|
Our women need respect —Part II
Today, I really wanted to talk about something else, but I have been compelled to come back to the subject of our womenfolk, which I discussed last week. But, I believe you will also agree with me, that what JZU said this week in Parliament about Kate Kainja-Kaluluma cannot go without comment.
I will start by repeating what some sages have said before, that if a woman wants to accept the hand of a man in marriage, she is strongly advised to see how the man treats his own mother or sisters.
In fact, late Uncle Che Vakara extended the wisdom further. He used to say if villagers are looking for a chief or mwini mbumba (clan leader), they should settle for a person (note: “a person”, i.e. man or woman) who treats his or her grandmother well.
Now, what does JZU have to do with all this villagish, raw wisdom from Lomweland?
I think there is a lesson for him here. In a country where the womenfolk total over 52 per cent of the population, one does not go about insulting women, in or outside Parliament. You don’t call women names, not only because they have large numbers but also because it just sounds too basic and raw. Why, I ask, does the honourable leader of opposition (addressed as “Sir” by Speaker Louis Chimango) not go derogatory with fellow “boys” like Chisulo cha Njanji, Wabefu, Mbuya or Atcheya? I think akuopa.
And for one who recently told the nation that he will not aspire for anything less than the presidency, I find it a measure of carelessness on his part to insult a woman. Where, I ask a raw question, will he (JZU) get the votes from?
In fact, as the six lady Cabinet ministers stood in protest in the National Assembly on Tuesday, I wish many others, including male legislators, had also stood up. This, I believe, would have underlined the linguistic carelessness exercised by the veteran politician. I really would not have minded if some “small fellow” like Kutsaila, Clement, Chafukira or Lijenda—all good friends of mine and a younger lot—had uttered the unparliamentary language. But JZU?
In fact, were I a Parliamentarian, I would have stood up with Joyce Banda, Kate Kainja-Kaluluma, Anna Kachikho, Marjorie Ngaunje, Elizabeth Aipira and Patricia Kaliati to raise a finger of protest. JZU’s utterance was a shocker. How indeed can the fellow also have the nerve to say whatever was in Parliament belongs to “boys only”? Za ana aamuna? Jeeeeesus!
Is he, as I have said, not aware that despite few women numbers in the House, there are more women voters out there? But more, as I said last week, we malefolk should learn to respect the women folk. They not only have the numerical muscle, but also more moral and practical power in our society.
I recall Uncle Vakara never made a clan decision before consulting the clanswomen. Be it at a funeral or at the chief’s court, when he was asked a question (by Headman Ntepele or GVH Kanje or even TA Likoswe) on the way forward regarding matters concerning our “tribe”, he would ask for a quick nsengezi meeting (what you would call in basketball “time out”) to consult the women, including us young fellows!
Upon returning to the open court, whatever Vakara said, it was our word. The boys’ and the women’s. I am sure this is what is happening all over this great Republic—Chitipa to Nsanje, including the Sento, where JZU is said to come from. Otherwise, Atcheya, in his electioneering language, believes the man comes from Mpanyira somewhere in the plains of Mazambikwe, where possibly people abuse women with impunity.
Anyway, back to the House, I shudder to imagine what we would have heard had Hon. Kate Kainja-Kaluluma stood on an imaginary anthill and shouted back at JZU. What were we going to hear, in terms of morality, conduct and governance issues regarding JZU?
The fact that Kainja kept her cool, to me shows how much more mature she is in comparison with Obaba himself.
For which I believe the lady deserves to be lined up for the MCP presidency. She has, in my opinion, better credentials. She can compete well with the other younger “boys”—Dzanjalimodzi, Kalebe or my erstwhile Chewa boy Bintony.
But further, I believe Kainja, Anastazia Msosa or Eunice Kazembe are possible presidential candidates for this country. After all, JZU’s “boys” in all parties have taken this country for a ride for so long, with an array of negatives that don’t leave men with much to show for.
Can I thus end by asking those who want JZU for State House in 2009 to see how he treats women, even from his own party? Will he take care of the over 52 per cent of Malawi’s population? I doubt. In my raw perception, I now understand why the good Ngwazi did not leave the MCP in JZU’s hands.––Feedback: echitsulo@yahoo.com
|
