Chakwera says under Kamuzu there was no ‘Mulakholism’

With the cacophony of accusations levelled against President Peter Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government on nepotism and ethnicity favouritism, leader of the opposition Lazarus Chakwera has said founding president Kamuzu Banda w as a unifying pillar who never played a tribal card.

Chakwera speaking at Kamuzu Day events in Lilongwe on May 14, said Kamuzu’s principles should be embraced by everyone in the pursuit of unity.

“Throughout his rule, Kamuzu emphasised the fact that Malawi is one nation with united people despite cultural diversity. He said there is no Tumbuka, no Chewa, no Lomwe, no Yao, no Sena. He never marginalised people based on tribe and region or religion,” Chakwera pointed out.

Mutharika has come under heavy criticism from opposition in the way he has selected his cabinet and some public appointments. Critics accuse him of practising nepotism by giving top positions in government to people from his southern region, loyalists and his tribesmen.

They argue that the new appointments and cabinet has exposed rationalistic agenda of the DPP-led administration.

The previous DPP government led by Mutharika’s brother, late Bingu wa Mutharika, also faced widespread criticism on nepotism.

In his tribute to Kamuzu, the genuine Ngwazi (Bingu wa Mutharika was a copy-cat Ngwazi), Chakwera argued that because of his love for peace and unity, Malawi has relatively remained united, calm and peaceful even during the most contentious and troubling moments.

According to the Chendawaka Family, May 14 is Kamuzu’s official birthday. It is also a public holiday in Malawi which is set aside to celebrate his life.

, Finance Minister Goodal l Gondwe – who represented President Peter Mutharika – agreed that Kamuzu was a great statesman and that there are “too many” development projects that Kamuzu accomplished which he said are benefitting the nation up to this day.

“We are here in Lilongwe. That’s his creation. We were in Zomba before but he decided that we should be here. Now we have seen how convenient it is [to have the capital city here],” said Gondwe.

He also cited the M1 road, the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) and the University of Malawi as some landmark development projects that Kamuzu undertook.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :