Birimankhwe

Chikwawa

2006-10-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

There are more posts and video in editing phase and will soon be available on our new website.

Chikwawa
Thursday, Aug 3, 2006

Having just arrived in Malawi a few days ago, we were anxiously awaiting the impressions that would follow from village to village. Driving from the large industrial capital of Blantyre to the small farming town of Chikwawa, we traveled upwards along a stretch of road that cut through the western boundary of the Michiru Mountains. Our ears popped as we traveled from seal-level elevations to 1500 meters. The air was cold and crisp with a fresh smell absent of the volatile mix of exhaust and burning garbage experienced in the dense, low elevation cities below us. As we approached the Shire River, the change in climate greeted us with hot and dry air. Searching like the voracious tourist I was, I caught glimpse of the first of many crocodiles I would see in Malawi. This relatively small croc was nestled along the bank of the Shire, wading in shallow water, enjoying the cool relief brought by the shade of burly reeds. The beast was visible for only a moment, but it was a moment that would remind me of the dangers that lurk in the most tranquil places in Malawi.

As we passed the small town of Kanjedza along highway 1, the arid smell of burnt waste filled our lungs with repulsion. It was a distinct difference from the atmosphere in Blantyre. The low altitude of Chikwawa makes it hot even during the coolest months in Malawi. The hot air keeps the carbon waste from rising out of the town, providing one with a measured dose of pollutants. Vehicles however, are not as prolific in Chikwawa as they are in Blantyre or Lilongwe. An array of bicycle taxis throughout the town takes the place of 4 wheeled vehicles. In place of exhaust fumes, a variety of natural odors such as burnt waste, fresh and rotted carcasses, and the mild scents of the Shire fill the air.

The poverty is more exposed in Chikwawa due to the absence of distractions that are more typical in Lilongwe or any other modernized city. Along Highway 1, one notices many government offices that appear abandoned, condemned, or so completely run-down one would consider this place discarded years ago. Along the steps of these buildings that display Ministry of X or Y, people languish as if they are awaiting death. I wonder to myself what thoughts they have: Perhaps the passing glimpse of white faces provides a brief expectation of something – the government sending in another NGO or observers of work that will never be done. Perhaps they snicker at us as they often do, mumbling azungu under their breath, insulted by the onslaught of outsiders into their community offering ways to “make it all better”.

Much of business in Malawi is conducted by the main road. This is due to a number of logistical reasons. One is practicality – the majority of trade flows through the few large transportation routes in Malawi. Anyone coming or going from large cities have to navigate through only a few different roads. Setting up shop alongside the road virtually guarantees a steady stream of customers. Three guaranteed items you are likely to find along a roadside market are clothing, curios, and food. Along one such food market, we stopped and enquired about vegetable prices. I took advantage of this precious moment outside of the protective comforts of my hosts to mingle with the local shopkeepers. One young teen approached in confidence with his fists presented as if to fight. He danced about and swatted at the air pointing to me as if to say “you are a boxer”. I smirked and told him in the local tongue that maybe I was, and asked if he’d like to fight. With that his friends around him chuckled and the boy backed away jokingly. I asked him what kind of meat was being sold and he took my friend (Justin) and I around the kiosks to view a selection of local delicacies. Along one kiosk were the entrails of mbuzi (goat) frying in oil and the glare of sub-Saharan sun. Those intestines not frying on the grill were marinating with a mixture of musty air, glistening sunlight, and a dance of delighted flies.

Strolling through the clutter of kiosks I shared glances with many individuals I would never know. Separated by thousands of miles and the circumstances of history we shared a rather inglorious reflection on the fate of humanity. An ambiguous relationship of beings that hardly understand themselves, let alone each other – that statement may help to explain the feelings I had while exchanging momentary recognition of our shared existence. The stares I received brought feelings of guilt that I knew existed, but never felt before. As if all of the wrongs of history came crashing down on this moment. Yes, we were both together sharing a moment of time – but we were also a million miles from each other. While I could see and maybe even appreciate their experience and lifestyle, I could never know it. Like an exotic theory in physics – I can see the form it takes on paper, I can appreciate what it attempts to explain, but I can never truly understand it. Of course, the same can be said for their understanding of me and my culture. My only hope is that while I feel the guilt of history reigning down on me, they can understand that it’s not my fault.

