By Duncan Mlanjira

After conducting an intensive research and investigation of Malawi’s historical records, concerned citizen, Yamikani Nicholas Kachingwe is advocating that the Government should initiate a Bill in Parliament to officially recognize and accept Indians as Malawi’s 11th ethnic tribe.

The 35-year-old Kachingwe, who has great interest in current affairs, news and storytelling, is running the campaign through the website www.currentaffairsmalawi, appealing and suggesting to all relevant authorities in Malawi to seriously consider the request.

Yamikani Nicholas Kachingwe

He says according to his research, Malawi has 8 main ethnic groups and 1 minority groups that comprises Indians and mixed races.

These ethnic tribal groups are the Chewa; Lhomwe; Yao; Ngoni; Tumbuka; Nyanja; Ngonde Hamba; Sena; Mang’anja and the minority ethnic groups comprises Indians, mixed race and Europeans, who constitute 2% of the population.

Chewa culture

He chronicles the tribes and ethnic groups as follows:

Chewa Tribe are remnants of Maravi people, originally from Malabo, Zaire (now called Democratic Republic of Congo) and came to Malawi in the 16th Century. Their well-known clans are Banda and Phiri and they constitute 36% of the Malawi population.

The Lhomwes originally came from Mozambique between 16th-17th Century and constitutes 18% of the population.

The Lhomwes

The Yao tribe is originally from Mozambique and Tanzania. By 14th-15th century, they were arleady in Malawi and they constitute 14% of the population.

The Ngonis are originally from South Africa, from the clans of Zulu and Nguni and constitute 12% of the population.

Ngoni culture

The Tumbukas are originally from southern Tanzania and eastern Zambia and constitute 9% of the population.

The Nyanja, popularly known as Tonga and commonly found in Northern Region of Malawi, constitute 2% of the population.

Then there is the Ngonde Hamba, which — according to Kachingwe’s research — are the least populated ethnic groups with 1% constituting of the population.

Sena culture

The Sena tribe is an ethnic group, with origins in northwestern region of Mozambique in Tete Province, Manica Province, Sofala Province and Zambezi Province. They are also found in Malawi and Zimbabwe near their respective borders with Mozambique.

The Mang’anja are a Bantu people of central and southern Africa, particularly around Chikwawa in the Shire River valley of southern Malawi. They speak a dialect of the Nyanja language and are a branch of the Amaravi people.

“With this information, we can all agree that Malawi is a great nation made up of different tribes, most of which came from other countries and made Malawi their home,” opines Kachingwe.

Malcolm X

He goes on to quote African-American civil rights activist, Malcolm X who said: “I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color.”

Kachingwe goes on to say: “According to historical facts about Malawians of Indian origin, the first Indian settler was Adam Osman who emigrated to Malawi in 1885.

“He first settled in Nsanje. After him many other Indian immigrants followed suit.

“In 1963, for the first time before our independence on 6th July 1964, Abdul Sattar Sacranie was appointed as the first Indian Mayor of Blantyre and served till 1967.

“He was a personal legal advisor to the first Malawian Prime Minister and President, late Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda. His legal firm is still in existence — the Sacranie & Gow.”

Kachingwe also dug out that the country have had many other popular politicians such as late Honourable Ishmael Kassin Surtee, who was

the first Indian and 4th Speaker of Malawi Parliament after Independence — served from October 1964 to 1971.

“We have had Indian traditional chiefs, politicians, ward councilors, bishops, teachers and many other professionals.

Sacranie on second row, third from right

“The Nyasaland Indian Association was registered and established on 14th September 1922. On 19th August, 1938 they held their reunion meeting with approval and authority from many Indian organizations such as Indian chamber of commerce, Nyasaland Indian Traders association, Indian Sports Club, Goan Social Club and the Oriental Club.”

