By Burnett Munthali
There is a deeply rooted culture of jealousy in Malawi that continues to manifest in different ways across society.
One of the most alarming aspects of this culture is the way people inherit hatred.
Many individuals are influenced by others’ dislike for a certain person and blindly follow suit without forming their own opinions.
Instead of celebrating each other’s success, some people wish ill upon others, hoping to see them fail.
It has even become common for people to celebrate when someone faces difficulties, rather than showing empathy.
When someone they dislike is going through a tough time, some individuals feel a sense of satisfaction, as if their enemy’s downfall is their victory.
What they forget is that God loves everyone equally, regardless of personal differences.
People are quick to judge and call each other names without hearing both sides of a story.
The rise of social media, particularly Facebook, has intensified this toxic culture.
Everyone wants to appear as the most intelligent, the most influential, or the one who speaks the loudest on every issue.
Some individuals wake up every day with the sole intention of creating false narratives to tarnish someone’s reputation.
Others take pride in siding with outsiders while feeling envious of their fellow Malawians’ success.
It is not uncommon to find Malawians supporting foreign business owners while resenting the achievements of their own countrymen.
Jealousy often leads people to spread lies, fabricate stories, and deliberately try to hurt others emotionally.
Some individuals go as far as dictating how others should use their money, criticizing them for buying a lorry instead of building a house.
Ironically, those who read these observations will get angry and judge the writer harshly, proving the very point being made.
There are so many layers to this issue, and the examples are endless.
Politicians, too, are deeply entangled in this culture of jealousy and division, but that is a story for another day.
The problem of jealousy in Malawi is a widespread issue that requires self-reflection and change.
The question remains—will Malawians ever learn to celebrate each other’s successes rather than tear each other down?
