Weekly Scotland-Malawi Scotsman column draws to a close
12 November 2019
Susan Dalgety has returned home to Edinburgh from Malawi and has filed her final (for now) column. You'll find links to all Susan's Malawi columns here.
Susan Dalgety, a long-standing supporter and former board member of the Scotland Malawi Partnership, has just returned from a six month trip to Malawi where she wrote a weekly column for The Scotsman about the lives of ordinary Malawians.
Susan had also been researching and writing a book about Malawi which will be published next year by Luath Press.
Speaking to the SMP a few days after her return to Edinburgh, Susan said:
"Looking out of my office window at the grey sky, I can hardly believe that a week ago I was basking in the sunshine of Malawi. Then I switch on my tape machine and hear the voice of Rev Maxwell Banda, or Wezi or Lazarus, and suddenly I am back home.
"I have just returned from six months living in Malawi, where I was researching for a book about the country which Luath Press will publish next year – once I have finished it!
"It was the best experience of my life.
"Living there, instead of rushing back to Scotland after a two-week trip, has deepened my understanding of Malawi in ways I had not anticipated.
"I still don't know why it is one of the world's poorest countries, though I am a bit closer to understanding the factors at play.
"But I have made new, lifelong friends, and my relationship with people I first met in 2005 is deeper now than ever.
"And I am even more convinced that the only way our world is going to survive is if we all work together, as friends and neighbours.
"Climate change does not recognise borders. Nor do the titans of the global economy.
"That is why the partnership between Scotland and Malawi matters, more even than we think.
"Now to finish that book!"
Links to all of Susan's columns can be found below.
Saturday, 9th November: The country where average income is £263 a year and aid workers stay in £220-a-night hotels
My final @TheScotsman column from Malawi (for the moment) now to finish the book @LuathPress @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland @ScotGovID @UKinMalawi https://t.co/xoEQLvepqI
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) November 9, 2019
Saturday, 2nd November: Don’t be surprised if the next big things in music and fashion come from Malawi
Fed up of #GE2019 - read my @TheScotsman column from Malawi on the power of creativity to change things for the better! Thanks @music_lazarus @misswezwez @NZIKA for your inspiration https://t.co/nCG9syKXaf
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) November 3, 2019
Saturday, 26th October: Why Donald Trump’s advice is popular in a small village in Malawi
My @TheScotsman column on the power of books and reading - and Donald Trump @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland @UKinMalawi @LordMcConnell @realDonaldTrump @RIPPLEAfrica https://t.co/4tHzJzvDv3
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) October 26, 2019
Saturday, 19th October: Price of saving fragile natural world hits the poorest hardest
Take your mind off #brexit for a few minutes with my @TheScotsman on the high cost to Malawi’s poorest people of saving our precious environment @UKinMalawi @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland @ScotGovID @RIPPLEAfrica https://t.co/hx9ZPFtTmI
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) October 19, 2019
Saturday, 12th October: How global trade can transform lives for the better
My @TheScotsman column from Malawi on a trading partnership between Paisley and Karonga, with a little help from Dumfries @ScotGovID @UKinMalawi @HollyTett @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland https://t.co/0qOcxz65RI
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) October 12, 2019
Saturday, 5th October: Climate change: Why it’s no surprise Prince Harry spoke out on Malawi trip
My @TheScotsman column from Malawi on climate change, Prince Harry and the power of girls’ education @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland @MamieMartinFund @UKinMalawi @DFID_UK @HollyTett @LordMcConnell @ScotGovID https://t.co/00cdiPZzYN
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) October 5, 2019
Saturday, 28th September: Malawi shows how important democracy is in fight against corruption
Saturday, 21st September: Malawi shows how important democracy is in fight against corruption
My @TheScotsman column today from #malawi on the c-word, councillors and the cost of schooling. Thanks @Pressuredrop for the photo @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland https://t.co/RrVfi4krlo
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) September 21, 2019
Saturday, 14th September: Life in Malawi suggests Marx was right about religion
My @ScotlandMalawi column from Malawi on Marx, God and capitalism https://t.co/avdVkgwR71
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) September 14, 2019
Saturday, 7th September: Missionaries once tried to suppress Malawi’s music (they failed)
Saturday, 31st August: Politics always comes down to straightforward choices
My @TheScotsman column today from #malawi - it is more about trees than politice, or is it? @Margaret_Curran @GradySNP @ScotlandMalawi @ScotlandMalawi @UKinMalawi @HollyTett @ScotGovID @Pressuredrop @davidleemedia https://t.co/dEXNUGmUOa
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) August 31, 2019
