Today, I am crying because one of the best presidents in the Southern African Development Community region— if not the whole of Africa—is about to finish serving the second—and maximum allowable under the Constitution of Mozambique—term of office.
Ten years have, really, been like a day for this special man, and good friend of Malawi, namely Filipe Nyusi. Yes, you have heard right; Filipe Nyusi.
Believe you me, Nyusi is the President of Mozambique. Yes. Neighbouring Mozambique.
In fact, he is a gift to Malawi. Yes; a gift to Malawi.
Sometimes, I have the impression that, perhaps, him and Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera were classmates in primary school somewhere! Hahahahahahaha!
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I mean, the way the two relate to each other, the way they publicly cherish their bond and the strong bond that has developed between their special countries; I cannot think of something else except that the two State presidents shared a classroom at some public primary school somewhere.
Of course, this is an imaginary scenario.
In truth, the two have never been classmates in primary school, let alone secondary school.
Their paths were, academically, different, in terms of places they called “dear school”.
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In terms of diplomacy, though, the two have had some common ground—in the sense that they have taken Malawi-Mozambique relations to another level. I can even claim that the relationship between the two countries is at an all-time high.
The epitome of this was when, on August 15 this year, Mozambique-based Joaquim Chissano University conferred a doctorate degree in international cooperation and development on Chakwera.
It cited his strategic thinking and the adoption of external policies that had led to the development of synergies with neighbouring countries among factors that enticed it to confer the papers on the Malawi leader.
Vice Registrar for Joaquim Chissano University, Senior Professor Jose Magode, indicated that in April this year, the university’s council scrutinised Chakwera’s commitment and dedication to strengthening international cooperation with other countries.
He said, among other things, the university established that Chakwera visited Mozambique immediately after ascending to power after the June 23 2020 court-ordered presidential election as one way of developing a strong relationship with Mozambique.
And, on August 28 [I am talking about this week], the University of Malawi conferred an honorary PhD in international affairs and diplomacy on Nyusi. The event took place in the Great Hall in Zomba.
In his nine-minute speech at the event, Chakwera acknowledged that Malawi and Mozambique had been supporting each other in several aspects, ranging from climate change, disease outbreaks, economic development, gender equality, conflict resolution, infrastructural development, trade to cultural exchange, among other areas.
He attributed this to Nyusi’s neighbourliness.
He could not be far from the truth.
So, yesterday, at Chichiri Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre, where I had a clear view of Nyusi and Chakwera as they made their speeches, I could not help it but shed tears when Nyusi announced that he would not be vying for re-election when Mozambicans go to the polls on October 9 this year.
He said he had served a maximum of two terms, such that it was time for someone else to take over.
I could not believe it that such a good man has finished serving his term of office.
Truth be told, Nyusi has been a special man; a gift to both Mozambique and Malawi.
Oh, that was special— Nyusi. Your terms have been special