While a sense of guilt governs my consciousness, pride tends to bring me back to reality. Self interest takes over my guilt and a feeling of self assurance drives me toward rationalizing their predicament as one separate from my own. While we are in one place together, it is more comfortable to separate myself from them, to remind myself that “they are different”. Any likelihood that I would take responsibility of this situation, no matter how far-off that may sound, is stricken down. There would be no Jesus Christ Superstar in Chikwawa today. Instead of a people’s prince, I feel more like the self-indulgent prince. Their perceived ingratitude will drive my contempt; their disgust will be my indifference. Today, instead of coming together, we will become more distant. The indifference of each other will divide us just as it has since the cradle of civilization. I live in a world they can not touch, yet desire – they in a world I never wish to truly know. I only wish to taste it for a moment, to awaken my sense of gratitude for all I have. To feel the pain I must have forgotten or maybe never knew. To be alive again or for the first time.

We are Back

2006-09-16T17:04:00.000-07:00

First, my apologies to those following our trip and awaiting a description of all that we experienced. Since our return we have been quite busy organizing our lives: getting settled into new homes, back to work, and readjusting to the fast paced American lifestyle we "missed" for so long. Personally, before publicly writing, I needed a bit of time to gather my thoughts and contemplate the last 2 months. Let me say, the experience has been enlightening.

Briefly, let me provide a few bullet points that will characterize the experience and which will allow for further elaboration in the coming days and weeks. Photos will come shortly, and video will take a few months to process (10 hours of tape to go through and edit into proper documentary format).

Malawi has great potential. While at times the difficulties seem to outweigh the possibilities, there is much I see by way of investment opportunities in Malawi. The situation is risky because of political uncertainties, but the present climate is conducive towards investment for those willing to bear the risks. Tourism, one of the greatest industries in Malawi, is still an area that has bearly taken off. The vast resources that can be pulled from the lake from tourism, to trade, to a source of energy, to a means towards preventing drought and famine have yet to be tapped.
Inequality in Malawi is a large problem that is compounded by ethnic diversity. The majority of blacks in Malawi are poor and landless, while a small minority of different ethnic minorities and/or foreign influences from Asia are rich and own huge amounts of property. These are ingredients towards future ethnic and/or class strife.
Aids affects virtually every family in Malawi. Everyone knows or has a family member who has been afflicted by this disease. While it remains a public problem, individuals shy away from discussing it openly and prefer denial over admittance. In addition, cultural barriers prevent the facts from being presented.
Soccer is a huge part of life in Malawi. It is a key aspect towards developing the youth mindset into looking forward with hope rather than despair. We experienced this firsthand while donating balls to the local soccer club SM Galaxy, who in return for the donations, performed community service. This process, if repeated and supported by either government, corporate, or NGO assistance can help develop communities at the local level.
Soccer can act as a medium for discipline. The past dictator Kamuzu Banda implemented the Young Pioneers to instill discipline, honor, and loyalty into the youth of Malawi during his time in office. Unfortuanately the political environment in 1992, did not allow for the foundation of the Young Pioneers to continue. As Banda was removed from office, so too were the majority of his building blocks that helped sustain discpline and strength in the youth. Soccer has proven though to be just as effective as the Young Pioneers in developing the youth of Malawi. Support towards soccer acts as an incentive for the youth to be involved in their community. If soccer programs are nourished, the youth will be as well.
Western Filters. I found myself continually judging Malawians with a western perspective. Comparing them to my culture and assuming they were unhappy with their present conditions. This is contrary to what one gathers from speaking with them. Many explained that they are very happy with their lives but admit things could be better with more support or aid.
Family is important when available. In America we are very independent and from that comes a spirit of initiative. In Malawi, families are relied upon for support and aid when few have the ability to be completely independent due to barriers such as disease, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities. This leads to dependency and a lack of initiative for many. Speaking with women who run a community orphanage, I was taken back to realize they could not tell me a single positive story about one of the orphans. Hoping to hear how the women saw the orphans grow into positive community leaders or supporters, I was told these orphans go nowhere after their primary education due to lack of funds. From the womb, these children have been cursed to bear life's burdens without parents, and then without the means to educate themselves.

