OF GOVERNMENT’S HUNKY-PANKY BUSINESS WITH TERTIARY EDUCATION

John Kachere

Let us for once put the current xenophobia talk aside and discuss other matters of equal importance.
You see folks, there is big trouble hovering above the skies of our great republic that is blessed with everything from rich alluvial soils to cashgaters.

The University of Malawi, the biggest tertiary institution in the land has decided to stop government sponsorship of selecting students into its constituent colleges. As if this is not enough to give one a migraine headache, the men of letters in Zomba have also decided to adjust the fees upwards with mammoth figures that most Malawians can only dream of vomiting. Now, what this simply means is that the students shall be responsible for all finances pertaining to their education throughout their stay at the University.

This, in our humble opinion is executive baloney and definitely a wayward way of executing positive change to the tertiary education system. Granted, the old fees structures and the above 90% government financing of Unima are not exactly what financial experts would call financial prudence. However, it looks like government and the esteemed Professors of the Unima council just woke up to the realization that the system needed a paradigm revolution as that of stone to Iron Age. The fees structures are increased by unbearable percentages, the poor chaps selected into the system are told to go to hell and search its pits for their fees, accommodation and meals. Wow! We need not to go into meticulous detail of how our fellows in the deep mountains of Viphya in Rumphi will faire once they get into this nightmare that Unima has become.

Now there is another balderdash proposal presented forth. The much touted Public Loan Trust (PLT) that the lads at Capital Hill think is a master plan to their structural adjustments in the system. You see, in their wisdom, these big fishes propose that students who need financial assistance should apply through this newly enacted body. Now here comes trouble. Its either this folks are high on something not exactly legal or they are under the impression that all Malawians participate in the game of mental masturbation for them to believe that we would trust in such a system.

We the proletariat have learnt with time that such schemes do not work and are in fact a sure way of breeding corruption and red tape. Comeon fellas! We all saw what was happening with the Muluzi ‘staterpack’ gabble, then came the Bingu FISP, you have to be a foreigner not to know that the initiative is a cash cow for some fat cats in town. Before we even had some air, came Joyce Banda’s Mudzi Transformation Trust which in all fairness was the epitome of ridiculousness.

Now, the men in suits in Lilongwe want us to believe that the PLT will be any better?

We are not as damn as they might perceive us to be you know. As it is, the standards of this once mighty institution are dwindling at an alarming rate. Those who learnt at this institution a decade ago will bear witness that things are failing apart. The teaching facilities, the hostels, the libraries and other amenities have long lost their glory. As a matter of fact, it is very worrisome if this PLT will even benefit the necessary people and if we may ask, what measures are going to be taken to make sure that the son of Mr Lakiyoni a subsistence farmer in Tembwe or Santhe benefits from such an initiative? How are they going to make sure that such a person stays in school for the love of God?
Speaking with all honesty, we think such an issue should have been widely debated by all the stakeholders prior to its execution. All the affected parties should have expressed their views on the matter before it took off. Unfortunately only political issues boil attention in Malawi. Now here we are, as usual the decision of a few naive elites, rich and mighty fellows will affect the entire poor population. Should we then, shamefully claim to be a God-fearing nation when the poor continue to be marginalized by the rich who control the superstructure?

Those of us who are currently in the system have already seen enough hell in as far as financing our education is concerned, the current changes are nothing but a last nail on the coffin of a haunted soul destined to the dungeons of hunger and desperate intellectual welfare. We mourn the demise of debate into matters that affect our daily lives, we believe that it is our humble duty to rise and speak, after all it is our time and duty. When we speak, we shall honor the blood of those who fought so hard to emancipate us from the jaws of dictatorship two decades ago.
But then again, change comes to only those who seek it, we are simply a drop in the ocean but together as one, we can lift this great republic to new heights. Intellectual approach is always the best way out. Let us unite and speak our minds today without resorting to violence of any form. Let us realize that tertiary education is the epicenter of innovations, science and technology which our sickly donor dependent and continuously free falling economy desperately needs. Let us start treating it with all the diligence it deserves. Hunky-panky business with tertiary education will take us nowhere. May God bless his people.

MORNING THOUGHTS
by John Kachere

Let me start by emphatically putting it that I have deliberately refrained myself from commenting on this hot issue of federalism. Not because I am not patriotic, but because I feel the issue has been too politicized by the mighty and rich of our society so much that a proletariat like me has very little say in the matter.

Loosely put, federalism is a system of of government in which the same territory is governed by two levels of government. Generally, the central government looks after matters that affect the entire country and the provincial states look after matters that affect their respective states. From this definition, it is therefore crystal clear that federalism is not about 'breaking away' from the system as some quarters have put it. It is among other things about creating a system that de-concentrates

the powers of the office of the president which are currently too much and harmonizing the interests of Malawians across the country as they will have a chance to make laws and choose developments that are in tandem with their culture and beliefs. For instance, the Yao tribe can make laws which will ensure that their academic calender runs in such a way that it does not interfere with jando.

As a system, federalism is a tool of making sure that there are few marked inequalities in the society. It seeks to advance the notion of giving people the power to decide and work towards their own destiny. The system would also eliminate the 'political cancer' that we are currently suffering from of 'jumping in bed' with the ruling party as the elections would be healthy contested by virtue of having grassroots at a provincial level (Bindula). It is therefore on this note that it can be argued that the call for federalism is a justifiable cause and must be debated in peace and all sides must reach a consensus without breaking the peace which our forefathers fought and died for.

