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Is it not strange that a religious group which claims to champion the cause of peace and reconciliation should show sympathy to a political party that loses a member through resignation?
The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation (Forper) led by Rev Ian Longwe and Malani Mtonga have no business taking Vice President Justin Malewezi to task for resigning from the UDF. Only if the Veep’s resignation from UDF threatens the country’s peace, would Longwe and Mtonga have cause to worry, which in my view, does not.
To start with, we are in a democracy where freedom of association is a constitutional right. The tragedy with Forper members is that this bare fact or reality has not yet dawned on them. It is only mercenary groups like Longwe’s who are yet to be initiated to the culture and tenets of democracy that will use their pulpits and proclaim that ‘blessed are not ye who resign from the ruling party for ye are not winners’.
Longwe and his colleagues should strive to acquire the ability to discern that when people are able to exercise their constitutional right to associate or ‘de-associate’ freely, it is the larger good — democracy — that wins.
Having said that, let me agree with Longwe and Mtonga that Malewezi’s resignation from the party has left it in disarray. Ironically, UDF, being what it is — never wanting to admit facts when they are not in its favour — will definitely not agree with the two gentlemen.
UDF will never say the departure of so and so has hit us below the belt. Except, of course, at a funeral where the party will recount the good things the deceased used to do to the party while he lived. Not those who resign.
This reminds me of the many people who started with the UDF in 1994 as cabinet ministers but are no longer in the party due to catastrophes — natural or of UDF’s making — deaths or resignations.
Deaths, indeed, have robbed the UDF of its eminent people like Edward Bwanali, Collins Chizumila, Shaibu Itimu, Dr John Nankumba, Weinham Nakanga, Prof Alufeyo Chilivumbo. RIP. Except for Chilivumbo, all the others formed the first 22-man cabinet in 1994 — 19 full ministers and three deputies.
But the list of those who have quit UDF due to the running of the party like a personal estate is longer. We are talking of political heavies like Brown Mpinganjira, the man usually credited with the founding of the UDF, James Makhumula, Aleke Banda, Harry Thomson, Patrick Mbewe and now Malewezi.
We are all witnesses to the rot, ridicule and vituperation that have frothed from the mouths of UDF officials against these honourable men. Their only offence was that they resigned from the party. One day they would be praised to the sky for their integrity and for having the welfare of the people at heart. The following day — one out of the party — the same party would vilify and demonise them as villains, who mislead and tarnished the ‘good’ image of the party.
Now if we look around and see who of those ministers formed the party’s first cabinet, we will be surprised that only about four — Peter Fachi, George Mtafu, Sam Mpasu and Cassim Chilumpha, are still there. The question UDF should be asking is; were all those who left the party villains?
Now what do Longwe and Mtonga mean when they say Malewezi has resigned at a time when the UDF needed him most? This is nonsense. If UDF needed Malewezi, it should have made him its presidential candidate for the May elections. Of all those that are still in the party now, Malewezi was the most qualified to run this country. He has the qualifications, experience in government as well as in politics. Above all else, and which most UDF politicians have demonstrated to have a tremendous amount of deficiency, Malewezi is level-headed, mature and not emotional. Si wabefu.
I have never heard Malewezi rabiding at a rally and calling God’s creation Mphuno bi, mphonongolo ziri uko! or Mphwephwa. Honourable people do not gain respect and fame by the amount of scorn and rot they churn out against political rivals.
By the way, when did Longwe and Mtonga stand up against evils that all Malawians can point at? If Forper is a counterweight to Forum for the Defence of Democracy, then they represent evil fighting light. Longwe and his group should show Malawians the good they have done comparable to the fight against and triumph over UDF and President Bakili Muluzi’s failed bid for an open and third term in office.
I did not exhaust the list of those who have resigned from the UDF. Those include Peter Chupa, Lizzie Mpinganjira, Gresham Naura, Jan Jaap Sonke and Joe Manduwa. These people chose light against the forces of darkness.
Shall we conclude by reminding ourselves that we are poorer now than we were in 1992. This is according to the UNDP. There is a way in which we can get out of this mishap. The Electoral Commission had inundated me with messages reminding me to register for the polls so that I can vote on May 18, this year. I am game.
