For the post turtle politicians

Dear Diary,

As I write, Thyolo Thava member of Parliament Mary Navicha has just finished giving a record-breaking one-minute response to President Lazarus Chakwera’s State of the Nation Address (Sona).

Navicha said she could not add or subtract from what she said when 24 suspended DPP MPs were outside the house on Tuesday.

But, while we are grappling to understand why the DPP seems to be enjoying the trivia of creating unnecessary drama, the party’s chief whip George Chaponda delivers what you could make out as the DPP response to the Sona.

It is not healthy that the DPP should take their petty squabbles into the National Assembly.

Parliament is, otherwise, known as a house of records. That is, basically, why all that is said is recorded in The Hansard.

As an arm of government, Parliament has some décor that must be maintained with all reverence.

It, therefore, does not sit well that a party that dreams of getting back into government should act with such dishonour.

While the country is going through a lot of trials and tribulations, it does not make sense at all for the DPP parliamentarians to play kindergarten games instead of making laws and discussing issues of national importance.

This doesn’t come as a surprise because the party seems to be harbouring a host of post -a turtle politicians. If you see a turtle on top of a pole or post, it did not get there by itself.

Most of the time, such post-turtle politicians are elevated to positions that are above their ability to function.

It goes without saying that when you are put in a position of power but you don’t know what to do, you end up mingling yourself in trivia.

A divided DPP hurts Malawians because at times like these, a strong opposition is what Malawians need. The party itself knows fully well that its founder Bingu wa Mutharika performed wonders during his first-term since the MCP was always on his neck. Remember the days of Section 65 Number 1 Budget Number 1?

The confidence he inspired in Malawians led to his overwhelming re-election. He got over 60 percent of the vote! A record was set.

One would wonder, then, with their kindergatten ploys, did the DPP parliamentarians consider the repercussions, with some Malawian airing their views that time was ripe to bring back the recall provision?

While we are at it, we hear about 100 000 people are on the line to be recruited and work on farms in Israel. This is a good turn, considering the high levels of unemployment among the youth.

The hope, however, is that such recruitment has to be as transparent as possible. It will not work if the children of the rich and affluent are given that opportunity.

Jerusalem could be a way to end the cycle of poverty for some.