By Jones Gadama

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-On May 14, Malawians gather to commemorate Kamuzu Day, a day that ostensibly honors the legacy of Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the first President of Malawi. President Lazarus Chakwera’s presiding over the events in Mzuzu at Mzuzu Stadium serves as a reminder of the complex and often painful history that this day represents.

While some may argue that commemorating Kamuzu Day is a means of recognizing the nation’s past, it is imperative to critically examine the implications of such remembrance.

The act of honoring a figure whose regime was marked by brutality and oppression cannot be justified, as it perpetuates the suffering of countless families whose lives were irrevocably altered by his actions. In the words of Shakespeare, “The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.”

Kamuzu Day must be scrapped, for it serves only to reopen wounds that have yet to heal, reminding the victims of a dark chapter in Malawi’s history.

Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s rule from 1964 to 1994 was characterized by a regime that employed fear, violence, and repression as tools of governance. Under his leadership, political dissent was not merely discouraged; it was met with brutal force. Thousands of Malawians were imprisoned, tortured, or executed for opposing his regime.

Families were torn apart, and the scars of this violence run deep within the collective memory of the nation. For many, Kamuzu Day is not a celebration of national pride but a painful reminder of the atrocities committed against their loved ones.

The commemoration of such a figure only serves to resurface the tears of those who lost parents, siblings, and friends to a regime that prioritized power over humanity.

The act of remembering Kamuzu Banda is, in essence, an act of erasure. It erases the narratives of those who suffered under his rule, silencing their stories in favor of a sanitized version of history that glorifies a dictator.

The families of the victims are left to grapple with their grief in silence, their pain overshadowed by a national narrative that seeks to honor a man whose legacy is steeped in blood. By commemorating Kamuzu Day, the state perpetuates a cycle of trauma, forcing survivors to relive their darkest memories while denying them the opportunity to heal.

The wounds inflicted by Banda’s regime are not merely historical footnotes; they are living realities that continue to affect the lives of many Malawians today.

Moreover, the celebration of Kamuzu Day undermines the principles of justice and reconciliation that are essential for a nation striving to move forward.

In a society that has experienced such profound trauma, the path to healing lies in acknowledging the past and confronting the injustices that have occurred. By honoring Kamuzu Banda, the state sends a message that the suffering of the victims is secondary to the glorification of a historical figure.

This is not merely an oversight; it is a deliberate choice that prioritizes the narrative of power over the narrative of pain. The act of remembrance should be one that fosters understanding and compassion, not one that deepens divisions and perpetuates suffering.

The psychological impact of commemorating Kamuzu Day cannot be overstated. For many families, the day serves as a trigger, a reminder of the loss and trauma that they have endured.

The emotional toll of such remembrance can be devastating, as it forces individuals to confront their grief in a public space that is ostensibly meant to celebrate. The tears of those who mourn are not merely personal; they are a collective expression of a society grappling with its past.

By continuing to observe Kamuzu Day, the state risks alienating those who seek justice and recognition for the atrocities committed against them. The act of remembrance should be one that brings people together, fostering healing and understanding, rather than one that deepens the wounds of the past.

Furthermore, the commemoration of Kamuzu Day raises questions about the values that Malawi seeks to uphold as a nation.

In a time when the country is striving for democracy, human rights, and social justice, honoring a figure whose legacy is synonymous with oppression stands in stark contrast to these ideals. It is essential for a nation to critically engage with its history, to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie within it.

By scrapping Kamuzu Day, Malawi would take a significant step towards acknowledging the pain of its past and embracing a future that prioritizes healing and reconciliation. The act of remembrance should not be a celebration of tyranny but a commitment to ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.

In the broader context of global history, the decision to commemorate or abolish days of remembrance is often fraught with complexity. Many nations grapple with the legacies of their past leaders, weighing the good against the evil.

However, in the case of Kamuzu Banda, the scales tip heavily towards the latter. The evil that he wrought upon the people of Malawi is not a matter of historical debate; it is a lived reality for those who continue to bear the scars of his regime.

