The game among Chewas is not fun anymore

In the last two weeks, the media has profited from the squabbles that rocked the Chewa family.

On one side there is the Chewa Heritage Foundation (Chefo) and on the other there is Mkumano wa Achewa. The two groups, which were meant to be one, have found themselves locked in serious antagonism over differences in ideology and policy.

A membership which was originally meant to be one family has found itself at a crossroads when it comes to the manner they want to conduct themselves going forward. After months of engagement, the two parties appear far from reaching a truce.

The lack of understanding and mediation among them has degenerated into worrying levels not befitting a set-up advancing a serious cause. The drama that has characterised their mode of operations has at times degenerated into comic levels.

When entities which are otherwise meant to be upright and credible reduce themselves to parrots of shame, they give bystanders something to while the idle hours away with. The drama emanating from the two camps has provided sufficient fodder for chatter.

Each group appears to be pulling in its own direction and it seems none is ready to give in. When things get to that level one begins to smell elements of selfishness from either of the entities involved or both.

What has also become clear is the effect of outside intrusion elements. And it has become clear that the elements are political in nature. There is a hand of a big brother on some invisible corner that is busy twisting events this way and that way.

When situations turn out as such, it is always the individuals being used as pawns that emerge as losers in the end. If someone is coming a bait between their teeth and you fall for it without examining their intentions, just know you are heading in a dangerous terrain.

The two groups should reflect on themselves and ask why they are there in the first place. What values they uphold, what were the objectives that they were founded on, what are their aspirations and how do they intend to attain those.

After an honest self-evaluation, they should ask themselves if they are on course to achieving that based on the status quo. From where I am standing it is clear that the two entities are better off abolished to pave the way for a fresh establishment.

What is more disheartening is that the membership behind them has been left in a state of hopelessness and uncertainity. Today one gets on the podium and preaches this and the next day it is another faction on the podium preaching the opposite.

Let the leadership of the two groups set aside their ego battles and their hunger to achieve those selfish agendas. Let them consider the huge numbers who are behind them waiting for leadership with proper and clear direction.

The drama has gone on long enough. Let the two parties show some sense of maturity and work out a truce. They should realise it is not just about them. The sooner they clean up their act, the better.