These are but a few of the observations which I have. More will be added in the coming days.

Kamuzu Banda as The Creator of Malawi

2006-07-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

I am reading a case study on the political symbolism in Malawi of Kamuzu Banda and how he was characterized as the Creator of Malawi (Muyebe, Stanslaus & Alexander. Body of Political Symbolism in Malawi. 1999.).
As the Bible has the Creator of the Universe by word, Banda is portrayed as the Creator of Malawi by word, that is "kwacha" (it is dawn, it is light). This is said to be his first word when returning to Malawi in 1962 and it is said to have rid the white people from Malawi. As the Creator of the Universe said, "Let there be light", Dr. Banda said, "it has dawned" thus creating the independent republic of Malawi.

Radical Banda supporters are known to have gutted the traditional "Our Father" prayer to conform to their support of Banda.

Our Kamuzu who arts in Blantyre

Hallowed be thy name
Thy self-government come.
They will be done in Nyasaland as it is in Ghana.
Give us this day our self-government.
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive the imperialists.
Lead us not into federation but deliver us from imperialism.
For thine are the self-government, power and confidence,
Forever and ever. Amen.

On Documentary

2006-07-03T10:49:00.000-07:00

"There is no democracy in art; the fact that anybody with a camera can become a filmmaker is true to one extent, but few will produce anything worthwhile. Documentary has no career path; everybody has to forge his or her own unique way. You have to be true to yourself, you've got to know that you have something to say, and you can be true to that voice which flickers at times and burns brighter at others. As Thomas Edison said of genius, "1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration."
Ken Burns

Malawi in the News

2006-06-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

Exchange Rates and fees - how to deal with them abroad and where to find the best rates.
New York Times article

UDF party members to march for Bakili Muluzi's return. According to Nation, “Our supporters want to welcome him in a manner that has never happened before through among other things carrying his car from the airport to his home and that it will not touch the ground." Could this spontaneous event be a way to distract from the Anti-Corruption Bureua accusations pending against Mr. Muluzi?
Muluzi celebration

Fiscal Budget outlook for 2006/2007 in Malawi is extremely positive with a growth rate of 8.4 %, highest in the world. Inflation is expected to be at 2.2%. These numbers appear suspect because they are based upon positive agriculutural outputs (i.e. no droughts) and moreover, such low levels of inflation are not characteristic of the last few years, given the seasonal fluctuations in inflation due to drought and high demands of maize. Growth in 2005 was at 2.1 %, still good considering the drought and famine, but it was down from 2004: 5.1%. Sean O'Neil, Director of First Merchant Bank, said the projections were "a realistic estimate" and in line with regional expectations in Southern Africa.
2006/07 Budget

Collection of Information

2006-06-22T11:48:00.000-07:00

For the video documentary of our trip we are planning on using a Sony DCR VX2100 3CCD Mini DV camcorder. It has had high reviews especially during low light conditions and for use during active sports or simple interviews. It's a bit pricey, but it could be a future asset for subsequent trips to Malawi and other activities.

We will also have 2 photo cameras operated by Justin, some audio equipment (that I may purchase separately to work with the DV camera), and possibly another video camera. There should be more than enough material collected on this trip and not nearly enough time to put it all together. At some point, a website will be put together where you can view our photos and video /audio collection.

Muluzi will Return to Malawi

2006-06-21T12:55:00.000-07:00

On Monday, the 26th, former President Bakili Muluzi will return to Malawi after a 6 month medical stay in the UK. It is speculated in the Malawi Nation online news that authorities could question and even detain Mr. Muluzi on issues of corruption. His return will likely spark a firestorm of political controversy. The current president, Bingu wa Mutharika has had a falling out with Muluzi and the UDF party that has left relations quite tenuous.
Muluzi returns

How to Lose Well

2006-06-19T15:14:00.000-07:00

Michael Agovino writes for the New York Times on the emotional effects of losing in the World Cup (NY Times, "Losses and the Losing Losers who hate them", June 18, 2006). He wonders whether it is "tempting to suggest a link between national character and the ways nations have coped with defeat".

