Cdedi speaks for silent Malawians
We, members of the Bottom Up Party (BUP), led by the indomitable and unimpeachable Genuine Prof Dr Joyce Befu, MG 66 and MEGA-1, assisted by Ajhajj Jean-Philippe LePoisson, SP, and SC (RTD), and me, Malawi’s only Mohashoi, have followed the activities of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) from its foundation soon after the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) left power to this day.
The coincidence between the formation of Cdedi and the leaving of DPP from power made many people, except us in the BUP, conclude prematurely that the organisation was a DPP front meant to frustrate the Tonse Alliance Government. Of course, Cdedi was initially confrontational like the now almost-defunct Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC).
With time, Cdedi founders— Sylvester Namiwa, Mundango Nyirenda and colleagues— changed tact and deployed their journalistic skills to drive their advocacy. Thus, Cdedi became a social accountability organisation, practising what we would call ‘critical social accountability journalism (CSAJ)’.
CSAJ is a type of journalism that is purpose-driven. It is different from mere information delivery. CSAJ asks further questions than the traditional questions of what, where, when, who, why and how (5Ws and H). It also asks: So, what?
SCAJ is information delivery with a purpose. It runs counter to the dominant paradigm of disinterested information-for-information journalism. CSAJ is transformative; action-oriented. It is supported by many development agencies, including the World Bank which once co-hosted the Global Partnerships for Social Accountability (GPSA.
CSAJ makes demands for accountability in service delivery on behalf of the citizens and follows up on public budget. CSAJ provides audits on behalf of the citizens.
More than 100 journalists, especially those from community radio stations have been trained in CSAJ, courtesy of Malawi Economic Justice Network, the GPSA, I’m Swedish Partner and GIZ. They have investigated the theft of textbooks and notebooks meant for public primary schools. Private bookshops, Ministry of Education drivers and others have been named as culprits.
CSA journalists have investigated AIP blues and found that chiefs, senior public officers and others have formed an unholy alliance to swindle the public. They also have investigated service provision in public health centres, especially rural ones, and found that district councillors and ADCs are at fault.
Cdedi knew the value of CSAJ and started relying on evidence to support or drive its advocacy. That is what journalists do. They investigate issues; gather the necessary evidence, analyse them to identify themes, and question what does not add up or endorse what does add up. That is journalism. The rest is politics.
Using this approach, Cdedi has investigated the Salima Sugar Company Limited and exposed what did not add up and it demanded action from the Auditor General and others. What came out was exactly what we, common Malawians suspected and what the community media in Salima, Chisomo and Love FM radio stations, had long questioned— abuse and externalisation of Malawi’s money.
Most recently, Cdedi investigated the operations of the Inosselia-Green Houses Farm, a multi-billion kwacha greenhouse vegetable farm located near Kamuzu International Airport, in Dowa, some say Lilongwe.
As one professor at Chashgate University in downtown Chilunga forest used to say that is whether KIA is in Lilongwe or Dowa? The difference is the same.
At the Inosselia- Green houses, Cdedi saw issues that did not add up. Typical of CSAJ-inspired advocacy, Cdedi sought more background information and governance issues were flagged out. What has Malawi gained from that farm? Has it been audited? Who represents Malawi’s interests on that farm? Similar questions were asked about Salima Sugar. The answers were the same.
Without Cdedi most of the rot at Salima Sugar and many other places would not have been known. We hail Cdedi for fighting for Malawians.
Keep it up Cdedi.
