Malawi President Joyce Banda’s recent foreign trips were criticised by some quarters who said they are costly and against the spirit of austerity, but some Malawians are not bothered by her travels.
In a survey Nation on Sunday has been running in the past seven days, a majority of respondents backed the President, saying the trips have benefitted Malawi.
Out of 857 respondents pooled from 12 districts, 464 said they were happy with Banda’s travels.
This represents 54 percent of the sample.
Although the results are by no means conclusive, the survey gives the under-fire president some respite.
Malawi’s Minister of Information and Civic Education Moses Kunkuyu last week defended the presidential trips, saying their benefits are evidenced in the grants and contracts the President has secured for the country.
“All the trips she is undertaking are funded. It is not always that government shoulders responsibility. If it does, it is usually minimal.
“We do not lose much, but if anything, gain from them. We have to accept that we are still dependent on donors for budget support and aid; hence, we should make ourselves visible at all times when an opportunity arises,” said Kunkuyu.
But human rights activist Billy Mayaya on Saturday said the President needs to weigh the cost of her trips before undertaking them.
“She is falling for the same trap some African leaders fall into; that is, to promote a faulty foreign policy agenda to mask a non-existent domestic policy. She needs to weigh the cost of being away for close to a month with the need to associate with the pressing needs of an increasingly impoverished populace.
“Additionally she needs to learn to delegate most of these trips to technocrats in line ministries which would be achieved at a fraction of the cost. We need to see more of her here leading and not ruling through roaming,” said Mayaya.
The President spent over three weeks outside the country on a tour that took her to Ethiopia, Japan, Dubai, Switzerland and the UK.
Teveta puts smiles on faces of KK youths
Isaac Salima
Young people in Malawi’s central district of Nkhotakota could not hide their excitement on Friday when they received certificates from the Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training Authority (Teveta) after completing a two-month training programme in welding and tailoring.
Nkhotakota Business Development Centre (NBDC), which provides training opportunities and marketing links for farmers, sourced K2.5 million (about $6 250) from Teveta to train 41 young men and women in vocational skills.
Teveta acting executive director Wilson Makuluwiza said the institution has identified centres in the country to train the youths in various skills because not all of them can make it to colleges.
“We hope that after training them they are going to open their own small businesses, thereby reducing poverty in the country,” said Makuluwiza.
He said he was impressed with the participation of female candidates in areas perceived to be the domain for men.
The participants’ concern over how to source start-up capital was eased when Makulumiza assured them that those who want to open businesses will be linked to OIBM Bank where they would get loans.
Lester Nyambose, who represented Nkhotakota district commissioner, asked the awardees to be shining examples wherever they go.
“Your performance out there will determine the success of this programme. If you perform well, you will put this centre on the map, thereby creating opportunities for your fellow youths,” said Nyambose.
The initiative has already begun bearing fruits as one of the beneficiaries, Tiwonge Mfune, has secured employment at Cane Hauliers Company in the area.
“I am happy that after finishing our secondary education we will have something to do through this initiative,” said Mfune.
