Racists Remarks Deleted From Hansard, Speaker Calls For Responsible Language In The House

Msowoya 

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Richard Msowoya said the racism remarks which were uttered by some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Members of Parliament on Thursday last week have been deleted from the records of the House.

Msowoya was speaking when concluding the racism matter in the House.

“Honorable Members, I just want to bring to the attention of this House that following the remarks that the Leadership of the House has referred to, the matter was brought to my attention the following morning and at that moment I immediately ordered that all racist remarks be deleted from the Hansard. That they should not form part of the record of what had transpired in this House.” Said Msowoya

“I also did comfort the member for the pain he might have felt the previous day.” Added the Speaker

To hon Bisnowaty, the Speaker said; “Honorable member for Lilongwe City Centre, I know as well as you do, there are so many members here who believe in Christianity and Jesus Christ our Lord was a Jew” ended the Speaker

He then asked members of parliament to use words that are acceptable in the House.

“Suffice to say, honorable members that although you are protected and although you are supposed to uphold your human rights, your freedom of speech as enshrined in our laws, I as the chair and on behalf of my fellow speakers I would like to call upon responsible language in this House. 

Am saying this in view of the fact that of late there has been slurs even directed at the chairmanship of the House. There has been slurs that has been directed on the opposite side of the House. And am saying to honorable members that let us exercise responsible language.” Said Msowoya 

“I accept the apology and I will forgive and carryon”- David Bisnowaty

Lilongwe City Centre legislature, David Bisonwaty says has accepted apology from the Leader of Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the House, on the racism remarks made in the National Assembly on Thursday last week by some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislatures.

Leader of Opposition and President of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Lazarus Chakwera and the Deputy Leader of the House, Kondwani Nankhumwa including Peoples Party (PP) offered a word of apology to David Bisnowaty over racism remarks from MCP legislatures.

“Mr Speaker Sir, nevertheless, I believe like most of you, that Malawians are loving and caring people. And like the Leader of Opposition said we have to forgive, forget and carryon, and therefore I accept the apology and I will forgive and carryon” said Bisnowaty

Before accepting the apology, Bisnowaty in his statement made a brief recounts of circumstances which made him become Malawian citizen.

“I want this House to understand also where I come from. I come from a family of who are all called survivors.  

I come from a family where my grandmother was the only survivor of the eleven brothers and sisters during the Nazi, Germany (atrocities). I come from a family where my mother was over a year stayed in a concentration camp, a family that was discriminated for being Jews. And that was their only crime.” Narrates Bisnowaty

He then said “Mr. Speaker Sir, to hear the sentiments in this August House, in this beautiful country where I spent many years of my life, where I gave my own citizenship to become a Malawi citizen I think it is not what I expected from anybody in this respectful House.

This House has to keep integrity, this house has to keep the law.” He said “And yes sometimes people don’t like what other members say in this House. But I believe in democracy and I believe that the member can have a right to say and that right should not be stopped and certainly should not be responded to by the color of that member or religion.

The parliamentarian said he went through the hansard to see what was said on that day and was ready at appropriate time to bring into the House the copies of what was said. He also wondered as to why some legislatures became so angry and outragious on remarks he never spoke ill of the father and founder of this nation Dr. Ngwazi Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Bisnowaty said he does not find any substance why some members reacted that much.

Malawians “expect us to set an example” PP on Racism Remarks

Nyalonje 

People’s Party (PP) has emphasized that National Assembly must set a good example of not discriminating against any person based on race or color.

Chakwera

The party made the remarks on Monday evening in the National Assembly when joining the Leader of Opposition and President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Lazarus Chakwera in apologizing and condemning the racism remarks uttered on Thursday in the house to Lilongwe City Centre legislature David Bisnowaty.

When adding its voice PP says is committed to observing non-racial approaches to development and non-racial approaches to everything that the house does.

Mzimba North legislature, Honorable Agnes Nyalonje who was speaking on behalf of the Leadership of the party in the House said Malawians expects no race but “they expect us to set an example.

