Social and political activist and actor Michael Usi has this Sunday organised a public lecture at Comesa Hall in Blantyre to engage Malawians on a cross-section of issues affecting people. Our Senior News Analyst EPHRAIM NYONDO caught up with him to find out more about the lecture.
Q
: What is the lecture all about and why now?
A
: This event is about building the nation. It revolves around good governance. We have experienced that bad governance disintegrates the nation. So, this is an attempt to galvanise my Malawi as a nation. I will use the perspective of the Bible. In the Bible, we have seen how various people have risen and fallen. So, the event will be about the Rise and Fall of Human Beings. In Chichewa the sermon will be called Ali ndi Ambwiyawo. This is because when you are rising, you rise with the people—the impetus that drives you to a direction. And so is the case when you are falling. We will have gospel pieces to the audience. After that, I will engage the audience by looking at how various leaders have risen and fallen. The gist of it all is to challenge Malawians to avoid factors that have led to the fall of certain individuals.
Q: Where are you drawing inspiration for this?
A
: As an actor, I interact with people of various strands. I have views ranging from the vulnerable in rural areas to those in the urban settings; and I also interact with intellectuals and even the most powerful in the country. I am also informed about the disparity that is there between the political rhetoric and realities on the ground. Hence, I have a balanced understanding and perspective on what kind of policy direction Malawi needs to take. In fact, I have a perspective and the definition of what Malawi is going through and what needs to be done.
What has come out clear is that politicians know the definition of the problems Malawians are going through. However, few of them understand the meaning of the problems Malawians are going through. They know the definition, but they do not understand it. So, this lecture will give the definition of the problems Malawians are going through so that they understand it and also bring in their understanding.
Q
: Is this not just another political gathering given that you are somebody who, using your acting skills, appear to be making political statements?
A
: Yes I am an actor, but I will not be acting. I will engage people in a unique strategy. It will not be acting. To call it a political gathering is not far from the truth. This is because the people who will gather there are, every day, being affected positively or being inflicted negatively by politics. So, whoever is coming there is either a beneficiary of politics or its victim. Governance issues are political; not apolitical.
We cannot shy away from this. The sermon is political because everything is political. However, this will not be a political rally though the issues are political in nature. For instance, why are some people easily prosecuted in courts while others have their [cases] buried in commissions of inquiry? The challenge we have is that there is intimidation. People are afraid to express what is wrong—from CSOs [civil society organisations], the media and even civil servants. This gathering aims to clear these fears. Intimidation should go.
Q
: Who should come to this lecture?
A
: I want CSOs, politicians, political leaders—especially presidents of political parties. I want the population. This includes the clergy because they are critical in the country.
Q
: That appears quite a strand. What message do you have for each?
A
: One, CSOs are fragmented. They are also a contributing factor to our delayed development. They do not have a clear strategy. Today, they are sensible; tomorrow they are saying nonsense, in my judgement. They cannot agree on some issues, but we expect them to promote Malawi—good governance. They should come together as a body that arrives at a common stand on issues that affect Malawians. We need to have a common voice.
Two, on politicians I want them to understand that we have not come to the summit of a pyramid in as far as independence is concerned. We have not yet actualised. We are still remaining with some steps and one cardinal step is to deal away with intimidation. Give people, including those in government, freedom of expression. Those in the inner circle as well. We need to graduate from intimidation.
To the general population, I want to re-engineer hope. I want Malawians to believe in themselves that things can turn around. What is key is to challenge Malawians that they themselves are responsible for their development. Many are hopeless saying I will not vote. No. Who should vote then? Malawians need to take control of their country.
Q
: In conclusion, what is the key message?
A
:What I want Malawians to understand is that we can better and be admired. We can improve. Let us re-engineer our hope and come up with relevant action plans. This hope should be achieve. n
