Susan Dalgety

The Spirit of Malawi

Just as Scotland is much more than bearded men in kilts playing the bagpipes against the backdrop of a Highland loch, so Malawi is far more complex than the stereotypical images beloved of well-meaning charities.

by Susan Dalgety

Feminism is not ‘right-wing’ and the word ‘woman’ is not discriminatory

JK Rowling’s handprints outside the City Chambers are cleaned after they were covered with red paint (Picture: Lisa Ferguson) This article was first published in The Scotsman on 1st August 2020. We are all familiar with the old adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” I recited it […]

by Susan Dalgety

The power of music and fashion to change Malawi

Malawi musician Lazarus may now call Madonna a friend, and is hopeful that his film will be nominated for an Oscar – “I am heading to LA next month,” he says – but he still lives in fear of his life.

by Susan Dalgety

The power of books here in Malawi

Burton Chirwa leaned forward, eyes ablaze. “You have to read, read a lot, before you can write.” He sat back a little. “I read a lot, and I write. So far, I have written five short stories. So that is my advice to anyone who wants to be a writer. Read a lot.” Burton is […]

by Susan Dalgety

Prince Harry is right to shout about climate change during Malawi trip

Climate change is a terrible fact of life in Malawi. Sixty people were killed earlier this year in the southern region, drowned in floods caused by unseasonable heavy rains. Thousands of families lost their homes, and tens of thousands more lost their crops, and with them their food supply and income for the year.

by Susan Dalgety

The soul of Malawi: The Temptations live

“This is the first time a famous pop group from the USA has ever played in Malawi,” the MC told us earlier. It appears global rock stars are not in the habit of adding Malawi to their tour schedule, unless, of course, they are looking for an instant family to adopt.

by Susan Dalgety

Labour: Things have to get better if we are to win again

Earlier this year I wrote a piece arguing that Jeremy Corbyn was the wrong person to lead the Labour Party. At the start of this unexpected General Election campaign I thought Jeremy Corbyn would lead us to a terrible defeat. And at the conclusion of the poll, I still think Jeremy Corbyn is the wrong […]

by Susan Dalgety

RIP Giovanni Righetti: The European Union is your memorial

The inscription on the grey granite headstone is as simple as it is stark. Giovanni Righetti 1904 – Dachau Four words that tell the story of modern Europe, found in a graveyard in the small Slovenian village of Storje, only a few kilometres from the Italian border. Josipana, Giovanni’s wife ( I presume) was born in […]

by Susan Dalgety

Why Edinburgh Labour should not do a city deal with the SNP

I am writing this on the road, heading to Salzburg, then Slovenia, so my main source of political intelligence is social media. It would appear the 12-strong Labour group of councillors in Edinburgh are considering joining 19 SNP councillors in a coalition to run the city council. Now I am not against coalitions per se. I […]

by Susan Dalgety

Remembering 1 May 1997: Things can only get better

1997 was a vintage year. I met Eric Cantona. I saw Bowie at the Barrowlands. I got married. Oh, and on Thursday May 1st, Labour won a landslide victory, ushering in thirteen years of a Labour government, ten under Tony Blair. Twenty years after that sunny day, when things really did get better, it is […]