UNIMA INTRODUCES MEDICAL SCHEME

UNIMA introduces medical scheme (THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE NATION WITH SOME EDITING) By ANANIYA ALICK PONJE The University of Malawi (UNIMA) has introduced a medical scheme for its students and academic and administrative staff. The scheme is called University of Malawi Medical Scheme (UNIMED) and its aim is to give the students and staff a chance to access the best kind of medical services once they fall ill. In a meeting with Chancellor College students which was convened in the Great Hall last Monday evening (31st August) at the institution, University Office officials highlighted some of the significant aspects of the scheme which got implemented on 1st August this year. According to the officials one begins to have access to medication under UNIMED the moment they become a member. The officials also clarified on the requirements for someone to become a member, especially students. However, there was controversy among students who initially thought they were required to cough something from their pockets to pay for membership. It is not a compulsory thing that every student becomes a member of UNIMED, hence those who already belong to other medical schemes may opt to change or not. The officials clarified that the students are not required to pay anything, but that the money would be deducted from their school fees. Thus, calm returned. Non-residential students will also pay through their usual medical contribution. According to documents from the University Office, the scheme has three levels of cover namely the Comprehensive Cover, the Standard Cover and the Student Cover. The Comprehensive Cover is the highest level of cover for the scheme and is open to UNIMA administrative and academic staff and their dependants and Clerical Technical and Support staff (CTS) in salary grades H, I and J. The monthly contribution of K2, 875 for the Comprehensive Cover is paid in full by the University for the employee and 50 percent of the employee’s registered dependants. The Standard Cover provides benefits to CTS staff in grades A to G together with their dependants. The contribution is K1, 105 per month and conditions of are the same as those of the Comprehensive Cover. The last cover, the Student Cover is meant for undergraduate and post-graduate students from all the five constituent colleges of UNIMA. The monthly contribution is K550 and is paid in full by the University for all residential students. For non-residential, mature entry and post-graduate students, the contribution will be received by colleges together with other fees and the colleges will remit the contribution to the scheme. This means that student’s fears are duly quelled – they do not need to pay any extra money apart from what they have been paying all along. According to the University Office officials, the scheme is going to be beneficial to all UNIMA college clinics which have since been declared self-sustaining. “For instance, your college clinic no longer has an allocation from the college funds. So UNIMED will make sure you get the best medication at the clinic and other listed hospitals,” said an official from the University Office, speaking to the students. And his colleague added: “You will be allowed to visit government hospitals, Banja la Mtsogolo clinics and two general medical practitioners whom you will nominate upon your application for membership. Apart from college clinics, BLM and MASM clinics are countrywide UNIMED service providers. Among others, Blantyre has Blantyre Adventist hospital, Chitawira Private Hospital, City Health Centre and Dr. Thejopal as service providers. Lilongwe and Zomba have Adventist Health Centre, Likuni Mission Hospital, Family Dental Clinic, Dr. S.S. Hiwa and CCK Health Clinic and St. Luke’s Hospital, Zomba Central Hospital and Lions Sight First Eye Hospital respectively. Family Dental Clinic and Lions Sight First Eye Hospital offer dental and optical services only respectively. Students and all those on the scheme will access services from qualified medical practitioners and will have a wider selection of hospitals from around 30 of them that are on the approved list. UNIMED members also have access to the scheme’s Emergency Hotline 24 hours everyday. In an interview after the presentation, one of the University Office officials said the scheme has already been implemented with academic and administrative staff members including students at Kamuzu College of Nursing. “CHANCO students were on vacation. That is why it was impossible for them to apply for membership. But those who were here have filled the (application) forms,” he said. For students, all services are covered, except specialized dentistry, maternal delivery and post-natal maternity. The scheme also does not cover for foreign treatment both for the Standard Cover and the Student Cover; while it only covers 50 percent on the same if the patient on Comprehensive Cover has been referred from Malawi. For verification of the story, you may call the following numbers: 01524282, 0152357. Or the Medical Service Director on: 01524282, 01524456, and 01526622.

RELIGION - CSO CHOIR CUTS ALBUM

When students forget books BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE Worldwide, singing has become one of the most effective ways of disseminating messages. And this does not exclude gospel music. This kind of music has taken centre state and it continues being used extensively to compliment ‘actual’ ways of preaching and teaching the word of God. Gospel music appeals to the senses deeply and it provokes a great deal of thought. It also may act as a catharsis during moments of crises. Even David the Psalmist used music to comfort himself and to invoke God’s protection when he was in the wilderness. He composed his Psalms and sang them: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want…. Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.” That is why Chancellor College Catholic Students Organisation (CSO) Choir decided to release their third gospel album during this time when the world is facing a lot of atrocities. The religious grouping released their first album titled Paulendo wanga in 2003 and their second one titled Mundilengere mtima in 2006. They feel that despite the fact that college education demands a great deal of dedication, it is significant that they spare some time to sing for the Lord, thereby preaching His word. The just released album is titled Munthawi yake and was produced at Ralph Records under the expertise of Felix Ziyade and Montfort Manyozo. According to the singing group’s Deputy Publicity Secretary, Boniface Dokotala, recording the album started in July this year and ended the following month. Some of the key tracks on the album include Ndionetseni njira, Mbusa wabwino, Lankhulani and I watch the sunrise. Dokotala said most of the tracks emphasise on patience as led by the title track. “Our main aim is to reach out to may souls. Music has become one of the best ways of preaching the gospel and we take advantage of this. Our songs mostly emphasise on patience – waiting upon the Lord. The title track is a manifestation of this,” said Dokotala, a second year student at the tertiary institution. He added that the group believes that God gives everything at His own right time and that He knows everything, patience on the part of the created order being what matters. “Let’s make an allusion to the Bible where Jesus said that a father will not give a snake to his child who asks for an egg. Thus, we believe God knows everything that is good for us. Therefore, we have to look to him for our needs. After all, He is above everything and the sustainer of our lives,” he said. CSO Vice Secretary Vincent Kavala said music is a great ministry and is bearing great fruits, especially in this era of soaring rates of technology. “We decided to take advantage of the high levels of technology to minister to people,” he said. One of the choir members Gerald kagona said he takes it as a rare opportunity to preach God’s message through music. He added that it is also a way of meditating upon the word of God. “We feel that it is good for us because he who sings prays twice,” said Kagona. CSO choir is first launching the newly released album at St. Charles Lwanga parish in Zomba on 13 September and among other gospel artists and groups, Favoured Sisters of the Akukusunga ndi cholinga fame will perform during the launch. After the Zomba launch, the album will be launched again in Blantyre on 27 September before the final launch on October 4 in Lilongwe.

