By Yamikani Kachingwe
To be honest there has never been a worse and tough time to be a president of Malawi from 2020- 2024 and counting in the history of our nation.
There has never been a president who has endured and faced a lot of turmoil, obstacles,challenges and disasters quite like His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera .
His journey started with court cases. He triumphed.
Then came:
• COVID-19. Eliminated his close aides e.g Sheik Mia, Belekanyama and many hundreds of Malawians.
• Russia and Ukraine War that led to World Financial Crisis in the process affecting our nation deadly.
• Numerous Corruption and Fraud Scandals that allegedly incriminated his friends, govt officials and party members. Sattar-gate being the biggest so far not forgetting Fertilizer and Maize Deals.
• It was recorded for the very first time for an incumbent Anti-Corruption Bureau Head to be arrested not forgetting a seating vice president incriminated and arrested for corruption and abuse of office allegations. Both were later exonerated.
• Dry Season that led to declaring the nation as Hunger Emergency Zone.
• Cyclone Freddy destroyed properties,lives and affected the nation greatly.
• Rise of prices for basic essentials.
• Passport, Driver Licenses Challenges.
• Plane Crash killing 9 people.
They’re so many disasters, challenges and unforeseen events that have occured in Malawi, i may not be able to recall.
During all these sad moments, our President was demanded to be strong,brave leader in guiding and directing the nation even though he was as well affected like any of us.
President Chakwera is also a human being not a robot. He has feelings. He breathes the same air like we all do. Yet we expect him to be perfect all the time. We want to see him walking with his shoulders tall all the time no matter the depth of the matter.
Any problem or disaster that befalls upon us, we blame him. We call him names. We find fault in every little thing he does or say.
We make fun of his words , dressing and family members.
All of us, we were taken by surprise. Yet we want him not to be in shock but handle everything like a superhuman.
Indeed, God does not send a person before providing sufficient grace for them not to fail.
Am i saying, he has no shortcomings? Big No.
I do relate and am empathetic. We need to give him some slack. We need to be patient with him.
You can’t be going to town painting him black as if he is the devil in person.
Even ourselves in our respective households, we are not that perfect. We don’t do everything on time and accordingly.
Remember we are all on earth, living life in real time.
It’s much easier to point fingers at people but very difficult to walk in their shoes.
Palibe Pulezidenti mudziko lino la Malawi anadutsa mudzinthu zokhoma,zovuta,za chisoni komaso za dzizizi ngati Chakwerayu.
Anthu timangoyakhula monyoza, motumbwa bikozi si ifewo pa mpandopo. Inuyo kungokumana ndi kavuto ka kang’ono si inu mumwa tameki kapena kuzimangilira kapena kutayilira moyo wanu.
This 5 year presidential term,it needed a president who is God loving and fearing ,full of faith and hope.
Otherwise, ena sanakakwanitsa pezi titava kale agwa ndi BP or Cardiac Arrest or apanga resign.
Do you know President Chakwera is a father, husband,uncle, brother. Mumakawanyoza, kumatukwana, how do you think azibale awo amava bwanji?
Leave politics aside.
Let us be humans first.
Let us be Malawians first.
