Analysts hail Malawi VP Chilima on ‘Njoka saweta’ advise to DPP

Malawi vice president Saulos Klaus Chilima has been commended by political analysts for his open advise to President Peter Mutharika against “taming snakes in the party”, saying that would result in his administration losing direction and damaging his image.

Speaking at a development rally held at Ndirande Malabada Constituency in Blantyre, Chilima warned the DPP to be extra careful with some party “confusionists.”

“Mr President, njoka saweta (snakes cannot be reared)….ena anayesera kuweta nsato koma mapeto ake anawadyera mwana(some tried to rear a python but it ended up killing their child). Those joining us should just come to help build the nation,” this is what Chilima said and the comment was widely covered by Malawi media as well as trended on social media platforms; Twitter and Facebook.

Boniface Dulani a renowened political scientist based at the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College, said by openly speaking against “confusionists” in the DPP, Chilima may have observed old-school politics which he wants to change.

“We should expect that a party [DPP] as big as they are, they are bound to have differences. But of course you can also see that there is the old school DPP politicians used to the old style of politicking. And maybe that difference is what the Vice-President is trying to advocate.

“So, inevitably that is likely to bring tension and it is understandable. But I think the DPP needs to manage this well by not alienating the new breed of politicians while also making sure that it has strong support among the old-school politicians,” Dulani as quoted in The Nation.

Dulani said DPP need to address issue raised by Chilima.

Chilima also urged  “all confusionists to have self discipline.”

He said: “A good President has welcomed you, why don’t you just give a hand where necessary. Aliyense anamugawira ntchito yake (the President gave each one of us a specific role to play).”.

Francis Bisika , a philosophy lecturer at Blantyre International University (BIU), said by advising the President and party members publicly, Chilima may have done so to demonstrate that it was done in good faith not malice.

Mutharika picked Chilima from private sector to be his running mate in the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections.

Bisika noted that Chilima may have brought the issues out because of his corporate world experience which promotes adherence to job description or portfolio.

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