SHORT STORY - THINGS FALL APART

CONFUSION BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE Joel’s conversion was an unanticipated thing to many. Those who had known him since the days of his boyhood could not believe that such a drunkard, a drug abuser and an armed robber would ever think of biding goodbye to all those evil things. His name was constantly synonymous with evil. He had reached a point where many thought he was beyond redemption. He had his own tag line that he used in his undertakings. To him, life had to be made then or never. He had been to rehabilitation centres for more than five times but it was as if the correctional facilities had only shaped him into a worse citizen. He had become a hardcore criminal who did not care about human life. He claimed with the courage of his conviction that there was no progress without opposition. He blandly told those who attempted to bring him into the right lane that if everyone in the world was doing what everyone else was doing, then the world would be a very dull place to live in. He had his own line-up of philosophies that he presented to justify his wicked acts. The more people talked about him, the more he thought he was having an impact on their lives and he found that to be a great achievement. Now he proclaimed with total vigour that he had bidden farewell to his ugly past. He made it clear to all and sundry that he was now the changed Paul who had carried the cross of Christ ready to follow him. “Brothers ands sisters, in every human being’s I have realized that there is a turning point. What matters most is to embrace it. We perhaps only choose to ignore it,” Joel was preaching at the market square one calm evening. He had entered into a deep ministry of preaching the word of God to the masses who usually never went to church or any other religious gathering. He had been one of them at one point and he understood them quite well. He slowly started believing that his church’s doctrines were archaic and that they did not comfort to the changes of time. Within three months, he abandoned the church where he belonged to when he was under the auspices of his parents. He was a new soul that could not hold with the archaic teachings of this old church. Thus, he thought that it would only be by starting his own church that he would excel in his ministry. He named his newly found church Salvation Day and he was its pastor and founder. The Salvation Day Church was growing at a rate of knots. Many people left their bonafide churches to join this new church because of Joel’s moving testimonies. They were the kind of testimonies that moved even hearts that were hard like flint. In a bid to win more souls, the pastor sometimes had to make up testimonies. He decided that that was by fair means or foul. His heart convinced him that he was only making a virtue of necessity because the whole purpose was that he should win more souls. The church had even expanded to other distant areas and it had been recorded as one of the fastest growing churches in the country. During one Festive Season, Pastor Joel targeted those who spent their times at beet drinking places. He had been one of them in the near past and he knew how to approach them. Winning to the love of God as many drunkards as possible would be a great testimony, Joel assured himself. His first destination was Spot 16 Club, a beer drinking joint situated at Mauni Trading Centre. The place was a favourite for many and he knew his message would reach a substantial number of drunkards, from whom he was cocksure some would abandon their past desires. At the beer-drinking place, he found so many people who had been his close friends during his time of ignorance. He believed that it was the time when God had turned His eyes to the other side so that He could not look at the filthy deeds of His prodigal child. When those who had been Pastor Joel’s booze mates saw him, they were terribly shocked. News had reached them that their colleague had received the good news of salvation and that he was a transformed man now. One of the drunkards looked at Joel and said to him: “What does a man of God seek in the midst of sinners?” And his colleagues shrieked with laughter. “Maybe God has betrayed him,” another one said. Pastor Joel laughed noiselessly. He placed his briefcase on the counter and unzipped it. Looking at the many people who were in the pub, both men and prostitutes, he walked towards them and stopped in their midst. “Children of God, I have come here to preach the good message from God. Today you can receive this good news and be baptized like the Eunuch,” he said and paused for a comment, but none came along. And he continued: “Count this a very rare opportunity, for your friends in other areas lack this news. Others have hankered for good news like this but they have passed on without receiving it. Evil shall never go unpunished.” Pastor Joel read many verses from the Bible and condemned beer drinking in the uttermost way possible. He also talked of how those who loved wine became poor. “What shall a man gain by finding all the pleasure in this world while losing his life? Remember that pleasure of this world is just transitory. It never lasts. Therefore, consider coming to the Lord. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything shall be added unto you,” he preached. He went forward towards the counter and picked three bottles of beer. He feigned drunkenness and asked the people in the pub what they gained by being in the state that he was demonstrating. By that time, one of the drunkards was busy recording everything, without the pastor’s knowledge. Hell broke loose the following Sunday. As Pastor Joel was standing behind the pulpit preaching, the drunkards to whom he had preached the good message of salvation stormed the church like a herd of buffalos. They had bottles of beer in their hands. The congregants were shocked to the bone upon seeing the drunkards. It was a thing that hard never happened before even in their former churches. After all, it was a holy sanctuary that was to be regarded with the utmost respect. How could such a sacrilegious thing happen to the Salvation Day Church? The pastor stopped in mid-air as the drunken people invaded the church with their reek of beer and cigarettes. One of the drunkards was carrying a DVD player and another had a television screen. The two walked deftly towards the platform and connected the equipment to an electric socket. All the people in the church were just watching with both amazement and shock. They could not understand what was happening. “People of God, this is high time you knew the truth which has to set you free. Your pastor is a trickster. Why are you still in darkness? Can’t you see that this pastor of yours is robbing you of the little that you have? You have eyes but you cannot see. He uses your hard-earned money to drink beer and here you are listening to his message. Poor souls! And you believe that he is leading you to salvation. Which salvation?” one of the drunken men said. The pastor just smiled. He believed that it was all the devil’s work and he told himself that no one in the church would believe those sons of the devil. As he tried to tell the congregation what he had gone to the beer-drinking place for, the DVD began to play and everyone’s focus was at the screen. The congregants were shocked to see their pastor staggering to and fro while holding bottles of beer in one hand with the Bible in another. That was the only part which was shown and one after another, people began to walk out of the church building. Pastor Joel tried to make an explanation but all in vain. The people kept asking themselves: “But in the first place, was it wise for the man of God to visit the place?” Untold confusion was finally loosed upon all the 28 branches of the Salvation Day Church. News about what had happened at the headquarters of the church was disseminating like wildfire and people could have trust in Pastor Joel no more. And all the 28 flocks scattered to the four winds.

CHANCO DIVIDED ON QUOTA

Chanco divided on quota BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE Chancellor College students are divided as to whether or not they should express their stand on the reintroduction of the controversial quota system of selecting students into the University of Malawi. During a General Assembly convened in the Great Hall last Thursday, contributors to the motion “Do we need to take a stand on quota” differed, with some arguing that there is little information about quota and that “it is ridiculous to act on something without first digging out enough information”. However, some students still thought the information that has been disseminated through the media was enough and that “it is being unrealistic for a whole intellectual to argue that there isn’t enough information on quota when the issue was already there last year only to resurface under the guise of equitable access to university education”. Despite suggestions that Chanco should maintain a neutral stand on quota, exclusive interviews with a number of students indicated that the majority was against the implementation of the system, with most of them centering their arguments on the idea that the system is discriminatory and that it nullifies the whole essence of hard work. Still more, some students observed that “equity” is a very significant thing as long as the limited space in the public universities is concerned. They argued that no section of society should be allowed to monopolize university education. “University education is supposed to be accessed by diverse parts of the country. It is unfair for one part to monopolize it,” said one student. Other students who argued for the implementation of quota could not justify their stand other than that “we also want our siblings to come here.” In a circular inviting the students to declare their stand as regards the system, Students Union of Chancellor College (Succ) Speaker Vieson Pinanyaza Thawani said “Time has arrived for us to speak once more as regards the quota system. Now that the debate on the proposed quota system has once more shaken the psyche of our national conscious, silence would be a betrayal to future generations. Only participatory democracy can once and for all settle this rigorous debate. In a nation like ours where freedom of speech is a birthright for all, it would be betrayal to this right if we, as intellectuals, failed to voice our views.” Last year, the Council wanted to use the system but was restrained by the courts. But rumours have it that the system was still used, though it was not made public. Some people argue that in the previous Unima selection list there were traces of quota at work. Michael Mutisala, a student at the institution said that quota system may result into people changing their names and districts of origin just to find their way to the university. He added that as a matter of fact, quota means merit is useless. “In education, success is supposed to be given out solely on merit grounds and quota compromises this. This has come at a time when people out there are blaming Unima of not producing efficient graduates. And it can be a mockery to Unima as a whole if quota were implemented,” said Mutisala. A member of the Students Union Executive who opted for anonymity said that the reintroduction of quota is against the amendment act of Unima which condemns any sort of discrimination in the selection of students. The act stipulates that the Council shall not discriminate against any person because of race, ethnic origin, political affiliation or opinion, religion or sex in respect of registration of any person as a student of the university. “The current development means that the act no longer matters. This was not supposed to be the case. It is a provision that has to be respected whatever the case,” he said. Commenting on Minister of Education Dr. George Chaponda’s assertion that the aim of quota is to ensure that there is equity so that no region has a greater chance of sending its citizens to the university, the Succ member said that it means the Minister looks at Malawians regarding their areas of origin. “We are all Malawians before we become northerners, southerners and centrals. Merit in the education system is the only monopoly and nothing is supposed to compromise it,” she said. Most of the interviewed students argued that the most practical way of ensuring that there is equity as regards university education is by making sure schools have the same teaching and learning materials. They said it is ridiculous to argue that some schools perform better than others because they have all the necessary equipment and staffing. “Why can’t government just level the playing field instead of punishing hard-workers because of working hard? Is it very difficult for government to ensure that all schools in Malawi have the same opportunities when it comes to teaching and learning?” argued one student. Former Succ Speaker Timothy Pagonacho Mtambo observed that it was sad that his fellow students were pretending that they did not have much information on the issue when it has been publicized in the media many times. He added that the current “version” of quota is not different from that of last year where the students marched to Zomba District Assembly offices where they presented a petition which rejected the system. While maintaining his neutral position on the matter, Mickeus Luciano, a Second Year Law student said there might be both the good and the bad sides of the system. The students are supposed to have a secret ballot where they will express their stand on the matter. Last year, the University Council and academics that consisted of deans of faculties as well as heads of departments at the University of Malawi disagreed over this controversial system which the council wanted to use when selecting students. The senate agreed to implement quota system if it was going to take poverty and disability into consideration, not the districts students came from. The academics feared that quota system might recruit into the colleges mediocre students, thereby dwindling the standards of university education and giving lecturers a tough time. It was reported that finally students were selected on merit.

POEM

DIVIDE US NOT BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE Divide us not vulture Though we are parrots, swallows, and crows We are known to be one Though our nests are attached to waterside reeds, In mango tree foliage and meadows We are all birds. Though we don’t have the same fluff We have more things that unite us as birds. After all we belong to the same forest, Then why should you be so bent at dividing us, vulture? As you extol the virtues of unanimity We would meekly ask of you To partition us not your lordship vulture. Though we are eagles, lapwings, and hawks We are all identified by one universal name That unites us each instance. Stare not at the trees where our nests lay For we can’t all have our nests in the same tree. Though we don’t flock together, We are united because we are all birds. After all, we are all under your auspices, great vulture Therefore, leave us the way we were. Don’t wreck us royal vulture Don’t let the floor beneath our feet disintegrate So that we get lost to the four winds Where we will be intolerably crushed But build us sovereign vulture The great ruler of the bird realm. Divide us not; unite us; love us and lead us That perpetually we may stand unified. Rule this great kingdom, king vulture With wisdom, sober-mindedness and insight. Though we are magpies, kites and ducks We are all one under your rule. Deem not the tone of our warbling voices For we are sure this is one factor that makes you want to segregate us But take pride, n-everlasting vulture In this variety that prances in your kingdom. As you rule, venerated vulture, Take to heart one thing Your splendor is just an ephemeral glance. Therefore divide us not.