“Indeed every party in this House subscribes to the concept of non-racial development because without racial unity we cannot have development. 

So for those reasons, we in the People’s Party would like very much to support the statement made by the leader of opposition and to condemn in no uncertain terms any expression of racism, any act of racism especially when such an act comes from the House such as this, where every Malawian has the right to expect leadership that cannot be doubted in any way.” Said Nyalonje

Nyalonje also hailed Chakwera for offering “sufficient apology of what was done” on Thursday evening where some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Legislatures caused disorder in the House by making racism remarks against Honorable David Bisnowaty.

Chakwera Apologize To Bisnowaty Over Racism Remarks From MCP MP’s

Chakwera

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly and President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Lazarus Chakwera made a statement on Monday evening offering a word of apology and condemn the racism remarks uttered in the house on Thursday last week to Lilongwe City Centre legislature David Bisnowaty.

Chakwera called for unity among members while reminding the House that everyone in the House is a Malawian entrusted with a role by Malawians to be their representative.

He warned his members not to use racism words because such words may cause dangerous repercussions to the country in future.

"In as much as one understands the intervention made by the Hon. Member of Lilongwe City Center, the instantaneous emotive responses from some members of the MCP can also be appreciated, particularly when one feels that a leader's economic policies to meet the needs of those he led are belittled and that leader is dead and cannot respond for himself. Its almost like someone insulting your father in your face and you are expected not to react." Said Chakera

He then condemned utterances that are deemed to demean or denigrate anyone in the chamber regardless of the perceived provocation saying MCP exists to promote development, help consolidate democracy and protect the dignity of every person.

"Our Founding President used to admonish all Malawians to live together in peace and harmony. He would especially single out those whose origin

and culture may be different from typical Malawian to be treated with respect. While many point to human rights abuses during the one party rule as a reason to haul insults on present day MCP, I appeal to all of us to be careful with the language we employ as fights can get started over very trivial matters as human history demonstrates." He said

"As a believer in Jesus Christ and a theologian cum politician, I can state that there is but one human race, regardless of the color of one's skin and/or cultural and religious beliefs. I believe, in forgiveness because I have been forgiven all my sins through the death of Jesus

Christ. I ask all Malawians everywhere and that includes the Hon. Member here to forgive the Malawi Congress Party of all past atrocities. I take responsibility as President of all the sins of my fathers." he said 

Chakwera then called members to focus on finding ways to move the country in the right direction and not waste time outwitting each other as to how best the furniture should be arranged "I personally believe that it is better to be hurt by the truth rather than to find comfort in lies." Added Chakwera

Chakwera needed to apologize because the racism remarks came from members of Parliament from MCP the party which he leads.

On Thursday some MCP legislatures called fellow legislature hon Bisnowaty 'foreigner' when he made a comment in the House on food situation during late Hastings Kamuzu Banda founder and father of Malawi who also was President for MCP.

Nankhumwa

Deputy Leader of the House Hon Kondwani Nankhumwa said the insults were both unfortunate and discriminatory to the choice of people of Lilongwe City Centre Constituency.

Joining him, People’s Party (PP) through Honorable Agnes Nyalonje while praising the Leader of Opposition for offering “sufficient apology of what was done” said PP committed to observe non-racial approaches to development.

Nyalonje condemned in no uncertain terms any act and expression of racism, and called every party in the House to subscribe to the concept of non-racial development because without racial unity Malawi cannot have development. 

Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Maowoya said he ordered deletion of the remarks from the Hansard immediately the matter was brought to his attention.

While bemoan with the recent trend of slurs even directed at the chairmanship of the House Msowoya noted that although members are protected and are supposed to uphold freedom of speech members should make responsible language in the House. 

Accepting the apology David Bisnowaty said never expected from anybody in such a respectful House and in the beautiful country where he has spent many years and where he gave his own citizenship to become a Malawi citizen to make racism sentiments against him.

In an interview, the only cabinet minister who was present in the house when remarks were being said, Grace Chiumia said racism remarks are uncalled for and needs to stop.

