BRAVE Warriors assistant coach Ronnie Kanalelo said he does not expect a difficult match against Malawi when the two countries take each other on in a friendly match in Blantyre today.
The match will be part of Malawi's Independence celebrations and will also serve as a warm up for Namibia, ahead of their Cosafa Castle Cup encounter against Botswana later this month.
Kanalelo said he knows the type of football that Malawi plays and does not fear them, while maintaining that it will not be too difficult to beat them despite them playing at home.
With the absence of head coach Ben Bamfuchile due to illness during that match, Kanalelo and Brian Isaacs will both act as coaches on the day, an unusual situation for a national team.
When asked about their dual role for the match, Kanalelo explained that they will both be in charge and will share the responsibilities accordingly.
"We are both going there on an equal footing.
There is no head coach, we will work together as we normally do," was Kanalelo's response.
Malawi lost 3-2 to Namibia in their last match during a meaningless third-place play off during last year's Cosafa Castle Cup in Windhoek.
Kanalelo and Isaacs were also part of the set-up during that match.
Kanalelo said he has played in Malawi as a player himself and knows the conditions and the players in that country.
"It will just be another match for us.
We are well prepared for it and I don't think Malawi will be such a strong challenge to us," he said this week at a new kit presentation for the team by Castle Brewing Namibia.
Kanalelo and Isaacs travelled with a relatively lightweight squad of 16 players, who have mostly been drawn from teams in the domestic league.
The only professional player will be goalkeeper Abisai Shiningayamwe who will take over the captaincy from African Stars defender Mali Ngarizemo.
Ngarizemo led the group of locals during the practice sessions and also spoke on behalf of the players at the presentation.
He said the team looks good, despite the absence of most foreign-based players, but was confident of a win.
The side trained for at least two weeks before this match and according to Ngarizemo, the fitness level is outstanding and promises a good result for Namibia.
He said a win will put the players in a more confident mood ahead of the Cosafa Cup and it will also be a good platform for the local players to prove themselves in the absence of some key players.
"This is a good chance for all of us to prove ourselves to the technical staff, but most importantly, we are going for a win," he said.
Isaacs said the absence of the foreign-based players would not affect the team negatively, because all the players in the side have worked hard to be picked for the encounter.
The two assistant coaches drew in Civics playmaker Dumisa Jantze and the towering African Stars striker Gerson Katjatenja, to beef up the team in the absence of prominent players.
Eleven Arrows defender Chris Katjiukua has also left with the team and for both him and Katjatenja, it will be the first time to go on national duty.
Earlier, The Namibian Sport reported that Jantze has never played on senior level, but in fact, the former Tigers midfielder played a match during the 2001 Cosafa Castle Cup against Mauritius.
In that match, he came on as a substitute in the 89th minute, which Namibia ultimately lost 1-0.
He also played for Namibia in a Swaziland Trade Fair tournament under former Namibian coach Ted Dumitru.
Katjatenja is expected to lead the attack today with Rudolph Bester either on the left flank or behind the strikers, while other options in the front-line could be Patrick Jagger, Eddy Simenda and Muna Katupose.
In midfield, players such as Jamu Ngatjizeko, Brian Brendell and Tara Katupose will all be relied on.
Ngarizemo will be expected to command the defence and he will going into that role with the assistance of Franklin April Jeremia Baisako, Gottlieb Nakuta and Katjiukua.
Athiel Mbaha and Shiningayamwe will vie for the number one jersey between the sticks.
Friday, 6 July 2007
South African jazz maestro Hugh Masekela to stage jamborees
Internationally-renown South African musician, Hugh Masekela, arrived in Malawi on Friday to perform two live shows in Blantyre and Lilongwe, the country’s two major cities, APA learnt here.
This is Masekela’s first tour of Malawi and it is being organised by Celtel Malawi Limited, the global cellular phone network firm.
Celtel Markerting Director Charles Maye told journalists in Lilongwe that Masekela\’s shows would honour Celtel customers for the support they render to the company.
