On the Spot: Meet Undule in new world
It is almost three years since Undule Mwakasungura went into oblivion. However, there were several issues that are still stamped to his name such as promotion of human rights and same sex marriages. I caught up with him to know his whereabouts, life and position on some of the issues he advocated now that he is a born again christian.
Yes, but blessed be His holy name for linking up to talk once again as anything does not just happen without His willingness. I thank my Lord; now I am leading a private, but enjoyable spiritual life I have never experienced before. I am in so much good health and happy. I am spending part of my time sometimes consulting, but I am spending my private life pursuing a diploma course on how to manage faith-based organisations and programmes.
What is the story behind your departure from the human rights platform?
This is so important as I have heard many stories and speculations about my illness in relation to my departure. Of course, it is all about the thinking that other people are special and cannot be replaced.
Speculations?
I heard and read many stories that went all over and speculations in the social media about my sickness, with all the speculations few were interested with my well being while others speculated without checking with me or my family and they certified me dead.
Share with us the story about your illness
It seems we have people in this country who are masters in speculation, they have nothing better to do. That is why, I salute Michael Sauka, composer of the Malawi National Anthem. He was wise in the sense that what he composed is exactly the behaviour of Malawians.
I give God all the glory in healing me of the unknown illness which tormented me for months. This illness I now know was a visitation from God to touch my soul, if God did not touch me, I would have been one year eight months now in my grave and in hell.
And what’s this story about your being Born Again?
My salvation was through revelation as God had been showing visions to a number of people about His calling for me. God is loving because when He delivered and healed me through Man of God Pastor Elijah Chisiza, I had only four days to live.
Interestingly, at first I refused the pastor to come to pray for me because I never believed in God’s healing or deliverance power, but thanks to my wife Maud who convinced my relatives to bring the pastor. Honestly, that was the journey to my healing, deliverance and salvation. The journey that made me depart from darkness to light.
What do you say to the voiceless Malawians who were counting on you for improved lives?
Firstly, let me say it is not Undule’s voice that matters. It is about our country and the people. Yes, I might have inspired many, but at the same time I might have failed and angered some, too. But the fact of the matter is that what I did was for the good and interest of this nation, my conscious is clear on that. We need to build our nation forward whether Undule is there or not. We need to groom more Undules, Billy Bandas, Emma Kaliyas, Emmie Chanikas and others to take up the mantle to stand for the voiceless and not depend on the same old voices.
Secondly, note that even if my voice is not being heard regularly, my voice in the Lord is stronger and more powerful.
As a Born Again what is now your position on lesbians, gays and other issues?
My position has not changed and I remain strongly convinced that the LGBTI [lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex] community needs protection and more support. Nobody will shift me on this. Once Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said it is not acceptable for us to discriminate against our brothers and sisters on basis of sexual orientation just as it was not acceptable for discrimination to exist on the basis of skin colour during the Apartheid years in South Africa. This issue needs to be debated without emotions or politics. If being LGBTI is demonic, then let us cast those demons out of them to set them free from the bondage they are in.
President Peter Mutharika recently signed the Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill. What is your take on this Bill?
What I can say is that the law is generally good and it has come at the right time. We have been expecting this law for some time. I remember when I was director of Centre for Human Rights Rehabilitation (HRCC), we strongly advocated this law both domestically and internationally.
Some commentators feel the Bill infringes on the rights of same-sex marriages, other LGBTI issues?
It is true that some provisions are not in good tune with human rights standards. I might speculate that the motive or intention of including the definition of sex and defining it in such a manner was not good. True, the definition leaves a lot to be desired and it really does not recognise that as a society which is democratic, progressing in that regard and 20 years old on in transition, we need to consider other orientations to avoid bringing issues of discriminating on our own citizens.
How do you see civil society from the other side of the fence?
The civil society is still relevant, but needs to reposition itself. The terrain is changing and they need to take note of the changes as they move on with their national interventions. They cannot continue to use the same old broom or spoon for progress. One challenge I see facing civil society is polarisation. I note no unity of purpose or clear cause to pursue matters of national interest. Because of that, they end up with the same old stories of fighting for space, recognition, puling each other down because of resource constraints, envy, jealousy are the orders of civil society—‘if I cannot get it, you must not get it either’.
Any advice to government civil society?
No meaningful progress will be made without a strong partnership between government and other stakeholders, including civil society. I and my colleagues in NGO leadership pushed for the creation of a permanent government and civil society forum during the late Bingu wa Mutharika era, which was aimed at tackling national concerns and as one way of creating trust among the two partners. Unfortunately, the People’s Party (PP) government did not see any value in this forum because they wrongly thought the issues were for Bingu and not them.
How do you rate President Peter Mutharika?
Fears that he would revenge against those who opposed his late brother and the party have been unfounded. He is compassionate, loving, caring and humble. I know some will differ with me as usual—in Malawi we always look at personalities than issues, we politicise everything and anything. If he will change, then we will know someone or something is influencing him.
How would you like to be remembered?
I always question how this nation remembers its people. We talk and celebrate a lot about John Chilembwe, the man who led first resistance against the British rule and about Michael Sauka, composer of the National Anthem, but yet their families are living in dire poverty. I find this to be out of order and abuse of their names and non-recognition of their contribution to this country.
But the question is how would you like to be remembered?
As Undule, I have always not lived for myself but for others as well. So, I want to be remembered like any other Malawian——nothing special about me. Yes, I might have been or I am contributing to making my country and the world a better place for all, but that does not make me any special from the rest.
Who inspired you into what you have done?
Sincerely, I owe all to my parents, brothers, sisters and the entire family and numerous friends I cannot mention—for standing with, by and for me.
I have many great people who have contributed to my life as in life you need to have helpers to build you up. Great renowned intellectuals such as Prof Thandika Mkandawire, uncle Prof David Rubadiri and Prof Mahmud Mamudani who supported and mentored me in one way or the other.
I have people who have inspired me to be passion for human rights, social justice and standing for the voiceless such as Steve Biko, Thomas Sankara, Samora Machel, John Chilembwe, Michael Sauka, Mwalimu Nyerere, Nelson Mandela, and above, the Man called Jesus Christ. I admire this Man for the values He stood for and for sacrificing His life to save the world from evil.
On the other hand, I cannot forget former President Bakili Muluzi. He has been loving, caring and supportive to me and I have always been inspired by his compassion. Lastly, but not least, my friend and comrade Ollen [Mwalubunju] with whom I struggled in fighting for the betterment of our country, the world at large and for building one great human rights organisation in this country.
Last, but not the least, I cherish my wife Maud, who has been there for me in thick and thin times. Few women would stand the pressure she has gone through with a man at the mantle of divine leadership. This interview will be incomplete without mentioning my Pastor, Elijah Chisiza, who took me away from the wicked world. I thank God for using him to save my life.
Any message to Malawians?
I have never underestimated myself in whatever I want to do, whatever God wants me to do I perform to maximum potential. I don’t do things in half ways; I don’t do half-baked things. I perform to bring positive results for the good of society. But life has taught me some experiences as Mother Theresa once said: “If you are successful, you will have some false friends and some true friends, succeed anyway, if you find happiness, people will be jealousy with you and will try to destroy you, but be happy anyway, the good you do today, may be forgotten tomorrow, What you spend building for years, one evil mind will destroy overnight, but build anyway, do good anyway, give the world the best you can but it may never be enough, For you will see in the end, it is between you and God, it was never between you and them anyway.”
