Have you ever been on the receiving end of jealousy? Have you ever been jealous of anyone? I have to admit that I have been both. I am a singer, and when musicians get together there is a sense of camaraderie. Our common interest puts us on the same wavelength.

The recent appreciation of the kwacha has brought the foreign exchange market to the forefront of the economic debate. All of a sudden politicians, who were reluctant to publically acknowledge the consequences of devaluation, are busy politicising the development by deliberately misleading people that it is a sign of economic recovery.

After a long time, Malawi can now get some positive news on the economic front. Inflation has started coming down, the kwacha has appreciated and the prices of fuel have been reduced. Although all these things would take some time to translate into real benefits for the man on the streets or in the village, such good news alone gives people some hope and optimism.

The Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) has asked the media to ensure that the materials they will be publishing or broadcasting ahead of the tripartite elections next year are not perpetrating hostility, violence, aggression, hatred, tribalism, unrest and conflict.

Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) Commissioner Elvey Mtafu's speech at the official opening for the Bridge course for media practitioner's on May 13, 2013.

Before everything, let me make this honest declaration that I know that running a country is no child's play and most of us, including yours truly, who sometimes swim in the sea of illusion that we can become better CEOs of Malawi Inc if given a chance, would actually become epitomes of bad presidency.

Tales of time

It must have not been any easier this week being Joyce Banda. Especially when we all know that she really has an uncurable predilection to be pampered even if it is for causing a lot of economic misery to the majority of the citizenry, and then having to be told some unadulterated truth right in the face at ceremonies that have come in quick succession, you can just imagine how much she nearly exploded with fury.

Last week on Monday was the only second time that I had that rare chance of meeting and shaking hands with President Joyce Banda since she became a resident of Plot number one in April last year.

I am always full of envy when I see adverts of neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Zambia on CNN or BBC marketing themselves as destinations for investment and tourism.

WOMEN douche because they mistakenly believe it gives many health benefits. Women who douche say they do it to prevent pregnancies, avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and rid odours associated with their monthly periods. However, health experts say douching is not effective for any of these purposes.

Although many people cite the devaluation of the kwacha as one of the flaws of President Joyce Banda's one year in office, I hold a different view altogether as believe that the move was a necessary evil that was key to the healing of our bed ridden economy.

It has often been said that every country has a leadership it deserves. I believe this is certainly the case with Malawi.

Many Malawians would crave to earn a gross salary of K150, 000. However, not many Malawian university graduates earn this much.

Today, I yield to one stimulating reader who went at length to respond to my entry of last week titled 'Of kuthana and today's aspirations of the voter'.

Since 1994 when Malawi got its first multi-party government, Malawians have generally grumbled about the type and quality of politicians having being disappointed by the way their leaders have conducted themselves once they get into office.

Today March 14 is World Kidney Day, observed every second Thursday of March since 2006 .This is to raise awareness of the importance of kidneys to our health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and it's associated health problems worldwide.

It is a pity that a number of leaders on this planet continue to behave like headless chickens running around and falling all over the place when governing their nations. Political developments in some countries demonstrate that some leaders are political lords of indecisiveness, with the hallmarks of their leadership being lack of cohesive strategic direction and sound political objectives.

There are many lessons that can be learned from the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika, starting from the way the sickness, death and transition of power were handled to just how the presidency and succession are handled in the country.

The flood gates have opened. Money is flowing out of Capital Hill like Manna from heaven. Every one with some claim is welcome to join the heist. Santa is out and ready to dish out cash as and when everybody needs it, as if it were sweets.

I recently met a young woman named Mercy who had five children and was struggling to make ends meet. She had tried oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, but admitted that she often forgot to take the pill every day. She then tried injectable contraceptives, which required her to visit to the health centre every quarter, but she often did not have enough money for transport. In fact, she became pregnant with her fifth child after missing one injection.