“We have also organised these two concerts in line with our global corporate culture of promoting ethnic arts and culture in Africa,” he said.
According to Masekela, Malawi is the only country in the sub-Saharan Africa that he has not performed.
The 68-year-old trumpeter has brought along his 16-member outfit, ready to mesmerise Malawi’s Afro-jazz lovers.
“This is a special treat for our distinguished corporate customers and the general public because we would want to show them that we appreciate their loyalty to us,\" Maye said.
Malawi’s celebrated musician and Kora Award nominee Wambali Mkandawire will curtain-raise Masekela shows slated for Lilongwe Golf Club on Saturday on July 7 and at the Blantyre Sports Club the following day.
This is Masekela’s first tour of Malawi and it is being organised by Celtel Malawi Limited, the global cellular phone network firm.
Celtel Markerting Director Charles Maye told journalists in Lilongwe that Masekela\’s shows would honour Celtel customers for the support they render to the company.
“We have also organised these two concerts in line with our global corporate culture of promoting ethnic arts and culture in Africa,” he said.
According to Masekela, Malawi is the only country in the sub-Saharan Africa that he has not performed.
The 68-year-old trumpeter has brought along his 16-member outfit, ready to mesmerise Malawi’s Afro-jazz lovers.
“This is a special treat for our distinguished corporate customers and the general public because we would want to show them that we appreciate their loyalty to us,\" Maye said.
Malawi’s celebrated musician and Kora Award nominee Wambali Mkandawire will curtain-raise Masekela shows slated for Lilongwe Golf Club on Saturday on July 7 and at the Blantyre Sports Club the following day.
Taiwan's FM in Malawi
Taiwan's Foreign Minister James Huang has arrived in Malawi's capital Blantyre at the start of a five-nation African tour, during which he will meet with President Bingu wa Mutharika.
Speaking to reporters on his arrival, Huang bemoaned the exclusion of his island nation from the United Nations, saying that his country and its citizens would benefit the global community.
"It's not fair to exclude us from the UN, the most important organisation...The global community would also benefit from us as we are the 18th largest economy in the world."
Taiwan, under its official name, the Republic of China, lost its UN seat to China in 1971. The two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.
Taipei's efforts to rejoin the world body have been repeatedly blocked by Beijing, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting re-unification.
"Taiwan has developmental experience to share with our partners. We do have rich human resources able to transform countries into excellent economic performers," said the minister, flanked by his Malawian counterpart, Joyce Banda.
Some 32 smartly dressed orphans from an orphanage funded by a Taiwanese charity, waved Malawian and Taiwanese flags and sang songs of praise of the two nations, as Huang walked to the VIP lounge.
Huang said his country had in the past received "overwhelming support" from other countries to rejoin the UN, saying "obstruction came from China."
"We will still do our best to join the UN and work for the better life of people," Huang said.
He thanked Malawi, with which Taipei established diplomatic relations in 1965, "for supporting us in the UN effort."
"The chief mission is to report to the president on the current status of bilateral projects," he said, adding that Taiwan was keen to develop new areas of co-operation in information and education "to bridge the digital gap between the rich and the poor.
He departs for Swaziland tomorrow after witnessing part of the celebrations to mark Malawi's 43 years of independence from Britain.
He will also visit Gambia, Burkina Faso and Sao Tome and Principe before rounding up the African tour on July 11. -AFP
Speaking to reporters on his arrival, Huang bemoaned the exclusion of his island nation from the United Nations, saying that his country and its citizens would benefit the global community.
"It's not fair to exclude us from the UN, the most important organisation...The global community would also benefit from us as we are the 18th largest economy in the world."
Taiwan, under its official name, the Republic of China, lost its UN seat to China in 1971. The two sides split in 1949 after a civil war.
Taipei's efforts to rejoin the world body have been repeatedly blocked by Beijing, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting re-unification.
"Taiwan has developmental experience to share with our partners. We do have rich human resources able to transform countries into excellent economic performers," said the minister, flanked by his Malawian counterpart, Joyce Banda.
