Part 6 — The Four Malawians that can Change Malawi

Still in the series discussing the four Malawians who can really change Malawi, we shall complete the discussion on the third person: The Religious Malawian. Links to the first have of “The Religious Malawian” part and parts of this series can be found below.

The Religious Malawian (Church-going people) — Conclusion

There is a common saying that every people gets the leaders they deserve. In our case, we have bred them. How?

• If we look at how people sometimes get jobs through nepotism and cronyism, and not merit.
• If we look at our education system and note that sometimes national exams are leaked and learners study them to achieve grades they did not deserve. Some of these learners copy from their desk mates because they want to earn grades that can not be a true reflection of their understanding.
• If they don’t get caught, they get to enjoy what they never earned. This becomes a bad lesson learned.

I feel convinced that this attitude is deeply rooted in our society. Unfortunately, the infinitesimal makes the big. When these young minds grow up and become productive members of society: professionals, entrepreneurs and (God forbid) political leaders, do we expect them to suddenly have higher values to what they have practiced in their formative years?

Is this perhaps how we breed, manufacture, produce and deliver some very corrupt members of society and leadership? Should we be surprised when these people become aficionados of manila envelope — back door tactics and under the table dealings?

Please note: I am not saying that our leadership is morally bankrupt or inherently corrupt. I am also not saying that they are not. I am saying that whatever convictions we have individually and as a nation: we live those (by default). So, what does the current state of Malawi say about our value systems and our beliefs?

I see religious people as a vehicle for transformative change mainly because “religion” is an age old vehicle for disseminating values. This is who we have become. However, like Simba’s dad, Mufasa said in the Lion King (yes, the Lion King shall be quoted): “Simba, you have forgotten who you are, and so forgotten me. Look inside yourself, Simba? You are more than what you have become…. You are my son, and the one true king. Remember who you are.”

We can choose what we want our heritage to be. We can choose what our legacy shall be. Like any “religious” person will tell you, in particular Christianity: a good person leaves an inheritance for their children and their children’s children. As we speak, we are presently accruing debt for stadiums and things that our children’s children’s children will be shouldered to pay. How is this right? This, ladies and gentlemen, is an inheritance of debt.

If we believe in leaving a legacy for generations to come, if we believe that God(whoever that is to you) has empowered us to create wealth and if we believe in attempting to live “good” lives, it must reflect in our society and our nation at every level.

• This means letting your child fail when you have the connections to buy exams. Repeating will not kill them.
• It means paying your fine for speeding at the traffic officer’s office
• It means not working in government if you know you can’t overcome the temptation to steal.
• It means no shady manila envelope transactions even if that lowers our personal income.
• It means choosing leaders who represent the best of us.

Because at the end of our era, future generations will look back and see a legacy of shame. Altruism has helped many nations. Look at the ancient Japanese leaders, dying on their swords when they failed in leadership. As dramatic as that sounds, the bottom-line is: greed and corruption never have and never will progress a nation. It ends and begins with our individual value systems.

So the question is, are we willing to live by the value systems we identify with? Are we prepared for the legacy that we are going to leave behind based on who we are as a nation now?

What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment below.

Other parts in this series:

Part 1, Part 2 : The Diaspora

Part 3 or Part 4 : The Rural Malawian

Part 5: The Religions Malawian (first half)

Want to discover more about Maclean Mbepula? Find her on Linkedin or here on Medium. She’s written 3 books (one in entrepreneurship from a grassroots perspective (“Challenge Accepted) and 2 poetry books which are available for purchase on Amazon or you can sign up and get the kindle versions 100% FREE.

Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.