By Vincent Gunde
Handout syndrome has dominated Malawi politics since 1994 when multiparty politics and democracy championed by former President Dr. Bakili Muluzi, was introduced after 31 years of being in one party rule and dictatorship..
Multiparty politics and democracy has seen those with money competing for positions and recognition in government while those without money have been turned as voters clapping hands at those who have money to share them to them as handouts in exchange for votes.
Malawi politics of handouts, has reduced people to nothing, people have been turned into beggars begging money from politicians and no wonder politicians in Malawi are being regarded as angels from heaven..
The mentality of begging from politicians have made Malawi and the constituencies poor for 62 years of independence lacking the social basic amenities such schools, hospitals, markets, bridges, and better roads.
Writing on his Facebook page, Counsel Silvester Ayuba James, said he is alone in his constituency and he has become so unpopular for telling everyone that they should not expect to receive money from politicians.
Ayuba James said he has been urging people to demand development projects, business initiatives and support for groups, not individuals.
Baba Steven Malondera has asked Counsel Ayuba James to consider going to his constituency to conduct a farewell rally that five years is too short a period to nurture his thinking to the people and reach maturity of the same and retain constituency.
” I can call you former MP, zimadana ndi kuwumira zinthuzi,” reads his writings on the wall.
But in his response to Malondera, Counsel Ayuba James said he didn’t join politics to remain saying he joined politics to restart a conversation about changing the way people think ( mindset change) and try to lay a foundation for a new way of doing things.
Counsel Ayuba James said he has a better life elsewhere blaming people who do politics until they get old that they are the people who have destroyed this country.
” We haven’t benefited anything from you apart from creating more and more laziness,” reads his writings on the wall.
Counsel Ayuba James said he has put his life on the line and no amount of political blackmail will reduce him to a headless politician.
He said certain things must come to an end, and someone must pioneer and champion the agenda to end them, no matter the risk.
