Malawi’s future blurred
There seems to be a signature tune for presidents in Malawi which says that they have a vision for this country. This is particularly emphasised in their inaugural speeches after being sworn into power. From then on their supporters refer to them as visionary leaders with foresightedness. This sounds very promising as if the leaders have been already tried and tested and have proved beyond reasonable doubt that they will take care of Malawians. Unfortunately, statements about being visionary and foresighted have just ended up being political slogans with no real meaning which supporters chant at political rallies to prop up leaders.
It can be said without any contradiction that if the vision and foresightedness that most leaders claim to have were/are genuine, Malawi would not have been plunged into such deep rooted poverty. It is very sad that Malawians have been brainwashed into discussing and celebrating State presidents’ intentions about the country. In fact, no country in the world has ever developed with mere intentions which have not been implemented.
As it were, President Mutharika, too, has been called a visionary and foresighted leader. So far, the vision seems to be failing to translate into reality. However, some people might argue that it is under his leadership that Malawi has achieved some of the MDGs goals. Fair enough. But it can also be said that the best indicator of any government achievement is the quality of people’s lives. The majority of Malawians are still very poor and talking to them about the achieved MDGs is meaningless and a waste of time.
As the poverty journey continues, President Peter Mutharika has taken it upon himself to attract investors into the country. Apart from the Chinese and Indian investors, he has planned for possible investment discussions with the British Prime Minister David Cameron and Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa. This looks the way to go on paper. But are the conditions on the ground ready for such investment? The answer to this question is obviously NO. Under the current DPP administration, the country has no reliable power and water supply. The government always promises to do something about it but it ends up as mere rhetoric. Worse still, the security for property and people’s lives is deteriorating daily. In most cases, the police just do some window dressing by promising to be investigating cases whose investigations never end until the cases become stale. So, which genuine investor would come to such a country and establish his business?
The bleak future of Malawi is of great concern to the majority of Malawians. To prove this one only needs to listen to debates in Parliament. There are heated debates on every agenda which is a sign that all is not well in the country. MPs on the government side are kept on their toes. Days of blindly praising the President’s speeches are long gone. So far, the President’s opening address has been well dissected. It is no longer a matter of fighting for political supremacy in parliament but telling it as it is with facts. Unfortunately, the President’s speech did not cover much as a result MPs are failing to make head way on a number of challenges. This is worrisome.
Imagine since independence it is only this current administration which has failed to feed patients at referral hospitals. It is very pathetic that patients without guardians have turned to begging for food. Why should Malawians face such humiliation in their own country?
Take it or leave it, no one knows where this country is heading. It is no use sugar-coating the grim situation. If no solutions are quickly found to address the numerous challenges the leadership and all should brace for more demonstrations.
