By Twink Jones Gadama
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-No, it is not worthwhile to continue celebrating Kamuzu Day on taxpayers’ money for someone who did more harm than good.
Commemorating Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the first President of Malawi, disregards the immense suffering and injustices inflicted upon the people under his oppressive rule.
The atrocities committed under his regime, including brutal murders, suppression of dissent, and persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses, paint a dark picture of his legacy.
The scars of past atrocities continue to haunt Malawians to this day, shaping the socio-political landscape of the country and influencing the behavior of current leaders and parties.
Instead of honoring a man who caused so much pain and suffering, it is essential to hold leaders accountable for their actions and ensure that the memory of those who lost their lives is honored and respected.
Commemorating Kamuzu Day without acknowledging the deep-seated trauma inflicted by his regime is not only insensitive but also a disservice to those who suffered under his rule.
It is time to confront Malawi’s past honestly and ensure that the voices of the oppressed are heard and respected.
Under Kamuzu’s Malawi Congress Party regime, many Malawians were subjected to unimaginable atrocities.
It is well-documented that individuals were brutally murdered, some even thrown into crocodile-infested waters. Those who dared to speak out against the government were often thrown into prison without due process.
The legacy of this era is so profound that the Malawi Congress Party is now referred to as the “crocodile party,” symbolizing the cruelty inflicted on the people by Kamuzu Banda and it is entirely uncalled for to spend tax payers money on celebrating his dark legacy.
His downfall, however, was a relief to many Malawians who had suffered under his oppressive rule.
Unfortunately, the ruling Malawi Congress Party inherited this legacy of cruelty, as evidenced by reports of supporters using violence against those who oppose them.
The current Malawi Congress Party, under Chakwera, continues to oppress people both economically and physically, creating an environment of fear and intimidation , a replica of Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
It is crucial to acknowledge Kamuzu’s shortcomings and the atrocities committed under his rule.
Commemorating him as a hero or a symbol of national pride disregards the pain and suffering experienced by the victims of his regime.
Instead, it is important to hold leaders accountable for their actions and ensure that the memory of those who lost their lives is honored and respected.
While some may argue that commemorating Kamuzu Day is a way to honor Malawi’s history, it is essential to recognize the immense suffering and injustices inflicted upon the people under his rule.
Beyond the generalized accounts of brutality, specific examples shed light on the individual tragedies that occurred during his regime.
One such group that bore the brunt of Kamuzu Banda’s oppressive rule were the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Malawi. Known for their refusal to participate in political activities or salute the national flag due to their religious beliefs, Jehovah’s Witnesses faced severe persecution under Banda’s regime.
Many Jehovah’s Witnesses were targeted, tortured, and even killed for their refusal to conform to the government’s demands.
The case of Edith Mfune, a Jehovah’s Witness who was brutally murdered by state agents for her religious beliefs, stands as a stark example of the extreme measures taken against dissenters. Her tragic death symbolizes the lengths to which the regime would go to suppress any form of opposition or nonconformity.
Furthermore, the forced exile of prominent political figures and intellectuals who dared to challenge Kamuzu’s authority paints a picture of a regime unwilling to tolerate dissent.
Individuals like Dr Attati Mpakati, a former Minister who was exiled for criticizing the government, illustrate the heavy price paid by those who dared to speak out against the injustices perpetuated by the ruling party.
The legacy of fear and intimidation instilled by Kamuzu Banda’s regime continues to haunt Malawians to this day. The scars of past atrocities run deep, shaping the socio-political landscape of the country and influencing the behavior of current leaders and parties.
In light of these historical realities, it becomes clear that commemorating Kamuzu Day without acknowledging the pain and suffering caused by his actions is not only insensitive but also a disservice to the memory of those who lost their lives or livelihoods under his rule.
It is crucial for Malawians to confront their past honestly and ensure that the voices of the oppressed are heard and respected.
While some praise him for leading Malawi to independence and promoting national unity, others criticize him for his authoritarian rule and human rights abuses.
One aspect of his rule that is often overlooked is his treatment of local chiefs, who were often targeted and oppressed by Banda’s regime.
One such chief who fell victim to Kamuzu Banda’s oppressive tactics was Traditional Authority Chikumbu of Mulanje. Like many other chiefs in Malawi, T/A Chikumbu was stripped of his authority ,beaten up, tortured and locked up by Banda’s government. This was part of Banda’s efforts to consolidate power and suppress any resistance to his rule.
By targeting local chiefs, Banda sought to undermine traditional systems of governance that had existed long before his rule. So to spend time, energy and tax payers money on Kamuzu day is a mockery to the nation and an attempt to be economical with the truth.
In addition to T/A Chikumbu, there were several other chiefs who were oppressed by Kamuzu Banda. These included Traditional Authority Mbelwa, Traditional Authority Mlonyeni, and Traditional Authority Gomani, among others. These chiefs were seen as threats to Banda’s authority and were therefore targeted and silenced by his regime.
By suppressing traditional leaders, Banda sought to centralize power in his own hands and prevent any challenges to his rule.
In addition, Kamuzu Banda is on record to have chased a certain tribe away from other regions back to the Northern part of Malawi.
This exemplified his tribalistic, nepotistic, and regionalistic tendencies, which should not be glorified or celebrated.
During his rule, he implemented policies that favored his own tribe, the Chewa, at the expense of other ethnic groups. Banda’s regime was marked by systemic discrimination against minority groups, including economic marginalization, limited access to education and healthcare, and political repression.
One of the most egregious acts committed by Banda against the Tumbuka people was the forced relocation of thousands of individuals from other regions back to their ancentral land.
The trauma inflicted upon the these people left a lasting impact on their collective memory and Malawi cannot stoop so low to be commemorating and celebrating Kamuzu day.
Furthermore, Banda’s tribalistic, nepotistic, and regionalistic tendencies were not limited to the Tumbuka people but extended to other ethnic groups in Malawi as well. His regime was characterized by corruption, cronyism, and authoritarianism, with power concentrated in the hands of a select few individuals who were loyal to him.
Banda’s policies perpetuated divisions among the various ethnic groups in Malawi, fostering a climate of mistrust, animosity, and resentment that persists to this day.
In light of these reasons, it is evident that Kamuzu Banda’s legacy is tainted by his oppressive and discriminatory actions towards minority groups.
Banda’s tribalistic, nepotistic, and regionalistic tendencies have left a dark mark on Malawi’s history, one that cannot be erased or forgotten. As such, it is imperative that Banda’s legacy is not glorified or celebrated but instead scrutinized and condemned for the harm it inflicted upon certain ethnic groups and other marginalized communities in Malawi.
To sum it all, Malawi should not in future waste tax payers’ money in celebrating kamuzu day but should live it to family members.
Despite his efforts to suppress dissent and consolidate power, Hastings Kamuzu Banda has been remembered by some as a hero for leading Malawi to independence.
However, it is important to consider the full extent of the pain and suffering he inflicted on the people of Malawi.
The oppression of local chiefs and other forms of human rights abuses under his rule cannot be overlooked or excused.
Therefore, it is evident that Hastings Kamuzu Banda does not deserve to be remembered as a hero.
The pain he inflicted on the people of Malawi far outweighs any contributions he may have made to the nation.
Instead of commemorating his legacy, it is important to acknowledge the suffering he caused and learn from the mistakes of the past.
It will take ages for tears of the brutally murdered people during Kamuzu to dry up should the nation continue spending tax payers’ money on celebrating Kamuzu’s day.
Let him be remembered at clan level.