"Sam Mchombo, a linguistics professor at Berkeley who has lectured on soccer in
identity formation, is similarly reluctant to impute reaction to collective
personality, but he does note that many of the African nations, given their
meager resources, are just happy to have qualified for the cup, and the
reactions to the losses, he said, "have not been irritable or violent but rather
with a degree of stoicism or grace."

This is an interesting perspective that Americans may learn much from. Many Americans
knowingly or not, believe in entitlement, or hold a certain level of expectation for success which they me feel entitled to. Defeat in the USA is not taken easily. This could be seen after the US loss to Chech Republic where few accepted the appreciation that we had made it to the highly competitive World Cup alone. The fact that we did not win was something difficult for Americans to face - maybe this is one reason why soccer has not taken off in the USA.
The comment by Sam is telling in that much of Africa remains hopefull and thankfull even in the midst of many hardships.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/weekinreview/18agovino.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Human rights vs. Culture

2006-06-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

As discussed in the last post, women who come of age in the village are forced to have sex with specially trained men in preservation of cultural convention. The men (called fisi, also meaning hyena) perpetuate the male dominated practice which women have little or no say in. Under the Banda regime, these traditions were propped up, as was the power of women in society who were recognized and recruited to perform in Banda's mbumba (clan or family) as his traveling dance troop.

Ulrika Ribohn gives an interesting argument in Democracy of Chameleons explaining how the influx of Western ideas of universal human rights have clashed with the traditional ideas of roles and identities for men and women. She argues that men in traditional villages tend to accept human rights when it benefits them, excluding women from the equation. When human rights clashes with the hold of power men have on women in the village setting, western ideals are seen as intruding:

"An acceptance of human rights would imply an acceptance of gender equality. By
arguing that human rights and 'culture' are in opposition, and at the same time
that women are the keepers of 'tradition', they exclude women from human rights
and gender equality. In other words, men feel they should get human rights while
women should maintain 'culture' and only get those rights that do not interfere
with the existing gender structure" (2002).

Thus traditional practices such as fisi continue today even as political leaders condemn the practices:

"Practices such as gwamula, fisi and others may have been acceptable in the
past, but today they clash with the values of freedom and equality which are
part of our newly embraced democracy" - President Bakili Muluzi (The
Monitor, 10 October 1995).

Is it the responsibility of the world to attempt to change the culture of traditional Malawi when their cultural practices are what we perceive as "immoral"? Should western ideals be promoted and at what cost if they are? What effects are there from changing the roles of men and women in society? Don't we find a backlash in America to liberal concepts such as gay marriage, feminism, and other lifestyles which go against traditional conservative sentiments? We should certainly expect a similar backlash in Malawi.

Kuchotsa maliro

2006-06-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

(Getting rid of death) In Chewa culture of the central region (as well as other cultures in Malawi), when a husband or child dies, the woman must have sex with a man in order to protect the family from further death. In an article by Josephine Kwizombe, she writes about Lizzie Linya who's two children died a year apart from each other. Her husband, in frustration, divorced her. After the death of one child, she was forced to perform the ritual of sex without a condom which is considered a way to cleanse her and the family from bad events. This means the likelihood of her catching AIDS is much higher. For those who are single, like Lizzie now, they are forced to have sex with strangers or male prostitutes, otherwise known as experts of the cleansing ritual. Roy Hauya, Director of Policy and Programmes at the National Aids Commission (NAC) explains: “Women’s rights are consistently violated in the name of culture which is not acceptable in human rights. Men are taking advantage of their gender position in society to satisfy their desires."
Doing Away with Harmful Cultures, in Malawi Nation Online

Soccer & Development

2006-06-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

One of our projected goals in Malawi is to help out with development work originally carried out by Sam Mchombo. Sam has been donating much of his time and money over the years toward empowering the youth in Malawi through soccer programs. The essence of his philosophy is to motivate youth to participate in community service by providing the essential equipment for them to also participate in the sport they love most - soccer. It began with Sam donating a soccer ball and some jerseys and asking what he would get in return. Knowing there was nothing tangible they could give in return, he suggested they help out a neighbor, or clean the local church, or offer their service to the city in cleaning up the streets. The youth were more than willing to do so in exchange for something that could take a year or more of the same work in order to buy such a soccerball. Thus began a system in which youth learned they could make a difference in an apparently bleak environment and have fun at the same time.

