The folly of dancing to sad tunes
Dear Judge Mbadwa,
As I congratulate your tribunal for delivering a ruling that has in effect signalled the rebirth of democracy in Nyasaland (or the death of it if you decide to be on the wrong side of history), I want to also draw your attention to the reasons that made us sink so low before your tribunal pumped sense into our heads.
My Lord, as a country, we are so much used to dancing to sad tunes of political sponsors as long as they are mourning even when the season of grieving appears generally over.
Said differently, the ‘hand-clappers’, who have been eating at the feet of leaders, are largely responsible for the perpetuated political impunity we have experienced.
My Lord, the ‘see no evil and hear no evil’ mentality of the beneficiaries of a political establishment that elevates cronyism and nepotism helped shape the political environment we found ourselves in even after Nyasaland attained multiparty democracy.
Every time a new government is ushered in, the self-serving handclapping leeches move in to clog the ears of the leaders not to listen to any sound advice or concrete criticisms.
The blood sucking parasites then set to work on the brains of their masters, removing the cerebrum and replacing them with maize husks so that the leaders should only respond to praise and worship from the supporters.
My Lord, this kind then set their own form of democracy that becomes government of the ‘hand-clappers’ for the ‘hand-clappers’ and by the ‘hand-clappers’.
Those who want to participate in such form of governance are then forced to learn the art of handclapping and hero-worshipping.
Those who want to excel in any business are left without any choice but to be in good books with the ‘handclappers’ as their leaders are busy being lured to sleep by enticing songs of flattery.
My Lord, your guess is as good as mine on who actually calls the shots in such a system and, of course, no names at night ought to be mentioned, My lord.
Why did I rumble through such incoherencies, My Lord? Well the landmark judgement on presidential elections and the subsequent appeal has shown us who really loves the country and who want to drag it into mediocrity as long as they are happy.
My Lord, the ruling and the appeal has also shown us how far people would go in taking risks to be on the good side of history or why those who don’t care about posterity judging them would do anything to preserve their self-serving integrity.
My Lord, after the ruling on the appeal history will judge everyone on their role to rebuild Nyasaland or destroy it. Honourable judge Mbadwa, you have done your part and we are waiting for your colleagues to do theirs.
It was a risk worth taking, My Lord, and if the principle of seed and harvest is to be followed, in either case we already know what kind of harvest each camp will reap.
But the truth of the matter is that sad tunes are only seasonal.
My lord, forgive my cryptic letter but you are a learned judge anyway.
Good luck,
John Citizen.
With Emmanuel Luciano
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