Some 32 smartly dressed orphans from an orphanage funded by a Taiwanese charity, waved Malawian and Taiwanese flags and sang songs of praise of the two nations, as Huang walked to the VIP lounge.
Huang said his country had in the past received "overwhelming support" from other countries to rejoin the UN, saying "obstruction came from China."
"We will still do our best to join the UN and work for the better life of people," Huang said.
He thanked Malawi, with which Taipei established diplomatic relations in 1965, "for supporting us in the UN effort."
"The chief mission is to report to the president on the current status of bilateral projects," he said, adding that Taiwan was keen to develop new areas of co-operation in information and education "to bridge the digital gap between the rich and the poor.
He departs for Swaziland tomorrow after witnessing part of the celebrations to mark Malawi's 43 years of independence from Britain.
He will also visit Gambia, Burkina Faso and Sao Tome and Principe before rounding up the African tour on July 11. -AFP
Political bickering takes priority over poverty
The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), which regulates the operations of the Catholic Church in the country, has expressed its concern over the ongoing political crisis, calling on members of parliament (MPs) to set aside their differences and consider the plight of the poor.
In a statement signed by Archbishop Tarsizio Ziyaye, chairman of the ECM, the bishops warned that the crisis pitting the ruling party against the opposition over MP dismissals could seriously destabilise the country.
Last month, Malawi's Supreme Court granted powers to the Speaker of Parliament to expel defecting lawmakers, a decision that would affect the strength of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has welcomed 60 defectors into its fold, bringing its tally of members in parliament to 80. The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) dominates parliament with about 110 seats.
The bishops called on all MPs to handle the issue of Section 65 of the Constitution with sober minds. Section 65 states that the seats of MPs who defect from the party that sponsored them, which is described as "crossing the floor", are to be declared vacant. Rather than joining the DPP, those MPs who crossed the floor would now be excluded from parliament.
The ECM is worried that MPs will concentrate solely on Section 65 instead of discussing the 173 billion kwacha (US$1.2 billion) 2007/08 budget, presented in parliament by finance minister Goodall Gondwe on 29 June 2007, and urged the parliamentarians to consider passing the national financial plan for the good of the country.
"Should we all lose the gains from debt cancellation [by multilateral donors in 2006] by financing the impeachment processes or by-elections [of defecting MPs], at the expense of pro-poor expenditure areas like education, health, food security and mitigation of HIV/AIDS?" the statement asked.
The main fear is that political bickering will eclipse any focus on economic and developmental policies in parliament. "Issues like the calling for by-elections, the resignation of the State president, the impeachment of the Speaker of Parliament, if implemented, will wipe out all the gains that have been realised through our maturing democracy," they warned.
Political confrontation at the height of a food security crisis in Malawi in 2005 even aroused the donor community's concern. Donors wrote to opposition political leaders, voicing their anxiety over the impeachment proceedings while the country was experiencing a "serious and prolonged food crisis".
Mustafa Hussein, a political analyst at the University of Malawi, told IRIN that the issue of Section 65 should be dealt with first, "then later, MPs can discuss the budget".
Political parties were aware of the importance of passing the budget, and that "Section 65 was put in place to ensure that our MPs are accountable to the people who elected them into office. The delay by government or opposition in dealing with section 65 undermines the rule of law," he said.
Both the MCP and UDF have rejected the calls by the bishops and have asked them not to interfere in the political affairs.
President Bingu wa Mutharika has spent almost three conflict-ridden years in power, at the centre of a tense standoff with the opposition that has stalled the functioning of Malawi's parliament and delayed the approval of bills.
The political crisis began when Mutharika left the UDF to form his own political organisation, the DPP, shortly after it had sponsored him in the 2004 general elections. The UDF hit back with an impeachment charge, accusing Mutharika of using US$300,000 of public money to launch the DPP.
In a statement signed by Archbishop Tarsizio Ziyaye, chairman of the ECM, the bishops warned that the crisis pitting the ruling party against the opposition over MP dismissals could seriously destabilise the country.