Sam's work has blossomed into two teams: the Earthquakes in Lilongwe and SM Galaxy in Blantyre. These teams are active in their communities and have been noted for their good deads on radio and television programs in Malawi. One of our goals this August, is to coordinate with these teams and invite others to participate with SM Galaxy and the Earthquakes in making their community a better place. By donating soccerballs to various organizations we hope to continue the movement Sam initiated and inspire others to participate.

Some say you can't do it, what good is it, the problems are too big. We disagree. We think each individual doing their part in their community can do enough to turn things around.
Here's the link to Malawi's National Team. They're not in the World Cup, but maybe someday.
Malawi Flames

Land Reform and British Tea

2006-06-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

In April 2005, Malawi implemented a land reform after the controversial land grabs in Zimbabwe in which many white farmers were violently thrown off their land without proper compensation. The World Bank agreed to fund the project approved by Malawi's cabinet in order to give some of the 90% of Malawians owning less than 2 acres of land something more to produce with. Is the land reform proper or morally justifiable?

One may find a solution looking at the historical consequences of colonialism that still permeate in Malawi. According to Reuters, "much of Malawi's most fertile land is run by tea companies operated from Britain" (cited on PBS link). This reminds me of the thesis summarized by Acemoglu, Johnson, and Robinson in their noteworthy paper on development entitled: The Colonial Origins of Comparitive Development. In their paper they state that colonial governments set up long-lasting institutions in those areas of the world which proved most liveable and profitable for European business. In those areas where diseases such as malaria were active and other difficulties such as unavigable transportation were present, Europeans failed to put any time into setting up forward looking institutions such as education, government, missionaries, etc.

What's the connection? The long life of British tea companies in Malawi are now finding their tight hold on prime soil slipping away. One might ask why the World Bank supports this? Maybe the usefullness of the soil has passed.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/malawi_04-14-05.html

Property Dispossesion

2006-06-09T13:30:00.000-07:00

Aids in Malawi and its effects on estates, PBS News Hour (audio) Aug. 26, 2002.
PBS Audio
Dispossed widows who's husbands fall victim to AIDS have their property seized by family members of the husband who claim rights to the property, regardless of her personal claims to the property. With little knowledge of legal rights, or the ability to pay legal fees, widows are left homeless. Famine, malnutrition, and disease gives widows and Malawi a "bleak" outlook.

Nurturing Innovation

2006-06-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

Many economists hail the East Asia model of development as one which African countries should emulate. That is a strong role for banks and private companies and a stronger role for the government as a leader and a mover of capital, research, and develpment. This certainly worked well for East Asia under a highly controlled political environment. Today we see China becoming the biggest economy in the world but at the expense of a tightly controlled political spectrum where US and other foreign companies help perpetuate Communist control and one-party rule.
Lester Tandwe, a Malawian entrepreneur was interviewed by Nation Malawi and had some very interesting points to make on why Malawi is finding it difficult to innovate.

"The biggest challenge is access to capital. Banks are very difficult to lend money to indigenous entrepreneurs (...) this bank insisted on a house as collateral, and I had no house at the time. They simply refused to help...

One of the factors that led East Asian growth was state led banking. Capital was directed into those areas that would provide future growth. Tandwe explains that banks in general are wary to lend because of fear the loan will not be repayed. It's a valid complaint, but one which needs to be addressed, because as Tandwe alludes:

"Without access to finances, indigenous companies cannot go far despite the many big ideas (...) I think the government has a lot to do here. First, government must stop underrating local ICT firms. We often see it contracting foreign companies at the expense of locals. This is a drain on forex. The second critical issue has to do with tax. Government slaps a duty of 30 percent on imports of all computer accessories, yet a finished computer unit is duty-free, which in turn kills innovation and makes local ICT firms uncompetitive to the multi-national computer firms."

Government and banks must come to a consensus on what is positive for development and accomodate those entrepreneurs that are willing and able to provide the business prowress for successful growth. This will multiply into more jobs and in the case of Tandwe's firm, more technical jobs that require greater technical expertise. Thus alluding to greater levels of education. This is the type of environment that made East Asia so attractive to foreign investors and which has made it such a success economically. Doing this in an open political system as Malawi has may be easier or harder than it seems. The willingness of leaders to forgoe personal ambitions could give the answer.