She said people settling in the country are contributing immensely to the development of the country through their businesses that are creating job to youths. 

Bisnowaty To Write Speaker Over Racist Remarks As PP Brands The Incident Unlawful

Lilongwe City Centre legislature, David Bisnowaty says will write the speaker as soon as possible over the racism remarks uttered by some Malawi Congress Party legislatures from the opposition benches on Thursday evening. 

“First of all it is not the first time. Of course I condemn and I am not going to accept any racist remarks” said Bisnowaty while mentioning that the remarks just show that some people still believe they live in the old days where they can give racism remarks. 

"Of course am not going to keep quiet about it am going to write the speaker and demand that these remarks be retracted and you just can’t accept to live in the society when people are still racist and it was really the racist remarks that we should to stop.” He said 

Bisnowaty was silent when some members were outburst into racism remarks, he said he was silent because “I just don’t believe that you have to go into wars of words and we just have to go and follow procedures” 

Uladi

Meanwhile the Leader of People’s Party (PP) in the National Assembly, Uladi Mussa said “It was not good “Anyone who can contest as a member of parliament is a Malawian” 

He said what was said is against constitution which disallows discrimination 

“I think it is a matter of our leadership of parties to discourage our members that let us support each other, let us respect each other, we are all members of parliament so we have to behave honorably not discriminating each other because of race or origin. This is not proper.” Said Mussa 

He emphasized that countries are developing due to migration an there is no need to discriminate those who made decision to become Malawians. 

The National Assembly debate on national issues was put on hold for a while when some angry opposition members of Parliament failed to hold their temper and began to call the Lilongwe City Central legislature David Bisnowaty ‘ignorant’ of Malawi issues and ‘foreigner’ over remarks relating to late Ngwazi Hastings Kamuzu Banda rule. 

Bisnowaty who stood on point of order told the house that during the 31 year reign of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Malawians were suppressed and therefore if there was any food shortages people wouldn’t have known about it and any person would have been in trouble once heard talking about existence of hunger. 

But even before Bisnowaty took his seat, some Malawi Congress Party (MCP), legislatures including Dedza North West Alekeni Wodala Menyani were heard shouting point of order while some legislatures especially Mchinji South West Deus Gumba Banda shouted racism remarks. “Khala pansi Iwee! … Ukudziwa chiyani zakuno ku Malawi munthu olowera pa passport ngati iwe!.. Foreigner”

Bisnowaty Is A Foreigner! Rants Some Legislatures In National Assembly

The National Assembly debate on national issues was put on hold for a while when some angry opposition members of Parliament failed to hold their temper and began to call the Lilongwe City Central legislature David Bisnowaty ‘ignorant’ of Malawi issues and ‘foreigner’ over remarks relating to late Ngwazi Hastings Kamuzu Banda rule.

Hon Bisnowaty was responding to Lilongwe Rural South legislature Peter Dimba holding the floor. Dimba dispelled allegations that Malawi experienced food shortage and imported maize during Kamuzu era.

Bisnowaty who stood on point of order after Rumphi East Legislature, Kamulepo Kalua had branded the current Government as ‘jokers’, told the house that during the 31 year reign of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Malawians were suppressed and therefore if there was any food shortages people wouldn’t have known about it and any person would have been in trouble once heard talking about existence of hunger. 

But even before Bisnowaty took his seat, some legislatures allegedly from Malawi Congress Party (MCP), shouted at him to sit down while making racism remarks “Khala pansi Iwee! … Ukudziwa chiyani zakuno ku Malawi munthu olowera pa passport ngati iwe!.. Foreigner”

The Racism tirade in the house went out of hand and the Second Deputy Speaker, Clement Chiwaya’s shouts to restore order seemed to have no value at all as another member was heard shouting “Muyuda azipita kwawoooo uyu!

Another angry outburst from the noise was heard; “Akutiyamba dala uyu, Mzimene anakamuuza a DPP zimenezo? Ala!” one legislature shouted.

