JB for Yao tribal grouping
Malawi President Joyce Banda has asked Yao traditional leaders in the country to unite and form a cultural grouping to promote their culture.
The President made the call in Blantyre on Sunday at the elevation ceremony of Senior Chief Somba.
Without direct reference to the friction between the Yao tribesmen over formation of such a grouping, the President cautioned that she will shame those pulling strings to prevent the grouping from taking off.
Two Yao tribal groups, Ndamo sya Yao and Chiwanja cha Yao are currently fighting over the establishment of the cultural grouping.
Banda asked the Yao chiefs to emulate other tribal groupings in the country, such as Chewas, Lhomwes and Ngonis, who are making progress after formation of tribal groups.
She said: “Leave us alone to promote our Yao culture. Get together and advise me what to do to form the grouping.”
Chiwanja cha Yao is said to have strong links to the ruling People’s Party (PP) officials whereas Ndamo sya Yao was being spearheaded by former first lady Callista Mutharika, wife to former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika.
During his rule, Mutharika also established the Mulhako wa Alhomwe tribal grouping ostensibly to promote Lhomwe cultural values.
Recently, interim chairperson of the yet-to-be-formed Chiwanja cha Yao, Alhaj John Likonde, said the two groups are different and may have different missions, explaining that Ndamo sya Yao means culture of Yaos whereas Chiwanja cha Yao means a grouping of Yaos.
He is on record as having dismissed as untrue suggestions that Chiwanja cha Yao has links with Banda.
Muzipanga zimenezo ndi azigogo koma ife a chinyamata tiri busy kuzisaka. Mumadziwanso mu yao siogona ngati mitundu ina.
What a crap of leadership. This is not the time for the whole head of a state that is in tatters to begin instilling hopeless ideas in the heads of the poor public (Yaos, I regret being one of them, have no choice). These things can only work and be beneficial when people have full stomachs and are a happy lot. Can’t you one day surprise the public by announcing in your popular meetings policy oriented points/topics other than talking like a Branch Chairperson? Some of these speeches lack maturity, a president should articulate government policies whenever s/he connects with the populace because we believe it takes time for s/he to get out of state house for petty meetings, unlike what we are experiencing now. Don’t be childish, pointless and clueless Joyce, some of us are old enough and grown up that we don’t want ‘MASANJE’ at a time like this when everybody is crying foul about the shameful thievery that has been perpetrated by your cohorts in the name of building up party finances. Give us a break Mum, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!