Let love, respect thrive in 2024

 Remember those who have the rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation…”—Hebrews 13:7-9

Malawi joined other colonies in the 1960s to fight for independence.

When the country gained independence on July 6, 1964, Malawians lived under the dictatorship of Dr. Kamuzu Banda and his Malawi Congress Party for 31 years.

Since 1993, Malawians have been living in a democracy and have had five presidents: Bakili Muluzi, the late Bingu wa Mutharika, Joyce Banda, Peter Mutharika, and currently, Lazarus Chakwera.

This year, Malawi commemorates 60 years of independence from the United Kingdom, formerly Great Britain.

There are numerous excellent policies and strategies that Malawians need to adopt and implement going forward.

One of these is: if something is not broken, do not fix it. Another point is that if something needs to be done, please do not wait for someone, the government, or an organisation to magically make it happen.

Malawians must learn to take the initiative and do it by themselves. Even if this means you do something within your limited sphere on a small-scale—just do it.

This kind of thinking will require some learning. It also requires Malawians to abandon certain traditional practices and embrace new ways of living.

This will involve reviewing a list of suggestions or resolutions. I will look at three. First, we should continue to pray, respect, and love one another. Second, we should diversify our eating habits, and third, we should manage tertiary schools outside of government-run institutions.

This week, let’s explore the topics of prayer, respect, and loving one another.

It is important for Malawians to continue praying, respecting, and loving one another. For 31 years, the entire country prayed for the leaders mentioned in the national anthem. This was done every time people gathered.

However, for some reason, Malawians have embraced a strong attachment to the political party they belong to, while disregarding everyone else. Malawians must mature in the realm of democracy, embracing all leaders, even those with whom we disagree.

Malawians must also learn to respect the leaders of other political parties. This is not for the benefit of the leaders, but for the benefit of young Malawians who are observing and learning the most appalling behaviours of disrespect from our politicians.

The lack of love and respect for leaders also extends to other Malawians. During the past year, two elderly women were accused of witchcraft and compelled to dig a grave and bury the deceased.

The Malawian ordinary people have recently exercised their powers with impunity. This occurred when a man was alleged to have stolen money from the sympathy plate that is passed around at a funeral. The man was hanged on a tree and left there during burial.

The incident is very distressing, disheartening, and criminal in nature. Once again, the hanging was carried out in front of officials. How do ordinary men rise to positions of police, prosecutor, judge, and executioner? They took this man, raised him to the tree, brought a rope, and executed him for the accusation of stealing.

Another question is, where in the laws of Malawi is the relevant section located?

Is rising theft punishable by death?

But most importantly, where are the leaders who attended this funeral? By remaining silent and allowing the act of murder to take place in their presence, they are also complicit in the killing of their fellow Malawian.

Next week, we will examine the resolution to diversify our diet and explore ways to enhance tertiary school management