Nyasaland Indian Association commitee
members

The meeting of 94 members most of whom were wholesale traders, included Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims was chaired by late M.G. Dharap chaired the meeting and the elected members to run its affairs were M.G Dharap, C.K. Raman, A.M. Ravel, N.M. Suvama, Hussein Ahmed, S.O. Sacranie, M.G. Menon, H.S. Dias, Haridas Amarsi, P. Dayaram and Dr Hazuh Singh — according to the records.

“The first Indian primary school was opened in 1940 at Songani, 10 miles from Zomba and in 1943 a second was opened in Limbe, financed by Suliman Sacranie, Omar Hassam Janmehammed and some funds from South African Indians.

“There was no secondary school for Indians until 1959,” Kachingwe says.

Fast forwarding to current day, as of December 2016, over 8,000 persons of Indian origin reside in Malawi with most of them of Gujarati origin. By 2020, the population number has tripled or even beyond.

“With such humbling relationship between India and Malawi plus the history of Indian immigrants in Malawi, who have 3rd and 4th generations still living in Malawi, I am proposing to the Government of Malawi to consider to initiate a Bill in Parliament to approve and allow Indians to be recognized as a tribe of Malawi,” Kachingwe says in conclusion.

“Their selfless efforts and patriotism helped to built and develop Malawi; Indians fought for the freedom of Malawians before and after Independence and they continue to stand tall for the dignity of Malawi and Malawians till now.

“Come to think of it; Central High School, Mount View Primary School were founded by Hassam Khamboo and Mrs Sacranie with great help from Indian community.

“Dharap Primary School in Blantyre [now called Namiwawa along the Presidential Drive to Sanjika Palace] and Livimbo Primary School in Lilongwe were built by Indians.

“Our neighboring countries have arleady started to recognize and embracing them as a tribe.

“President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Kenyan government announced on July 22, 2017, that the Asian community would be officially recognised as the 44th tribe in Kenya — recognising the community’s contribution to Kenya from the dawn of the nation.

The case in Kenya

“Then what can fail us? We are the Warm Heart of Africa and our history cannot start or be told without mentioning the Indian forefathers.

“Imagine the young Indian children who were born in 60’s till now, who were raised and educated in Malawi; got married and are now working towards contributing to the nation through taxes and in many other ways.

Coronavirus alert

“Most of them are now holders of Malawi National Identity Cards as well Malawi Passport holders and they have only known Malawi as their home country and yet today they are deemed as foreigners.

“It is now time and proper that they be constitutionally recognized as a tribe of Malawi,” says Kachingwe in the appeal.

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Niece to late American man, George Floyd who was murdered by a police officer, Brooke Williams has teared into United States of America (US) President Donald Trump as she stole the show in an emotional eulogy.

This came as emotions ran high at the at slain black American’s funeral service as mourners broke into floods of tears as they approached the dad-of-five’s coffin at Houston.

In a video, Williams directed her anger at Trump and Derek Chauvin, the officer who was seen in a viral video kneeling on Floyd’s neck for about eight minutes suffocating him.

“He begged and pleaded just for you to get up. But you just pushed harder. Why must this system be corrupt and broken? These laws need to be changed. No more hate crimes please. Somebody said make America great again. But when has America ever been great?

“Those four officers were literally on him for nine minutes and none of them showed they have a heart or soul. This is not just a murder, but a hate crime,” a teary Williams said.

Trump who had earlier called for the shooting of protestors who were demonstrating over the 46-year-old’s death was under fire again on Friday, June 5, when he suggested Floyd was sitting in heaven happy about a slight better US jobs report than expected.

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Image of the British Museum in London by Hulki Okan Tabak from Pixabay

This is a summary of the trending, highest impact, and most active themes and their narratives related to social cohesion and division in South African public-domain social media conversations from 5 to 7 June 2020.

Standing up together

As the Black Lives Matter movement and worldwide protests continue to dominate social media conversations, more business leaders are demonstrating their support publicly. 

On Friday Reddit co-founder @alexisohanian announced his resignation in a Twitter thread and appealed for his replacement to be a black candidate: “I co-founded @reddit 15 years ago to help people find community and a sense of belonging. It is long overdue to do the right thing. I’m doing this for me, for my family, and for my country.” The tweet has received over 25,100 retweets and 167,600 likes. 

