Mbwiiye,

You see what is happening? I have been saying this all along but you people think I am politicking and trading on sour grapes after we have been kicked out of the Capital by constitutional fate.

But what I have been frothing about are mere facts. Key among them is the fact that the new Capital leaders, notably the boss, are not working at all. Do you see how she has conveniently taken our attention from the Capital jet and its expenses saga and begun using donated transport? You all saw what happened this week, when a foreign capital sent a military jet all the way from the western coast of the continent just to fly out our CEO?

You see; Mbwiiye, there are two issues here. One, the high propensity for travel, local or foreign, against whatever it takes! Two, the question of work ethics. You see, some jobs require not only your qualifications, experience and overall suitability, but also the time you invest in the work.

Think of pilots; these have to fly all the time for them to be called pilots. Engineers have to go through a minimum prescribed hours of drawing. And good traders sit where it matters, at the cash register.

The point I am driving at is that a leader has to sit and deal with issues that matter for his people’s lives.

Mbwiiye

, I want you to think of how embarrassing it is for a Capital CEO to be all over and even being flown around by donated aeroplanes. I also want you to think of our leaders who distinguish themselves through begging when we, like any other African countries, have the natural resources and the manpower to determine our strategic and economic direction.

Which, Mbwiiye, is what the late Professor Moya was talking about. The problem was that you fellows closed your ears and hearts. You never listened to him. Now see what is happening, a whole Capital leader indulging in aviation matola! Isn’t that unsettling?

By the way, I hope you are also aware that the meeting is not about Heads of State, but, rather, first ladies. Now, Mbwiiye, you tell me: Is our Capital CEO a First Lady? Forget about the crap that she is a guest of honour. Has she at any point been a First Lady herself? Or else, you tell me she would like to be one or she feels like one.

My point is that some of these invitations can be delegated or politely turned down. In the same way we recently sent a traditional leader to London for a Safe Motherhood indaba, we could have also sent others to Abuja; for example, our ‘mother’ Shanil who practically has nothing to do somewhere in the dry lands of Balaka.

Callista, as she is fondly referred to, could have also been given an opportunity to fly out there. She could also have used the opportunity to have a break from mourning the tragic death of her husband.

This, Mbwiiye, also brings me to yet another aspect. We Malawians are getting excited with things that don’t seriously add value to our lives. What is in it for us in attending a first ladies indaba in Abuja? Do we just want to show off our President to the continent? Is she just a trophy being paraded out there?

As I have argued before, this is why we have, all of a sudden, found most of our land, businesses and women gone to foreigners; because we indulge in little nothings, especially in empty politics and showbiz antics.

That, Mbwiiye, does not happen anywhere else; hazviitwe, as they say in Shona.

Here you find normal professionals leaving their jobs to go and clap hands and ‘be seen’ at Capital functions that don’t concern them. They want to be seen to be supportive and called ‘wathu’ by the powers that be.

Here you see all political establishments following the ruling party circus, not only to be seen as working with the government of the day, but also to ensure that they, too, get some government contracts for subsidised fertiliser, spare parts at government utility companies or even stationery supply at Capital offices.

Mbwiiye

, others just trail along to ensure that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the politicised police or some courts don’t pursue their cases. If you think I am lying, see pictures of these political events. You will see which characters I am talking about.

Then there is also the issue of believing in and enforcing the faulty argument that the Capital CEO is the source of all solutions. Today, everybody or a group that has problems, from marital to industrial issues, are writing the President, asking her to intervene.

Again, if you don’t believe me, Mbwiiye, slap your wife and you will see who she is going to report to. Instead of turning to your ankhoswe’s for your help, she will get into a group of similar ‘slapees’ and write the President, seeking her intervention; that is, if she is in her Capital office.

If people are not happy with their bosses or perks, they are all seeking the President’s intervention. Of course, as overall CEO, she has to look into these matters and ensure that corrective action is taken.

But, Mbwiiye, I feel people are exaggerating. There are structures and systems that Ngwazi Dr. H.Kamuzu Banda put in place, be it in the Capital Service or private sector. There are mechanisms for dispute resolution.

Otherwise, the President’s office will be reduced to a circus ground in the next two years or so.

On the other hand, if everybody wants to deal with the President and the President dances to the same tune, it means two things. One, the system has failed. There is need for overhaul. Two, it would also mean the people and their President do not understand the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the presidency.

One thing that should be clear is that a president is not a saviour of some sort. This, Mbwiiye, is what has gone wrong with us with our governance and leadership perceptions over the last 50 years or so. This is why we have wrongly christened our leaders as Mose wa Lero, Mpulumutsi, kuChitekete, aNgwazi, Woyenda mMaliro, etc. That is all wrong.

These guys and ‘guyesses’ have a specific task to perform in their terms of office; and that is provision of vision and strategy, not cartooning around with petty issues and mediocrity.

That is why, Mbwiiye, when we come back to power in 2014, we will do the right things. Mark my words.

Mbwiiye

, I am still writing you for and on behalf of the late Moya original.

The late Rt.Hon.K.L.Mphwanye,

OSP, OLM, OCK, OLT

Achiever of MDGs, Professor of Government

Doctor of Laws

(Honoris Causa), Western Pacific