By Nenenji Mlangeni
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Here we are. The highly political and probably the most significant week in the history of Malawi. Neither because it is the last week of January when salaries are expected to trickle in for those on payroll, nor for it is when teachers and students will be back in classrooms sharing knowledge following aggressive demonstrations for December, 2019 salaries. No. No. No.
Still some would think that this is the week to be remembered because it’s when the High Court review of the midnight cancellation of Anti-Corruption Bureau (ABC) warrant of arrest for brother Thom Mpinganjira of FDH Bank is expected to be concluded.
Yet others would consider the declaration of illegality of using TIPPEX by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) during the forthcoming by-elections as key highlight making the week historical. Not really.
The week will go down the paged of our history as when the future of Malawi will be determined.
We have had independence from colonial masters, transition to multiparty democracy, launches of various policies and development projects, memorable as they could be but will not match the significance of this Week in history.
By the end of this week, the constitutional court will have concluded the verdict on the presidential election case following the disputed 2019 May elections.
Announcement may delay but surely the landmark ruling will be breathing some hot air something ready to explode.
It is now seven months when Malawians have been waiting patiently to get a legal settlement on the historical election dispute that has seen the society deeply divided and economy paralysed.
The five judges will give their verdict, either confirming MEC results or nullifying them based on submissions by the petitioners and respondents.
But the week will not be historical because of the verdict as such. It is the AFTERMATH that the court outcome will TRIGGER and push the nation into. What will improve after the court verdict? Shall we have more of the same whatever the court verdict will be made? Or should we expect reforms that will catapult the nation into a path of unity and rapid economic growth? Shall we see improved governance and investment in social services and equality interventions?
Let the court outcome usher the great nation into a transition of change and collective achievement.
It should indeed give the CITIZENS OF MALAWI a chance to shape a new ERA in which every Malawian will have equal opportunities to live to their full potential and help with rebuilding the nation.
Whosoever the transition period will endorse as our leaders, they should never repeat the same mistakes that have brought this nation to its knees. We need change, change and change.
That’s the voice of the people. Hunger, corruption, injustice, inequality must be the things of the past. We must build one and prosperous nation for all.
May God Bless Malawi