Malawi – Newspaper Review

One of the things I enjoyed a lot in South Africa was the … newspaper headlines. I regret not noting them at the time, but it’s kind of hard when you’re driving.

So when we were sitting on one of our regular 4-5 hour bus journeys in Malawi, I thought it might be interesting to have a look at the local Malawian press. The man beside me lent me his paper and I read it from cover to cover to much amusement. Some of the articles I quote may reinforce an African stereotype or cliche, and that is not the intention, but the articles are true, so judge for yourself. I have cited three current affairs stories, and three sports stories at the end which are particularly amusing.

Front Page – Main Story

“Ruling Democratic Party (DPP) Mps have endorsed President Bingu wa Mutharika’s brother, Peter, as presidential candidate for the party in the 2014 general elections.”

The article goes on to quote a party spokesman describing as “stupid” anyone who would say this step in undemocratic, citing similar cases in other countries such as the US (the Bushes), and I know of many in Irish politics. The thing is that in Europe and the US, there is not a recent pattern of autocratic leaders who refuse to relinquish the reins of power. Time will tell who’s right in Malawi.

Front Page – Sub-story

“We don’t need Canada or anybody to buy our tobacco” – President Bingu wa Mutharika

President Mutharika is bullish in response to moves by Canada to ban the use of burley tobacco in cigarettes, and is leading a petition to the WHO to make this ban worldwide, in order to reduce the number of young people taking up smoking. Burley tobacco gives a sweet flavour to cigarettes, and is used to balance the bitterness of the main cigarette ingredient, Virginia tobacco. Of the 100 plus tonnes of tobacco at the Lilongwe tobacco auction, 100% was burley tobacco. It is Malawi’s leading cash crop accounting for an estimated 50% of their export trade. Let’s hope that the ban is implemented sensibly to allow time for the Malawian agri-economy to adjust. There’s no point in saving young people (who ultimately are making their own choice), only to remove the livelihood of some of the poorest people on the planet.

Inside Pages

“New Malawi flag has backing of chiefs”

This is not a new story, so the exact motivations for the move are not outlined in full, but it seems Malawi will soon be changing its flag, as the new design has passed through parliament, and has been ratified by the President, after a consultation period with regional tribal chiefs. The original flag from independence is a horizontal tricolour coloured from top black, red and green, and shows a red rising sun against the black bar. The old flag is no longer deemed suitable, as the country has risen into independence and is now a mature state, and should therefore be represented by a full white sun in the centre of the flag. Oh, and the red bar should be on top, and the black in the middle. It all seems very unnecessary, and the gentleman beside me on the bus, scorned the country’s politicians when I asked his opinion. It seems that chiefs are not the best focus group for such issues, as supporting such measures are often a shrewd move in assuring a reciprocate benefit in the future. The President declared that anyone opposing the new design “is just being difficult”. Important issues indeed.

Sports Section – “Reports say Bullets game ended a draw”

“Zomba-based referee Dennis Ngulube has indicated that the abandoned TNM Super match between Bullets FC and Red Lions ended in a 1-1 draw after he disallowed the visitor’s goal because the ball did not cross the line. … During the ill-fated match, Ngulube changed his decision on Douglas Chirambo’s disallowed goal three times and eventually lost control over the match.

His first decision was to award the goal to Bullets FC. After consultation with his assistant the referee decided to disallow the goal but Bullets disputed. He then reversed his decision and awarded the goal and it was now Red Lions’ turn to protest.

Ngulube’s report further states that for 37 minutes he tried to reason with the two sides and after noting that it was getting late, he abandonded the game.

“It’s now very tricky” Sulom Secretary General Elijah Kachikawo said.”

“More chaos hits U-23”

“At the current African U-23 football tournament, “Malawi played their first game with 10 players after the 9 remaining players on Monday missed their flight to Kenya. The players managed to start off for Kenya on Tuesday, but missed the connecting flight to Egypt. Malawi lost 1-0 to Morocco in their first game. … “It’s very chaotic” the coach said”.

Another article which I forgot to take with me (but remember well) had some comments from opposing managers of two police teams who met recently in the Cup and will meet again in the League this weekend. The manager of the losing side stated that they had lost the game on purpose, and the opposing team will visit them this weekend “overconfident, and we will slaughter them”. I’m tempted to believe he meant this literally, but I’m sure that they will have the decency to arrest themselves after the heat of the moment passes.

That’s all from Malawi – next post from Tanzania!