Hiding behind the smokescreen FAM style

Following Malawi’s ouster from AFCON and the World Cup 2014 as a result of the defeat we suffered in Lilongwe at the hands of Ghana, I found the events that followed particularly sad and interesting. I see nothing wrong with the process by FAM (Football Association of Malawi) to call the coach, Kinnah Phiri, and others to explain the loss or losses. Finally, we hear that FAM then said: “From now on the coach’s contract will be performance-based.”

You would feel empowered if you were naïve and a child. But if you are like me, grey-haired and bald, you feel cheated. Cheated in the sense that contracts in the 21st Century are supposed to be “performance-based” anyway. One does not need to lose to Ghana in order to discover that job contracts must be performance-based. If Kinnah’s contract had not been performance-based, what would have made the employer unilaterally terminate such a contract? This is the malaise we have in this country where from ACB, Electoral Commission, Director of Public Prosecutions and Reserve Bank governorship and in fact, any public posts that attracts a salary worth the salt and a Prado or a Fortuner, there are no performance targets. The only requirement, as far as we can tell, is to wear the ruling party colours. In terms of the Flames’ coach, I would be wrong to suggest that party politics has a role, but politics nonetheless is at play at FAM. I am glad though that FAM has seen the light, i.e. contract must have targets sets and agreed upon by both sides.

With regard to any “performance-based” contract of a coach, will be the corresponding request to fund the national team for trial matches, incentives to players, training camps and external travel. These things need to be agreed upon a priori. If we cannot manage to fund a reasonable travel and camping plan, let us forget about setting performance targets for the coach. In order to milk a cow, one needs to feed it. If one is not willing to feed their cow, they should never complain where very little or no milk comes out. In fact, what the cow wants to do when you coming with your milk urn is to kick the teeth out of your mouth.

Let me move to party politics. I am wondering what the intention of the Joyce Banda labelled maize bags is all about. Despots like Kamuzu, the corrupt government of Muluzi and dictatorship of Bingu never sank so low. Both donated maize to hapless citizens. None, whatsoever had maize bags written with their names. What has changed now? I have heard people asking where is this maize coming from? I join the citizenry in wanting to know, although I doubt an answer will come by. By the way, what were the results of the investigations of the Dowa Bedgate scandal. Vice-President Khumbo Kachali said that he had instituted an investigation into the matter. Are the findings out? I want to know because I want to be assured that the second citizen had no hand in the scandal.