CHANCO TO TAKE A STAND ON QUOTA

Chanco to take a stand on quota BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE Chancellor College students have finally decided to take a stand as regards the reintroduction of the controversial quota system of selecting students into the University of Malawi. During a General Assembly convened in the Great Hall last Thursday, contributors to the motion “Do we need to take a stand on quota” differed, with some arguing that there is little information about quota and that “it is ridiculous to act on something without first digging out enough information”. But in a referendum last Monday where 569 students participated, 133 maintained their neutral stand while 436 decided to take a stand. During the general assembly which was poorly patronized, some students still thought the information that has been disseminated through the media was enough and that “it is being unrealistic for a whole intellectual to argue that there isn’t enough information on quota when the issue was already there last year only to resurface under the guise of equitable access to university education”. Towards the end of last week, despite suggestions that Chanco should maintain a neutral stand on quota, exclusive interviews with a number of students indicated that the majority was against the implementation of the system, with most of them centering their arguments on the idea that the system is discriminatory and that it nullifies the whole essence of hard work. Still more, some students observed that “equity” is a very significant thing as long as the limited space in the public universities is concerned. They argued that no section of society should be allowed to monopolize university education. “University education is supposed to be accessed by diverse parts of the country. It is unfair for one part to monopolize it,” said one student. Other students who argued for the implementation of quota could not justify their stand other than that “we also want our siblings to come here.” In a circular inviting the students to declare their stand as regards the system, Students Union of Chancellor College (Succ) Speaker Vieson Pinanyaza Thawani said “Time has arrived for us to speak once more as regards the quota system. Now that the debate on the proposed quota system has once more shaken the psyche of our national conscious, silence would be a betrayal to future generations. Only participatory democracy can once and for all settle this rigorous debate. In a nation like ours where freedom of speech is a birthright for all, it would be betrayal to this right if we, as intellectuals, failed to voice our views.” Last year, the Council wanted to use the system but was restrained by the courts. But rumours have it that the system was still used, though it was not made public. Some people argue that in the previous Unima selection list there were traces of quota at work. Michael Mutisala, a student at the institution said that quota system may result into people changing their names and districts of origin just to find their way to the university. He added that as a matter of fact, quota means merit is useless. “In education, success is supposed to be given out solely on merit grounds and quota compromises this. This has come at a time when people out there are blaming Unima of not producing efficient graduates. And it can be a mockery to Unima as a whole if quota were implemented,” said Mutisala. A member of the Students Union Executive who opted for anonymity said that the reintroduction of quota is against the amendment act of Unima which condemns any sort of discrimination in the selection of students. The act stipulates that the Council shall not discriminate against any person because of race, ethnic origin, political affiliation or opinion, religion or sex in respect of registration of any person as a student of the university. “The current development means that the act no longer matters. This was not supposed to be the case. It is a provision that has to be respected whatever the case,” he said. Commenting on Minister of Education Dr. George Chaponda’s assertion that the aim of quota is to ensure that there is equity so that no region has a greater chance of sending its citizens to the university, the Succ member said that it means the Minister looks at Malawians regarding their areas of origin. “We are all Malawians before we become northerners, southerners and centrals. Merit in the education system is the only monopoly and nothing is supposed to compromise it,” she said. Most of the interviewed students argued that the most practical way of ensuring that there is equity as regards university education is by making sure schools have the same teaching and learning materials. They said it is ridiculous to argue that some schools perform better than others because they have all the necessary equipment and staffing. “Why can’t government just level the playing field instead of punishing hard-workers because of working hard? Is it very difficult for government to ensure that all schools in Malawi have the same opportunities when it comes to teaching and learning?” argued one student. Former Succ Speaker Timothy Pagonacho Mtambo observed that it was sad that his fellow students were pretending that they did not have much information on the issue when it has been publicized in the media many times. He added that the current “version” of quota is not different from that of last year where the students marched to Zomba District Assembly offices where they presented a petition which rejected the system. While maintaining his neutral position on the matter, Mickeus Luciano, a Second Year Law student said there might be both the good and the bad sides of the system. Last year, the University Council and academics that consisted of deans of faculties as well as heads of departments at the University of Malawi disagreed over this controversial system which the council wanted to use when selecting students. The senate agreed to implement quota system if it was going to take poverty and disability into consideration, not the districts students came from. The academics feared that quota system might recruit into the colleges mediocre students, thereby dwindling the standards of university education and giving lecturers a tough time. It was reported that finally students were selected on merit.

POLITICS OF PERFORMANCE

Politics of performance By Ananiya Alick Ponje It is oftentimes said that modern governments live and die on their economic records. This is in virtue of the fact that a government is never recognized as a vibrant one if its economic performance does not inspire anyone, especially foreign investors, to invest in the country. The fact that modern governments live and die on their economic records is applicable in both industrialized and developing ones. During the last five years of economic performance and subsequent analysis on the part on the government by different analysts, it has been observed that Malawi has performed quite well on economy with the last development being the country registering another 0.5 decrease in inflation. This is not something that many come on a silver platter, but there is need for someone to mastermind it. The brain behind it has a task of strategizing procedures for achieving the same. And this is connected to other dimensions of performance which might not be very economic in nature. President Bingu wa Mutharika’s political performance has tackled sufficiently all areas affiliated to it. One thing that should not be discounted about political performance is that a good political performer encompasses other dimensions as well which may seem not to be political in nature. These dimensions create the whole bundle of political performance as one thing. And in most instances, regardless of how many they are, if some of the them have flopped, a regime’s political performance is dented. Yet in Malawi, we have a leader whose political performance has been rated as one of the best in Africa. Such an achievement may seem mean to a layman’s perception, but it is in actual sense, an historic one. The ultimate analysis has been drawn out after discovering that Mutharika has done well in all areas, despite a few hiccups. Everywhere in the world, with the priority of democratic states, citizens expect the government to maintain order, to resolve conflicts in peaceful manners, and to provide a peaceful and free climate where people can live without fear of being harmed or even killed. These are some of the things that will determine the political performance of a government. Citizens also expect their government to be able to formulate policies which will ultimately respond to their basic needs and problems. All these aspects are, at a lower level, supposed to be carried by legislators and cabinet ministers. Even if they did not vote for a particular candidate, citizens will still expect free and fair treatment by government authorities. They also have all the trust that the authorities will use public resources for the defined purposes of government and not to satisfy their own interests. That is why the president has since his re-election been extolling the virtues of burying the hatchet and moving forward for the good of the masses. In common Malawi, it is now common that citizens expect the authorities to excel at being democratic, at safeguarding civil and political liberties, honoring the provisions of the constitution without tampering with it even if one side has a majority that would enable it to. Here is where the Mutharika administration will be required to show citizens that these aspects were not withheld during the past five years because of lack of the political muscle due to minority of representation in the National Assembly, but that the administration did everything in good faith. However, there have already been some concerns from a number of individuals and stakeholders who have described the current administration as one that is only ruling by decree just because it has the majority to do whatever its leaders want. I am reluctant to comment on this assertion from the public. Since it is now entirely accepted that Mutharika is a great economist and a political performer, the last analysis is based on what his performance in the next five years will be now that he has the ‘majority temptation’. It is bound to have immense social and political effects, thereby producing a far-reaching loss of confidence from the populace, should the president mess things due to the majority of representation in the National Assembly that he has at his disposal. Of course, he has already assured Malawians that the majority will be used to the advantage of Malawians in general, and not the DPP as a party or any individual. On the other hand, it is expected that the president will shoot his political performance, especially on the dimension of economic performance, because despite registering a great economic upheaval in the last five years of office, the president had inherited an economy that had been lying in tatters. On the other dimensions of political performance, particularly freedom, order and security, there is a clear assurance that this administration will maintain them and even improve if the measures that are already there will be re-employed and strategized further. Mutharika will also be labeled one of Africa’s great political performers should he ultimately view the opposition as a necessary entity in the government system despite having the muscle to tramp over it completely. He might be the first to implement the aspect of majority rule and minority rights. However, since the government is the one with the majority rule aspect, the real tension between the need for collective decision-making and respect for choice might not be of significance. To the new cabinet, the ministers are supposed to take things in a very professional way because this is the era of ultimate political performance where a non-performer will not need to stay. In their different capacities, they will be required to achieve certain goals which might not be vivid, while the president might have already set for them. They need to be aware of the fact that cabinet reshuffles come to purify cabinet. Overall, citizens must be put first. As a practical matter, issues of public importance are seldom resolved by a unanimous decision. Opposition will always be there, but it might not matter at all. In virtually every instance, there will be losers and winners, but the best justification for majority rule is that it provides a legitimate and realistic way to make collective decisions. The most significant thing is that the government accepts the fact that there is no higher authority than the citizenry. And this is the time for the opposition to experience some kind of a bumpy ride since they will no longer have that power of rejecting bills wantonly as has already been vindicated in the last sitting of Parliament. Their authority will be vanquished beyond measure. However, all they need is to accept that this is another era of Malawi politics where the opposition is only necessary in the government system while mattering very little or not at all.

