has not. According to experts this has put Malawi in a very awkward position. Press reports have disclosed that the ministry has resorted to leave the issue in president Bingu wa Mutharika's hands. They say the issue has now reached a sensitive stage. Mutharika made it clear that Malawi will not sign the EPAs in their current form.

FOOD SECURITY

With just some weeks to the farming season government has advised farmers to use composite manure. This announcement comes against a background of many farmers relying on the cheap organic fertilizers. It is a tendency among some Malawian farmers to mainly use organic fertilizers as opposed to composite manures. Experts have revealed that composite manure is the best because it stays in the soils for a long time unlike organic fertilizers. To sum it all up farmers pay nothing to make composite manures but have to cough up a lot of money year in year out to buy fertilizers. Therefore, the authorities feel composite manure should be given a priority.

As Malawians are enjoying another year of bumper harvest the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) has noted that there is a lot of surplus maize that needs attention. In a survey that the organisation conducted it found that this maize if left unattended will eventually rot and that this is going to be a loss. People have so much maize and to make matters worse ADMARC announced it would not be able to buy a lot of it because of a lack of funds. MEJN have asked members of parliament to look into the problem and come up with solutions.

The press in the month of September disclosed that in a new development beneficiaries of this year's farm input subsidy programme will be using their Voter Identification Cards. The Fertilizer subsidy programme has been at the centre of many debates among Members of Parliament from both the opposition and government on the shortfalls the programme has faced in the past. This time around the government wants to fight reports of ghost villages and beneficiaries. The use of the Voter IDs will surely assist in eliminating cheating of any kind but it will sideline those who are entitled to receive the coupons but did not participate in the general election because of their religious beliefs and for other reasons.

September media reports also saw the launching of a drought resistant variety of maize. According International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), who were behind the launch, this variety does well even in those areas where there is a drought almost every year. Agricultural experts have welcomed the new seed which will help Malawi in its fight against food insecurity.

There is still excitement among farmers on the news that a number of companies have cut the prices of fertilizers. Press reports have shown that some fertilizer prices have drastically gone down. For instance some companies are selling a bag of urea at K5,000 instead of K9,400. This is good news to the farmers most of whom rely on fertilizer to increase their yields. The press have further noted that the current cutting of fertilizer prices locally has come about because the globally prices have fallen and transport costs have also gone down.

 

CIVIL SOCIETY AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS

Finally ESCOM bowed down to the pressure from organisations and individuals who wanted the power utility company to change its slogan Power All Day, Everyday. The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has in the past questioned ESCOM's slogan saying it does not reflect what the situation on the ground is. Some individuals expressed concern over the slogan because practically most households are in the dark almost every day. After dragging each other to court and exchanging words with CAMA, ESCOM has changed it slogan to Towards Power All Day, everyday. One wonders why ESCOM took all this time to realise that the previous slogan was mockery to the consumers.

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in September announced findings of a survey they conducted on Kayerekera mine in Karonga district. According to CCJP there are concerns that the water that people drink at the mine is contaminated. This is contrary to what the company had promised when it said it would make sure that such problems are addressed before mining even started. There are also fears that there might be a possibility of uranium spilling into Lake Malawi. It should be noted that there have been verbal wars between the civil society organisations and government over the opening of Kayerekera and the environment.

Effects of the global financial crisis are being felt by sectors of the society as evident by the September press reports. The Council for Non Governmental Organisation of Malawi (CONGOMA), an umbrella body of civil society organisations, noted that there has been a decrease in the funding from international donors to the local organisations. This development has crippled some of the activities in other organisations. However, there is hope that as the recession is easing the situation will also improve in the near future.

Civil society has received a call by the principal of the University of Malawi constituent college Polytechnic with an open mind. Dr Charles Mataya in September proposed that NGOs should be in a position to easily declare their assets. This is the same plea that government has given out to members of parliament. According to Dr Mataya accountability can only be achieve if the NGOs declare their assets. Undule Mwakasungula of Centre For Human Rights and Rehabilitation CHRR has since welcomed the idea and says his organisation has no problem to declare their assets.

The National Statistical Office (NSO) in September revealed findings of a survey they conducted on the levels of poverty. The good news is that there are some regions where levels of poverty have changed for the better. The NSO disclosed that the Northern Region has seen great improvements. But the story is not the same with the Southern Region, which has a record more than 50% of poverty. This however does not reflect well on reports that there is an improvement on the economy.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL LIFE

In the month of September Inkosi Ya Makosi Gomani IV banned any Chewa cultural practices from taking place in Ntcheu a Ngoni predominant area. In his announcement Gomani made it a point that he would make sure that Gule wa Mkulu is not being practiced in Ntcheu district because there are no Chewa chiefs in the district. The announcement raised a lot of controversy among people in the district. A number of people were of the view that despite having no Chewa chiefs in the ngoni belt, as Malawians the Chewas living in Ntcheu should be able to do as they please. Gomani defended his decision by saying he only wanted to strengthen the Ngoni tribe by making his subjects stick to their cultural practices.

