Our indefatigable leader of delegation, Prof. Dr Joyce Befu, MEGA-1, who is currently working from home, has directed us to wholeheartedly thank Stanley Onjezani Kenani and his team for quickly coming in to assist our hospitals with the much-needed oxygen tanks and flow meters.
We hear that 40 oxygen cylinders and flow meters, worth over K17 million, have already been bought and distributed to the four central hospitals of Mzuzu, Kamuzu in Lilongwe, Zomba, and Queen Elisabeth in Blantyre.
We also hear that more resources are flowing in to assist other hospitals. Thanks very much team Onjezani.
This gesture proves that, we, Malawians can solve some of our problems on our own if we agree to do positive things for our country. When President Lazarus Chakwera declared a national state of disaster due to COVID-19 and asked the international community, local businesses, and common citizens to stand up and contribute money, materials, and ideas, towards the disaster fund, we expected Malawians to come forward. However, the speed at which Kenani and his colleagues have moved in is record-beating and more than impressive.
It is our appeal to ourselves, all Malawians, to emulate what these youngish Malawian professionals are doing. It is our expectation that our MPs, Cabinet ministers, President Chakwera and Vice-President Saulos Chilima will emulate team Onjezani make their own contributions towards the Covid-19 resources being sought.
It is our expectation that our former presidents, namely Bakili Muluzi, Joyce Banda, and Peter Mutharika and their former vice-presidents, Justin Malewezi, Cassim Chilumpha, Khumbo Kachali, and Everton Chimulirenji will also contribute. They all have big State pension money.
It is our expectation that Standard Bank, National Bank of Malawi, NBS Bank, First Capital Bank, FDH Bank, and other banks will stand out and make their contributions.
It is our expectation that civil servants, journalists, vendors, farmers, public service vehicle drivers, conductors, ticket inspectors, and others will also rise to the occasion and demonstrate that we can assist ourselves.
It is our expectation that the Bar Owners Association, the Sex Workers Association in Malawi, the Malawi Law Society, the Magistrates and Judges Association of Malawi, the Indigenous Businesspersons Association of Malawi, the Asian Business Community, the Minibus Owners Association, the Musicians Union of Malawi, the Communication Workers Union of Malawi, the Teachers’ Union of Malawi, Journalists Union of Malawi, Herbalists Association of Malawi, and others will also make their contributions.
It is our expectation that Prophetic Ministries Association of Malawi, the Muslim Association of Malawi and all Imams, the Christian Committee of Churches and all Bishops, Fathers, Sisters, Mothers, Pastors, Prophets and Evangelists will tithe to the Covid-19 fund.
It is our expectation that all radio and TV stations, and all newspapers will contribute handsomely.
It is our expectation that the over 100 indigenous NGOs and CBOs registered with NGO board will give out.
If each Malawian contributed K1 000, just K1 000 we could raise K20 billion in no time. Of course, not everyone can afford to contribute. But it is our expectation that those who have more will give more and cover those who cannot.
There comes a time when we must put aside our political differences, and that time is now. There comes a time when we must put tribal and race differences aside, and that time is now. There comes a time when gender differences; age differences, educational level differences, and religious differences must be set aside; and there is no more challenging time than today.
Team Onjezani has set the ball rolling. It is now our turn.
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