In support of mass mediocrity

Dear judge Mbadwa,

The Bank of the World was once again proselytising that the huge monetary costs attached to the Affordable Inputs Programme would make it impossible for the Tokha Alliance government to sustain the programme.

The bank, as is always its tradition, like to give its imperialistic advice to countries that have never come out of poverty on the basis of the counsel it proffered.

My lord, the bank doesn’t own gardens in our country; hence, it cannot dictate how we run the economy. We are tired of listening to its dirges.

My Lord, it is not that the bank said anything we didn’t know about before, but it is our entrenched aversion to frugality and excellence that had me frowning at the advice of the bank.

My Lord, why should the bank waste its breath on a country that has never cared and will never care at all to arrest fiscal indiscipline and corruption?

The problem is in the foundations we built this country on soon after attaining multiparty elections. Somehow some irresponsible leaders sold the country a view that everyone can make it in life as long as they foolishly show their allegiance to the person who holds the mantle of power.

I want to, therefore, put it on record, My Lord, that the country’s governance system is built on the sands of corruption and cronyism.

In fact, it is in this country, Nyasaland, where people look at those who hold power as some Father Christmas responsible for doling out gifts of prosperity to everyone who goes an extra mile to hero-worship leaders.

Taking the advice of the bank, therefore, would unbalance this established

Just look at how respectable people compete to be in the good book of a political leader be it from the ruling party or the opposition.

The sad reality is that weak governance helps oil the engine of cronyism and corruption. How else would leaders maintain the grip of power if they do not surround themselves with errand boys who are ready to waive tender procedures to ensure that the boss gets the maximum from any deals of that nature?

My Lord, let the Bank of the World know that it is rampant corruption and fiscal indiscipline that has made some Nyasas obscenely poor.

Let me submit that there is a good reason this country thrives as a paragon of mediocrity. A system that promotes mediocrity cannot be accountable to anyone; hence, it becomes easier to get rich on programmes that would have benefitted the majority poor.

My Lord, who cares about the poor any way when it is common knowledge that people are joining politics to ride the gravy train?

Forget the change mantra they all propagate on the podium because our politicians are cut from the same cloth.

My Lord, we are a mediocre nation that celebrates pedestrian achievements such as a road construction here, a bridge and a school building there and we appear contented with the path we have taken all these years.

Tell me, My Lord, who are you banking your hopes on to bring a turnaround and restore confidence in the economy?

Unless you change the genetic make-up of the people who drive policy, don’t expect to get any different results from what you have been getting before.

Nyasas just love mediocrity and they are fine with it My Lord and evidence of it is in all sectors of life.

Since this was a personal letter to you honourable judge now that you are sitting with four others reviewing High Court rulings on disputed by elections results, should I instruct my lawyer to petition the court on our intention to ignore again the good advice from the bank?

I though such a petition would be a defence in case the Bank of the World and its crazy friend decide to impose economic sanctions for not listening to them.

By the way, aren’t we going to experience an unprecedented bumper harvest on the account of AIP now that the majority acquired cheap fertiliser?  Asiyeni abanki akalime kwao!

Regards,

Nzika yaulesi