Although life in Malawi has always been challenging, the stories coming from news sources and friends lately is very troubling to me. As I reflect on the decadence of my recent trip to Europe, I can’t help but feel panicked and empathetic for my friends in Africa.
For a few years now Malawi has suffered from a lack of foreign currency. U.S. dollars are scarce in Malawi since the purchase of a private jet in 2009 by the president. For several months there were shortages of fuel that would last for a week or two at most. Although this was frustrating to most, it was a fact of life they came to accept. Recently though those fuel shortages have become more frequent and longer in duration. Weeks pass with filling stations displaying signs that say, “NO FUEL.” At first this is an ironic, almost comical sight but one quickly realizes the impact of the situation. This lack of fuel, caused by the country’s inability to pay for imports, has resulted in a newly imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) applied to many basic items. It has also resulted in a major increase int he cost of food and transport. Since I left Malawi in July of 2011, the cost of most items has gone up 50%. A loaf of bread that once cost 120 kwacha now costs 180. Sugar has gone from 3000 kwacha for 20kg to 3700 kwacha for the same amount. The cost of a round trip from Ntcheu to Lilongwe, once about 1500 kwacha is now close to 4000 kwacha. Those with a good income are complaining of the rising costs. Those with little or no income are suffering.
My friend recently lost his job as a driver for African Wilderness Safaris as a result of the fuel shortage. He has 4 children and a sick wife who depend on him for food, shelter and education.
The rising costs are not the only concern facing Malawians these days. It seems that their country is moving back to a time in which democracy was just a dream. The president recently expelled the British ambassador when a leak revealed that the politician had written in a memo that Bingu was “becoming ever more intolerant and autocratic.” This has strained relations with the UK, once Malawi’s biggest foreign donor. Doctors and hospitals are funded in large part by support from the British government. Presently hospitals are running out of medication and the UK has withdrawn its support. Germany and the US have also withdrawn much of their support.
The media in Malawi is now being censored. Those that report anti-government sentiments face punishment. Reporters are being fired as are members of parliament who speak their minds. One radio station who encouraged peaceful demonstrations by the people had two of its vehicles set afire. In nation-wide protests last month 19 people were killed.
Bingu has given his wife a job in the government. She receives a salary of 1 000 000 kwacha a month for doing the same job that was once done voluntarily as part of the VP’s portfolio. The president has refused to speak publicly about the issues facing his country. The only thing he has said is that those who choose to protest will be punished.
Malawi is relatively new to democracy, having been under a single party government until 1994. Some fear that Malawi is reverting back to the days of a dictatorship.
I feel helpless. There is nothing I can do to help those I care about. I worry about their health and their safety. What a terrible feeling.
On a positive note, my friends there still dance and sing and enjoy life. Their attitude is that they can not do much to change things so they should just accept what has been given to them. I wish I could adopt that attitude.