IN LOVING MEMORY

IN LOVING MEMORY SHORT STORY BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE Wongani’s mother lit three candles and placed them each in front of herself, her husband and her daughter. “I’m always fond of candles. In the past, after every long and tiring journey, I would light a candle and watch its tiny flame gutter and all the lethargy and fatigue would seep out of me. And now it takes me down the lane of distant memories.” Then turning to her husband, she said, “Fill your glass with this table wine and drink it as a very special thing this hour. There shall never be a time like this in the future to come. Do it so that wherever you shall be, you will remember the time that we have lived together.” She turned to her daughter and said, “Wongani, my dear daughter, take your glass of wine and drink it so that you will always bring to mind this short time that we have lived together. No more tales of woe on my part.” At first, Wongani had thought that perhaps her mother had decided to call it quits with her father, but when she told her the same thing that she had told him, she began to look askance at the whole scenario. “Mum, you have no power to know what will happen in your life.” Yet deep in the recesses of her heart, she was terribly perturbed. “I wish I had.” Wongani left for school at Ibanda International High School. Behind, her mother had been diagnosed with cerebral malaria and she died three days later. Her husband could hardly understand what had happened. How could she predict her own death? When Wongani returned home after being called, her father took her aside and told her that her dear mother was no more. Silently a tear dropped from her eye. How could he have softened the brow? This tranquil evening, Wongani opened the door of her clothes closet after four days since her mother’s demise. Her eyes immediately landed on a memory box left behind by her mother mother. She pulled the box into the middle of her room where she untied the ribbons and saw a pair of her departed mother’s best kitten heels, a taupe loose frock that she had put on three weeks ago during Wongani’s eleventh birthday. Her bible and three A4 size papers covered with rough scripts were placed beneath the frock. Picking one paper, she held it in her hand and began to read it silently. “During funerals everyone is crying for their own death, mourning their own soul, that’s why the grief should transform every mourner’s life. My dear Wongani, in life, it’s better to bear your own anguish with fortitude. “Instructions from a mother are the future garlands to grace the daughter’s head and a necklace to embellish her neck, but when a mother dies in her prime, dreams are shattered. “Wherever you go, proclaim with the highest degree of vehemence that the Lord is the controller of your destiny. In silent memories, I’ll always remember you. I was fighting a very big battle and death’s my victory. Death’s life’s hardest reality but it’s the only way into the afterlife. For me, another life has begun. I’ll no longer smile with you; I’ll no longer prickle you, but I’ll always pray for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be upon you always. “It has happened so quickly that I didn’t have time to bide you farewell, but at least the memory box contains part of the contents of my heart. Build your faith strongly in the Lord during this trying period. Don’t say that a dark cloud has fallen upon you; rather say a shining sun has risen for my death should mark the beginning of a new life for you.” Wongani picked the last paper and continued reading: “Wongani, nightmares come to remind us that even in perfect livelihood, there is a trace of failure. I began to feel death’s cold hands embracing me many years ago when I was found with the virus that causes the deadly pandemic that is threatening to wipe away the whole human race. I’ve finally reached the end of my road. “Just accept what you are and embrace what you have. None die earlier than when they are supposed to die; that is the principle of life. Don’t fear your death because you cannot evade it. It’s useless trying to fear what you cannot avoid. It’ll find you, whatever the case. “Rely on the Lord for he’s the only pillar of hope that doesn’t keel over in tempests. Above everything, take care of your life so that you will not die of so many diseases like I have done. God be with you always. “Your mother, Tami.” She lay down in her bed and breathed hard. In her lifetime, her mother had never told her that she was HIV positive. Then she picked her pen and the clipboard and with her trembling right hand began to write something. When she had finished, it read: “Mum, putting me in my favourable state was not a simple thing, I know but you tried all your best. You always said to you I was a very valuable person although I am physically impaired. Now I sit on my bed, cold brisk tears running down my cheeks, not knowing what to do and where to go. Dad is terribly sick and I don’t know what to do. But in the midst all the misery I am in, I pray to God that we will meet again in his holy kingdom one day. “My memories are twisted and my soul is faint. Your death has since brought me to a pause that seems to last forever. I keep on reflecting on what life means when it is so brief. You were my rose flower, shining relentlessly like the setting golden sun. Your sudden departure can be likened to a burning candle whose strong flame has been snuffed out so easily.”

SHORT STORY - TRUTH WILL OUT

TRUTH WILL OUT Short story by ANANIYA ALICK PONJE She held John’s stare and retreated carefully. She was at the end of her tether. Her lips were trembling with rage. “Look here, mister, I’m not Lughano; my name is Pricilla. I don’t understand anything that you say. I’m not who you think I am. You’re sadly mistaken,” she said, virtually on top of her voice. John sent her a searching gaze and scuttled towards where she was standing seething with resentment. Folding his handkerchief, he held it tightly in his palm and dubbed the perspiration from his mournful face. “What the hell are you saying, Lughano?” “I’m not Lughano. My name is Pricilla. What do you want to hear from me? You’re mistaking me for someone else; don’t you understand. Why do you want to impose a name on me?” She almost cried. “Please, stop calling me by that name and let me go. I’m supposed to be at Sunrise Hotel by eight. We’re having a workshop there. I have come from very far away and I wonder why you people can’t just give me some breathing space,” just now she drawled sadly. “You are Lughano!” John shouted persistently. He was the fifth person to call her by that name since she had arrived in the township two days ago. Soon after her arrival, news about her ‘return’ was everywhere. John looked at the silver earrings dangling from her earlobes. He vividly remembered having bought them on her 23rd birthday. And the wristlet on her left hand was exactly the one he had bought for her three days before their engagement ceremony a year ago or so, he recalled. Yet now she was vehemently denying that she was Lughano. “Lughano, I bought that wristlet for you and the earrings as well. Can’t you remember?” “You didn’t, and stop calling me by that name. Look, I don’t know you.” “Well, if you changed your name, why don’t you just say it instead of denying the very same name that your family knew you by and the name that up to date appears on the engagement card? Fine, who bought you the wristlet and the earrings?” he asked tensely. “This is none of your concern. Why should you be so obsessed with knowing who bought the jewellery for me?” But she could hardly remember having bought them at any time. In fact she could not remember anything – not even having not bought them herself. She stared at John stonily and disregarded his dejected countenance. John remembered having given her a garland of red, pick and white roses three days before they were supposed to get engaged. And a day later she was nowhere to be seen. After her disappearance, surprisingly, Mercy, her younger sister began to date John after being ‘forced’ to by Mercy herself. “She is gone, John. For how long are you going to sorrow after her disappearance? Don’t sorrow yourself to death. At least you have me. I’m no different from her. We’re the same blood,” said Mercy to John when he had stayed for two solid days without eating anything. “You don’t understand.” “I do.” “No you don’t,” he shouted. “There’s something in her I can’t find in any other woman. We were about to get engaged three days later and what did I get, a letter informing me that she was no longer interested, after four good years of perfect dating.” “Of course I understand, but what’s the benefit of worrying so much over something that you can’t change? You simply have to accept it because you have no choice. I’m here to give you comfort,” said Mercy with the courage of her convictions. “You see, Mercy, your sister was the only woman I loved to the uttermost. If I say I love you now, then I’m only pretending. It’s high time I gave up all pretence. The vow I made with her is too strong to be easily broken.” “John, you took no oath at all.” Her thin but distinct silvery voice wafted with little echoes in the room. “I want to give you the best love. By and by you’ll completely forget the past,” she said with a simper. Three days later, Mercy officially moved into John’s house as his wife. He just accepted her because he was equally convinced that his fiancée would never come back again. He failed to hold on to the patience of Job. It was really devastating but he had no option than to grin and bear it. And now she was back and she was saying her name was not Lughano but Pricilla. She was saying she did not know him, yet she could not explain where she got the wristlet and the earrings from. She left him standing there by the roadside, hands akimbo. He could not just accept it. This woman was his Lughano and no one else. When he went to his house he sat dejectedly in his padded armchair and stared in nothingness. In his illusions he could see the face of his real wife – a woman he had promised to love all his life. “What’s the problem, my dear husband?” Mercy asked, kneeling in front of him. “I’ve seen her with my own eyes. When Mike was telling me that he saw her in town, I thought he was only joking. I’ve seen Lughano.” “Think like a man. You think after a year of no communication, she’s still alive? You only saw her look-alike. OK, let me finally tell you this: Lughano was dating our Member of Parliament the same time she was dating you. It was an underlying eternal triangle where your ignorance was bliss.” She paused to see if he was listening intently. He seemed to be. “Then when she was about to be engaged to you, the MP told her to return everything he had spent on her. It would cost millions. So she just decided to disappear because of frustration. And I don’t think she’ll ever return.” That moment John seemed to believe her. “Why were you hiding this information from me all this time?” “I thought it would devastate you something fierce. At least some time has passed now.” About twenty kilometres away from where John and Mercy were, Lughano was in a cab, travelling towards Sunrise Hotel where she was supposed to meet her colleagues for the workshop. As the driver pressed harder on the accelerator to drive at full pelt, he lost control of the car and it swerved dangerously before coming to a screeching halt. Lughano passed out and when she revived, she regained her past consciousness. “Please take me to Chibavi. Something is wrong somewhere,” she instantaneously told the driver. The place was where John was taking up residence. In spite of the fact that the taxicab would have been involved in an accident because of over-speeding, Lughano still told the driver to drive as fast as he dared. Finally the car drew up outside John’s house. She knocked on the door and Mercy got it. She was shocked to the bone upon opening the door in the face of his elder sister whom she thought was now rotting in the river where she had dumped her. John walked briskly past Mercy and stopped in front of Lughano. “Lughano my dear wife are you going to deny your name again this time?” Tears rolled down her tender cheeks as she picked her hankie to wipe them off. Mercy was rooted to the spot with fear and shock. She had never thought such a bitter blast from the past would reappear after what she had done to her. “This is all I remember: three days before we were supposed to get engaged, I picked Mercy so that we would go to town and buy some stuff. While on our way she remained behind, picked a huge stone and hit me with it on my nape. I remember that I spent about four months in hospital in South Africa. A certain white man, I learnt sent me there. I think I lost my memory. Then today we were almost involved in an accident and I passed out. When I came to, I could see myself remembering a number of things….” “So what was your aim, Mercy?” John asked, shaking like a leaf. “I already knew before that that she never wanted me to marry you,” said Lughano dolefully. “She thought I died where she dumped me.” Mercy went onto her knees. “Please forgive me.” “You have already married him. Your heart’s desire has been fulfilled. I only came to clear the mist. Wishing you a happy and successful marriage.” As she finished the sentence, she dashed towards the taxi and told the driver to speed away. “No, Lughano, don’t go.” John ran towards the car but he could not catch it. He searched everywhere in town but Lughano was nowhere to be seen. She wasn’t even at Sunrise Hotel.