Nation interview with Lester Tandwe

Malawi Action for the Benefit of Children

2006-06-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

Info on a non-profit that one has brought to my attention:
"The trustees and members of ABC (Action for the Benefit of Children) would like to extend a warm invitation to you to attend their funding raising 5 a side Football tournament and Fun Day to be held at Wembley Park Sports Centre, Wembley on 15th July 2006.
ABC was founded in 2000 by a group of Malawians who live in London. The main purpose of the charity is to raise funds whilst also raising awareness of the Aids pandemic that many Malawians are facing, particularly the orphans that are left behind. All the work that we have carried out to date can be found on our website: malawiabc.org"

Geography and Perception

2006-06-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Is there a link? We see that Malawi went through a period of sustained crisis not only economically, but politically, and as a result humanitarian crisis followed. What do the people perceive as the cause or perpetuation of the crisis? Years of drought compounded by inefficient irrigation systems led to famine. AIDS increased the dillemma as a whole generation of children go without parents, without education, and with little food to survive on. In addition you have other factors such as malaria, cholera outbreaks, high transportation costs, few medical facilities - I'm alluding ultimately to a crisis of geography. Can't these issues be overcome through technological advancement (The US southern states eradicated mosquitoes and built A/C to prevent malaria)?

The crisis results chiefly from years of successive droughts. Though the country has one of Africa's largest lakes, irrigation is limited and changing climates have decimated the largely agrarian economy. The harvest in 2005 yielded 26 per cent less maize than the previous year.
The nutrition status of children was already quite bad. Stunting affects 48 per cent of Malawian children under five, 5 per cent are wasted or dangerously thin and 22 per cent are underweight. But what makes the food shortages stretching across Malawi and elsewhere in southern Africa most overwhelming is the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Malawi has a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, which affects an estimated 14.2 per cent of people aged 15 to 49. Some 500,000 children have been orphaned by the disease, and many of them are now cared for by relatives who already faced economic hardship.
A joint study by UNICEF and the non-governmental organization Action Against Hunger, conducted between May 2004 and March 2005, revealed that up to 26 per cent of children older than 15 months admitted to Nutrition Rehabilitation Units were HIV-positive. In the most hunger-affected areas of the south, HIV prevalence among children was as high as 40 per cent.
Source: UNICEF, 25 May 2006. Posted on: Relief Web

So how do the people view the crisis? Do they blame politicians? Do they revert to nostalgia for the "greater" days under Banda? What role does the timing of political change play in the overall picture? Is political change a result or a cause of economic decline in Malawi?

An Introduction to our project

2006-05-31T14:59:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest questions for policy makers to consider in the 21st century is the role democracy plays in the undeveloped regions of the world. At a time when the United States is attempting to rebuild authoritarian regimes into free market democracies, U.S. citizens must pause and view the implications such decisions have on the internal political equilibriums of developing nations. Malawi is an important lesson in understanding the role of democracy in developing a stable market and a free society.

After 30 years of one-party rule, the citizens of Malawi voted for multi-party democracy in June of 1993. In May of 1994, Bakili Muluzi of United Democratic Front (UDF) was elected President. Reforms under Dr. Muluzi included accelerated economic liberalization and structural adjustments that rocked the once relatively stable economic climate in Malawi. Since the referendum, Malawi has experienced a considerable downward decline in economic development. While democratic transition is not wholly to blame for the country’s decline, the problems associated with internal political demands often clash with long-term economic plans associated with the International Monetary Fund and global investors. Young democracies experiencing political openings without a solid economic footing often find it difficult to remain democratic. This project will attempt to gage the opinions of locals as to the direction they believe their country is heading and where it should move politically and economically.

This project will also focus on the recent famine. This will help us understand the problems associated with Malawi’s development decline. Malawi’s principal economic focus is export agriculture. In 2005, Malawi experienced a terrible drought that destroyed their principle crops, causing considerable food shortages and bringing the economy to its knees. This project seeks to put a human face to the situation in Malawi and help Americans understand the road-blocks developing nations are facing in attempting to build free societies.

