History Knows the Truth – Malawi beware of propaganda
The Cambridge International Dictionary of English defines propaganda as information, ideas, opinions or images, often only giving one part of an argument, which are broadcast published or in some other way spread with the intention of influencing people’s opinions.
There was a time in Malawi when the play on the 1915 Uprising led by John Chilembwe aired every 3rd March on MBC had a part where John Chilembwe is said to have prophesied that someone will come to continue with the struggle and according to the play this someone was no other than Kamuzu. We now know there was no such prophecy.
There was a time when we were told that other political parties that existed in the 60’s died a natural death. I bet that was a lie – they were strangled.
There was a time when I believed that Kanyama Chiume, Attati Mpakati, Masauko Chipembere and others were enemies of Malawi.
There was a time was a time when we had only one broadcasting house. Praising Nkhoswe Number one and his Government was something you heard of virtually all day. There was nothing good on the opposition of the Diaspora. Is this still happening?
There was a time when “Man of the People” and “Animal Farm” were banned in Malawi. Some of us never knew that these books existed.
There was a time when Malawi had only one daily newspaper “The Daily Times”
There was a time when women in Malawi were not allowed to wear trousers in Public.
There was a time when we were told that Malawians live in houses that do not leak and had enough food yet we knew that this was not true. We stayed quiet.
There was a time when women had a day to practice dances and songs for their Nkhoswe number one.
There was a time when the term “president” was reserved for His Excellency Ngwazi Dr H. Kamuzu Banda.
Things have changed!!!!!!
Today Women wear trousers; you can go for the whole month without listening to MBC and yet get all the news you need without blatant propagandist nonsense.
Our libraries now stock Animal Farm – A must read for all Malawians that can read and understand English. You will get to understand that there is really nothing new that our politicians are doing. There is more of the politics of an animal farm in Malawi.
Today I know that Kanyama Chiume and others were just democrats.
The question I have now is; will there be a day when Malawi's National Assembly will have representatives from one party only just like it was with Malawi Congress Party? Shall there be a day when one party will emerge the strongest and then we get to hear of the old song; natural deaths of other parties?
I hope not because Malawi cannot cope with a dictator. Further, removing a dictator is very very tough and can be disastrous. Let’s not forget that we create dictators by allowing them to break laws as they see fit because of some good they do. We had one dictator, we should not create another. Malawi was lucky that the one dictator that she had could facilitate a peaceful transition into multi-party democracy. We might not be that lucky next time. Beware of propaganda. Remember Zimbabwe is a sinking ship because of one dictator whom Zimbabweans created, Democratic Republic of Congo still has not found its peace since the removal Mobutu Tsetseseko and Iraq is in turmoil since the removal of its dictator. Malawi beware!!!! Don't create another dictator.
The Cambridge International Dictionary of English defines propaganda as information, ideas, opinions or images, often only giving one part of an argument, which are broadcast published or in some other way spread with the intention of influencing people’s opinions.
There was a time in Malawi when the play on the 1915 Uprising led by John Chilembwe aired every 3rd March on MBC had a part where John Chilembwe is said to have prophesied that someone will come to continue with the struggle and according to the play this someone was no other than Kamuzu. We now know there was no such prophecy.
There was a time when we were told that other political parties that existed in the 60’s died a natural death. I bet that was a lie – they were strangled.
There was a time when I believed that Kanyama Chiume, Attati Mpakati, Masauko Chipembere and others were enemies of Malawi.
There was a time was a time when we had only one broadcasting house. Praising Nkhoswe Number one and his Government was something you heard of virtually all day. There was nothing good on the opposition of the Diaspora. Is this still happening?
There was a time when “Man of the People” and “Animal Farm” were banned in Malawi. Some of us never knew that these books existed.
There was a time when Malawi had only one daily newspaper “The Daily Times”
There was a time when women in Malawi were not allowed to wear trousers in Public.
There was a time when we were told that Malawians live in houses that do not leak and had enough food yet we knew that this was not true. We stayed quiet.
There was a time when women had a day to practice dances and songs for their Nkhoswe number one.
There was a time when the term “president” was reserved for His Excellency Ngwazi Dr H. Kamuzu Banda.
Things have changed!!!!!!
Today Women wear trousers; you can go for the whole month without listening to MBC and yet get all the news you need without blatant propagandist nonsense.
Our libraries now stock Animal Farm – A must read for all Malawians that can read and understand English. You will get to understand that there is really nothing new that our politicians are doing. There is more of the politics of an animal farm in Malawi.
Today I know that Kanyama Chiume and others were just democrats.
The question I have now is; will there be a day when Malawi's National Assembly will have representatives from one party only just like it was with Malawi Congress Party? Shall there be a day when one party will emerge the strongest and then we get to hear of the old song; natural deaths of other parties?
I hope not because Malawi cannot cope with a dictator. Further, removing a dictator is very very tough and can be disastrous. Let’s not forget that we create dictators by allowing them to break laws as they see fit because of some good they do. We had one dictator, we should not create another. Malawi was lucky that the one dictator that she had could facilitate a peaceful transition into multi-party democracy. We might not be that lucky next time. Beware of propaganda. Remember Zimbabwe is a sinking ship because of one dictator whom Zimbabweans created, Democratic Republic of Congo still has not found its peace since the removal Mobutu Tsetseseko and Iraq is in turmoil since the removal of its dictator. Malawi beware!!!! Don't create another dictator.