The Malawi nation is still at pains to come to terms with the fact that the country has lost two prominent chiefs in September. The deaths of the Ngoni chief Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani IV of Ntcheu, and Thyolo's Traditional Authority Chimaliro happened at a time their subjects needed their assistance most. Gomani died barely a year and some months after he was enthroned. Before becoming chief of the Ngoni tribe he was a Lieutenant Colonel of the Malawi Defence Force. Meanwhile the Ngonis have appointed first-born son of the Inkosi Willard Mswati, who is 13 years old, as an heir to the throne.

As the debate continues on the age at which people can be married continues some NGOs feel young people should also have a restriction on when they should start having sex. According to the Eye of the Child they should concentrate on studies and not sex. Youths should do so after reaching 18. This however is not in line the amendment of the marriage bill which if assented will allow youths to marry at 16.

Press reports in the month of September also revealed that some foreigners are acquiring land at the expense of deserving Malawians. According to reports there are some foreigners who dubiously obtain land from local chiefs. According to reports the traditional leaders are carrying out these illegal transactions because even assembly officials are involved in the deals. The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) urged authorities to enact the Land Bill which, among other things, will deal with these issues. It has been noted that some foreigners marry Malawian women just to acquire land and dump the unsuspecting ladies after getting the land. To the surprise of many the foreigners do not develop the land but instead leave it idle, only to sell it at a higher price at a later stage.

After some months of blackouts on stories of baby dumping, the press in September printed a new series of such incidents in Malawi. The recent case in Mbayani Township in the city of Blantyre is a painful reminder of these inhuman acts. When there was no coverage in the press about baby dumping, it was relief to others because they thought the incidents were now history. Now the Mbayani incident could mean that this problem is still there and there and there are mo cases that go unreported.

 

EDUCATION

There was a revelation that some teachers and head teachers squandered examinations fees for some students who are expected to sit for the Malawi Junior Certificate Examination. Reports have shown that the students paid their full examination fees but the teachers did not hand them over to the examining body. This has resulted in the pupil's names missing from the list of candidates that are expected to sit for the examinations. This is a sad development because it has left the students helpless and unsure whether they will write the examinations or not. Meanwhile the Parliamentary Committee on Education has asked the examinations body to give a chance to the students to write the examinations.

The reintroduction of quota system dominated the press coverage in the month of September. Debates are still going on about the quota system of selecting students to go to University of Malawi colleges. While some sectors of society feel the quota system is the only way to achieve equitable access to education others feel merit is the best way. As the debate continues, people are coming up with different opinions on government's plans to follow the quota system. However, experts have called for wider consultation on the issue.

Just when the Ministry of Education is trying its best to instil discipline in schools some teachers are busy drinking beer with the students. Reports in September have disclosed that teachers in Rumphi East drink beer with their students instead of being good role models to them. It remains a mystery if the students can concentrate in classes taught by the same teachers who they drink with.

Lack of infrastructure is one of the major problems facing the Ministry of Education. Recent reports have disclosed that there are still some schools which have no decent structures. Students at such schools brave the October heat and dust to gain knowledge. Under trees and mud and grass thatched rooms teachers try as much as possible to impart knowledge to the students. Some pictures of school structures that were shown in the press in the month of September should give authorities a big incentive to make sure that pupils are learning in a better environment. It does not make sense to talk about improving standards of education when students are learning in pathetic structures like kraal. Surely some students could be psychologically affected and would not pay much attention to the teachers if they were learning in dilapidated structures.

September reports on education have continued to let people know that there are still some institutions of higher learning that are not accredited by government. The subject raised a lot of debate the last time it appeared in the press. Some local colleges that were not on the list that government released cried foul and wondered why they were being left out when government employs students from the same institutions. Recently the ministry has warned that students who attend such schools do it at their own risk.

 

HEALTH

The Blantyre District Health Office (DHO) in September conducted an exercise that was aimed at taking people with mentally illnesses off the streets. It is not a strange thing to see mentally disturbed people roaming freely in Malawi. Sometimes they pose as beggars who are very calm but at times they are a threat to society because they become very violent. Against this background the DHO office in Blantyre with the help of law enforcers and other stakeholders redeemed some of the mental patients from the streets and they are now at the Mental Hospital in Zomba where they are being treated.

