This week we are in the Republic of Dedza because our most-able leader of delegation, the Genuine Prof. Dr Joyce Befu, MEGA-1 and MG 66, ordered or directed or both that we spend this weekend away from the hustle and trouble of hunting for vehicle fuel.  Ajhajj Jean Philippe LePoisson, SC and I, Malawi’s only Mohashoi, are excited.

She bought enough fuel for us to use while we are here.  We are lodged at small but very clean lodge appropriately named Namapiri Lodge because it is located on the slopes of Dedza Mountain or Plateau.

We have passed through Dedza several times in the past 10 years, but this is the first time we are here to spend two good nights and enjoy the fresh air; something rare in most cities in Malawi.  Honestly, we are feeling home away from home.

However, there is something sad and eerie about the place. We have travelled the length and breadth of mother Malawi, the land of honey and milk. We have been to Chitipa, Likoma, Mchinji, Lilongwe, Ulongwe, Ntcheu, Blantyre, Mangochi, NKhata Bay and Nsanje. We have seen and travelled on bad roads. But, we must admit, we have not seen and travelled a worse road than the Dedza Loop Road, previously part of the M1. Vestiges of bitumen remain to inform the current generation and remind the outgoing generation that once upon a time this was Dedza, one of the most respected districts in Malawi.

This road is perhaps the most potholed in Malawi at present. Not even the access roads of Soche East can match it. The only competitor for the International Most Potholed Road Prize would be Kasungu Loop Road, also formerly part of the M1.

But if you thought the Dedza Loop Road is bad, think again. Go up and down the Dedza Township and you will see access roads that should have been graveled to make them usable.  But they have not been because only God Almighty Allah knows.

Things really change. Once upon a time, this was Dedza, seat of long time politician John Zenus Ungapake Tembo and home of Mama Cecilia Kadzamira. Dedza had almost everything. The Loop Road was not wide but it was well maintained.  Dedza had no ordinary PTC Shop. It had Dudu Superette. Only Kasungu had a rival shop to PTC. It was called Chikoko Trading Centre (CTC).   Today even Dudu Superette, like CTC at Kasungu, is closed. Dedza had a golf course.  Today, that golf course is a dry piece of land with dry grass. What happened? Why does the Dedza District Council not do basic road maintenance?

There are some things that have not changed much. The Irish, no Dedza, potato sales are still on.  Education institutions are still booming. We like the Gonapamuhanya Education Institute (GIE). The churches are still booming. The pubs are still booming. And the biggest addition to what Kamuzu Banda left are the Dedza Stadium and other new infrastructures. Today Dedza has more banks than before when only the Commercial Bank (now Standard Bank) operated at Dedza.

Kabaza and Sientas are also booming. But these need better roads to make money without getting damaged.

The post Once upon a time, this was Dedza appeared first on The Nation Online.