Others called on black executives to transform their organisations. South African businessman @G_XCON tweeted, “If you are the only Black person on any Board of Companies for a period of 12 months, just know that you are more of a problem than those racist that you serving with on that satanic Board.” The tweet gained traction with 186 retweets and 557 likes.

Following international solidarity over the killing of George Floyd, many have begun sharing other injustices plaguing black communities around the world. Twitter user @kidistbogale retweeted a post by @tayjordz that depicts gruesome images of black people as slaves in modern day Libya: “black lives matter applies ALL AROUND THE WORLD btw”. The tweet generated over 70,300 retweets and 102,700 likes. And 

The @britishmuseum showed their support for the BLM movement – their 4-part thread included a link to a statement: “‘The British Museum stands in solidarity with the Black Community throughout the world. Black Lives Matter – Director Hartwig Fischer.” Read Hartwig’s thoughts and response here: http://ow.ly/st5S30qMVSO”. The tweet received over 2,800 retweets and 640 likes.

Incidents of police brutality continue to circulate on social media, fuelling protests and calls for reform in the US policing system. On Sunday film director and writer @ava retweeted a post by @_SJPeace showing a video of a white male police officer lying on top of a black woman, choking her: “Everyday. Everywhere. For. Black. People. This. Is. A. Very. Real. Possibility. White. People. Get. To. Ask. And. Argue. And. Assert. We. Must. Submit. And. Comply. Or. Else.” The tweet got 43,400 retweets and 83,700 likes. 

Actor and musician @jaden echoed these sentiments, tweeting “In The African American Community  Police brutality Has Reached A Incomprehensible Level And Governmental Changes MUST Be Made.#BLM” The tweet has 1,500 retweets and 8,800 likes.

Pointing fingers

Helen Zille expressed her disapproval of schools remaining closed: “This attempt to keep schools closed is highly irresponsible, and will do more damage to children’s lives than Covid. The only people who should stay home are children with dread diseases, or staff with co-morbidities.” Zille’s tweet received 1,000 likes and 326 retweets, with most comments disagreeing with her opinion, especially her belief that herd immunity will stop the spread of Covid-19.

The tweet was a response to an EWN.co.za article about previous DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s fight against the Concourt ruling to reopen schools. Maimane has advocated for schools to stay closed until proper safety measures have been implemented. Maimane responded to Zille’s tweet in a light-hearted manner, saying she chose to “throw shade” at him on his birthday.

On 3 June @PhumlaniMMajozi tweeted about organisations he claimed were destroying South Africa. Although the tweet was posted earlier in the week, it gained traction during the weekend, with over 1,700 likes, 518 retweets and 122 comments. Phumlani Majozi, a South African political researcher and commentator, named four organisations he believed were responsible for the destruction of South Africa over the past 15 years: the ANC, the SACP, Cosatu and other unions and the EFF. Some Twitter users agreed with him, while others asked him why he doesn’t start his own party and why he excluded organisations such as the DA, SANDF and BLF. Since posting the initial tweet, Phumlani has not commented or engaged with the tweet or the comments received. 

Xenophobia bursts out

The hashtag #PutSouthAfricansFirst appeared in a tweet posted by @landback at 15:09 on Sunday 07 June. Accompanying the tweet was an image of a petition board reading: “We want our country back” together with an image of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The tweet states: “South Africans are busy mobilising to protest against your government’s open borders and high immigration policies.” The post has been retweeted 64 times. 

At the weekend a petition was created on Change.org by Nandiswa Gschwari called, “Save South Africa from Foreigners and their Crimes.” The petition asked for 500 signatures and had received 459 signatures by Monday. The petition claims: “Farmers are being murdered by Zimbabweans, Mozambique’s and Malawians. The youth is dying of drugs, human trafficking by Nigerians. Our country has become a paradise for all sorts of criminal activities because of its lawlessness. Please sign and help us save South Africa and re build this beautiful country.”