,
Is it not strange that a religious group which claims to champion the cause of peace and reconciliation should show sympathy to a political party that loses a member through resignation?
The Forum for Peace and Reconciliation (Forper) led by Rev Ian Longwe and Malani Mtonga have no business taking Vice President Justin Malewezi to task for resigning from the UDF. Only if the Veep’s resignation from UDF threatens the country’s peace, would Longwe and Mtonga have cause to worry, which in my view, does not.
To start with, we are in a democracy where freedom of association is a constitutional right. The tragedy with Forper members is that this bare fact or reality has not yet dawned on them. It is only mercenary groups like Longwe’s who are yet to be initiated to the culture and tenets of democracy that will use their pulpits and proclaim that ‘blessed are not ye who resign from the ruling party for ye are not winners’.
Longwe and his colleagues should strive to acquire the ability to discern that when people are able to exercise their constitutional right to associate or ‘de-associate’ freely, it is the larger good — democracy — that wins.
Having said that, let me agree with Longwe and Mtonga that Malewezi’s resignation from the party has left it in disarray. Ironically, UDF, being what it is — never wanting to admit facts when they are not in its favour — will definitely not agree with the two gentlemen.
UDF will never say the departure of so and so has hit us below the belt. Except, of course, at a funeral where the party will recount the good things the deceased used to do to the party while he lived. Not those who resign.
This reminds me of the many people who started with the UDF in 1994 as cabinet ministers but are no longer in the party due to catastrophes — natural or of UDF’s making — deaths or resignations.
Deaths, indeed, have robbed the UDF of its eminent people like Edward Bwanali, Collins Chizumila, Shaibu Itimu, Dr John Nankumba, Weinham Nakanga, Prof Alufeyo Chilivumbo. RIP. Except for Chilivumbo, all the others formed the first 22-man cabinet in 1994 — 19 full ministers and three deputies.
But the list of those who have quit UDF due to the running of the party like a personal estate is longer. We are talking of political heavies like Brown Mpinganjira, the man usually credited with the founding of the UDF, James Makhumula, Aleke Banda, Harry Thomson, Patrick Mbewe and now Malewezi.
We are all witnesses to the rot, ridicule and vituperation that have frothed from the mouths of UDF officials against these honourable men. Their only offence was that they resigned from the party. One day they would be praised to the sky for their integrity and for having the welfare of the people at heart. The following day — one out of the party — the same party would vilify and demonise them as villains, who mislead and tarnished the ‘good’ image of the party.
Now if we look around and see who of those ministers formed the party’s first cabinet, we will be surprised that only about four — Peter Fachi, George Mtafu, Sam Mpasu and Cassim Chilumpha, are still there. The question UDF should be asking is; were all those who left the party villains?
Now what do Longwe and Mtonga mean when they say Malewezi has resigned at a time when the UDF needed him most? This is nonsense. If UDF needed Malewezi, it should have made him its presidential candidate for the May elections. Of all those that are still in the party now, Malewezi was the most qualified to run this country. He has the qualifications, experience in government as well as in politics. Above all else, and which most UDF politicians have demonstrated to have a tremendous amount of deficiency, Malewezi is level-headed, mature and not emotional. Si wabefu.
I have never heard Malewezi rabiding at a rally and calling God’s creation Mphuno bi, mphonongolo ziri uko! or Mphwephwa. Honourable people do not gain respect and fame by the amount of scorn and rot they churn out against political rivals.
By the way, when did Longwe and Mtonga stand up against evils that all Malawians can point at? If Forper is a counterweight to Forum for the Defence of Democracy, then they represent evil fighting light. Longwe and his group should show Malawians the good they have done comparable to the fight against and triumph over UDF and President Bakili Muluzi’s failed bid for an open and third term in office.
I did not exhaust the list of those who have resigned from the UDF. Those include Peter Chupa, Lizzie Mpinganjira, Gresham Naura, Jan Jaap Sonke and Joe Manduwa. These people chose light against the forces of darkness.
Shall we conclude by reminding ourselves that we are poorer now than we were in 1992. This is according to the UNDP. There is a way in which we can get out of this mishap. The Electoral Commission had inundated me with messages reminding me to register for the polls so that I can vote on May 18, this year. I am game.
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