Malawi’s saluting Generals

Malawi is still very much experimenting with democracy just like us, after 28 years of repression by Hastings Kamuzu Banda. In those 28 years the people of Malawi were not allowed even to watch television. They were allowed only to sing praises to Hastings Banda. Malawi had its own youth militia the Young Pioneers who wrecked havoc on opponents of Kamuzu Banda, just like we have our own Green Bombers and Chipangano who roam the streets haunting opponents of ZANU PF. Malawi radio like our own ZBC was full of jingles praising the Ngwazi. Malawian’s were told they had the tallest building in Blantyre and that their life was the best in the world even as many wallowed in poverty. When television finally came they were shocked by what they saw, not only had the world moved on, but they realised they have been trapped in a cocoon, they realised Malawi neither had the tallest building nor the best of life. Malawi under Banda is a replica of Zimbabwe today, where the only leader we have known is praised as God given, and we are told he has done the best for us, even as we struggle with daily existence. In this regard the inauguration of Joyce Banda on 7 April marks a huge turning point for the strengthening of Malawi’s democracy. Joyce Banda is the fourth leader of Malawi, more so the first woman President. Many of us watched in awe, as Malawi after a few days of uncertainty, transited from President Wa Mutharika to Banda. Many were concerned  that the ruling party of former President Mutharika and the military would not allow a rebel Vice President, who had been dismissed from the ruling party and went on to form her own party to be allowed anywhere near state house. This lack of confidence in democracy and peaceful transition is an outcome of our own traumatised existence as Zimbabweans. Lo and behold it happened and to our utter amazement as Zimbabweans the Generals and senior security officers of Malawi saluted this woman, Mrs President. This salute was not in recognition of her party, nor even her as an individual, but recognition of the importance of the people of Malawi and the office that she holds. Despite the challenges and differences that Malawians faced in 2011, the riots and increasingly overbearing rulership of Wa Mutharika, Malawians can be proud that the Generals came to their senses when it mattered most, that their own preservation, that of their children and fellow country men and women is only guaranteed by allowing the constitution to be followed to the letter. The saluting Generals of Malawi exhibited the highest form of patriotism by showing that the rule of law is the only guarantor of a nation’s success. The events in Malawi have a huge literal and symbolic lesson for us. For we have Generals who, like in the Kamuzu Banda era, are sworn to protect and defend one man and one party and who see the generality of citizens as  enemies. Some Generals in our midst are not ashamed to come out in the media declaring their political allegiances and they get promoted for that. These generals openly flaunt their preparedness to use violence on their own people in their misguided thinking that this is a demonstration of patriotism.  The Saluting Generals of Malawi, will go down in history as having participated in guaranteeing a better future for their country, more so guaranteeing peace, while our own will infamously go down in history for suppressing the peoples will. The Generals in our midst took over from Rhodesia’s Generals not only the offices and ranks but ideology as well. Inasmuch as they claim to different from the General Peter Walls of this world, they are unfortunately the same. One thing is however certain, as Smith’s Generals are now history despite all their horrendous violence against the people of Zimbabwe, the current crop will equally be swept aside by history should they decide to continue saluting individuals and not the people. There is hope in the power of the future to shape events, even as some Generals believe they can change the course of history. The Saluting Generals of Malawi, deserve a salute from the people of Malawi and Africa.