British political commentator Katie Hopkins, known for her rightwing stance, aired her views in a video that was tweeted on 5 June and viewed more than 100,000 times. The tweet that accompanies the video says: “South Africa is a glimpse into our future. Under a new development, White South Africans will be given refuge & farming opportunity in Eastern Europe. Could Eastern Europe be the place white Christians call home?” Some white South Africans asked why they would need to go to eastern Europe, when South Africa was their country too?

Resorting to humour

South Africans sought some comic relief on Twitter this weekend, with many humorous tweets becoming popular. 

Posing as “specialist correspondent Bob O’Connor”, Tyson Ngobeni explained to imaginary foreign viewers, the concept, function and significance of the “room divider”, a piece of furniture found in many South African households. The tweet received almost 9,000 likes and had been retweeted over 4,000 times.

Uyajola, the reality TV show hosted by Jub Jub that exposes South Africans who cheat on their partners, received over 47,000 mentions, mostly on Sunday after the show aired. Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) tweeted, “Jub Jub made the pots do the things that cannot make the pots to be done” – the tweet received over 2,000 likes. There was largely positive sentiment towards the show, while some expressed dismay at the content. A tweet by @xplosivsa, which received only seven likes, noted: “We live in a sad society where the highlight of the week is a show about people cheating on each other.”

South Africans celebrated our unique use of the English language. @MuhammedAsmal4 tweeted: “South Africa is the only place where “don’t lie” means “tell me more.” The tweet received 1,800 retweets and almost 7,000 likes. Others responded with similar “South Africanisms”. 

Another humorous tweet that received much attention was posted by @dannyeurl: “the only ex i miss is ex-tra money.” It received almost 300,000 likes internationally, and over 1,000 mentions locally.  DM

The Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC) is a non-profit organisation incubated at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town.The CABC stimulates positive social change through engagement, dialogue and advocacy. www.cabc.org.za

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ZIMBABWE is eager to re-engage with the United States of America, but Washington continues its hostile stance on Harare after US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Mr Tibor Nagy, blatantly sided with a faction of the MDC following arrest of the party’s leaders on Friday.

This comes as 66 United Nations organisations that constitute the largest body of experts in the UN Human Rights system have ordered Washington to address human rights abuses following the brutal killing of Mr George Floyd.

African civil society organisations have also castigated the US, calling for reform of that country’s justice system.

MDC-A vice presidents Tendai Biti and Lynette Karenyi-Kore, Vongai Tome, Gladys Hlatshwayo, Louis Chimhini and Lovemore Chonoputsa were arrested for criminal nuisance after attempting to enter the Morgan Richard Tsvangirai (MRT) House, formerly Harvest House.

Occupancy was awarded to a faction of the MDC led by Dr Thokozani Khupe, in the opposition party’s ongoing factional fights.

When they were arrested on Friday, the MDC-A members were formally charged through due process. The case is now before the courts, which granted them bail yesterday.

But, in a glaring show of skulduggery against Government, Mr Nagy parroted the unsubstantiated cliché of human rights abuses at a time the US Government is facing a firestorm of global criticism over its own deep-rooted human rights abuses that led to the brutal killing of Mr Floyd.

“The United States condemns the Zimbabwean Government’s politicised use of security forces to take over an opposition party’s headquarters and arrest its members.

“This is the latest example of the Government of Zimbabwe’s departure from democratic norms and is inconsistent with previous commitments to implement fundamental political and economic reforms,” Mr Nagy tweeted.

Earlier in the week, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo had warned US chief envoy to Zimbabwe Ambassador Brian Nichols against his government’s penchant to meddle in this country’s internal affairs.

Dr Moyo, who summoned the US Ambassador over the remarks by US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, which characterised Zimbabwe as “an adversary” of the United States, said Harare seeks a normal relationship with Washington.