The good that may have existed during his tenure is overshadowed by the suffering inflicted upon countless individuals. To honor Kamuzu Day is to ignore the voices of the oppressed, to silence the cries of those who continue to seek justice for their loved ones.

The call to abolish Kamuzu Day is not merely a rejection of a historical figure; it is a call for a more compassionate and just society. It is an invitation to engage in a dialogue that acknowledges the pain of the past while striving for a better future.

By scrapping this day of commemoration, Malawi would send a powerful message that it values the lives and experiences of all its citizens, particularly those who have suffered at the hands of tyranny. It would signify a commitment to healing, to reconciliation, and to the pursuit of justice for those who have been wronged.

The commemoration of Kamuzu Day serves as a painful reminder of a dark chapter in Malawi’s history, one that continues to affect the lives of many.

The tears of families who lost loved ones to Kamuzu Banda’s regime resurface each year, reopening wounds that have yet to heal. The evil that men do lives on, and in this case, it lives on through a day that honors a legacy of oppression and brutality.

It is time for Malawi to confront its past with honesty and courage, to acknowledge the suffering of its people, and to abolish Kamuzu Day. In doing so, the nation can take a significant step towards healing, reconciliation, and the pursuit of a future that values justice and humanity above all else.

Feedback:jonesgadama@gmail.com

17 ‘In the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. ¹⁸ Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. — Acts 2:17-18

This week, I come to remember with a bucket load of accolades, the Father and founder of my beloved Malawi, Ngwazi Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda; former Life President. Just like my beloved country Malawi, I am who I am because of his wise, dynamic, foresighted, and selfless leadership. I join the many Malawians countrywide, outside Malawi in saying Happy Birthday in heaven, Bwana President!

There are many people – young and old, men and women, citizens and non-citizens, inside and outside Malawi – who would disagree with me in my celebratory mode. Some would label him as a tyrant, led Malawi in a reign of terror, some would even add that he threw Malawians who opposed him to crocodiles, others in prison; most would say, he was vehemently against opinions that were against his line of thought, and that only his voice was the right voice. They would be somewhat right.

However, when I look back and remember Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda (who moved from prime minister, then President, Life President, and former President), in his 31-year tenure as leader of what was formerly known as Nyasaland, I see personal, political, and professional benefits. Malawians in and outside Malawi, foreign countries in Africa and around the world have a lot that they have benefitted from Kamuzu and in sincerity for which to be thankful to him.

For a start, all through the 31 years Kamuzu was in power, he surrounded himself with “men and women that got this done, and in his way.” The result of this solid stand and expectations is that Malawi experienced massive countrywide development, such development that has been unmatched since the end of his rule in 1994.

Personally: I was 10 years old and very sickly child, with swollen knees and ankles, living in England where my dad was High Commissioner. When my family and I met Kamuzu (he was then Prime Minister of Malawi) at his Dorchester Hotel, I could not kneel due to the swelling in my joints. Kamuzu asked to examine me in one of the adjoining rooms. There and then, he diagnosed my ailment as rheumatic fever. He asked my parents to take me to Malawian doctor by name of Dr. Bhima. The Malawian doctor treated me but further recommended children’s doctors in London that managed my treatment.

My second personal benefit was listening to Dr. Banda, one of the most educated leaders on the African continent, was to advise Malawian scholars like me, to excel and do well in studies in colleges, secondary and primary schools. He put us on a roll to exceed even our previous grades.

Politically:  In this sphere, Kamuzu united the whole country, made up of the norther, central and southern region sections. The regions were divided into districts, with each districts having areas. They all had leaders; while these were political (appointed or elected); there was the parallel traditional leadership cluster that kept intact the hereditary model.

Another unifying factor was that of limiting the official languages to English and Chichewa. Any time Kamuzu spoke at rallies or official functions, he spoke in English and an interpreter (my dad was his first interpreter) spoke in Chichewa.