BINGU WAS TOO HARD ON COTTON BUYERS

BINGU WAS TOO HARD ON COTTON BUYERS BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE President Bingu wa Mutharika has always been known as a man who tolerates no rubbish. He is a realist. He does not want things to be done in halves. And he has swaying dreams which are slowly and steadily driving this poverty-stricken country towards prosperity. He believes that since countries like China were as poor as Malawi at some point, then Malawi as well can become as rich as China is now. He believes Malawi can do it. He believes there is no such big hurdle which can prevent our cities from having soaring skyscrapers and numerous flyovers. Mutharika looks ahead with the ultimate confidence. He is an economist by profession and he knows how best to handle our economy. He teaches us to fish, not to rely on handouts like his predecessor used to do. Such is a president whose eyes of the mind look further than physical eyes. Apparently, he does not sleep, thinking of formulating ways which can help him ultimately realize his dream; a dream for all Malawians. Mutharika is also quite aware of how smallholder farmers work with their noses to the grindstone on their farms just to fight to live another day. He is mindful of the fact that these farmers have been downtrodden for so long and hopes it should have been high time they started reaping what they deserve. Bingu, who has recently been crowned as Mchikumbe Number One knows that development of a country begins at household level. He knows that people need to live contented lives so that they work industriously towards the development of their lives which will result into the development of the country as a whole. In his pursuit to make certain smallholder farmers are always satisfied so that they continue with their trade, Mutharika has always set minimum prices for cash crops like tobacco and cotton. And he set K75 to be the minimum price for cotton, a thing which did not go down well with most cotton buyers who decided not to buy the crop. It was a good directive from the president but it has come up with contradictory results, yielding both success and failure and the victim now appears to be the poor farmer. Now when you travel down the Lower Shire, the area where cotton is mostly grown, you will find that most cotton fields are not yet cleared because farmers have been demoralized. Mutharika should not have set such a minimum price in this time of economic crisis where every trader is cautious enough not to make losses. He should have left the cotton buyers and the farmers’ representatives to reach a compromise. But the president’s order resulted in the two having no chance to come to a roundtable. After all, it was a presidential directive and who would rebut it. The ironic thing is that cotton continues being bought and at the same cheap prices of K45 per kg and even below. Poor farmers who have nothing in their homes sell their crop at the same cheaper prices because they cannot do otherwise. It has been reported that in some areas, the buyers buy the crop at the ‘presidential price’ during the day only to lower it in the evening. So pathetic! And farmers are complaining that some cotton buyers are playing a trick. When the president made the directive the company sent some of its people to the cotton growing areas where they still buy the crop at as low as K35 per kg. And when enough cotton was bought, the buyer agreed with the president’s directive that they would buy the crop at a minimum price of K75 per kg. They did this only to find a way of transporting the crop which they bought at K35 per kg. Still some farmers have their cotton but there is no one to buy it because some buyers have failed to meet the president’s demand. These are buyers who would not want to play any trick and they have told farmers to keep their crop so that it may be bought later, perhaps when the economic crisis is over. Bingu should have let the buyers and the farmers discuss the whole issue and reach a compromise. It is true that farmers are being shortchanged but it is also being unrealistic to expect buyers to buy crops at prices which would bring them losses. The president just got it wrong. Much as it is his responsibility to protect farmers from exploitation, there are as well some other circumstances that need not to be passed over. At least there should have been an alternative for farmers in a situation where cotton buyers fail to buy the crop. Perhaps government should have formulated means of helping the poor farmer.

MPASU - THE FORSAKEN VOICE

A concern for Mpasu; lest we forget BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE He was known to many as a very influential politician who never minced words where he thought some truth that needed to be divulged was being trumped beneath some unscrupulous desires of some individuals. He started politics way back during his days at Chancellor College, a constituent college of the University of Malawi where he once served as president of the students union. The former president, father and founder of Malawi, the late Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda saw him to be a threat, and subsequently bayed for his blood. He was deemed to be a very defiant student who had the guts to openly criticize the then political system. And he has two well-written books to his credit; the books which are written with so much creativity that the reader is once forced to read them more. The titles of the books are Nobody’s Friend published in 1975 and Political Prisoner 3/75 published after the introduction of multiparty politics. They are fictitious, but they were intended to convey a deeper actual message which could not be expressed in ‘normal’ literature. He used fiction to present reality. His first writings were published when academicians were taken to be enemies of government because they could not hesitate to put onto paper what they deemed to be anomalies in government but could not divulge them. He is just one of the many academicians who hid behind fiction when they wanted to disseminate politically-sensitive information. At least they were safe in fiction because they would easily claim that it had no any resemblance to any person whether living or dead. But he said he wrote because he just felt like writing, not as a profession. Such is the authority of literature, especially fiction. After leaving the University, he served in a number of top political positions. He was once a member of the cabinet and as a Speaker of the National Assembly. He has also served in different capacities in the United Democratic Front (UDF). After serving as the party’s spokesman, a position which he last held before being sent into the jaws of agony, he attracted the centre of public attention when he was the first to point out that Muluzi’s chances of winning in the last general elections were very slim. This was a time when the former head of state was craving for another go despite having already served this country as the first citizen for the constitutional maximum period of two consecutive terms. He could not mince words. He had no time to play bootlicking politics. To him, the very truth had to be articulated the moment it was needful, without caring much about whether it would cost him any benefits or not. Such is a man who is now languishing behind the bars of Chichiri Maximum Prison, serving a 6-year jail term for him involvement in the British firm Fieldyork International notebook scandal. Nobody’s Friend is believed to be the reason he was incarcerated for two years from January 1975 to February 1977. Head of Special Branch Focus Gwede asked in one of his questions what the book was all about, and was mostly concerned with the part in the book which talked about a president being assassinated. This was taken as the author’s desire to topple Dr. Banda’s government. Mpasu realized that the people who got offended by his Nobody’s Friend interpreted the book out of context by concentrating only on the title which appeared to refer to South Africa which was being condemned by the whole of Africa including the west. However, this was the time when Dr. Banda was establishing a conducive relationship with this rejected country. He believes Dr. Banda was interpreting the book to mean that he (Dr. Banda) was taken to be nobody’s friend by befriending a country which was no other country’s friend. Mpasu was once thrown into Zomba Prison and Mikuyu Prison because of his writings and when he came out of prison in 1977 he was stamped by government authorities not to work anywhere in Malawi, not even to operate any legitimate business. Obviously that meant he was not wanted in Malawi anymore; a country where he was born, where his family was, where his life was and where his roots were. He was offered a job by a certain company but government blocked it. He was offered a job by IndeBank, but it was blocked as well. It was when he was offered a job by Lever Brothers when he was not blocked. That it what this man toiling with life in prison went through just because he had written a novel; a novel that is enjoyed by many and can be read over and over again. Mpasu also at some point worked with the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI). In 1991, he was involved in the UDF’s secret meetings with some other individuals. By then the group was operating as an undergoing movement because Dr. Banda would not allow any party to operate in the country. Mpasu’s second book which was published soon after the UDF wrestled power from the first head of state mostly narrates his experience while he was in prison. The book basically recounts what he went through during the MCP era which he never wanted to be wiped from the history of Malawi. This is typical of what Jack Mapanje advocates for in his poem Scrubbing The Furious Walls of Mikuyu. They both fight for the truth to always reign so that history is not twisted. They both don’t want the truth to be wiped out of human memory. There is something odd about Mpasu’s Fieldyork conviction and subsequent sentencing. Only a few people appeared to sympathize with the former legislator. Even the party which he had been its spokesperson before he was stripped of the position, seemed not to commiserate with his welfare, perhaps because he had somehow turned against it in his pursuit for truth, justice and genuine democracy in the party. His former boss Bakili Muluzi did not express any sorrow at Mpasu’s conviction and he seemed to rejoice because of the same. When he was the spokesperson of the UDF, Mpasu made it clear that Malawi’s constitution barred the former president from standing as a presidential candidate since he had already served two terms in office. “The constitution, specifically in Section 83, Subsection three, says that a president or a vice president will serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. There is no dispute about that because he serves a maximum of two consecutive terms, but the legal minds seem to have different interpretations of that,” Mpasu was quoted as saying by Voice of America. That was obviously some sort of peculiar confidence, because it was a time when almost every top member of the UDF could not get the guts to utter anything that would displease the former head of state, because the party was being taken as his personal estate. Mpasu noted that Malawi might be plunged into legal battles if the former president decided to stand again as a presidential candidate of the UDF and wins the elections. But then afterwards, no one seemed to sense anything in Mpasu’s sentiments and his conviction became a social podium where different individuals and organisations thought they would articulate something. Even The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) through its Executive Director Undule Mwakasungula announced that it was “pleased that at last the truth surrounding the long-standing high profile corruption case involving former Minister of Education Sam Mpasu has prevailed.” In their polite view Mpasu’s conviction was yet another evidence of government’s commitment towards fighting corruption. The CHRR agreed with the view of the Lilongwe Chief Resident Magistrate Chifundo Kachale, who convicted Mpasu on all three counts of abuse of office. But perhaps the question that needs to be thoroughly addressed is whether or not Mpasu was the only one involved in corrupt practices during the Muluzi era. Are all those high-profile politicians occupying high positions in different capacities coming clean as long as corruption in the Muluzi era was concerned? It is pathetic to note that even though corruption was said to be very rampant in the Muluzi administration, only a few ‘unlucky’ individuals have been brought to book. Are a few convicted individuals the only ones who were corrupt? Or are others’ cases being staved off because they are in government now? Whatever the truth is, only time will tell! In the CHRR’s press release, it was emphasized that Mpasu’s conviction should serve as a warning to others in government and even the opposition that in the current dispensation there is no way anyone can get away with theft or corruption. Yet complaints have been made for times without number that government is only probing those in opposition while shielding those in government. Whatever might be the basis of the complaints, there is never smoke without fire. To another extent, the CHRR has to be applauded for reminding government that it should not only probe those in opposition, but even those in government too. But has the rights organization done enough to ensure there is transparency in the handling of corruption cases? There were corruption allegations leveled against the then Information Minister, Patricia Kaliati, but they were concluded in a very suspicious way. Or are they still being pursued? Now having said all this, is there anything that can be done for Mpasu other than that he should finish his jail term? Can’t the president do something about this jailed politician? Does Mpasu no longer matter in Malawi politics? Is he just a victim of political retaliation? And finally, is Mpasu the only one from the Muluzi administration who was eligible of being convicted? A stream of questions may follow, but the fact remains that Mpasu has contributed a lot to Malawi politics and education. Through his pen, he fought against the former head of state Dr. Banda. Through his voice, he said the truth about a number of things that would not have been revealed by many. He might have indeed erred somewhere, but were things supposed to be like that for him; for him alone and no one else? Is he paying a price for something? Now his name has almost been completely thrust into the mist of history. Does he deserve this end? This is just a concern for Mpasu. A concern for this besieged politician living within the walls of Chichiri Prison. Maybe even now, his pen is his only weapon; a weapon that consoles him in the kind of agony he is undergoing.

