Of Chilembwe and Modern Day Politics

Wonderful Friday, isn't it?

Last week we went all in with the relationship thing. From the reaction that I got showed that people who read the article could relate with the sentiments shared. Rather interestingly, almost everyone picked a part they related with the most. The parts people related with the most were the "buying sympathy" and "spending too much to win someone's heart" sections. It seems like we can now formulate a take home message about starting relationships. Don't entertain those who want your sympathy for sins you didn't commit (their past relationships) and don't try too hard to win someone over.

As a nation, we started the week with the Chilembwe Day. This is the day that we celebrated the reverend who led a struggle against the oppressive regime of the whites; demanding a stop to the thangata system and the sending of Africans to fight fellow Africans in the World War. Back in the days, this day used to be the day that we could all gather around Panasonic radios to listen to the Adaferanji play. I am told that some could shed a tear or two when listening to the part where Chilembwe was shot. All in all, it was the sort of day that we all undividedly appreciated the everyone's effort. The later days have brought in an interesting perspective to this whole Chilembwe Day holiday as the day has been a constant cause of a raging debate as to whether Chilembwe ('s struggle) is still relevant in this age. I am not sure as to whether it is my love for public holidays, but I still think the man is someone that ought to be celebrated (I even agree with one Pilirani Banda that we should have a whole week of honoring him).

Those who have been speaking against regarding Chilembwe as a hero have had the fact that his uprising did not bring independence from the colonial masters. Others have gone on to say that the man should have left the whites to stay and develop the country, having South Africa as the reference point. The other camp argues that Chilembwe did not have any intent of bringing independence but rather was fighting for the fair treatment of  the locals by the then colonial masters. In other words, he probably wouldn't have had issues with the whites if their treatment of the locals was fair. Thinking along those lines, it might be unreasonable to think of Chilembwe as someone who was supposed to bring independence from the colonialist. Perhaps one might argue that he should have aimed higher. On the issue of economic independence and all that stuff, I would like to think that Chilembwe was a bit too far off and that blaming him for kicking out the wazungu is somehow too far fetched. The guy only wanted fair treatment for his fellow natives, anyway. On another note, Nyasaland was, at some point under the Queen on England with HKB as Prime Minister a point at which some sections of the population like to think that we had the chance to love our lives while tapping into the white man's resources. We probably shouldn't drag this issue along because it's not the main topic for the day.

This year's celebrations of the Chilembwe Day sparked some conversation. Our president, in his address on the day called upon Malawians to put a stop to the practice of politicizing issues to do with corruption. That call made a lot of us wonder as to how that was related to the day but even more importantly it got us wondering how commoners like the Venomous Hope would politicize anything that matters. It simply did not make sense. If anything, it was us who were supposed to be making such a plea to the elite who have used their political offices to shield themselves from the massive charges of corruption. Chilembwe must have turned in his grave wherever he was buried (I am told he was buried in some unmarked grave somewhere in Mulanje).

The President's talk on the depoliticization of things reminded me of how politically exciting this year will be. In my earlier article, I shared as to how campaign rallies and pre-election conventions will blow into full swing this year with or without the official opening of the campaign season. Having only wasted 19 days of the year, none of those have happened. There are some, however who are and will continue campaign rallies while disguising them as developmental rallies and familirization tours. This is our usual business. We know it happens and we will whine about it but nothing will be done, anyway.

With the elections coming closer by the day, we will be seeing a lot of activity from aspiring office bearers. My good old friend (my lecturer), Prof John Chisi has taken in to the social media and has opened a Facebook account and page. He is now communicating directly with his "fans" and potential voters (check him out) on the network and shortly he will be telling us how he is going to employ modified feudalism to transform this country. The Malawi Congress Party which many have dubbed the hope of the nation is  now recruiting assets and the pick of the moment is none other than Fischer Anong'a Jahman Kondowe. The Bullets sensation once declared his ambition to contest as for a parliamentary post but people were not sure as to which party he was going to side with. Mystery solved now. He is with the MCP whose "Mia" has gone on to say that Fischer is a valuable addition to the party. The Jahman on the other hand has justified his choice of party, saying that he is going with MCP which has the vision of developing the nation and he wants to help his constituents. Not sure if the shadow MP has a full understanding of the roles of an MP here, but who would blame such a man in a country where the primary role of an MP is buying suits for chiefs and buying coffins whenever we lose a constituent?

Still in the intersection between football and politics, Peter Mponda has also declared interest in running for a parliamentary seat and so has one Noel Lipipa who has been actively involved in the running of Bullets FC. We are not too sure as to who the new aspirant from the music side will be but I am pretty sure we will see a lot of candidates coming out of nowhere to contest. That's what this year is for, anyway; observing political moves and all.

Going back to Chilembwe, he was a selfless man that we all ought to emulate. As we draw closer to elections, our politicians who are busy strategizing on how to get into or retain political seats ought to rethink the purposes of their actions and think in the same lines of Chilembwe. You, dear reader, should also think of how you can promote the lives of people around you and protect them from oppression.

Have a lovely weekend.