Today, Malawi is 50
Today Malawi is 50 and, usually, it is easy to point fingers and curse the past than turn around and face the future that awaits our daring embrace. It is easy to blame Kamuzu Banda for extinguishing most of our history in his favour by burning books and vilifying the founders of Malawi Congress Party (MCP). It is easier to blame Bakili Muluzi for making primary education free at the expense of quality of the education system itself. It is easier to blame Bingu Wa Mutharika for his stance on neo-colonialism that left our economy in shambles, be it due to economic sabotage disguised as “frozen foreign aid”. It is easier to blame Joyce Banda for introducing a social welfare system at the expense of social, financial and political over-expenditure.
Today, Malawi is 50 and it is harder to appreciate Kamuzu’s international influence that kept our national currency at par with the economic giant South Africa despite the vast difference in our local resources. It is harder to appreciate Muluzi’s commercial state of mind that transformed a country of farmers into a country of ambitious entrepreneurs and technocrats. It is harder to appreciate Bingu’s time spent at the helm of the African Union (AU) instilling policies that will one day see Africa become the world’s bread basket as it used to be in ancient times. It is harder to appreciate the huge achievements Joyce Banda made locally and internationally in making African women a political force to reckon with as Forbes Magazine would testify.
Today Malawi is 50 and we must remind ourselves that one day Malawi will be 100 years old and we will be 100 years old and we will be 50 years ago as the Orton Chirwas are today. We too will be looked upon by backward glances by the Mandela Mwanzas of the future. We too will be written about, some of us remembered. We too will have books about our achievements destroyed, some of us forgotten. Some of us heroes; some, villains. Some of us oppressors, others victims.
Today, Malawi is 50 and this morning brings us a glorious opportunity to renew the vow our forefathers placed in our national flag. One that declared our rising sun a symbol of the dawn of hope and freedom for Africa. The journey starts in Malawi but ends in the uncharted corners of the world where the name Malawi is unheard of. Only Malawi’s sons and daughters can fill these voids and see the name Malawi echo back in the pages of future histories unwritten.
Today, Malawi is 50 and we will be the best Malawians we can each alone be and the best Malawi we can all together be. Today we stand up to be counted by being the best mothers and fathers we can be. By being the best teachers and doctors we can be. Politicians, priests, awyers and accountants, musicians and athletes.
Today, Malawi is 50 and the name of every Malawian that represents Malawi beyond its borders is appreciated. Every single mother who clothes, feeds and educates her children on a seemingly impossible budget. Every unemployed father who fends for his dependant family by enduring the odd job at odd hours for their meagre and degrading wages. Every wounded Malawian soldier who survives disabled but content with their contribution to Malawi’s legacy.
Today Malawi is 50 but some of us are only 30. Others are lucky and 65. Some are 20, some are 42. But most importantly, most of us, in fact 51 percent of us Malawians, are as of today below the age of 15. This, for anyone above 18 today, places a huge responsibility, not just an obligation. A duty. A duty for every Malawian to do their daily deeds with the future of Malawi in the back of their minds for the sake of our younger brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, nephews and nieces. Grandchildren. It is every able Malawian’s duty both locally and internationally to do for country and contribute towards securing the future prosperity of a century-old Malawi.
Today, Malawi is 50 and is now ready to dare. Today Malawi demands its place in the world, not as a spectator or worse a beggar, but an active world citizen and leader. Today Malawi seeks to rise above its high moral ground and make economy defining choices.
Today, Malawi seeks to own its uranium mines. Today Malawi looks to turn Nsanje into a port and gateway into Central Africa for the countries south of us.
Today, Malawi is 50 and we promise never to look back again. Today, we celebrate you Malawi. You are our mother and we all love you unconditionally.
—The author is a hip hop musician who trades under the name Third Eye