SAM MPASU

A concern for Mpasu; lest we forget All of us who are concerned for peace and triumph of reason and justice must be keenly aware how small an influence reason and honest good will exert upon events in the political field. – Albert Einstein. …But do we need to sit back and appreciate the fact that reason and honest good have little influence in the political field? Can’t we still do something? Who knows, maybe the bits of our reason and honest good will finally produce a bunch that will exert some influence in the political field. But whatever the case, this is just a concern for Sam, Samuel, Samson, Sameer Mpasu; Mpasu the writer and Mpasu the politician…Mpasu the forsaken voice. BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE He was known to many as a very influential politician who never minced words where he thought some truth that needed to be divulged was being trumped beneath some unscrupulous desires of some individuals. He started politics way back during his days at Chancellor College, a constituent college of the University of Malawi where he once served as president of the students union. The former president, father and founder of Malawi, the late Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda saw him to be a threat, and subsequently bayed for his blood. He was deemed to be a very defiant student who had the guts to criticize the then political system. And he has two well-written books to his credit; the books which are written with so much creativity that the reader is once forced to read them more. The titles of the books are Nobody’s Friend published in 1975 and Political Prisoner 3/75 published after the introduction of multiparty politics. They are fictitious, but they were intended to convey a deeper ‘actual’ message which could not be expressed in ‘normal’ literature. He used fiction to present reality. He is just one of the many academicians who hid behind fiction when they wanted to disseminate politically-sensitive information. At least they were safe in fiction because they would easily claim that it had no any resemblance to any person whether living or dead. He was once a member of the cabinet and a Speaker of the National Assembly. He also served in different capacities in the UDF. After serving as the party’s spokesman, a position which he last held before being sent into the jaws of agony, he attracted the centre of public attention when he was the first to point out that Muluzi’s chances of winning in the last general elections were very slim. This was a time when the former head of state was craving for another go despite having been president for two consecutive terms. Mpasu could not mince words. He had no time to play bootlicking politics. To him, the very truth had to be disclosed the moment it was needful, without caring much about whether it would cost him any benefits or not. Such is a man who is now languishing behind the bars of Chichiri Maximum Prison, serving a 6-year jail term for his involvement in the British firm Fieldyork International notebook scandal. Nobody’s Friend is believed to be the reason he was imprisoned from January 1975 to February 1977. The then Head of Special Branch Focus Gwede asked in one of his questions what the book was all about, and was mostly concerned with the part in the book which talked about a president being assassinated. This was taken as the author’s desire to topple Dr. Banda’s government. Mpasu realized that Dr. Banda got offended by his Nobody’s Friend because he interpreted the book out of context by concentrating only on the title which might have been taken to refer to South Africa which was being rejected by the whole of Africa. However, this was the time when Dr. Banda was establishing a relationship with this rejected country. He believes Dr. Banda was interpreting the book to mean that he was taken to be nobody’s friend by befriending a country which was no other country’s friend. When he came out of prison he was stamped by government not to work anywhere in Malawi, not even to operate any legitimate business. Obviously that meant he was not wanted in Malawi anymore; a country where he was born, where his family was, where his life was and where his roots were. That is what this man toiling with life in prison went through just because he had written a novel; a novel that is enjoyed by many and can be read over and over again. His second book which was published soon after the UDF wrestled power from Dr. Banda mostly narrates his experience while in prison. The book basically recounts what he went through during the MCP era which he never wanted to be wiped from the history of Malawi. This is typical of what Jack Mapanje advocates for in his poem Scrubbing The Furious Walls of Mikuyu. They both fight for the truth to always reign so that history is not twisted. They both don’t want the truth to be wiped out of human memory. There is something odd about Mpasu’s Fieldyork conviction. Only a few people appeared to sympathize with the former legislator. Even the party which he had been its spokesperson before he was stripped of the position seemed not to commiserate with his welfare, perhaps because he had somehow turned against it in his pursuit for truth, justice and genuine democracy in the party. When he was UDF spokesperson, he made it clear that Malawi’s constitution barred Muluzi from standing as a presidential candidate since he had already served two terms in office. That was obviously some sort of peculiar confidence, because it was a time when almost every top member of the UDF could not get the guts to utter anything that would displease the former head of state Mpasu noted that Malawi might be plunged into legal battles if the former president decided to stand again as a presidential candidate of the UDF and wins the elections. But then afterwards, no one seemed to sense anything in Mpasu’s sentiments and his conviction became a podium where different individuals and organisations thought they would make some analysis. Even The Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) through its Executive Director Undule Mwakasungula announced that it was “pleased that at last the truth surrounding the long-standing high profile corruption case involving former Minister of Education Sam Mpasu has prevailed.” But perhaps the question that needs to be thoroughly addressed is whether or not Mpasu was the only one involved in corrupt practices during the Muluzi era. Are all those high-profile politicians occupying high positions in different capacities coming clean as long as corruption in the Muluzi era was concerned? It is pathetic to note that even though corruption was said to be very rampant in the Muluzi administration, only a few ‘unlucky’ individuals have been brought to book. Are a few convicted individuals the only ones who were corrupt? Or are others’ cases being staved off because they are in government now? Whatever the truth is, only time will tell! To another extent, the CHRR has to be applauded for reminding government that it should not only probe those in opposition, but even those in government too. But has the rights body done enough to ensure there is transparency in the handling of corruption cases? Now having said all this, is there anything that can be done for Mpasu other than that he should finish his jail term? Can’t the president do something about this jailed politician? Does Mpasu no longer matter in Malawi politics? Is he just a victim of political retaliation? And finally, is Mpasu the only one from the Muluzi administration who was eligible of being convicted? He might have indeed erred somewhere, but were things supposed to be like that for him; for him alone and no one else? Is he paying a price for something? Now his name has almost been completely thrust into the mist of history. Does he deserve this end? This is just a concern for Mpasu. A concern for this besieged politician living within the walls of Chichiri Prison. Maybe even now, his pen is his only weapon; a weapon that consoles him in the kind of agony he is undergoing.