Last month, Malawi's Supreme Court granted powers to the Speaker of Parliament to expel defecting lawmakers, a decision that would affect the strength of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has welcomed 60 defectors into its fold, bringing its tally of members in parliament to 80. The opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) dominates parliament with about 110 seats.
The bishops called on all MPs to handle the issue of Section 65 of the Constitution with sober minds. Section 65 states that the seats of MPs who defect from the party that sponsored them, which is described as "crossing the floor", are to be declared vacant. Rather than joining the DPP, those MPs who crossed the floor would now be excluded from parliament.
The ECM is worried that MPs will concentrate solely on Section 65 instead of discussing the 173 billion kwacha (US$1.2 billion) 2007/08 budget, presented in parliament by finance minister Goodall Gondwe on 29 June 2007, and urged the parliamentarians to consider passing the national financial plan for the good of the country.
"Should we all lose the gains from debt cancellation [by multilateral donors in 2006] by financing the impeachment processes or by-elections [of defecting MPs], at the expense of pro-poor expenditure areas like education, health, food security and mitigation of HIV/AIDS?" the statement asked.
The main fear is that political bickering will eclipse any focus on economic and developmental policies in parliament. "Issues like the calling for by-elections, the resignation of the State president, the impeachment of the Speaker of Parliament, if implemented, will wipe out all the gains that have been realised through our maturing democracy," they warned.
Political confrontation at the height of a food security crisis in Malawi in 2005 even aroused the donor community's concern. Donors wrote to opposition political leaders, voicing their anxiety over the impeachment proceedings while the country was experiencing a "serious and prolonged food crisis".
Mustafa Hussein, a political analyst at the University of Malawi, told IRIN that the issue of Section 65 should be dealt with first, "then later, MPs can discuss the budget".
Political parties were aware of the importance of passing the budget, and that "Section 65 was put in place to ensure that our MPs are accountable to the people who elected them into office. The delay by government or opposition in dealing with section 65 undermines the rule of law," he said.
Both the MCP and UDF have rejected the calls by the bishops and have asked them not to interfere in the political affairs.
President Bingu wa Mutharika has spent almost three conflict-ridden years in power, at the centre of a tense standoff with the opposition that has stalled the functioning of Malawi's parliament and delayed the approval of bills.
The political crisis began when Mutharika left the UDF to form his own political organisation, the DPP, shortly after it had sponsored him in the 2004 general elections. The UDF hit back with an impeachment charge, accusing Mutharika of using US$300,000 of public money to launch the DPP.
Transforming education in Malawi
One hundred students sit shoulder to shoulder in 100-degree heat in an unairconditioned classroom with 40 wooden desks, 20 textbooks and one teacher.
Ty Lawson, 32, who now lives in Vail, was that one teacher at Mlare Secondary School in Mlare, Malawi. He spent two years, from 2002-04, in the Peace Corps teaching some of the brightest students Malawi had to offer. But in this country of 13 million people in southeastern Africa, most families are living off less than a dollar a day, struggling to even afford to send their children to school.
The Malawi Ministry of Education has undergone dramatic changes in the past two decades. In 1994, the Malawi government implemented free primary school education nationwide, boosting attendance dramatically from the time when first-grade through eighth-grade education had to be paid for. However, with the switch, secondary school, or high school, became a fee- and testing-based luxury. Limited spots mean not only do students have to test into it, but parents also must pay for their children to receive a secondary school education.
“Most parents do think education is important,” Lawson said of families in Malawi. “But they can only afford to do so much.”
Malawi’s main resource is Lake Malawi, Africa’s third-largest lake. As a result, most families are comprised of either fishermen or farmers. And most students plan on becoming the same. If they are serious about school, they may become school teachers, nurses, policemen or accountants. But the question, “What to you want to be when you grow up?” is one teachers never ask.
The opportunities have increased but are extremely limited. The students are taught in English, usually their third or fourth language, because textbook publishers don’t print lessons in the students’ native tribal languages.
Lawson taught math, science and history, enjoying math the most because numbers are easier to translate. There’s no electricity, so showing a movie to illustrate a concept such as World War II isn’t an option. They don’t have laboratories, so doing experiments in chemistry isn’t feasible.
