As artists were snoring last week, the unravelled mystery of president Bingu wa Mutharika’s death on April 5 last year brought untold drama to town.
Distracting Malawians from prevailing economic pains, the commission of inquiry has released a thrilling crime story which unfolds with the fascinating speed, drama, contrasts, irony and detail that has kept tongues wagging—a sign that people often accused of being allergic to reading only need a better deal from writers.
This is more exciting than just how the honourable characters in the story tried their crooked best to hijack the presidency and prolong their reign beyond death of their master: The same Mutharika (born Webster Thom, self-exiled as Bingu and nicknamed Dan Phiri after death) they airlifted to rot in South Africa.
Mutharika’s posthumous story is no Fool’s Day joke. It is the stuff bestselling biographical books plays and films are made of.
Elsewhere, creative minds would have jumped on the rousing report not to retell what people have already read, but to fill the blanks, add life to the episodes and make specific scenes more vivid. This is why the likes of Uganda’s leader Idi Amin, Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and Iraq’s Saddam Hussein are gifts that keep giving.
Yet, this is a calling for a talented few, not mobsters like those that stormed the street to protest the arrest of ministers implicated by the inquiry.
And there is more drama in high places.
Acting what has become a poor man’s story since his brother’s death, Professor Peter Mutharika recently took a minibus ride in Lilongwe to buy bonya. As usual, his jokes ain’t funny!
…and President Joyce Banda must give us a better show when she goes ‘chopping my money at the African Movie Academy Awards nomination show tonight. For others, the party begins with P Square show at Lilongwe Golf Club. Let the royal dance moves show!
Of course, some music lovers will miss a once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch the Nigerian duo because the President’s friends bartered 1 000 tickets with “I Love JB” texts.
I cannot wait to see my President, who last attended a live show at the deteriorating French Cultural Centre in 2010, rocking the red-carpet show with a glamorous attire, not the usual shoulder scarf. Welcome to Rome!