Cassim ‘kaka’ Chilumpha: The last piece of pie
He was his usual cunning silent. Almost in solitary confinement. Yet recent former cabinet minister of energy and mining still struck me as an influential ‘enigma’.
Kaka – as Cassim Chilumpha is affectionately known – was one of the top tier government officials Thursday morning who addressed the international conference on transparency and responsible finance in the extractive industry 2012 taking place, as I write, at the Sogecoa Golden Peacock Hotel in the capital, Lilongwe.
He bemoaned the suffering that the grassroots endure in mining, Paladin’s Kayerekera a big example, with eloquence he might have not known his cabinet time was up! Kaka, he even asked the ruling party People’s Party women to ‘sound off’ in strength for Mama Joyce Banda.
He also might have got a hint from Veep Khumbo Kachali, who in the salutations more of recognised him as former national vice president than minister he was today morning.
Kaka simply smiled that foxy look in his eyes. Silky smile and arms across his chest. The politician of his time, am sure somewhat sensed his last piece of pie was being prepared and soon the gravy train would grind to a halt just before lunch today.
Knowing Kaka, he still coolly came and played along. And right he cast no one expected any mischief was catching up on his smart heals.
A politician of his salt, he probably knew his cabinet affair wouldn’t last, and no wonder he ran for political party office and has an influential position- PP vice president.
Such is a politician with political mathematics adding up. Who knows, he might have another day in Mama’s cabinet, or indeed young AA’s new agenda and indeed PM’s next take by the Mutharika family.
Kaka might have had his last pie piece, an ex-vice president, ex-minister over and again, and still an MP in the corridors of power.
Kaka will not miss the cabinet, but Mama will miss Kaka magic! Some people will always have their ‘chitumbuwa‘ buttered both sides, no matter what it takes.
Hope cabinet novices Abel Kayembe, Sam Ganda and Godfrey Kamanya can learn from the little strategic man now off the cabinet.
Good luck to you all, boys!