BUSINESS

On foreigners in small-scale businesses BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE It is an inevitable fact that President Bingu wa Mutharika’s first and primary priority is to steer this country out of the jaws of poverty to prosperity. He has repeated this now and then and in his capacity as the leader of this country, he has put into place calculated measures that will help him realize his dream; a dream that is supposed to be shared by all Malawians. Any country’s success stems from the fact that its citizens are living comfortable lives so that they help in the development of their country as a whole. The citizens also need to live lives that are free from disease. The president has always made certain that Malawians are not exploited by anyone in whatever way. That is why he has not hesitated to chase away cash crop buyers who want to exploit poor farmers who work tirelessly on their fields just to earn some little bucks. The president’s desire has always been that farmers and, of course, all Malawians in different occupations should reap what they deserve instead of some fellows capitalizing on something that they never toiled for. It is clear that Malawi is one country whose bilateral connections with other countries are so strong that foreigners can easily enter into the country and start operating any kind of business they desire. However, this is not the case in most African countries, where most of them have defined businesses that may be done by foreigners while some other businesses are reserved for the natives. For example, in Ghana, foreigners are not allowed to operate small-scale businesses at the expense of locals. But this is so prevalent in Malawi such that locals succumb to the pressure and finally give up. Hence, they fail to develop their lives in their own country. Foreigners have reached the point of even operating small businesses like restaurants and small retail shops whose capital cannot even exceed K50, 000. Pathetic! I must be understood here; I do not intend to mean that foreigners should not be allowed to operate businesses in Malawi. Far from that! All I mean is that they should perhaps deal in big businesses which will bring forex into the country; for what does the nation benefit from foreign traders operating restaurants in the suburban areas of our country? These are businesses that are supposed to be operated by locals, but when these foreigners come onto the scene, they tramp over the locals to such an extent that the locals fail to cope with the pressure and finally just give up. For the improvement of their lives, native Malawians need to be given the first priority as far as the welfare of their lives is concerned. Lives of Malawians cannot improve if they are not allowed to have a chance of operating small-scale businesses in their own country. After all, government has always been committed to giving locals loans under the Malawi Rural Development Fund (Mardef) so that local Malawians should engage in small-scale businesses for the betterment of their lives. The natives fail to prosper in the small-scale businesses because they compete against foreigners who import cheaper goods from their home countries. It is not my aim to precipitate hatred between Malawians and foreigners, but rather to truly assess a very crucial, yet delicate issue, that is neglected by many. Many people, including government, know what local Malawians in small-scale businesses go through, but they deliberately ignore everything, while they have the power to act. Pathetic! Let us face facts here: what should Malawians trade in if the small-scale businesses are being done by foreigners? One would expect the foreigners only to trade in big businesses like wholesale shops, manufacturing industries and to be contractors, just to mention a few. Government can do something about the increasing number of foreigners operating small businesses in this country. The fight against poverty cannot be successful unless native Malawians who should develop this country have a chance of operating small-scale businesses. This is an issue that needs to be confronted and examined with a sober mind; otherwise, we will wake to a rude awakening one day to find that no Malawians can be found operating any kind of business in their own country.

ECONOMY

Getting out of the poverty trap (this article was published in The Daily Times of 30 OCTOBER 2009) BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE The economy of every country in the world relies extensively on the fact that native citizens of the country are able to acquire the basic needs of their lives. A vibrant economy culminates in a substantial number of the country’s population living above the poverty line. This is virtually because an overall national economy has to create an environment where citizens’ lives are never sub-standard. In other ways, citizens need to be at the centre of a national economy because every government’s first obligation is to protect and nurture the welfare of the citizens. That is why it is a general conclusion that the drive out poverty is mostly precipitated by the citizens who are usually at the centre of everything when assessing the economic level of a country. Essentially, there is no way a country can be said to be improving in its economy if its citizens are stuck in terrible levels poverty. That is why when assessing a country’s economic development, phrases like “this poverty-stricken country where more than 80 percent of its citizens live below the poverty line” are seldom excluded. Sometimes a government may precipitate its own poverty by ignoring the general welfare of its citizens, because no government will ever be termed as prosperous if a good majority of its citizens live below the poverty line. It is the duty of government, and the citizens themselves, of course, to work towards the breaking of the poverty trap which categorically benefits the rich while the poor continue languishing in their abject poverty. The notion of the poverty trap creates an impression where the poor continue embracing poverty or even become worse while the rich persistently wallow in the comfort zone. The distinction between the poor and the rich becomes the overriding similarity: the poor remain poor while the rich remain rich. There is nothing that can mitigate this anomaly other than the breakage of the poverty trap. It is the breakage of the poverty trap alone which can redress the balance. Perhaps this can only fail to work in communist states because in these types of governance, there is a thin line of distinction between the rich and the poor. But in the case of Malawi, a capitalistic state, it is only when the poverty trap is broken that there can be an impressive surge in the economy. A Poverty Trap is any self-reinforcing mechanism which causes poverty to persist. This implies that since this abhorred notion is self-reinforced, it has to be broken by the citizens themselves, but of course with the help of larger stakeholders, like government. Some people are rich just because they were born in rich families. Here we look at the current situation, not at how the family got rich because that will be another research altogether. And some people are poor simply because they were born in poor families. Those that were born in rich families may find themselves fiscally established their entire lives, while those that were born in poor families may find themselves in severe poverty that becomes part of their lives. Many factors inspire a poverty trap, and they vary from case to case. According to an American Journal of Economics, some of the possible factors which can inspire a poverty trap include: limited access to credit and capital markets, environmental degradation (which depletes an area’s agricultural production potential), corrupt governance, war, poor education systems, lack of public health care, poor infrastructure, and many more. However, in Malawi the fact that some people remain poor while others remain rich in their genealogies, is mostly inspired by limited access to credit and capital markets, poor education systems and lack of public health care. It is a fact that there can never be a situation where in a country, everyone is rich, but their can be a situation where the majority of citizens are able to acquire their basic livelihood needs. It is also a fact that the more the poor struggle to escape from the poverty trap, the more they remain there because they all want to come out at once, which is impossible. It is like all white ants trying to get out of their hole at the same time. The more they struggle, the more they pull each other down. This is where government is required to come in to redress the balance. In his book The End of Poverty, Jeffrey Sachs, prescribes a set of policy initiatives intended to end the poverty trap. His policy prescriptions recommend that aid agencies behave as venture capitalists funding start-up companies. He proposes that developed countries cannot give only a fraction of what is needed in aid and expect to reverse the poverty trap in poor countries, especially in Africa. Just like any other start-up, developing nations absolutely must receive the amount of aid necessary for them to begin to reverse the poverty trap. At least in Malawi, government has already implemented strategies that will strategically break the poverty trap which most Malawians are engulfed in. For example, the implementation of the Mardef loans project, subsidizing farm inputs and strategizing on cash crop prices, just to mention a few are (indirectly) aimed at breaking the poverty trap. The poverty trap does not involve citizens alone; it also involves governments as well. And most African countries are victims of this much-hated notion. For poor countries, sufficient foreign aid can make up for the lack of capital, thereby assisting in the breaking of the poverty trap. But no foreign community is obliged to render aid to poor countries and, therefore, will not be brought to book for not doing it. Nevertheless, if foreign aid is substantial enough, and lasts long enough, the capital stock rises sufficiently to lift households above subsistence. This does not mean that we should rely on foreign aid, but it is something that cannot be avoided. After all, for the balance of the global market, there is need for global dwellers to mitigate trade problems by assisting others so that production and consumption tally.

ON QUOTA, DESERVING STUDENTS

On quota, deserving students BY ANANIYA ALICK PONJE From the day the media disseminated the news that the University Council had re-introduced the controversial quota system of selecting students into the University of Malawi, I have been looking forward to finding some new relevant, convincing information that may ultimately justify why quota should be re-introduced and what is wrong with the current merit system. I have come to observe that most of the arguments supporting the re-introduction of quota system are the very same barring the fact that they only appear in different semantic touches. One thing that I have observed is that the pro-quota faction is trying its best to present as many arguments as possible while only circulating around the same point. I was reluctant to comment on this delicate issue since it was last brought forward but now I have failed to fight the impulse to say something. Maybe before anything else, let me point out that the so-called national cake as university education is now being referred to does not belong to any particular region. From many of the arguments raised by those who support the re-introduction of quota system, one would be compelled to believe access to university education is planted in a certain region where the citizens of the region are the first priority when it comes to access to the same. Most of the arguments clearly nullify the fact that there is competition. As a matter of fact, university education is there to be competed for. No one holds it. Access to university education is like a race: you don’t carry a competitor to the finishing line because he will not make it on his own. Instead you prepare him thoroughly so that he clinches the medal. In Malawi, there are some cultural traditions that propel the lives of different peoples in different parts of the country. There are areas where residents only concentrate on agriculture; other areas where residents only concentrate on trade and other areas where education is their only hope. There are still some areas where for some reasons, residents just shun away from education without any other hope. For instance, I come from Chikwawa and if you ask me, I will tell you that almost three-quarters of students in the district do not proceed to secondary education. It is a common phenomenon in the district that education is not valued at all. Personally, I have met children who never went any further than standard one and this should be absurd. Of course, one may argue that those that fail to proceed to secondary school automatically remove themselves from the picture. But the point I am trying to drive home is that those few who work hard in areas where education is less valued should be allowed to access university education. It is a mockery to hard-workers to see their colleagues who never deserved to be in the university find their way into the same because of quota system. I received my secondary education in Nsanje district. My desire was to go to the university and I worked hard to fulfil it. We were given the same resources and in the same environment but I was the only one who made it to the university out of about 130 pupils in my class. The problem is that some students have a strong disregard for education. I am not boasting, but rather I am trying to present a broader picture of what it means to be deserving and to be undeserving. The issue of qualification seems to be misunderstood by many people. They mostly argue that about 4000 students qualify for university selection but only around 900 are admitted due to limited space. Here it is clear that bed space is the controlling factor. Now since there is limited space such that not all those who qualify for university selection should make it, is quota the best option? With limited space in our public universities, what is wrong with merit? I should think that because there is limited space, then competition should really be stiff so that the best make it. The aspect of ‘deserving’ does not automatically imply equality. There are some who are more deserving than others; that is a fact. For instance, for a male student to be admitted into the university, he needs to score an aggregate grade of 60 percent and above. This means that one who has scored 80 percent is more deserving than one who has scored 70 percent. Therefore, first consideration falls on the one with 80 percent. Then an opportunity may trickle to the lesser performer if there is enough space. If there isn’t enough space, automatically the one with 70 percent is left out. It does not call for quota to redress the balance because it already redresses itself. Since it has finally been divulged that the current merit system ‘favours’ the Northern Region, does it also mean that the Northern Region is more developed than the other regions? I do not think so! There is national cohesion since graduates work everywhere across Malawi, hence developing everywhere. Let us bring in the highest level of our reasoning and face the facts with a sober mind. Taxpayer’s money should not be an issue here. Is university education the only part where taxpayers’ money is involved? In fact, even if it is the only part, it does not necessarily imply that every taxpayer has to have his child in the university. Or does it? You do not pay tax because you are a Southerner and suchlike, but because you are a Malawian. And tax has nothing to do with education, otherwise if that was the case, then there were many areas where distribution of resources would be equal owing to the fact that everyone pays tax. Or are those who do not have children to send to the university going to be exempted from tax. I don’t think so! So I do not find any convincing reason why quota system should be re-introduced. The system is only bound to bring tribal differences in Malawi, our beloved country. I don’t think it is good to judge a person based on where s/he comes from instead of the contents of his/her brain. In 1993 after a thorough evaluation, the courts found that selecting students to the university basing on their areas of origin, other than merit, was discriminatory, and consequently abolished it. I don’t think they erred anywhere. And I don’t think there is anything now that can reverse that noble decision. Quota system nullified the essence of hard work, it brought divisions along regional or ethnic lines; it resulted into many people changing their names and districts of origin just to find their way to the much coveted university. In the education system where success is supposed to be given out purely on merit grounds, quota compromises the situation and the best lack all conviction. Even Nicholas Dausi admitted that most students in his area fail to work hard in class because what they think about is early marriage. And it would be ridiculous if these people were awarded university education despite their meager performance. Is quota system the best way of addressing this problem instead of sensitizing people on the significance of education? Such students will maintain their poor performance because they are safe in the knowledge that quota system will save them. The most practical thing of ensuring that there is equity as regards university education is by making sure schools have the same teaching and learning materials. It is ridiculous to argue that some schools perform better than others because they have all the necessary equipment and staffing. Why can’t government just level the playing field instead of punishing hard-workers because of working hard? Is it very difficult for government to ensure that all schools in Malawi have the same opportunities when it comes to teaching and learning? But still, I fail to come to terms with the assertion that some ‘deserving’ students fail to make it because of limited resources. Is there any region in Malawi which has more resources than the others? And do students from particular regions receive their education only in their areas of origin? Imagine this: statistics show that there is only one district secondary school in Chitipa with the rest being community day secondary schools and private secondary schools. Where are the so-called resources? Last year, the University Council and academics that consisted of deans of faculties as well as heads of departments at the University of Malawi disagreed over this controversial system which the council wanted to use. The academics feared that the system might result into mediocre students being recruited into the colleges, thereby dragging education standards down and giving lecturers a tough time. And one wonders why the tune has been changed now.