Malawi Music Videos

2006-05-31T13:21:00.000-07:00

By way of MeetMalawi.com

Maluzi Tchekela Video

Kamandidutsadutsa Video Pt.1(starts about 40 sec. in)

Kamandidutsadutsa Video Pt.2

Be patient, download takes some time.

"Regime Change and Ethnic Cleavages in Africa"

2006-05-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

Here is my very brief review of Daniel Posner's excellent research:
Regime Change and Ethnic Cleavages in Africa

Political openings in Africa present opportunities for citizens with little or no stake in the economic wealth of their country to “maximize the amount of resources they can secure from the state” (3). Politics in poor societies tend to revolve around a “transfer of resources” from those with power and access to those without. The likelihood that one is a part of the power grab is dependent upon ethnic ties. “Ethnicity assumes a position of prominence in election campaigns” as individuals see their only means of empowerment through a winner take all result. Africans rely upon their ethnic ties in their daily lives through forms of reciprocity. Not surprisingly, they rely upon these same ethnics ties in the electoral process. Iraq presents a contemporary international example.

In addition, strong presidentialism (a strong central president) exists in Africa that tends to place the leader “above the law”. Implications include a minimized legislative process and a centralization of political power in multi-party elections (4). When voters feel powerless through the legislature, they will seek access in winner take all presidential elections.

So we see that voters cast their ballot along ethnic lines. But which ethnic lines? Ethnic lines are made up of various linguistic, cultural, religious, territorial distinctions which both the voter and the politician feel affiliated with, so how do they choose? Posner concludes that voters choose the group affiliation which will provide them with the greatest level of representation and rewards (i.e. resource allocations) in the new or sustained government.

Why individuals choose some identities over others when they go through the process of “voting one’s identity” is what the author presents as new information.

In single-party elections, competition revolves around local-level ethnic cleavages – tribe, sub-tribe, and clan divisions. In multi-party formats, it revolves around broader, national scale ethnic cleavages – language groups and broader ethno-regional divisions. He uses Zambia and Kenya as case studies. “The shift from one-party to multi-party rules transformed the kinds of ethnic cleavages that mattered in politics” (17).

Jack Mapanje

2006-05-30T13:06:00.000-07:00

A famous poet in literary circles as well as liberal politics. Noam Chomsky and others petitioned the Malawi government to release him for wrongful imprisonment.

"Mapanje was among those who dared to speak out against the brutal rule of the dictator Hastings Banda in Malawi. The message was metaphoric though unmistakable: the monster-for-life had 'persistently blatantly wrung / And squelched nimble necks of sparrows /… dangled them in the sun / Until the last drop of truth has / Fallen' ('Where Dissent is Meat for Crocodiles'). Before his arrest, on 25 September 1987, Mapanje's work was necessarily oblique, conjuring up images of 'turbid top cockroaches', as well as chameleons, elephants, hyenas, crows, and vultures. In fact his offending first collection, Of Chameleons and Gods, was published in 1981 and only withdrawn from Malawian libraries and bookstores (by a directive from the Banda regime's Censorship Board) in June 1985." Source: Dr. Jules Smith, Contemporarywriters.com

2 Audio Links of his poems:
Visiting Zomba Plateau

Scrubbing the Furious Walls of Mikuyu

IMF Structural Adjustment Policies and Their Consequences in Malawi

2006-05-30T09:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a brief review of Chapter 1 of "A Democracy of Chameleons".

