Finding Agenda for 2014 elections: Time for our MPs, Parties to reflect
Malawian political parties have been accused of having no distinguishing identity and philosophy. Actually frankly speaking they are merely, for many opportunistic clubs for earning a living for those that have no occupation, retired or immediately thought would get rich quick.
They have been very few politicians, whose first and lost job has been politics. Among them the Late Aleke Banda, Gwanda Chakuamba, Brown James Mpinganjira, Late Edward Bwanali, Dr. Bakili Muluzi, Dr. Joyce Banda, Khumbo Kachali, Edda Chitalo, Beston Majoni, John Tembo, Portipher Chidaya, Mai Dinala, Mayi Hilda Manjankhosi just to remember a few.
The rest of politicians are self created people, who think politics as an opportunity to get really rich quickly. Others like Professor Peter Mutharika, after a stint in the 1960s left for a professional career before fate had it sending them an opportunity to do politics. Atupele Muluzi was born in a political family and adapted to his environment.
I am giving all this background to argue our Leaders, both in Government and Opposition to clearly define what they stand for before the electorate, which is one of the most and well informed of this generation before they regret in investing in the elections.
President Joyce Banda has the biggest advantage of the incumbency, jiggling government and her Peoples Party agenda in the same breadth, while Professor Peter Mutharika might enjoy the record of his brother, he still has equally to deal with dates like July 20, Robert Chasowa and the shortages, telling Malawians how different would he be and convincing them that Mulhako wa Lhomwe will not be beyond cultural set up. For Atupele Muluzi his agenda needs to go beyond youth taking over, but explain how different will his Government be when his deputy Iqbal Omar and others still represent the old thinking of the UDF.
Its that time, this month of June which will translate into 10 months of campaign when serious questions, propaganda and real debate will be taking place.
If I was a Parliamentarian, I would quickly pass the budget and go home and convince people I rarely visited in the last 5 years, yes we are in the fifth year now, that I am still the best option.
If I am a new comer into politics, I would make serious commitment by starting to build a house in my constituency as they have become so clever not to vote for people coming from 'outside" as they have nothing to tie them up when they win elections.
I hope with 10 months to do, each political party, leader or aspiring candidates will clearly articulate their agenda and tell us what they really represent.
At the Centre for Public Accountability we are advocating for a a social contract, where MPs can write and sign their promises and Village Headmen, Development Committees and T/As can keep the record. After five years we can meet again and check how much ground has been covered.
Then we can decide easily whether to accept their lies or let them go and rest.
This could be an exciting as so far nobody seem set with agenda for 2014!
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unparalleled alpine experience. The Manaslu trek offers a perfect
combination of rich culture heritage, unsurpassed Himalayan beauty,
spectacular scenic beauty, fascinating Tibetan culture and a rich
mountain biological diversity. Manaslu at 8118 meters is the
8th highest peak in the world and is located near to the border of Nepal
and Tibet. The name Manaslu means "The Spirit-Mountain" in the local dialect, referring to the benevolent and strong deity, which dwells within.
The towering Himalayas are, to many travellers’ minds, the chief reason for visiting
Nepal. The country tumbles steeply down from the 800km stretch of the Himalayan
battlements that forms its northern border, and can claim no fewer than eight of the
world’s ten highest peaks – including, of course, Everest, the highest of them all. The
mountains are more than just physically astonishing, however. The cultures of highland-
dwelling Nepalese peoples are rich and fascinating, and the relaxed, companionable spirit
of trekking life is an attraction in itself. The Himalayas have long exerted a powerful
spiritual pull, too. In Hindu mythology, the mountains are where gods go to contemplate,
while the Sherpas and other mountain peoples hold certain peaks to be the very embodiment
of deities.
Most visitors to mountain areas stick to a few well-established trekking routes. They have
good reasons for doing so: the classic trails of the Everest region with its famous trails
like Everest Base
camp trek and the 3 high passes are both mind blowing ventures and highly popular in
the world. And Annapurna regions are so popular because they offer close-up views of the
very highest peaks; this includes Annapurna 1 & 2, fishtail peak and Ganesh Himal trek.
Famous treks like the Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek, Annapurna Base
camp trek & the Annapurna Circuit trek are some of the most famous on earth. Dramatic
scenery and fascinating local cultures are most known in this area. Lodges on the main
trails – some as sophisticated as ski chalets, these days – make it possible to go without
carrying a lot of gear or learning Nepali, and without spending too much money, either.
While trekking, you’ll likely eat and sleep for $20–30 a day. For those who put a high
priority on getting away from it all, there are plenty of less-developed routes, of
course, and simply going out of season or taking a side-route off the main trail makes a
huge difference.
The Helambu and Langtang regions are less striking but conveniently close to Kathmandu,
attracting a little fewer than ten percent of trekkers. The Langtang valley
trek & the Ganja-La pass are known trails in this area. This leaves vast areas of
eastern and far western Nepal relatively untrodden by visitors. To hike in these areas
you’ll need either to get set for camping and carry your own supplies, and live like a
local, or pay to join an organized trek with tents and accept the compromises that go
along with that.
With a good operator, you can anywhere in the wild. A Great Himalayan Trail now runs the
length of highland Nepal – though it will be for some time, if ever, before such a route
will be serviced by lodges.
Treks in remote far eastern and far western Nepal are mostly restricted to two kinds of
globe trotters, both adventurous in their own way. The majority come on organized camping
treks with agencies – in fact, this is obligatory for those areas that require a permit.
The minority are independent trekkers prepared either to carry tents and food or negotiate
with porters, or to seek food and lodging in local homes and basic lodges. Some great
camping outdoors include the Manaslu circuit Trek, Upper Mustang trek
the Dhaulagiri circuit, Rara lake trek and the great Kangchenjunga trek, both north and
south.
Island Peak climbing,
Mera Peak Climbing and
Lobuche Peak Climbing
in Nepal.