Is Cdedi still speaking for silent Malawians?

We, honourable members of the Bottom Up Expedition led by the indomitable and unimpeachable Genuine Prof Ms Joyce Befu, MG 66 and MEGA-1, assisted by Ajhajj Jean-Philippe LePoisson, SP, and SC (RTD), and me, Malawi’s only Mohashoi, have followed the activities of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) since its foundation soon after the Tonse Alliance came to power to the day it lost it and to the reemergence, five years later, of the Democratic Development Front (DPP). It appears the DPP, and especially president Mkulukutamoyo (MKM), were born to rule Malawi and, looking around the widening gyre, we the party being here to stay, if MKM will manage the transition well enough. Back to Cdedi.

The coincidence between the formation of Cdedi and the leaving of DPP from power made many people, except us in the BUP, conclude prematurely that the organisation was a DPP front meant to frustrate the Tonse Alliance government. Of course, Cdedi was initially confrontational like the now defunct Human Rights Defenders Coalition. However, with time, Cdedi founders changed tact and deployed their journalistic skills to drive their advocacy.

Thus, Cdedi became a social accountability organisation, practising what we would call ‘critical social accountability journalism (Csaj)’. Csaj is a type of journalism that is purpose-driven. It is different from mere information delivery.

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Csaj asks further questions than the traditional questions of What? (5Ws and H). It also asks: So, what?

Csaj is information delivery with a purpose. It runs counter to the dominant paradigm of disinterested information-for-information journalism. Csaj is transformative; action-oriented.

It is supported by many development agencies, including the World Bank which once co-hosted the Global Partnerships for Social Accountability (Gpsa). Csaj demands accountability in service delivery on behalf of the citizens and follows up on public budget. Csaj provides audits on behalf of the citizens.

More than 100 journalists, especially those from community radio stations have been trained in Csaj, courtesy of Malawi Economic Justice Network, the Gpsa, I’m Swedish Partner and GIZ. They have investigated the theft of textbooks and notebooks meant for public primary schools. Private bookshops, Ministry of Education drivers and others have been named as culprits.

It also led to investigations of tractorgate. Csaj also journalists also investigated Affordable Inputs Programme blues and found that chiefs, senior public officers and others have formed an unholy alliance to swindle the public. CSA journalists also have investigated service provision in public health centres, especially rural ones, and found that the treatment there is not good at all, with the elderly patients being turned away.

Cdedi knew the value of Csaj and started relying on evidence to support or drive its advocacy. That is what journalists do. They investigate issues; gather the necessary evidence, analyse them to identify themes, and question what does not add up or endorse what does add up.

That is journalism. The rest is politics. Using this approach, Cdedi investigated the Salima Sugar Company Limited and exposed what did not add up and it demanded action from the Auditor General and others.

What came out was exactly what we, common Malawians suspected and what the community media in Salima, Chisomo and Love FM radio stations, had long questioned the abuse and externalisation of Malawi’s money. However, one wonders if Cdedi is still in Malawi or if, indeed, our initial fears were right, that it was a front to fight the Chakwera government. Now that Chakwera is out and DPP in, Cdedi’s mission is completed?

We wonder why Cdedi is quiet in all this ‘taxation-induced’ overburdening of the people. Why does Cdedi not use the same Csaj skills to investigate why Malawi has the most expensive petrol in the world? Some people blame taxes or levies on fuel.

Could they be right? Come on Cdedi. We count on you. Democracy dies the moment we all keep quiet.

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