The 1960s and 70s in Malawi saw decent levels of economic growth. By following the historical path introduced by the UK, Malawi had various levels of operative institutions and a strong central government led by the President for Life Banda, which held control of all of society. In some ways, the one-party nation resembled the politics of the Soviet Union: harsh authoritarian power structure, one pary state, idolization of one man, protectionist policies that included price controls and incentives to key industries.
The biggest market in Malawi was agriculture. Economic policy was centered around the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) which provided incentives for farming. However incentives could do little to prevent surges of drought in the 1980s and 90s. Coupled with oil shocks in the late 70s, the sharp declines in world trade, the rise in interest rates on international financial markets, and the influx of refugees from war-torn Mozambique made a bad situation even worse (Chinsinga 2001).
The situation was so bad, that Malawi was forced to be the first country to adopt World Bank and IMF Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) in 1981. SAPs are programs the IMF and World Bank provide as non-negotiable in exchange for emergency loans. Typically these programs are based upon Washington Consensus, that is the liberalization and privatization of a country's economy regardless of the negative short term (or long term for that matter) effects it will have. One must remember that the US was not built in a day, and in fact became the most powerful nation in the world because it profited so well off of slavery and protectionism for 400 hundred years. Therefore, to assume developing countries can pick up the same liberal market policies the US has without first catching up to a legitimate starting point is to disregard empirical evidence to the contrary. One may produce post WWII Japan or Germany as examples of countries that became like the US, but these are hardly applicable to the case of Malawi. Malawi lacked and still lacks fundamental infrastructure, low levels of industrialization, high education standards, feasible means of transportation - all things Japan and Germany had prior to and after WWII. With this in mind, we can understand why Malawi would have a difficult time, even if it was provided with a Marshall Plan.
Effects of the SAPs have been devastating to Malawi:
SAPs have laid heavy social burdens on the vulnerable segments of society. Governemnt expenditure as a result of SAPs declined from 36 to 29% of GDP and debt-servicing nearly doubled (Chinsinga 2001). Even as Malawi became poorer, more money was pushed to paying off debt. How does this promote development?
ADMARC markets began to close in the 1990s as UDF came into power. Closure of many ADMARC markets has led to food insecurity for many poor households that were reliant upon it (Chinsinga 2001). An interesting aside is that most UDF party members were involved in commerce, as opposed to agriculture. We can see how their control over government aided the quick implementation of IMF policies.
Because of SAPs growth has nowhere near approached that of the 1970s and has been erratic. The main coping strategies for people vulnerable to the harsh economy has been reliance upon family and friends for support (Chinsinga 2001).

Sachs on the End of Poverty

2006-05-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

Jeffrey Sachs, Harvard economist, discusses how to end poverty in Africa on the Colbert Report.
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=59916

Introduction

2006-05-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

This blog will be our temporary gateway of information sharing and dissemination until we have an actual website set up. The purpose is to provide a link for all of us traveling to Malawi this summer (Moira, Matt, Chris, and Justin), and all other interested parties a chance to view our preparation for travel. Our purpose for traveling involves many reasons which will soon be brought to light as you read and become involved with our adventure. Enjoy and please leave comments and suggestions.

Below I've posted some interesting news and comments from Malawi Nation.

Blantyre Water Board machines, which have a life span of 15 years, have been running for over 40 years without rehabilitation leading to poor performance, the board’s general manager Patrick Makonyola disclosed last week. Makonyola said this when quizzed on why the board was unable to meet the consumers’ water supply needs in Blantyre.
For the past months, most areas in Blantyre have been experiencing water shortages with some locations including Ndirande, Chitawira, Nkolokosa, Chinyonga and Manja among others, going without water for a week or more and places along Chileka Road having water only during the night.

Blantyre City Assembly Director of Health and Social Services Dr. Leycester Bandawe said could not comment on the problems BWB is facing, although the shortage of water can sometimes cause diseases.
http://www.nationmalawi.com/articles.asp?articleID=16962

Innovation
“Africa is stagnating because people with first class education spend their time hawking their degrees all over Europe and North America in search of fatter salaries than they can get at home. Our continent is bedevilled with HIV and Aids, endless famines, malaria and other epidemics. Africa will start making real progress when its people begin making innovations and inventions.

Most people in rural areas speak no language apart from the tribal language. They know little or nothing about the global economy. It is people who know both the domestic and the global economies that hold the key to Africa’s resurgence….Africa has not yet given birth to an Adam Smith, John Maynard Keynes or a Paul Samuelson. This is one of its many problems.”
http://www.nationmalawi.com/articles.asp?articleID=16969

AIDS
Consequently, the country is losing a lot of human resources to HIV and Aids. The country is being robbed of a great deal of talent and expertise which could have otherwise helped in the development of the country. Experts say culture of silence, which many Malawians have maintained over the years, is one reasons why HIV and Aids has spread so fast in the country. While that could be understood in villages due to traditional beliefs it is difficult to understand that there is also a culture of silence among educated and working class people.
http://www.nationmalawi.com/articles.asp?articleID=16970