Call for inclusivity: Fishers feel sidelined by politicians

By Precious Msosa

As the country heads to tripartite elections next year, some fishers in Mangochi have called on politicians in the country to consider fishery issues in their respective manifestos.

The fisher folks said as these politicians go about selling themselves to the electorate with a lot of promises, nothing is said about the plight of the fishers in these manifestos.  

Speaking on the sidelines of a USAID funded Restoring Fisheries for Sustainable Livelihoods in Lake Malawi (REFRESH) media tour recently in Mangochi, Chairperson for Michesi Beach Village Committee (BVC) Jordan Kanyerere said it’s unfortunate that political leaders seem not to be interested in advocating for their concerns.

Kanyerere: We feel neglected. (Photo Credit: Precious Msosa)

“We have so many issues which need to be addressed but unfortunately, politicians do not seem to be interested in our welfare. In almost all the elections which we have been having, we have not heard anything concerning the fishing industry,” said Kanyerere.

He argued that the industry is one of the important ones in the country because it contributes to the nutrition of most people but unfortunately it does not get the recognition it deserves.

“We have so many issues ranging from fishing regulations to sanitation and this is why in most cases many of our fishing beaches have hygiene issues. We will be very proud if our politicians will champion some of these things,” he said.

Members of the Beach Village Committee (BVC) burning the illegal fishing gear in Mangochi (Photo Credit: Precious Msosa)

In her remarks about the training, Rasheeda Matandika from Luntha Television said the training was an eye opener and she is now motivated to write more on fisheries.

“The training has been of great benefit to me and I am grateful for the consideration. I am not going back the same person, I will surely be a champion in as far as fisheries reporting is concerned,” she said.

The tour was part of a three-day media training by the REFRESH project to enlighten journalists about the fishery issues that the project has been empowering in the eight lakeshore districts. The five-year project is expected to phase out in September this year and started in 2019.