Rumphi East legislature Kamulepo Kaua stood without being recognized by the Speaker and said “Let us not discriminate against anybody, let us be Malawian, let us show leadership and I don’t prescribe to this no, no, no, no!”

However, Kalua was interrupted both by the speaker who was trying to calm the legislatures and another member who was continuing making racism remarks “Alibe mudzi uyu, alibe munda, akuchitachani kuno, mbava izipita kwawo iyi, Myuda!”

“Honorable members can we avoid discriminatory words that are not parliamentary…” pleaded Chiwaya but was interrupted by another rant, “Ndizoona Dala, Ndizoona Dala alibe mudzi ku Malawi uyu. Amayi ako anapita kuti iweyo, 

The continued waves of discriminatory words made the Second Deputy Speaker, Clement Chiwaya to be left with no other option but to ask the leadership of both sides in the National Assembly to help restore order.

“We cannot proceed this way, may I ask leadership on both sides to help us to restore order!” pleaded Chiwaya 

 “Much as we want to express whatever we want to express let us do it in an orderly manner and at the same time avoid discriminatory words that are not parliamentary” advised Chiwaya

Immediately after the speaker made the directive, another legislature stood up on point of order making another racism remarks “Ndimafuna kuti timuuze kuti alibe manda a aMbuyake asamachite mwano ameneyu!”

However, after some few minutes, the house was back to normal and the Lilongwe Rural South legislature Peter Dimba, was asked to continue holding the floor commenting on number of issues relating to agriculture, food availability in ADMARC markets and current situation of hunger as well as on distribution of Farm Input Subsidy materials.

Red Cross, Politicians Respond To Victims of Thunderstorm At Kauma as Bisnowaty Appeals for More Help

Red Cross, Politicians Respond To Victims of Thunderstorm At Kauma as Bisnowaty Appeals for More Help

Various institution and groups of people are now responding with relief items to families whose houses were damaged by thunderstorm that hit in some parts of Lilongwe on Friday night of 2^nd January.

On Monday at Kauma in the capital city Lilongwe, Red Cross brought to the victims 200 tarpaulin’s, former Member of Parliament for Kasungu Central Constituency Ken Kandodo brought some food items and household materials, and also of Department of Disaster Management distributed some plastic sheets.

In the same day, Leader of Opposition and president for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Dr. Lazarus Chakwera also visited Kauma area to appreciate the magnitude of the damage made by the storm “I came here to see for myself and encourage people. I felt greatly touched, shocked at the same time, but am thankful that the resilience of the people and those that have come out to help will add on to softening the devastations effect”

Ken Kandodo while urging others to assist victims in the area as well as other areas that have been affected by the storm said “I came here with these items just to try to alleviate some of the problems that these people are going through at the moment”

But, Member of Parliament for the area Lilongwe City Centre honorable David Bisnowaty said he is overwhelmed that people are now coming in to his constituency to assist following his appeal made hours after the incident happened.

“Am now happy that we are now taking some very serious actions following this incident” he said while thanking Kandodo for his gesture.

He added that earlier in the day he has had some discussions with City Council on how the city can quicken its response to such natural disasters. He also mentioned that the meeting also looked at other measures like planting of trees in the city and setting house standards to prevent future occurrence of similar disaster as most affected houses seem to be those that were not of up to standards.

He further appealed to all well wishers and international community like United Nations to come and help the victims with tents, clothes and food as items most needed at the moment.

Baxter Simoko one of the victims said he is more grateful that he has received tarpaulin and some household items. Like hon. Bisnowaty Simoko also asked for more help like big tents that can accommodate his family of three children and have privacy where children and parents can have their separate rooms.

“My house was completely destroyed I’m now living in a school block meant for Early Childhood Development classes.” He said, “We are sharing the block with other five families we just demarcated the class using some bamboos.”

“Am not sure if am building a house this year,” he added, “if I do then it will be a very small one because I don’t have anything now, everything was destroyed, and clothes that you are seeing me putting on was given by a friend”

The estimated number of victims of Friday night thunderstorm is at 392 families according to list of names of victims collected by Hon. Bisnowaty.