Demonstrations: what is your reaction?
Malawi went crazy on Wednesday as the civil society presented a petition to government through (what were meant to be) peaceful demonstrations countrywide. Women, kitted out in their catchy red outfits, and children were part of this historical event and fled for their lives when things got ugly. They too wanted to be heard. Mwereti Kanjo catches up with women on the street on their reactions to the event.
Mphatso Chisale-Ngumbe
Different people express themselves differently. Those that were demonstrating on Wednesday thought it was the best way to be heard so they cannot be faulted. That was their choice.
Jean Mamo-Ndirande
What is needed is dialogue because it all depends on how you approach the situation. Goliyo was calm but I have woken up to hear that others have been killed and I have seen ashes all over town. This is sad and I blame the police for what happened.
In other countries, the police use rubber bullets to disperse people and not kill them. I was raised in Zimbabwe and this is not new. It started with one farm in Zimbabwe and today we are using the US dollar. Come December, you will be telling me something new and different. At least Zimbabwe is a manufacturing country but believe me, we will lose thousands of lives in this country. Malawians are a peaceful people and if they did what they did on Wednesday then it is a big sign that something is wrong somewhere.
Haniffa Sadiki-Ndirande
People are angry and they can only be pushed so far. I am not defending the vandalism that happened but they needed to let out that anger. My only fear is what lies ahead of this country because our leadership seems not to care.
As things were happening on Wednesday, our leader was behaving as if he was in a world of his own. Shame on this country.
Catherine Mapira-Blantyre
Things were not supposed to end as they did. Things have been stolen, two Bata Shoe Company shops were ransacked and a lot of money that could have been used for something else has been lost. We are a peaceful nation and I am afraid that we are bringing war to our country because of failure to understand each other.