“These are students who have not been 50 miles from their home,” Lawson said. The best teachers knew how to make use of limited resources, he said. They waste nothing, even making soccer balls out of plastic bags.
The student fees go toward books and other development projects — like bathrooms or water pumps. “It’s just not enough to help,” Lawson said.
The education system has taken many steps toward improvements. In comparison to having one teacher instruct 12 grades by distance radio, as was common in the country 20 years ago, there are more schools and more enthusiasm for education. But all this growth is met by a tremendous teacher shortage. There’s only one teacher training college in Malawi.
Fork in the road
Malawi is at a crossroads. The West is trying to get Malawians to change their views on women in society, who usually marry right after primary school.
“Is it more important for 12- to 14-year-old girls to get an education and possibly make money for their families or get married?” Lawson asked. “We don’t want to tell people what to do. We might be wrong.”
One of the problems that stands in the way is the spread of HIV and AIDS. Nearly 20 percent of the population is HIV positive, resulting in almost 1 million deaths and just as many orphans, according to the CIA World Factbook.
“There are tremendous burdens placed on families to support one another,” Lawson said.
The girls had it especially rough, Lawson said. In addition to attending school, they were still expected to do the washing and cooking. If they went home at lunchtime, it wasn’t to eat — it was to prepare the food so their brothers who were also going to school could eat. The families were big usually that the boys didn’t have to worry about the chores as much.
It’s difficult for families living on a dollar a day to save enough to get ahead, Lawson said. Most families will try to send their kids to secondary school or high school if they can afford it, but it was common to send kids home who hadn’t paid.
“Before when there was a dictator, if you did well in school, you got to move on,” Lawson said. “Now, it’s a democracy, but only the rich can afford it.”
Ty Lawson, 32, who now lives in Vail, was that one teacher at Mlare Secondary School in Mlare, Malawi. He spent two years, from 2002-04, in the Peace Corps teaching some of the brightest students Malawi had to offer. But in this country of 13 million people in southeastern Africa, most families are living off less than a dollar a day, struggling to even afford to send their children to school.
The Malawi Ministry of Education has undergone dramatic changes in the past two decades. In 1994, the Malawi government implemented free primary school education nationwide, boosting attendance dramatically from the time when first-grade through eighth-grade education had to be paid for. However, with the switch, secondary school, or high school, became a fee- and testing-based luxury. Limited spots mean not only do students have to test into it, but parents also must pay for their children to receive a secondary school education.
“Most parents do think education is important,” Lawson said of families in Malawi. “But they can only afford to do so much.”
Malawi’s main resource is Lake Malawi, Africa’s third-largest lake. As a result, most families are comprised of either fishermen or farmers. And most students plan on becoming the same. If they are serious about school, they may become school teachers, nurses, policemen or accountants. But the question, “What to you want to be when you grow up?” is one teachers never ask.
The opportunities have increased but are extremely limited. The students are taught in English, usually their third or fourth language, because textbook publishers don’t print lessons in the students’ native tribal languages.
Lawson taught math, science and history, enjoying math the most because numbers are easier to translate. There’s no electricity, so showing a movie to illustrate a concept such as World War II isn’t an option. They don’t have laboratories, so doing experiments in chemistry isn’t feasible.
“These are students who have not been 50 miles from their home,” Lawson said. The best teachers knew how to make use of limited resources, he said. They waste nothing, even making soccer balls out of plastic bags.
The student fees go toward books and other development projects — like bathrooms or water pumps. “It’s just not enough to help,” Lawson said.
The education system has taken many steps toward improvements. In comparison to having one teacher instruct 12 grades by distance radio, as was common in the country 20 years ago, there are more schools and more enthusiasm for education. But all this growth is met by a tremendous teacher shortage. There’s only one teacher training college in Malawi.
Fork in the road
Malawi is at a crossroads. The West is trying to get Malawians to change their views on women in society, who usually marry right after primary school.