Concerns over the deadly N1H1 Swine Flu continued to feature highly in the press in the month of September. Ever since cases of Swine Flue were reported in some countries in Africa the ministry of health has been on alert. The ministry raised some awareness to people so that they the symptoms of Swine Flu. The immigration department has also handed out information materials to people entering Malawi. Meanwhile reports have revealed that the person who was suspected to be suffering from this disease died in the month of September and he did not have Swine Flu.

Government in the month of September warned nurses to avoid being rude to patients. Although nurses are known for being good caregivers, some reports have painted the nurses as unruly. In the past stories of nurses shouting at and hurting patients and expectant mothers have featured in the press. These incidents are the ones that the ministry of health is worried about. The ministry has since warned nurses to stop unruly behaviour and concentrate on saving and serving the nation.

The mystery about a mysterious disease that has appeared in Neno district is almost solved. Just recently some people died of the disease and it was not known what exactly they were suffering from. Reports revealed that the tests that were conducted on the people suffering from the unknown disease did not yield any conclusive results. The good news is that the authorities have announced that there are traces of Typhoid fever in the samples that were sent to the United States of America.

Still in the same month of September there was some good news on Malawi's fight against deaths of children under the age of five. According to UNICEF the deaths of Under-5 children have decreased from 225 per every 1,000 a decade ago, to 100 per 1,000 births. The report further indicates that though with minimal resources the Malawi nation is trying to improve its health system. This is one of the reason why there is that improvement. It also shows that anything is possible and that Malawi can eliminate Under-5 deaths further.

 

ENVIRONMENT

Environmental experts in the months of September announced that this year Malawi is expected to have normal rains. This announcement is good especially to farmers who rely on good timely rains for their crops. At the same time good normal rains coupled with good farming practices mean a good harvest in both food and cash crops. Reports have shown that even some neighbouring countries such as Tanzania, Zambia and some parts of Mozambique will also receive good normal rains.

Observers on the environment in the month of September noted that the media should be knowledgeable over issues of climate change. It was noted that for the public to be easily informed the media should first of all have enough knowledge on the subject. For this reason an organisation called Forum for Environmental Communication (FECO) organised a workshop aimed of sensitising journalists and sharing notes with experts in the field on climate.

Problems of water shortages appeared in the month of September. Just like in the previous months a number of cities and towns continue to experience the problem. Water is life and is one of the most needed basic necessities. Its scarcity, therefore, makes life very uncomfortable. However, recent reports that appeared in the press disclosed that government has engaged a Dutch company that will help in running the affairs at the water boards. This development has left some members of the society wondering if this is a solution to the problem that has been haunting the cities for some time now.

Issues on the environment in September seemed to have enjoyed lot of press coverage compared to the other months gone by. It is a good development because environmental issues are equally important and therefore require a lot of attention just like any other sectors in society. The press should therefore be commended for taking time to report about the environment.

 

GENDER

In the month of September the talk of gender dwelled much in the workplace. There is now a change in the coverage on gender issues which previously were only around the general elections and their aftermath. There is not much talk about the 50-50 representations in parliament at present. The focus is now on the workplace and on women's careers. This change is perhaps for the better because it gives room for other gender issues to be discussed.

Gender reports in the month under review carried out an amazing article of a woman who has made it in life because of her strong will to carry on. Despite having some hiccups as a young girl Mrs Mmangisa is now a learned woman with a good job. It is reported she never gave up her dreams to be educated despite falling pregnant while still in college. Mmangisa is an encouragement to some girls who meet various problems on their way to gaining an education.

For some time women have been left out of many issues. Even in the workplace they have been looked down upon and their contributions have sometimes been sidelined. For this reason some sectors of society have always perceived women negatively. This mindset is slowly changing because more and more employees are giving women in the workplace a chance to negotiate for better conditions and salaries.

It should be noted that even president Bingu wa Mutharika has on several occasions promised Malawians that he would promote women. This is evident with the many women that are in decision-making positions after Mutharika had appointed them. One notable person is the Clerk of Parliament Matilda Katopola who stood the heat from MPs in the most trying moments in the last parliament.

Press reports have disclosed that the United Nations organisation have expressed happiness with the way Malawian female politicians faired during the last general elections. The UNDP and UNFPA are the organisations that assisted Malawian women during the last election through the ministry of gender. The 50-50 campaign which the organisations funded has been described as the best result in Africa. Out of the 232 Malawian women who participated in the general elections 27% made it to parliament.

Fr. Bill Turnbull

Center for Social Concern (CFSC)
Box 40049 Lilongwe 4
Area 25
Next to St. Francis Parish
Tel: 01 715 632
billturnbull@cfscmalawi.org