“I informed the Ambassador that Zimbabwe seeks a normal, co-operative relationship with the US based on mutual understanding, mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs — the very opposite of the characterisation voiced by Mr O’Brien.”

Dr Moyo also told Ambassador Nichols that Zimbabwe was mindful of the harsh criticism and lack of balance that the US had become accustomed to foisting on Harare, urging the US to “take a more even-handed and less prescriptive approach . . . more open, more sincere and more practical dialogue” when dealing with Zimbabwe.

Zanu-PF acting spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa yesterday told The Sunday Mail that Mr Nagy’s comments were misplaced and ill-informed.

“Firstly, Zanu-PF or Government doesn’t provide consultancy services for the MDCs. Secondly, it is not the duty of Government or the party to resurrect a failing opposition,” said Chinamasa.

“Rather, the American diplomatic goons from their Ambassador here in Zimbabwe to Tibor Nagy appear to have been appointed to babysit the MDCs.

“Now, that is their own funeral not ours, except that they have no right to prefect our internal affairs, let alone our justice system. The global chorus is that there must be justice for the murder of George Floyd and not these diversionary tactics.”

The world is speaking out against the US and in what was an unprecedented show of criticism against the US, the 66 UN human rights monitors accused Washington of systematic racism and state-sponsored violence.

“The uprising nationally is a protest against systemic racism that produces state-sponsored racial violence, and licences impunity for this violence. The uprising also reflects public frustration and protest against the many other glaring manifestations of systemic racism that have been impossible to ignore in the past months, including the racially disparate death rate and socioeconomic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the disparate and discriminatory enforcement of pandemic-related restrictions. This systemic racism is gendered,” said the organisations.

The UN experts also took a swipe at US President Donald Trump over his handling of Mr Floyd’s killing, which has led to a wave of protests in America.

“The response of the President of the United States to the protests at different junctures has included threatening more state violence using language directly associated with racial segregationists from the nation’s past.

“We are deeply concerned that the nation is on the brink of a militarised response that re-enacts the injustices that have driven people to the streets to protest.”

A grouping of civil society organisations in Africa also condemned the US, saying the wave of protests that have engulfed the country as a result of Mr Floyd’s death are an opportunity to address systemic inequality, racism and injustice in the US.

“The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25 ,2020 is part of a historical and recurrent pattern of unlawful arrests and killings of persons of colour by the police.

“It is symptomatic of a structural and systemic problem of hate, racism, inequality, discrimination and injustice against African Americans and people of colour. These deeply ingrained prejudices permeate the social fabric, economy and politics of the US and have also long shaped the US foreign policy towards Africa.”

The civil society organisations, which include the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (SA), Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (SA), Ditshwanelo (Botswana Centre for Human Rights), Chapter One Foundation (Zambia) and Southern Africa Litigation Centre (SA) also castigated President Trump for deploying the military and labelling of protestors as terrorists.

“Regrettably, we note that no such military deployment has ever been resorted to for the purposes of protecting Afro-descendants and persons of colour from racist vigilante groups. The lack of even handedness in responding to grievances of Afro-descendants and persons of colour is symptomatic of the challenge of institutionalised racism — it sees black people as the problem.”

Some of the individuals who signed the petition include Alaigwanan Olengurumwa (Tanzania), Martin Okumu-Masiga (Uganda), Arnold Tsunga (Zimbabwe), Alice Mogwe (Botswana), Brian Kagoro (Zimbabwe), Simphiwe Sidu (SA), Ndifuna Mohamed (Uganda), Washington Katema (Zimbabwe), Mary Pais DaSilva (Eswathini), Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh (SA) and Nikiwe Kaunda (Malawi).

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BIRMINGHAM-(MaraviPost)- As black lives matter protests in United State of American (USA) and United Kingdom (UK) had taken centre stage, one of Malawian human rights activist Thokozani Mapemba joined the march in UK’s Birmingham protesting against President Peter Mutharika.

During the black lives matter protest on Thursday, June 4, 2020, Mapemba carried the placard with the message; “Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), ‘We can’t breath, MW (Malawi) can’t breath”.