“Is it more important for 12- to 14-year-old girls to get an education and possibly make money for their families or get married?” Lawson asked. “We don’t want to tell people what to do. We might be wrong.”
One of the problems that stands in the way is the spread of HIV and AIDS. Nearly 20 percent of the population is HIV positive, resulting in almost 1 million deaths and just as many orphans, according to the CIA World Factbook.
“There are tremendous burdens placed on families to support one another,” Lawson said.
The girls had it especially rough, Lawson said. In addition to attending school, they were still expected to do the washing and cooking. If they went home at lunchtime, it wasn’t to eat — it was to prepare the food so their brothers who were also going to school could eat. The families were big usually that the boys didn’t have to worry about the chores as much.
It’s difficult for families living on a dollar a day to save enough to get ahead, Lawson said. Most families will try to send their kids to secondary school or high school if they can afford it, but it was common to send kids home who hadn’t paid.
“Before when there was a dictator, if you did well in school, you got to move on,” Lawson said. “Now, it’s a democracy, but only the rich can afford it.”
Two men arrested for child labour
Police in Kasungu on Tuesday arrested two wealthy tobacco farmers before releasing them on bail the following day for allegedly employing child tenants in their estates.
Police and officials from the district labour office confirmed that the two were arrested after tips from the public that they employed children as tenants in their estates.
Emmanuel Acton Phiri and Nicholas Kachere Banda both from the area of Traditional Authority Chisinga allegedly employed kids aged 8, and 11 and 13 years old, respectively.
“The two commercial farmers were arrested and charged for employing children which is an offence against the Employment Act. They are expected to appear before court tomorrow,” said Andrew Gada, Kasungu Police Public Relations Officer.
Assistant District Labour Officer for Kasungu Dzoole Mwale said his office was tipped by the public about the development before making a follow up in conjunction with the police.
Kasungu is one of the districts in the country where cases of child labour are very high because of the tobacco of estates.
Last month, as nations worldwide commemorated the International Child Labour Day on June 13 under the theme Harvest for the future agriculture without child labour, it was revealed that of the 3.8 million children aged between 5-17 in Malawi, 1.4 million are engaged in child labour.
Statistics further indicate that over 700 000 children are employed in the agricultural sector in the country, which is by far the largest single sector involving children in child labour.
However, during the last 12 months over 1 000 children have so far been withdrawn from child labour and taken back to schools across the country.
The agriculture sector globally employs about 132 million girls and boys aged between 5 and 14 years old. This represents about 70 percent of the global agriculture labour force.
Although child labour in the country is against the law, cases of children being subjected to work beyond their size is increasing particularly in the tobacco and tea powered districts.
Police and officials from the district labour office confirmed that the two were arrested after tips from the public that they employed children as tenants in their estates.
Emmanuel Acton Phiri and Nicholas Kachere Banda both from the area of Traditional Authority Chisinga allegedly employed kids aged 8, and 11 and 13 years old, respectively.
“The two commercial farmers were arrested and charged for employing children which is an offence against the Employment Act. They are expected to appear before court tomorrow,” said Andrew Gada, Kasungu Police Public Relations Officer.
Assistant District Labour Officer for Kasungu Dzoole Mwale said his office was tipped by the public about the development before making a follow up in conjunction with the police.
Kasungu is one of the districts in the country where cases of child labour are very high because of the tobacco of estates.
Last month, as nations worldwide commemorated the International Child Labour Day on June 13 under the theme Harvest for the future agriculture without child labour, it was revealed that of the 3.8 million children aged between 5-17 in Malawi, 1.4 million are engaged in child labour.
Statistics further indicate that over 700 000 children are employed in the agricultural sector in the country, which is by far the largest single sector involving children in child labour.
However, during the last 12 months over 1 000 children have so far been withdrawn from child labour and taken back to schools across the country.
The agriculture sector globally employs about 132 million girls and boys aged between 5 and 14 years old. This represents about 70 percent of the global agriculture labour force.
Although child labour in the country is against the law, cases of children being subjected to work beyond their size is increasing particularly in the tobacco and tea powered districts.
