From a free tourist publication, citInfo – The Essential Guide to Cities and Regions of Malawi, which was placed in my hotel room. In the Getting Around – Travel & Transport section:
The fastest and most flexible form of transport remains the minibus, both within the cities and on inter-city routes. However, visitors from countries where life is considered to be of greater value should be warned that the safety record of minibuses, especially on the longer (therefore faster) routes, is not good. The newspapers are full of details of horrific accidents caused by overspeeding or careless driving of these ‘mdula moya’ (life shortners). However most minibus journeys are concluded safely.
Well, at least they are honest. But what does this say about the Malawian appreciation for life – I guess considering that life expectancy here is still about 48 years for men, death is no stranger, no surprise.
Thankfully, I haven’t had to resort to mini-buses as Nancy and the McCauley family have been hauling me around, when it’s too far to walk.
Although frankly, even walking around here is a bit of a nail-biter as cars whiz by, trucks, jammed with people sitting atop bundles of fertilizer, threaten to spill their loads – and mini-buses race from stop to stop.
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