Careless language – dangerous

The conflicts in Africa, especially in the Arab countries of Egypt, Tunisia and Libya, did not just start over night. Long term oppression and suffering, caused by poor governance has resulted into conflicts. It is not an exaggeration to say that poor governance is the root cause of economic and political problems which are in African countries, Malawi included.

It can be said that people in the warring countries stated above, have been sitting on a ticking time bomb for some time. This comes about if people tolerate suffering, may be with the hope that things might change soon. The danger of a ticking time bomb situation is that it takes very little to ignite people's anger. Malawians can remember so well how Operation Bwezanistarted. It was after a mere bar fight at Masasa location in Mzuzu that the Malawi army found a way for disarming Malawi Young Pioneers.

Mutharika: Foul-mouthed

Without doubt, the current softly- softly approach by Bingu wa Mutharika's government to people's suffering is creating a time bomb situation. Amongst other things, Malawians are simmering with anger for having no medicines in hospitals, cannot travel due to fuel shortage, cannot buy necessities because salaries not being paid on time etc. In the situation the country is in now, it cannot take much to trigger free- for- all violence. It is therefore time for President Mutharika and other leaders to mind their language. Careless talk to provoke the already suffering Malawians is the least people expect from the leadership.

The recent tough talks by President Mutharika has gone as far as saying that he will smoke out his critics in addition to demeaning Civil Society leaders as people who have no qualifications to be employed. He further surprised peace loving Malawians by his call for war. With all due respect, this language was not just careless but even more so was a challenge to Malawians that they have no power to do anything. Mutharika's call to war was indeed strange that as a Commander in Chief who is supposed to protect everyone within the borders of Malawi, is planning to point guns at the very same people he is supposed to protect!

Probably, after realising how dangerous the call to war was, the Presidential spokesperson, Dr Hetherwick Ntaba came up with a defence. He said that the President used the word war in a figurative manner. Fair enough. However it is difficult to buy this explanation because when the President was talking, he was visibly annoyed. Therefore, one can easily conclude that he meant business.

Surprisingly, the Presidential spokes person is fond of interpreting what he feels the President means in whatever he says. Do people really need this? Why can't the President himself come up with an explanation if he feels misunderstood? As a State President, Mutharika should strive to be a good communicator. Malawians might be poor but one thing for certain is that, they understand loud and clear what President Mutharika says.

It is very necessary that the President minds his language. What he must know is that some people can take advantage of what he says and cover up their dangerous motives by claiming that they are supporting or carrying out instructions from the President. For example, after saying that he will smoke out his critics, the country has witnessed one of the worse criminal acts. There has been fire which has destroyed a lot of documents and equipment at the office of Rafik Hajat, who is a human rights activist and is also a critic of government. If those criminals who have done this think that this is the way they can help the President to smoke out critics, then that is very retrogressive.

This country has known peace throughout. Therefore no leader with his/her careless language must be given a chance to trigger conflicts. The President must know that the problems in Malawi cannot be sorted out with threats of war or smoking out critics. He must know that Malawi has reached this level of suffering under his watchful eye as a leader. Therefore, he should have an explanation as to what happened for this country to deteriorate so much? It is from his explanation that solutions can be found. Never again should Malawians be subjected to suffering because of mismanagement by government.

If peace is to prevail in Malawi President Mutharika must lead the way to mind his language and realise that he is talking to people who are intelligent enough. Hateful speeches are the least Malawians expect from leaders like him.

Emily Mkamanga. Email emilymkamanga@yahoo.co.uk

Nyasa Times 09 Sep, 2011

--
Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/columns/careless-language-dangerous/
~
Manage subscription | Powered by rssforward.com