As I said, Hon Gowelo, we should have talked first

You may have read or at least heard that there is a fight between Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, and chiefs.  For those of us from Thekerani, we call it nkhondo. When we talk about nkhondo in Mtambizi or Chinzama, it is not like the war that is in Allepo, Syria, we talk about war among dogs, goats, children, or for those of the people who have the tendency to fight between wife and husband, we call that nkhondo.
Let me digress a little because what  I want to say is important.  I am writing this article while I am watching BBC News. The story on the television is on Greek migrants to Australia. The story is that the largest community of Greeks outside of Greece itself was in Australia, especially in Melbourne. The story went on suggest that as the economy in Greece continues to be difficult, more Greek young people from Greece will be flocking to Australia. The reporter went on to suggest that “what Greece is losing, Australia is gaining.” We were shown a Mr Keremenzis, originally from Greece, but came to Australia two years ago because of the economic crisis back home. He now runs a coffee shop and this was shown to us in a positive light.
Contrast what I have written above and similar economic migrants from North Africa moving to Australia or other parts of the world. You make your own judgment what the story would have “looked” like. You consider Asian migrants to Australia and whether their story would have been presented in the same light as that of Keremenzis.
Let me also present another digression. I have seen the digging and laying of fibre cable between the Southern Region of Malawi and the Central Region along the M1 Road. This cable, as I estimate, is coming from the North. What depresses me is that I have not seen a single woman among the digging squads. Can we, in 2015, be so discriminatory as a country that this opportunity passes our women? A lot of men have obtained useful employment that will contribute to their families’ well-being as long as they are employed in this mammoth task. Where is the equality amangwetu?  Why have my colleagues Hon Patricia Kaliati and Jessie Kabwila not helped me in bringing this grave injustice to the ears of the nation?
Let me go back to the original story. Honourable Gowelo. I will illustrate my lesson with what my friend working in an international NGO experienced. He had gone to Dowa on a community development programme his NGO was to initiate in the area in the 1990s. The elders in the community summoned him and told him thus: “You are welcome to work in our area. Welcome. But there are three things that you should never go against if you want your work to progress. The first is the synod, the second is congress (the Malawi Congress Party) and the third is gule (the masked dance).” Hon Gowelo, what are you up against in your nkhondo with chiefs? n