Malawi first female minister Rose Chibambo urges politicians to be servants not masters

Malawi’s first female cabinet minister Rose Lomathinda Chibambo has pleaded with the current crop of Malawian politicians to put at heart the wishes of Malawian citizens and stop acting as bosses but instead be  servants of the people if Malawi is to develop.

Chibambo who is now 87 and was appointed minister by late Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda during the one party rule in the 60’s made the plea in an exclusive interview with Yoneco FM .

The former Malawi minister said she feel sad to see Presidents, Members of Parliament and ward counsellors boasting to citizens and treat them as servants while in actual sense, the politicians are employed by the citizenary.

In her remarks, Chibambo also asked politicians to continue meaningful developments started by their predecessors once they take over leadership for the sake of continuity.

” Whoever comes in do not carry on what his predecessor left hence there is no continuity in developments. Such leadership cannot bring development and seriously Malawi is trailing back” said Chibambo.

Honouring fallen heroes

She however expressed sadness on how the freedom fighers who are still alive are being treated.

Chibambo said heroes are supposed to be honoured while they are alive sighting an example of former presidents (Bingu wa Mutharika and Bakili Muluzi) whom she said at times used to invite her and others during national functions.

“Bingu used to send me transport (from Mzuzu where she is based since returning from exile when Malawi attained democracy in 1994) and I feel he is a man who understood the history of our country and knew the people who did what. Muluzi also used to invite me during his tenure,” she said.

She further faulted the current Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leadership for failing to bring over heroes who are still alive to join Malawians in very important functions such as commemorating 51 years of independence on 6th July, 2014.

“During the 50th Independence they never invited us the people who fought for this country’s freedom and who are still alive. Such mentality cannot improve the history of this country. The history of Malawi is being distorted and maybe we will be recognised when dead,”mourned Chibambo.

Way forward
Meanwhile, Chibambo has asked all Malawians to collectively work hard together and be passionate enough to develop Malawi since no one can come from somewhere to develop the country.

“Malawians are praised all over the world that they are hard working but am surprised Malawians have become lazy in their own country. Hard working spirit is lacking which is a sad situation” she concluded.

Chibambo was arrested and imprisoned in 1959 and gave birth to her fifth child while in prison.

She was accused of organising Malawian women in their political fight against colonial rulers Britain.

Chibambo later went into exile where she stayed for three decades after falling out of favour with Kamuzu Banda.