A BITTER BLAST FROM THE PAST

A Bitter Blast from the Past Short story by Ananiya Alick Ponje (nom de plume) She held John’s stare and retreated carefully. She was at the end of her tether. Her lips were trembling with rage. “Look here, mister, I’m not Lughano; my name is Pricilla. I don’t understand anything that you say. I’m not who you think I am. You’re sadly mistaken,” she said, virtually on top of her voice. John sent her a searching gaze and scuttled towards where she was standing seething with resentment. Folding his handkerchief, he held it tightly in his palm and dubbed the perspiration from his mournful face. “What the hell are you saying, Lughano?” “I’m not Lughano. My name is Pricilla. What do you want to hear from me? You’re mistaking me for someone else; don’t you understand. Why do you want to impose a name on me?” She almost cried. “Please, stop calling me by that name and let me go. I’m supposed to be at Sunrise Hotel by eight. We’re having a workshop there. I have come from very far away and I wonder why you people can’t just give me some breathing space,” just now she drawled sadly. “You are Lughano!” John shouted persistently. He was the fifth person to call her by that name since she had arrived in the township two days ago. Soon after her arrival, news about her ‘return’ was everywhere. John looked at the silver earrings dangling from her earlobes. He vividly remembered having bought them on her 23rd birthday. And the wristlet on her left hand was exactly the one he had bought for her three days before their engagement ceremony a year ago or so, he recalled. Yet now she was vehemently denying that she was Lughano. “Lughano, I bought that wristlet for you and the earrings as well. Can’t you remember?” “You didn’t, and stop calling me by that name. Look, I don’t know you.” “Well, if you changed your name, why don’t you just say it instead of denying the very same name that your family knew you by and the name that up to date appears on the engagement card? Fine, who bought you the wristlet and the earrings?” he asked tensely. “This is none of your concern. Why should you be so obsessed with knowing who bought the jewellery for me?” But she could hardly remember having bought them at any time. In fact she could not remember anything – not even having not bought them herself. She stared at John stonily and disregarded his dejected countenance. John remembered having given her a garland of red, pick and white roses three days before they were supposed to get engaged. And a day later she was nowhere to be seen. After her disappearance, surprisingly, Mercy, her younger sister began to date John after being ‘forced’ to by Mercy herself. “She is gone, John. For how long are you going to sorrow after her disappearance? Don’t sorrow yourself to death. At least you have me. I’m no different from her. We’re the same blood,” said Mercy to John when he had stayed for two solid days without eating anything. “You don’t understand.” “I do.” “No you don’t,” he shouted. “There’s something in her I can’t find in any other woman. We were about to get engaged three days later and what did I get, a letter informing me that she was no longer interested, after four good years of perfect dating.” “Of course I understand, but what’s the benefit of worrying so much over something that you can’t change? You simply have to accept it because you have no choice. I’m here to give you comfort,” said Mercy with the courage of her convictions. “You see, Mercy, your sister was the only woman I loved to the uttermost. If I say I love you now, then I’m only pretending. It’s high time I gave up all pretence. The vow I made with her is too strong to be easily broken.” “John, you took no oath at all.” Her thin but distinct silvery voice wafted with little echoes in the room. “I want to give you the best love. By and by you’ll completely forget the past,” she said with a simper. Three days later, Mercy officially moved into John’s house as his wife. He just accepted her because he was equally convinced that his fiancée would never come back again. He failed to hold on to the patience of Job. It was really devastating but he had no option than to grin and bear it. And now she was back and she was saying her name was not Lughano but Pricilla. She was saying she did not know him, yet she could not explain where she got the wristlet and the earrings from. She left him standing there by the roadside, hands akimbo. He could not just accept it. This woman was his Lughano and no one else. When he went to his house he sat dejectedly in his padded armchair and stared in nothingness. In his illusions he could see the face of his real wife – a woman he had promised to love all his life. “What’s the problem, my dear husband?” Mercy asked, kneeling in front of him. “I’ve seen her with my own eyes. When Mike was telling me that he saw her in town, I thought he was only joking. I’ve seen Lughano.” “Think like a man. You think after a year of no communication, she’s still alive? You only saw her look-alike. OK, let me finally tell you this: Lughano was dating our Member of Parliament the same time she was dating you. It was an underlying eternal triangle where your ignorance was bliss.” She paused to see if he was listening intently. He seemed to be. “Then when she was about to be engaged to you, the MP told her to return everything he had spent on her. It would cost millions. So she just decided to disappear because of frustration. And I don’t think she’ll ever return.” That moment John seemed to believe her. “Why were you hiding this information from me all this time?” “I thought it would devastate you something fierce. At least some time has passed now.” About twenty kilometres away from where John and Mercy were, Lughano was in a cab, travelling towards Sunrise Hotel where she was supposed to meet her colleagues for the workshop. As the driver pressed harder on the accelerator to drive at full pelt, he lost control of the car and it swerved dangerously before coming to a screeching halt. Lughano passed out and when she revived, she regained her past consciousness. “Please take me to Chibavi. Something is wrong somewhere,” she instantaneously told the driver. The place was where John was taking up residence. In spite of the fact that the taxicab would have been involved in an accident because of over-speeding, Lughano still told the driver to drive as fast as he dared. Finally the car drew up outside John’s house. She knocked on the door and Mercy got it. She was shocked to the bone upon opening the door in the face of his elder sister whom she thought was now rotting in the river where she had dumped her. John walked briskly past mercy and stopped in front of Lughano. “Lughano my dear wife are you going to deny your name again this time?” Tears rolled down her tender cheeks as she picked her hankie to wipe them off. Mercy was rooted to the spot with fear and shock. She had never thought such a bitter blast from the past would reappear after what she had done to her. “This is all I remember: three days before we were supposed to get engaged, I picked Mercy so that we would go to town and buy some stuff. While on our way she remained behind, picked a huge stone and hit me with it on my nape. I remember that I spent about four months in hospital in South Africa. A certain white man, I learnt sent me there. I think I lost my memory. Then today we were almost involved in an accident and I passed out. When I came to, I could see myself remembering a number of things….” “So what was your aim, Mercy?” John asked, shaking like a leaf. “I already knew before that that she never wanted me to marry you,” said Lughano dolefully. “She thought I died where she dumped me. Mercy went onto her knees. “Please forgive me.” “You have already married him. Your heart’s desire has been fulfilled. I only came to clear the mist. Wishing you a happy and successful marriage.” As she finished the sentence, she dashed towards the taxi and told the driver to speed away. “No, Lughano, don’t go.” John ran towards the car but he could not catch it. He searched everywhere in town but Lughano was nowhere to be seen. She wasn’t even at Sunrise Hotel.