Malawi President Peter Mutharika once again finds his leadership in question as students plan more demonstrations against the ill advised UNIMA fee hikes.
Students have urged President Peter Mutharika to show leadership on the fee hike impasse and drop his embarrassing leadership style of burying his head in the sand whenever trouble comes.
President Mutharika’s critics say that he is always shy in showing leadership on matters requiring his leadership. They say that when he was Minister of Education during his late brother’s regime, it took him over 8 months to say something on the academic freedom saga which rocked the University of Malawi, a clear sign of indecisiveness
In a Press release made available to the Maravi Post, signed by many notable Civil society groups such as Youth and Society (YAS), Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC)
Youth with Vision (YWV), Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation,
Centre for Human Rights Education Advice and Assistance (CHREAA)
Centre for Development of the People (CEDEP), Billy Mayaya (Human Rights Activist) and Centre for Youth Development (CYD).
The Press release announcing the schedule reads in part, we wish to notify all stakeholders and members of the general public about our intention to hold demonstrations in Blantyre, Mzuzu, Zomba and Lilongwe cities to express our discontent over the unjustified and prohibitive UNIMA fees hike by the UNIMA Council. These protests will be undertaken by Malawians from all sections of society including the affected constituency.
The demonstrations are expected to start at all below convening points at 9:00am
- LILONGWE
KCN rounderabout via Parliament rounderabout, then turn right via City Centre rounderabout and proceed to Capital Hill to deliver the petition to Minister of Education.
For logistical details in Lilongwe, contact Mr. Billy Mayaya on: Tel: 0999204249; or email billymayaya@aol.com
- BLANTYRE
KAMUZU UPPER STADIUM via Chipembere High Way and the deliver the petition at the Blantyre CIVIC OFFICES.
For details in Blantyre, contact Mr. Negrescious Justin on: Tel: 0998556323; or email negracious@yahoo.com
- MZUZU
KATOTO SECONDARY SCHOOL GROUND via Mzuzu tower via Mzuzu High Court rounderabout and then deliver a petition at MZUZU CITY CIVIC OFFICES.
For details in Mzuzu, contact Mr. Charles Kajoloweka on: Tel: 0999088836; or email charleskajoloeka50@gmail.com
- ZOMBA
COMMUNITY GROUND via Mponda Primary and direct to the Zomba District Assembly to deliver the petition
For details in Mzuzu, contact Mr. Charles Kajoloweka on: Tel: 0999088836; or email charleskajoloeka50@gmail.com
Meantime Maravi Post reporting indicates, Malawi Congress Party President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has put his full support on the cause of the University students by urging the authorities to discuss with the students in order to reach a compromise.
Lazarus Chakwera siding with the students has chided government authorities who are refusing to discuss the matter with the students reminding them that “dialogue is not monologue” and that there was a need to reach a compromise with the students as soon as possible.