Saturday, 24th August: Travelling in the footsteps of David Livingstone
My @TheScotsman column: exploring the Shire River, an encounter with lions & my heroes @bagg_jeremy & @MipandoMwapa who are creating Malawi’s first national dental service thanks to staff at @sunbirdtourism @AfricanParks for making our weekend work! https://t.co/OOel6keKf0
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) August 24, 2019
Saturday, 16th August: How to make world a better place: politics and religion – Susan Dalgety
Saturday, 10th August: A ‘struggle for Malawi’s very soul’ may now be under way – Susan Dalgety
Malawi midges - nkhungu make Scotland’s beasts seem almost benign. Oh, the country May be experiencing a political awakening...my @TheScotsman column today @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland @LordMcConnell https://t.co/F90OaIcxqN
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) August 10, 2019
Saturday 3rd August: Lake Malawi's chiefs turn down oil industry to save its fish
Chief Makanjira is a guardian of Lake Malawi, protecting it from oil exploitation. My @TheScotsman column this week @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland @ScotGovID @LordMcConnell @UKinMalawi https://t.co/TEVtAKvjBF
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) August 3, 2019
Saturday 27th July: She was Malawi's first qualified nurse and a true friend
Every person’s story matters. Each of has a life worthy of note. Here is my tribute to Homba Mbekeani, a woman of Africa who died on Wednesday, aged 92 #malawihttps://t.co/iHHGMQ9Qhc
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) July 27, 2019
20th July: In a country where 1 in 34 babies die at birth, this clinic hasn’t had a death in 10 years
My @TheScotsman column from #malawi Charity Salima works miracles in her township clinic in Lilongwe @UKinMalawi @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland @LordMcConnell https://t.co/IMy4H9cMH9
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) July 20, 2019
13th July: How to unleash the potential of this peaceful, democratic but incredibly poor country
My @TheScotsman column from malawi, where only 3% of the population have access to a flushing toilet...but education is the key to prosperity @UKinMalawi @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland @ScotGovID @MarysMeals @MamieMartinFund https://t.co/B8iMSqi7TN
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) July 13, 2019
6th July: Malawi turns to peaceful protest and powerful theatre
Malawi playwright Fumbani Phiri of @TheatreYdc is writing a play about David Livingstone @DLivingstoneBP @ScotlandMalawi @MalawiScotland @UKinMalawi my @TheScotsman today https://t.co/BLHHKbgLVK
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) 6 July 2019
29th June: Why the country where people don't display anger is changing
Lunchtime plug for my @TheScotsman column from Malawi on boiled beans, boarding schools and how Tippex spoiled an election https://t.co/BJRHVRwFjj
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) 29 June 2019
22nd June: 'How Malawi and Scots teens are changing the world'
Godknows and Helen Maseko have 73 children - read about their amazing life in my @TheScotsman column today @stekamalawi https://t.co/bYHxSJqXUt
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) 22 June 2019
June 15th: A country of 18 million – and just 39 dentists to treat them
From Scotland with love. My @TheScotsman today highlights some of the fabulous people I have met this week - including top dentist @bagg_jeremy and @MipandoMwapa @WCIPGLASGOW @Handbags4Malawi @ScotlandMalawi @ScotGovID @UKinMalawi https://t.co/dUYFiNujMP
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) June 15, 2019
June 8th: Malawi’s a nation split in two by warring factions: sound familiar?
My @TheScotsman column today from Malawi, on HIV, the effects of teargas and the fabulous @bynthamedia #malawi https://t.co/BclpvO4iaI
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) June 8, 2019
June 1st: People power is going global in a ‘miraculous’ way
My @TheScotsman column from Malawi - how social media connects people for good. And a big shout out to all @unisonscot @unisontweets for their support @Pressuredrop @ScotlandMalawi #malawi https://t.co/DwiFp8eHO1
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) June 1, 2019
Saturday, 25h May: Democracy moves slowly as China steals march in Malawi – Susan Dalgety
Late morning plug for my @TheScotsman column on Malawi elections - still no news @ScotlandMalawi @UKinMalawi @ScotGovID #MalawiDecides2019 #MalawiElections2019 https://t.co/o0rbgkyVJu
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) May 25, 2019
Saturday, 18th May: The country with problems that make Brexit seem trivial – Susan Dalgety
Election fever in Malawi: my @TheScotsman column #MalawiElections2019 #malawi @ScotlandMalawi @UKinMalawi @ScotGovID @MalawiScotland https://t.co/Xz5rvIaCKa
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) May 18, 2019
Saturday 11th May: The country where nothing goes to waste
Saturday afternoon plug for my @TheScotsman from #Malawi - on wine and councillors https://t.co/F7kdwJNU0Y
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) May 11, 2019
Saturday, 4th May: Scotland’s unique friendship with ‘the warm heart of Africa’
Dinner time plug for my new @TheScotsman column from #malawi https://t.co/HO23o72ov3
— Susan Dalgety (@DalgetySusan) May 4, 2019
