Bushiri is an unnecessary distraction

News flash: Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, Major One, Papa is in town. The Major one landed at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe on Thursday to an elated crowd of people, mostly his followers—we cannot completely rule out, though, some curious on-lookers and those who simply wanted to ascertain that the Major One indeed flew on his own aircraft.

Bushiri has earned himself the ‘man of the moment’ title, thanks to the ‘capturing’ sermon and a reincarnation of one of the famous Biblical miracles—Jesus walking on water. But he was sensitive enough not to let people confuse him with Jesus, so he chose to walk in air.

The social media is buzzing with talk about the “go deeper” famed prophet. He is being talked about in pubs, minibuses and homes too, of course, not for the good reasons, but because of the suspicious miracles and his flamboyance.

I have no problem with those who cheer or jeer at the self-acclaimed man of God—they are within their right. However, my problem with the whole Bushiri hullabaloo is that it is distracting us from discussing and debating issues of national importance.

Spending our time and energy debating Bushiri’s “miracles” only makes our leaders grin knowing that we are spending less time and energy scrutinising them and that we have practically given them a free pass. We shouldn’t let Bushiri distract us.

Before us is a whooping 2.8 million Malawians—from 25 of the 28 districts—facing starvation this year. Government, as usual, has sounded an SOS to donors and well-wishers to assist in whatever form to feed the many households facing hunger. 

And while we are dead worried about the welfare of Malawians who are going to bed on empty stomach and many other problems, our President and his larger-than-life entourage to the UN summit are on a shopping spree—we all know how most government officials never attend such meetings. It is a chance for them to hit the shops and might only show up at the meeting to sign some legal document that they have not even read nor understand and groan about it later when they are asked to abide by the contents of the document.

It is because we have shifted our attention from this that our President thought he could sneak out the purported large entourage to the UN. He probably thought we won’t notice because we are so caught up in triviality such as the Bushiri talk.

We have a kwacha which has taken a downward spiral that it may not be wrong to say that it is falling faster than the speed of light. Our leadership is failing to provide direction on how it intends to arrest the situation. Meanwhile, we are left holding the baby.

Our service providers, who have proved to be a persistent thorn in our flesh, continue snoring while on the job. In fact, everywhere you turn there is trouble. The big fish in Cashgate is somewhere somersaulting in some cool waters and laughing at us for thinking that what we have at Mikuyu Prison is the biggest catch.

I used to hold our civil society organisations (CSOs) in high-esteem, but both you and I know well that our CSOs are so reactionary that most important issues slip through their fingers. The few that have not joined government rank and file are simply watching.