Former university students are celebrating the days of free meals, while today’s students are left to fend for themselves, sparking a fierce debate over who killed the old privileges and whether Malawi can afford to bring them back.
The debate erupted after renowned social media commentator Onjezani Kenani said students from financially disadvantaged families were paying the heaviest price for the changes in public universities.
“It’s hard to explain to our generation what the younger generation these days is going through in public universities. We went to university during a golden era, when the university gave us meals. Now, it’s everyone for themselves. And students from financially-disadvantaged backgrounds are the hardest-hit,” Kenani wrote.
His post opened the floodgates, with former students recalling a time when supper came with the freedom to choose when to eat, rather than worrying about how to afford food.
Mvunje Jenda recalled how students could collect supper anytime between 5pm and 8pm and still get warm food.
“Ndipo inu. Super was served from 5 to 8 pm. Munthu umachita kusankha wekha nthawi yoti ukatenge chakudya. And anytime you go you were served with warm food,” Jenda commented.
Joseph Mwaimwai Maere also took a trip down memory lane, recalling “golfs”, a meal he said students in modern universities might barely know.
But the nostalgia has come with accusations, as some social media users question why the generation that enjoyed free meals has failed to protect similar benefits for those who came after them.
“The same people that benefited from these privileges and meritocracy are the ones reinventing and tearing it apart then call us Gen Z, a weak generation,” one commenter wrote.
Chikumbutso CJMK Mkwapatira also criticized those now making decisions, arguing that some people who once ate for free had become bosses but were no longer looking out for students facing hardship.
However, others say bringing back free meals is not as simple as serving another plate of supper, pointing to the sharp rise in the number of students entering public universities.
Ma Dalo argued that the numbers have changed dramatically, making comparisons with the past difficult.
“The whole Malawi amatengedwa ana 900 mma university monse pano pachaka akutenga 30 000 singafanane? Komanso amene anaphunzira yaulerewo pano ndiamene akufinya anawa,” Ma Dalo commented.
Dingy Chirwa also challenged those demanding a return to the old system, arguing that universities would have to restrict admission if they were to maintain the same arrangements.
“It can continue if you prefer all public universities to only enroll 200 students each (As it used) and leave out the thousands of other applicants that qualified,” Chirwa wrote.