The placard has stormed Malawi social media on Friday, June 5, 2020 putting President Mutharika and DPP leadership into shame on international scene.

Mapemba was Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Central Region Chapter Chairperson before he left Malawi for UK.

The Maravi Post is yet to learn from Mapemba on what motive behind the placard.

There has been cold blood between HRDC and Mutharika over resignation of the former Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) chairperson Jane Ansah since nullified May 21, 2019 polls.

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in UK’s Birmingham to protest about the death of George Floyd in US police custody.

Floyd, an African-American, died on May 25, 2020 when a white police officer continued to kneel on his neck after he pleaded he could not breathe.

Thousands of people marched in London on Wednesday after the death sparked global protests against racism.

The Birmingham protest started outside the library but later moved through the city to the police’s headquarters.

West Midlands Police said an estimated 4,000 people took part and there were no arrests.

“The protesters were loud and passionate, and made their voices clearly heard, but there were no arrests and no disorder,” a force spokesman said.

Image captionThe city “has a proud history of standing up to racism”, the council said

Protest organisers UK Isn’t Innocent said Britain had “a duty to stand in solidarity with the US while exposing the inner workings of racism and police brutality in the UK”.

“We are tired and we have been tired for too long,” lead organiser Hannah Ringane said.

“We have been taught that we won’t be treated the same as everyone else, that we will be viewed as aggressors.”Image captionGeorge Floyd’s death has led to protests around the worldImage captionThe demonstration had to be relocated to a larger square due to the number of protesters

Carol Smith, who was among the demonstrators, said: “My grandchildren were born here, they have to have a different world to the world I have.

“They have to realise they have a right to be here, and they have a right to equality, just like everyone else who don’t look like them.

“I can’t give you the answer to racism. I didn’t create it, people who look like me didn’t create it.”

Derrick Bassaragh added: “Young kids – black, white and Asian – demand parity, justice, love and equality.

“Not just for us, but changes for the world. These are the things that are demanded now.”Image captionProtesters in Birmingham shouted “I can’t breathe”Image captionCrowds took a knee as the protest moved through the city

Aston Villa and England defender Tyrone Mings – who was targeted with racist abuse while playing for his country against Bulgaria last year – indicated he would join demonstrators, urging his followers online to “stand for what’s right”

People were originally due to gather in Victoria Square outside the council house, but when it became clear the numbers would be too large it was moved to Centenary Square.

Although it was billed as a stand-in demonstration, protesters moved on from the square and marched towards Lloyd House, the headquarters for West Midlands Police, shouting “justice now” and calling for an end to police brutality.Image captionThe demonstration continued into the eveningImage captionDemonstrators marched on Lloyd House, the headquarters for West Midlands Police

In the past month, the Independent Office for Police Conduct has begun nine investigations into West Midlands Police connected to alleged excessive use of force on black men and two officers have been suspended.

Ch Insp Sarah Tambling, from the force, said she was “really pleased with the atmosphere” at the protest in the city.

At the scene

According to BBC, although some people have begun to leave, many more are continuing to arrive. The atmosphere has been good, with whole families coming to express their solidarity with the demonstrators.

A handful of police liaison officers have kept a respectful distance and the crowds have remained peaceful.

The younger generation in particular have made banners with clever slogans, while several older onlookers, especially from the Afro-Caribbean community, have been overcome with emotion when they see the size of the crowd.Image captionThe demonstration began in Centenary SquareImage captionThe protest moved down Colmore Row after stopping outside West Midlands Police’s headquarters

Birmingham City Council said it supported the demonstration, but encouraged protesters to maintain social distancing.

“The city of Birmingham has a long and proud history of standing up to racism and to prejudice, and that is why today we stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement,” said Labour councillor and cabinet member for social inclusion John Cotton.

Four Minneapolis police officers have been charged over 46-year-old Mr Floyd ‘s death, including Derek Chauvin who faces a second-degree murder charge.

Source: BBC

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