The Maravi Post

YOU know why I wasn’t particularly surprised that Joyce Banda forgot the name of her own party and evoked that of the party that shamelessly kicked her out of its fold? She said something like..."members of the DPP..." instead of PP. It is my considered view that that gaffe was because there was no difference in what she was seeing and hearing.

If you think I am just being the naughty quintessential Muckraker - seeking to rake muck even in the dryness of the Kalahari - hang on a bit: did you not hear the rendition of that dreaded song with just words juxtaposed: "Onyoza Amai Sagona Timpweteka"? This is the same war chant that panga-wielding thugs chanted on July 19 warning anybody who dared raise a finger at Bingu with instant justice.

To be fair to Mama Joyce, there is no way she could quickly manufacture her own political charlatans to sing her praises. But, hey, she has to impart new thinking in these people. Nobody must be beheaded just for disagreeing with President Banda, for example.

And did the media not go up in arms against Bingu for turning press conferences into press rallies? I have huge respect for chiefs and religious leaders but what were these folks doing at a press conference they had no question to answer? Journalists, who were supposed to be main actors at the event, had to squat or stand because all seats were occupied by characters whose only role was to clap hands.

I am glad President Banda has hired professionals to man her media team. I have huge respect for my senior colleague Steve Nhlane; he is among true media veterans in Malawi. With a team that comprises Malawi's own 'Larry King' Brian Banda, I am sure Abiti will allow Steve to properly guide her on how to handle media-related matters. Surely journalists don’t need their 'brilliant' questions applauded or their 'stupid' questions booed. They just have to have their questions answered, be they brilliant or stupid...

...After all, the judge of the brilliance or stupidity of a question is the listener or reader.