Kamuzu often spoke in terms that were of educating the people; he repeated many of these lessons and built a citizenry that adhered to the four cornerstones of unity, loyalty, obedience, and discipline. While other countries may not yap-yap about these four, but they are pillars that build democracies. The rule of law and respect for religions were other pillars Kamuzu led Malawians to embrace.

Professionally:  In the professional realm, Kamuzu guided his co-workers in the development of Malawi, to set up structures, separate from the political realm. There was the traditional sector (chiefs and village head people), the civil service that was infilled by college graduates from the University of Malawi (Chancellor College, Polytechnic, Bunda, Kamuzu College of Nursing, and Kamuzu College of Medicine), education, banking, tourism industry, import and export, transport, roads, and infrastructure development, sports, arts and crafts. At 60 years, Malawi is the proud exporter of professional men and women in a variety of sectors.

The American television station this past week featured a Malawian agriculturist, based in South Africa and this interview exposed the drone system that he uses to monitor the growth and health of his maize crop. Another information floating about is how several patents used by airlines such as Boeing, Airbus Group, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Embraer, and others, is owned by a Malawian aeroengineer, the late Professor Mhango. There are many other examples of brilliant Malawians that are excelling outside and even inside the country. The Go-Getter spirit that Kamuzu planted in our parents, passed on to us, that we pass on to our children and they to their children started with all that “As I have reiterated (meaning repeated, restated, retold) many times before….!”

So, credit for the kind of high-spirited manner that Malawians exhibit today, must deservedly go to Kamuzu.

 I end with a Facebook tribute by a Kamuzu Academy Alumni, Zohra Kalilani Matundu:

Happy 118^th.Birthday to Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda of blessed memory! 20 years in Heaven following his departure on 25^th. November 1997. Father and Founder of the Malawi nation. And Founder of the Kamuzu Academy, dubbed the Eton of Africa!

Mine are nothing but words of gratitude when I ponder on the life of Dr. H. K. Banda! To me, God has used him to bless me immensely! The education I was blessed to receive at Kamuzu Academy continues to stand me in good stead and this for all my life!

How can I not be grateful and say thank you Baba? Because I had A levels, I could be admitted to University of Cape Town with no problems. The poem I wrote for him came from the abundance of my heart!

Ngwazi may you continue to rest in peace Baba! You surely came, you saw, and you conquered. The seeds you sowed are germinating and surely, the dreams you had for Malawi shall come to pass. Albeit facing many trials and challenges, but surely, they shall come to pass! We your children strive to do our part to be part of that legacy! Celebrating the precious gift that you were and continue to be to us! Happy Birthday in heaven! Kumwambako kudyere Fillet Mignon pansi pano susa! Loads of Love LPZee (aka Zohra Matundu).

From me, I join in and say, Happy Birthday in heaven Your Excellency Ngwazi Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda, Chancellor of the University of Malawi, former Life President. You who fought for our freedom with words only, freeing us from the yokes of colonial rule from the British, and steered Malawi through unparalleled development that transformed our nation beyond recognition. Rest in Jehovah God’s eternal loving peace. (RIJGELP) Amen!

By Stevie Kauka

A pacesetter according to the dictionary dot.com is a person, group, or organization that is the most progressive or successful and serves as a model to be initiated by a person or organization that is first to do something to set an example.

Kamuzu was the first President of the Republic of Malawi. Let me from the outset state that I will not labor you to tell you who Kamuzu was, for a lot of literature has been written about him suffice to say he ruled Malawi from 1964 to 1993/94.

Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who led Malawi to independence in 1964 and was in power for 30 years, died in 1997 at Garden City Clinic in South Africa.

This article would like to recognize Kamuzu as a pacesetter a man of standards.

Despite Britain’s aid of about $25 million, independence revealed a Malawi economy so stagnant that it yielded an individual annual income of only $17.50 for a large segment of the black population.

