Malawi ruler denounces PHD syndrome

Mutharika: Stop pulling each other down

Malawi ruler Bingu Mutharika has advised Malawians to desist from the culture of jealousy amongst themselves. 

“Malawians you should not pull each other down,” said Mutharika who described the tendency as “Pull him or her down, PHD syndrome.” 

“We must shed off this PhD syndrome. I have PhD but not that syndrome,” said Mutharika at a meeting  which drew a sizeable crowd in Rumphi. 

He said the country would not develop if citizens continue to pull each other down when one develops. 

Mutharika told the meeting that he has also been a victim of jealousy citing an example when he had not become President where he was running a minibus as driver-cum conductor that some jealousy people put socks in the petrol tank of the minibus. 

“I was wondering what was faulting my minibus and when I checked the petrol tank I found someone put there socks in the spirit of jealousy,” said Mutharika.  

At the same meeting, the President promised to promote traditional leaders in the northern region. 

“I will promote chiefs,” assured Mutharika asking Chief Chikulamayembe to provide names of traditional leaders to be elevated. 

He however said the promotion will only be given to chiefs who are working with his governing party. 

“Promotion is not a right, it’s a privilege. You earn it,” said Mutharika in English. 

“I will only promote those chiefs who are loyal to my government and committed to the development agenda of the government not those who support government during the day and at night work with detractors,” he said. 

He further appealed to chiefs to behave and asked their subjects to respect the traditional leaders.