Malawi Pres.JB hits back at Mutharika’s widow on ‘Mandasi’ jibe: Dismisses Vuwa’s ‘pompopompo’ slur

President Joyce Banda has accepted that she is indeed a ‘Mandasi’ (flitter seller) woman, but one who relates and helps thousands of poor women and girls across the country.

Former First Lady Callista Mutharika is on record to have attacked President Banda  that she was not a serious politician – saying she was a mere market woman selling fritters.

Speaking during this year’s Martyr’s Day Remembrance in Nkhata Bay district, President Banda challenged those that tout her ‘mandasi’ background about what they are doing to transform lives of the poor and less privileged.

Banda said she was glad to be identified with market women since more than 80% of Malawian women belong to that category.

President Banda: I am helping fellow women with my mandasi, how about you?
President Banda: I am helping fellow women with my mandasi, how about you?

She advised Malawians to ask people who tell them that a mandasi woman cannot lead them about the money they plundered at State House.

“Ask them what they have done with all the money they took from State House,” she said in sharp reference to Callista Mutharika, who is suspected to have stolen millions of government dollars and Kwachas.

Mutharika has lately taken it upon herself to underrate Banda as someone who cannot rule this country claiming her level of knowledge and background is questionable.

In a stance that has been seen as mature, President Banda also said she is proud that her personal initiatives are helping the vulnerable and poor women and girls in Malawi, transforming their lives and empowering them with education towards a steady and firm future.

The Malawi leader also said her administration is implementing “an inclusive and participatory economic reform program that is aimed at empowering those at the grassroot.”

During the same event, President Banda said she is not necessarily the ‘pompopompo’ President as referred to as MP for the area, Symon Vuwa-Kaunda, but that she undertakes research and does homework before doing things.

Kaunda, who is a Democratic People’s Party (DPP), said:“Madam President, you are President who responds instantly. Please, elevate TA Mkumbira to Senior Chief.”

But President Banda said: “Yes, I’m President who responds instantly, but before I stand on the podium to elevate chiefs, I investigate the history of chiefs in the particular district, first, to avoid chieftaincy wrangles.

“I am a woman who knows what I am doing. I do not just do things anyhow,” she retorted.

The President then offered MWK500, 000 into the Nkhata-Bay Memorial Fund.

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