By Leonard Kavwenje
Timothy Pagonachi Mtambo, currently concentrating on personal businesses, political reposturing, Citizens For Transformation (CFT) redefining and League of Transformation (LOT) building shall remain one of the most powerful human rights activists and political game changers of the century.
A man whose golden silence transmits vocal emotions into the public shall indeed always find spaces in the pages of Malawian history. A man whose golden silence is sarcastically interpreted as confidence and satisfaction with the current administration shall always remain a monument for the generations to come. The young blood that dazzled the globe.
However, Malawians need not to panic and anticipate demonstrations of fireworks of 2018 to 2020 resemblance as the country fast approaches 2025 General Elections. It is not that Mtambo is indifferent to the outcries of Malawians but he is adaptive to the demand of re strategisation to achieve a common goal. A better political landscape for Malawi. Mtambo shall always respect the voice of Malawians at all cost, no matter what comes along the way.
The grave mistake some Malawians commit is to think Mtambo possessed a physiological hatred towards the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The fact comes out clear that Mtambo led Malawians to conduct peaceful demonstrations. Mtambo and all Malawians demanded observance of political tranquility and electoral justice through the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC). Unfortunately, the attacks that DPP made surged protesters’ aches and fired public iracy.
But how does Mtambo view the current government? This is the question that lingers in most Malawians. The fact is Mtambo has nothing wrong to do with the citizens of Malawi neither the Tonse government. It would be a reasoning flop to base the performance of the Chakwera-led administration on one personal opinion. Right? It is of no surprise that there is no clear evidence of Mtambo’s bitterness towards the people of Malawi neither the government. Insulting Mtambo on social media is clear evidence that Malawi is still a powerless democracy governed by amateurism and well organised ignorance. For Mtambo, the ministerial appointment was part of national service. Ministers come. Ministers go. Malawi shall remain Malawi. Mtambo is focusing on generational mandate that will liberate Malawians from the political, economic and social bondages. Mtambo is a man to watch on the stage of politics.
The name of Mtambo is of great historical significance in the arena of human rights. Mtambo is a true symbol and standard of patriotism. He ventured into human rights activism at the age of 29 in 2013 if we disregard his Students Union proactivity at the Chancellor College. It is self-telling that he was born a defender not made a defender. He was not there for money but passion. He spoke for all. Such a young man is a good example for all young Malawians who are ready to sacrifice their lives for a better Malawi.
Malawians cannot talk about the Tonse government without talking of Mtambo. He is one of the fierce and brave men whose citizenship voice diluted lumps of undemocratic acts with punchy messages for meaningful change. He played a key role for the existence of this government. The best way this government would have treated his determination was to stabilise him in government in the process of sending images of hope and determination to all young Malawians that change is possible and influence is ageless. Unfortunately, we are living in a society in which the fool lead and the wise follow. Mtambo is not in government as you read.
That Mtambo receives public pressure to demonstrate against this government which he supported to be throned is true. The opposition parties including other disgruntled Malawians pile political and civic workloads on Mtambo. But the fact is, government checks and balances need not only to hinge on one man. Let all political parties including the main Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and all other political institutions lead the way. There is need for robust and massive political activity. Failure to understand this phenomena will only end up in abusing the name of Mtambo while retarding development of Malawi.
Good Malawians need not to sink so low and conclude that Mtambo has forgotten rights of Malawians. Forcing Mtambo to go to the streets is not the only way of contributing to the solutions of political and socio-economic quagmires rocking our beloved nation. Let our consciences not be guided by spoonful knowledge and baseless opinions. The contributing elements of the current national economic atmosphere can not only be heaped on President Chakwera and his government. If some developed economies are shaking due to a wide range of unforeseen circumstances, then what is Malawian economy after all. Undoubtedly, having formed part of the government between 2020 and 2023 as a cabinet minister, Mtambo is surely conversant and adept of fragility of Malawi’s economy set up as a response to both slight and extreme economic and environmental setbacks. Let us not settle for the less and capitalise on any highest degree of mediocrity and blame Mtambo as a causative agent of the government challenges. There is need to learn to speak only when we have something of full national meaning. But if blocking the political road of Mtambo is based on hate, then it shall always be difficult to destroy good and strong men. If we demand Mtambo to lead the way, the best method is to powerfully support his political ambition under his banner “Citizens For Transformation (CFT): A People Power Movement.”
Considering the political chemistry of the Tonse government, pandemics and environmental shocks hitting our economy, it is unjustifiable for Mtambo to demonstrate against this government today. Wisdom is expensive than folly. He can not be organising demonstrations just to earn money as others are doing. Whenever Mtambo demonstrates, there is meaning and poetry of leadership. Malawians have the power and right to judge who is right and who is wrong. Happy and blessed Sunday!