I am however, not very comfortable with the group of chaps that are calling for the federation of Malawi just as I am not comfortable with the reasons they are digging out. As a bonafide Tonga from Nkhata-Bay, I find it very interesting when the 'leaders' from the north argue that there are marked inequalities in the development of this country. By this do they mean the facilities like airports, universities and hospitals? A quick look around these facilities will reveal that there are far more northeners working in these facilities than any other group of people. I also fear if northerners themselves share the views of the likes of Harry Mkandawire and Rev Ngwira. I say this because last time they were in power, such an issue did not arise. I have every reason to believe that this is due to pure malice and hunger for power. I doubt these folks are speaking for people in the north.

Another crucial fact which we should embrace as a nation is that currently we are failing to run a unitary system which has less people on the government payroll. What makes us submerge ourselves in the waters of mediocrity by believing that we can run a federal government which is far more expensive and cumbersome to run? It is a question that as Malawians, we must ask ourselves. It is indeed true that certain tribes enjoy a level of superiority over the others, but I do not think thus a good reason to advocate for federalism. Such problems can easily be solved on a national level through contact and dialogue. I recall a certain time during the Bingu era when there were four cabinet ministers from Nkhatabay alone ( Prof Etta Banda, Vuwa Kaunda, Prof David Mphande and Mganda Chiume). Now this according to my memory has not happened before, however no Southerner complained about it. There was also a time in 2008 when more than 50% of those selected to University of Malawi were northeners. Again nobody complained.

The issue in my opinion is not necessarily about inequalities, it is about interests a rich minority who are aimed at confusing Malawians into accepting a system that will bring far too many problems than solutions. Regionalism and tribalism will always reign as long as we do not take ourselves as Malawians first before any other title. I therefore pray that this matter shall be resolved amicably and that our leaders put the interests of Malawians which are without doubt peace and stability first. I hereby rest my case.

John Kachere

OF LAPLAP AND OUR FUTURE

J Kachere
Honorables, that calamity has befallen Malawians is no longer CIA top secret. From where things stand, we might as well start singing the famous poem by WB Yeast titled 'The Second Coming'. In this poem he says, among other lines 'mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, the centre can no longer hold, things fall apart'.

For those who do not partake in the public affairs business, here are some of the highly disturbing events that are currently taking place in our great Republic
The Judicial Staff have been on strike for over a month now therefore rendering one arm of government unfunctional.
The Parliament supporting staff are threatening to down their tools if their wages are not adjusted upwards with a significant percentage.
The university of Malawi dons are threatening a major sit in with their supporting staff already on sit in demanding a pay hike.
The ACB is tussling with the government over the same hikes and has given the government an ultimatum to adhere to their demands or else they are going to sit in.
Mzuzu University has sent home all its government sponsored students following a mayhem on meals and accomodation allowances.
College of medicine has indefinetly been closed following a fierce fight with government over issues of money.
Large parts of Blantyre and Lilongwe city continue to have their taps dry.
The list of undesirebles is infact too long for me to list everything here.

From the look of things, it is evident that the government is under panick and I as someone with all the five senses, I am not feeling sorry for the President. In an already crumbling economy, his administration decided to give hefty hikes to MPs, ministers, his Veep and himself. If this is not sending the Malawi economy six feet under, then someone better tell me what it is.

Looking at all the above, one wonders what exactly is the fate of us the youth of this country. The government is in a lockdown and nothing seems to be working and whats worse, the chaps in power seem to have no clue on how they can resolve these issues. We have a government that is simply running under the whim of God's mercy. The decisions that have made us get to this point were obviously made with no regards to the future of the youths of this country. I mean, look at how they demonized the calls by unviversity of Malawi students to have their stipend increased? Look at how unfriendly the polcies put forward are to the youths? It is extremely difficult for the younger generation to access a bank loan let alone a decent job, the old guard have taken all to themselves.

With no intention of insulting any political leader and with all due respect to the current leasership, it is wise to say that six months down the line, the current administration has proved to be a total goof. While public universities are crying for funds, the first lady decided to swindle Malawians of five million Kwacha that she got from NAC for a project that has nothing to do with her Beautify Malawi(Beam) project. As if that is not enough pain in our wrong hole, the Dausi led NIB and the much politicised Mulhako wa Alomwe decided to dip their dirty little fingers into NAC's pockets rendering the AIDS commision almost penniless and subjecting millions of HIV patients to a looming doom.
It sickens my mind to think that over the years, it seems that all that we have ever been good at is being used by old folks to gain their poltical mileage. Look at all the administrations from Kamuzu up to now. The youths have constantly been used to instigate vilolence and lawlessness. To make matters worse, it seems like there are very few organisations that are willing to rally their support towards youth empowerment and leadership. Let us take the University of Malawi as an example:

Today, the university has three quaters of its student population going to bed on an empty stomach and waking up to a lousy breakfast because their food stipent is too minimal.
The unima council decided to increase its tuition by a very disturbing percentage all at once, without actually giving any hoot about where my niece who hails from Kajizinge village in Usisya, Nkhatabay will get such tuition fees from.
The council and its colleges are renowned for closing the colleges to intimidate students whenever they want to raise their demands.
The list is again endless.

There is a word that is normally used at The Polytechnic, 'Laplap' which literally means dodgy. What the authorities have done so far, is to dodge the people who can put Malawi's broken pieces together these are none other than us, the youths and have decided to leave us in the cold to face the everlasting north pole winter. While we face all this, we must always remember that the very future is in our hands and it is time to claim our destiny. Let us say no to Laplap. God bless Malawi, God bless the youth.