Aleke lashes at Mutharika
President of Peoples Progressive Movement (PPM) Hon. Aleke Banda who did not attend yesterday’s press briefing jointly organised by leading opposition parties in the country, held his own today in the capital Lilongwe laying into President Bingu wa Mutharika’s minority government for the political stand off in the country.
Banda said the resumption of parliament next week lies in the hands of government and not opposition as government is deliberately delaying the Speaker to deal with the matter on Section 65.
“It is unfair for the government and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to put the blame on opposition members since nobody is to be blame as it is govt which is not in a compromising mood,” said the PPM leader who described the suspension of parliament by Speaker Louis Chimango as “unfortunate”.
While clearing misconceptions arising from the parliamentary suspension, Banda reiterated that the opposition has not ganged up to shoot the budget down since previous budgets passed with the blessing of the opposition.
“The opposition cannot such a mistake to reject the budget as this is for the people of Malawi as a whole,” Banda said.
The Nkhata Bay parliamentarian described reports being aired by the national broadcasters as unfortunate and are increasing political tension which has already heightened.
Banda described the president’s speech as unfair for the Judiciary of the country adding that no meaningful dialogue would emerge with the opposition with the manner the president had spoken.
“It is not fair for the president to point fingers at the former head of state Dr Bakili Muluzi as the master-minder of Section 65 interpretation by the judiciary,” Banda criticised, adding that it was unreasonable and misleading for the president to insinuate that Muluzi had crossed the floor when he had formed the UDF after leaving an MCP in the early 1980s.
On Wednesday, UDF’s Leader in the House, Dr George Nga Mtafu and MCP parliamentary spokesperson Ishmael Chafukira called on the president to learn from the Ngwazi Kamuzu Banda on contact and dialogue with the opposition than rushing to MBC and TVM for castigations.
“When issues arise, instead of contacting us, he rushes to MBC and TVM to intimidate us. He should learn to contact us. We are ready for any dialogue,” said Mtafu.
“The only way to resolve the current political impasse in Parliament, which has put the passing of the K173 billion national budget at stake due to the premature adjournment, would be for Mutharika to seek dialogue,” Chafukira said.
Banda said the resumption of parliament next week lies in the hands of government and not opposition as government is deliberately delaying the Speaker to deal with the matter on Section 65.
“It is unfair for the government and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to put the blame on opposition members since nobody is to be blame as it is govt which is not in a compromising mood,” said the PPM leader who described the suspension of parliament by Speaker Louis Chimango as “unfortunate”.
While clearing misconceptions arising from the parliamentary suspension, Banda reiterated that the opposition has not ganged up to shoot the budget down since previous budgets passed with the blessing of the opposition.
“The opposition cannot such a mistake to reject the budget as this is for the people of Malawi as a whole,” Banda said.
The Nkhata Bay parliamentarian described reports being aired by the national broadcasters as unfortunate and are increasing political tension which has already heightened.
Banda described the president’s speech as unfair for the Judiciary of the country adding that no meaningful dialogue would emerge with the opposition with the manner the president had spoken.
“It is not fair for the president to point fingers at the former head of state Dr Bakili Muluzi as the master-minder of Section 65 interpretation by the judiciary,” Banda criticised, adding that it was unreasonable and misleading for the president to insinuate that Muluzi had crossed the floor when he had formed the UDF after leaving an MCP in the early 1980s.
On Wednesday, UDF’s Leader in the House, Dr George Nga Mtafu and MCP parliamentary spokesperson Ishmael Chafukira called on the president to learn from the Ngwazi Kamuzu Banda on contact and dialogue with the opposition than rushing to MBC and TVM for castigations.
“When issues arise, instead of contacting us, he rushes to MBC and TVM to intimidate us. He should learn to contact us. We are ready for any dialogue,” said Mtafu.
“The only way to resolve the current political impasse in Parliament, which has put the passing of the K173 billion national budget at stake due to the premature adjournment, would be for Mutharika to seek dialogue,” Chafukira said.
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