God is Good

Lilongwe is...

I have been in Malawi's capital Lilongwe for over a month now, working for an international NGO involved in good governance and rule of law. It has been good experience especially when dealing with politicians in matters of allowances to attend workshops of national interest. One MP at a certain function said it is untrue that legislators are 'expensive'and are demanding when they are called to attend functions organised by the civil society. The reactions from the audience seemed to suggest the opposite was true.

But do we Malawians have to be paid always to brain-storm on crucial matters affecting the nation? How justifiable is that payment? Are we so immersed in a culture of receiving money to do things that we are already paid for? ( For example a journalist receiving 'allowance' to cover a function).

On another note Lilongwe is in my opinion overtaking Blantyre as a hub of commerce. I see industy, enterprise and hard-work from as early as 6am to dusk in the bazaars and market-place. I feel people in Lilongwe farm more, work more, trade more than the counterparts in Blantyre.

posted by Joe Mlenga @ 10:20 am