Goodall fights back at claims he and President Mutharika are too old to govern Malawi: ‘Govt not for babies’
Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe has hit back at critics who acccude him of being agead to be the fiscal chief and President Peter Mutharika thst he could be too old to fight the next election, saying running government is not for babies but for mature people with experience.
Gondwe, an octogerian, took advantage of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) northern region conference to say there is no sign whatever that his age and that of the President is an impediment.
He guaranteed Mutharika would fight the campaign in next year’s elections and win hands down.
“The government of President Peter Mutharika has done more in this country than anybody else. Peter yula nimwana mchoko. Ine ndili mulala kwaPeter yula,” Gondwe said.
Gondwe, who will clock 82 this year, has since laughed off suggestions thatDPP should replace President Mutharika with a ‘baby’ during the 2019 polls because he is aging
The Finance minister said President Mutharika is extremely energetic leader who works extremely long hours and is an extremely effective progressive leader.
He insisted Mutharika is is in good shape and like himself, has a lot of energy.
Professor Thandika Mkandawire, a Swedish economist of Malawian descent, recently said on social media that the time for Mutharika and Gondwe is gone.
Mkandawire said he was together with Mutharika during both the struggle for independence and democratisation, which he argued are enough contributions from him.
“I still can’t figure out why he [Mutharika] believes he has the energy and capacity for the incredibly arduous and complex struggle for developing Malawi. The most successful presidents in the last 20 years—the Meles [Zenawi] of Ethiopia, Rwandan President [Paul] Kagame have been young with huge amounts of energy.
“In addition, we can’t have a Minister of Finance [Gondwe] in the 80s. It makes no sense and this is beginning to show in some of the confusion in fiscal policy. And it is a joke among both donors and investors.
“We, the old should sit on the side, doling out our wisdom when demanded. But running a State or economy? No,” he said.
Convention
DPP Secretary General Gresselder Jeffrey also took advantage of the conference to campaign for the post of Secretary General during DPP’s forthcoming convention.
Various political parties will this year hold conventions where all positions will be up for grabs in readiness for the 2019 tripartite elections.
Speaking at a regional conference in Mzuzu, Jeffrey asked regional governors and constituency governors to vote for her since she has outstandingly performed her duties after taking over from late Eklen Kudontoni two years ago.
“I am asking District Governors as well as Regional governors to vote for me as a woman at the convention for the post that I am currently holding (SG).
“You all are my witnesses that many of you had the chance to visit State House and meet face to face with the President. Who was the Secretary General behind all this? ”asked Jeffrey.
The Secretary General further warned the members to be on alert as there will be some people who will be interested to vie for her position and try to woo the members’ votes.
“There will be some people who will come and ask you to vote for them for the same position that I am also interested in.
“Try me as a woman as you will bear testimony with me that I have done a good job to revive the party since I took over the position,” she said.
Jeffrey is likely to face stiff competition from former DPP administrative secretary, Clement Mwale; former DPP secretary general and Speaker of National Assembly, Chimunthu Banda, DPP Regional Governor for centre , Bintony Kutsaira, among others
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Silly old man. Pita kumudzi ukawote dzuwa.
wORKING LONG HOURS… mAYBE THAT IS WHY WE HAVE PROBLEMS. yOU NEED TO BE SLEEPING DEAR GRANDPAS
Look MEC commissioners. They too old. Do you think they can fail to favour old gurus?
DPP does not have a presidential candidate by now in principle while MCP has one ready.
Chilima akuchepera kaba. He is a baby. Angalisenze dziko ili.
So Chilima is a baby? Do you know how old was Obama when he became the president of US,? What about David Cameron, the current president of France? The former president of Zambia KK was 40 when he became the president and the former president of Tanzania Jakaya Kikwete was 54. There have been many great young leaders in many nations in the world as there have been leaders who have ascended to power in their old age. Now if Peter is a true democrat let the convention choose between him and others who want to contest. I am not… Read more »
Goodall like his matchona cohorts should STOP EXAGGERATING their abilities and contribution to the country. Goodall needs to be reminded that he has been the country’s pulse-keeper for over 15 years now with basically NOTHING to SHOW for. During his period Malawi economic indicators have have reached unprecedented rock-bottom levels in by IMF standards, not mentioning the the daily poor living conditions we face. To the contrary, the octogenarian is the only finance minister on RECORD known for decisions to legitimise theft or SANITISE state FREUD. Nkhani ya KUTENGULE, FAKE forex LICENSE, recent K4 billion scam, the list is ENDLESS.… Read more »
SAD NEWS.Kodi mwatonva kuti Mulanje Cedar. Mtengo wa Fuko anaukhazikisa a Ngwazi .Wasalapo 7 okho?Umozi omafika 1 mita kugulisa.Zaka zinayi zapitazo inalipo 63000.Makobili apita,mtengo wotetezeka.Can the Minister responsible come up with a report. This is a National Disaster. Leader of Opposition raise this issue in Parliament and concerned youth let’s make some noise.Its our Future!
Youthfulness is driving the modern political and technological revolution across the world: Obama, Zuckerberg (FB), StevecJobbs (Apple), Bill Gates (Microsoft), Strive Masiyiwa.
Malawian young must claim their place and time from the old in all parties for they won’t freely give it. Dziko lasintha. Zachidaladalazi tutsalila nazo zedi.
e.g. While whole world now knows internet access is central for development and must be eased, athuwa are adding tax levies to data cost. Internet sizachibwana lelo as these oldies think
CAN MALAWIANS WHO ARE CAPABLE OF RUNNING FINANCE IN MALAWI PLEASE COME FORWARD AND AVAIL YOURSELF BECOZ THIS GOGO THINKS HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN BE MINISTER OF FINANCE
Dementia setting in! Geriatrics cannot run a government!