The few available manufacturing jobs were hotly contested, and there was little domestic mining activity outside of lime quarrying for cement.

Malawi then Nyasaland was under British protectorate under the federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (There was south and North Rhodesia).

It was Kamuzu Band who set the pace by weaning itself from the federation, by becoming the first country from the three to gain independence. The two gained it later.

As a pacesetter Banda constructed foundations to shore up the teetering economy, establishing parastatal organizations, or state-run corporations.

The Malawi Development Corporation, formed in 1964, that promoted manufacturing operations and kept a close watch on all foreign companies by means of obligatory government partnerships.

ADMARC, founded in April 1971, is an agricultural cooperative with a national monopoly on fertilizer and seeds. Partly as a price-setter, the organization also handles export crops of tobacco, groundnuts, cotton, and maize; by the early 1980s.

It had burgeoned enough to boast shares in such profit-spinners as the Bata Shoe Company, Lever Brothers, and the Portland Cement Company.

A third important organization, regarded as a quasi- parastatal, was President Banda’s own Press Holding. Initially set up in 1969 to print the party newspaper and finance the MCP, Press Holding also financed his tobacco-farming estates.

Profits from Press Holding and ADMARC were often mingled to finance the president’s petty schemes. One big beneficiary is the elite Kamuzu Academy, founded in 1981 which was established to provide a liberal arts education for the country’s top students. The academy was was nicknamed the Eaton of Africa.

During the commemoration on Kamuzu day at the CCAP Church in Kasungu on May 14 2019 Malawi Congress Party president, Lazarus Chakwera, said “People must appreciate that Kamuzu was beyond the party, but a national hero who had vision for this country. Some of the things, that he stood for and set pace, is that we had the best civil service in this country and perhaps in Africa.

“Everybody wanted to work in the civil service. The other area was the education system, agricultural system that was fully functioning and serving Malawians and everybody and prospering but services have deteriorated “ he said.

As a pacesetter in the field of education, Kamuzu was a highly educated man who instilled in his people a sense of aiming high. In this regard, he established the University of Malawi. To avoid brain drain in the medical field he established the Malawi College of Medicine.

In the area of visible Leadership, Kamuzu also set a pace in the agriculture field as he established his farms, Press farming and Agriculture were also established where he encouraged his people to go and learn modern agriculture methods.

He also established the Natural Resources College and Bunda College of Agriculture in the hope of steering the economy through Agriculture. To ensure that the masses were abreast with this philosophy of hard-working spirit for self-reliance.

Kamuzu also set the standards in terms of youth development when he established the Malawi Young Pioneer.

The aim was to provide the youth with skills so that they could be self-reliant disciplined and responsible youth. MYP (Malawi Young Pioneers) Training bases were established and spread across the country where the youth would be trained in various aspects of body, mind, and soul, humanity with emphasis on hard work and commitment in all undertakings.

Hard work in simple terms is giving one’s all [Time, commitment, will, and energy, to achieve a desired goal or objective] by using zeal and intelligence.

“I want my people to work hard in the fields “Kamuzu would always say at every opportunity. Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda had several philosophies, however as we commemorate this day on 14 May popularly known as Kamuzu Day it is high time we reflect on the standards set by Kamuzu.

When Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda landed at Chileka airport way back in 1958, he openly and publicly declared that he had come to Malawi and then Nyasaland to do several things.

Break the stupid federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and give his people freedom Make sure his people had three essential things (food, shelter, and clothing).

He continued to say he wanted people to have bumper yields, houses that do not leak when it is raining and decent clothing not nyanda.

To achieve this he laid down a framework in the form of a foundation for people to help him achieve the number two agenda.

The foundations were dubbed as four cornerstones. Loyalty ‘Discipline, Unity and Obedience. He believed that if the masses followed the four cornerstones they would achieve greatness.

Malawi was a one-party state with Malawi congress party as the only party. Whether there was separation of powers between Government and the party is a subject for another day.

He further instilled a culture of hard work in the civil service for excellent service delivery and those who were hard workers were rewarded and motivated. He did not tolerate laziness and complacency.

It was no wonder that the philosophy later turned into a quantifiable aspect when Malawi at that time through the process of hard work and commitment was dubbed /rated a star performer by the World Bank and was a model country to be followed and emulated.

Public sector reforms have been on going with an aim of ‘making huge efforts to improve the performance of the public sector through various reform initiatives.

Anchored by the new public management (NPM) paradigm and demands for good governance, the reform initiatives have sought to reduce the core functions of the state, foster fiscal stability, emphasize managerial efficiency within the public sector, redefine relations between public and private sectors, promote economic development”.

There has been population growth in Malawi. In 1978 there were 7.2 million people while in 2018 there were 19.16 million people and it is projected that by 2050 there shall be 45 million people scrambling for the same piece of land and natural resources that were being used by 3.963 people in the year 1964.

It is pleasing to note the Kamuzu made all efforts to control over population through several health initiatives at that time.

In infrastructure, he was a pacesetter by building the Lilongwe Capitol Hill where the government sits probably the best government seat in Africa at that time.

He set the pace in unifying the nation by reminding Malawians that they were all Malawians and not Lhomwe, Tumbuka, Yao, Chewa, etc.

In conclusion, it is undoubtedly impossible for a country to progress without hard work, self-sacrifice, and commitment hence all Governments emphasize the same and we cannot deny the fact that Kamuzu set the pace and the predecessors are striving to beat the standards so set by the pacesetter Kamuzu.

As a pacesetter the virtues of hard work and commitment that culminate into values and beliefs as a nation would instill a culture that would see a nation prospering together with its people regardless of their color, or creed. In the final analysis the citizenry benefits from their sweat.

Even Kamuzu for himself to reach the level he was (a man of high standards) had to endure a lot, sacrifice a lot, did a lot of hard work in Malawi, South Africa, America, and the UK in his quest for a better life.

May his soul rest in peace as we remember his day on 14 May!

About the author: Stevie M Kauka is a fellow of the IPMM who likes to write on several issues in his own capacity

By Twink Jones Gadama

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-In a touching tribute to the former leader of Malawi, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, a sum of 90 million kwacha has been allocated to commemorate his contributions to the nation on the anniversary of his birth.

This fund will be used to organize various events and activities to honor the legacy of the late president.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital city of Lilongwe, Minister of Local Government Richard Chimwendo Banda highlighted the importance of remembering the leadership and vision of Dr. Banda.

He emphasized the need to reflect on the values and principles that the former president stood for, and to celebrate his impact on shaping the history of Malawi.

The commemoration of Dr. Banda’s legacy is set to take place on the 14th of May 2024 in the city of Blantyre.

The event will include prayers, cultural performances, and friendly football matches between the teams of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers.

These activities are meant to celebrate the spirit of unity and progress that Dr. Banda instilled in the people of Malawi during his time in office.

Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda ruled the country from 1964 to 1994, leading Malawi through a period of significant social and economic development.

Known for his strong leadership and dedication to the welfare of his people, Dr. Banda left a lasting impact on the nation even after his passing in 1997.

As Malawians come together to pay tribute to their former leader, it is a time to reflect on the values of unity, integrity, and progress that Dr. Banda embodied.

His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of strong leadership and vision in shaping the future of a nation.

The 90 million kwacha fund allocated for the commemoration of Dr. Banda’s legacy is a testament to the enduring impact that he had on the people of Malawi.

It is a fitting tribute to a leader who dedicated his life to the service of his country and its people.

In conclusion, the tribute to Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda is a reminder of the power of leadership and vision in shaping the destiny of a nation.

As Malawians come together to honor their former president, they pay homage to a man who left an indelible mark on the history of their country.

Dr. Banda’s legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, reminding them of the values of unity, integrity, and progress that he stood for.