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| Columns |
| A Twist to the Tale |
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by
Edward Chisambo, 01 May 2005
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15:16:26
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The proprietor of KSG had just joined a new political party which had connections in high places. In fact, it was an open secret that the ideas to create this political vanguard were mooted by individuals in high places.
So, this proprietor, who likes to act from behind the curtains and bans from his club any patron who dares mention his name in vain, visited KSG solely to warn Judge Chimwamasana and company to desist from discussing the demerits of the new party at least in his pub or areas immediately surrounding it.
Unfortunately, the first person he met was a stubborn Chimwamasana who wanted to verify with him, as a member, statements made by one vocal party stalwart Honourable Uladi Mussa that the new movement was run on contributions by generous members including President Bingu wa Mutharika.
The judge told the proprietor that he was not trying to be rude to anyone neither was he against formation of the party since he believed in people exercising their birth right to associate in any way they liked, including getting married and practising safe sex. He made it clear that his question was prompted by precedents where prominent members of political parties have quarrelled over who formed it. Each claiming the party is their brainchild, especially after they fall out with each other over one reason or another.
About the Malawi Congress Party, Chimwamasana recalled, young people in the country wondered who really founded the party between first president of the country Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda and the party’s first president Dr Orton Chirwa.
Banda supporters, who were wisely afraid of the too much power he wielded although they were old enough to recount events that led to the formation of MCP, shamelessly traced the party’s roots to him. Others, who should have been courageous to challenge his claims to ownership of MCP, including respected church elders, were too scared to tell people, mainly children, the truth which included the fact that MCP was created while Banda was in prison in Southern Rhodesia now Zimbabwe. So the myth persisted until Banda’s death in 1997 that he alone created MCP.
As if that was not enough bickering over trash for one lifetime, Chimwamasana remembered the other wrangle over who formed the United Democratic Front. This political party is relatively new. It was created in 1993 to challenge the MCP in the then looming multiparty dispensation. At its inception the leaders, including former president Bakili Muluzi, claimed publicly that it was born out of a joint effort of freedom fighters.
The judge punctuated his speech to the proprietor by demanding a round of Madeira from barman Wendewende which included the owner. After quickly draining his glass, he wiped his lips with the back of his hand and continued from where he had left off.
He told the proprietor that it was within 10 years of UDF formation that Muluzi and one of his closest cabinet ministers Brown Mpinganjira quarrelled over who founded the party. Mpinganjira after disagreeing with Muluzi over corruption and forming his own National Democratic Alliance went around the country telling people that he created the UDF and left it to Muluzi. Not to be outdone, Muluzi countered by narrating at every rally how he suffered to bring about the UDF, accusing Mpinganjira of trying to rob him of his success.
The differences between Muluzi and Mpinganjira have been resolved amicably with Mpinganjira admitting that he is no match for Muluzi by de-registering NDA and going back to UDF. This has, however, left their supporters wondering as to who really started UDF. NDA loyalists are naturally confused and some have decided to seek direction from the courts.
Chimwamasana now turned to the proprietor and told him that this is why he wanted the DPP which is getting a lion’s share of contributions from Mutharika to say who the founder is. In this country the founders have virtually owned the parties, leaving supporters in the cold after dissolution. The judge wanted a clear picture as to who the owner of the DPP is to avoid another circus between grown ups in future.
He told the owner of KSG that quarrelling over party ownership is like three men claiming biological paternity of a child, something he witnessed in Mzuzu recently. This has left the child with the dilemma as to which father should be given a necktie on Father’s Day when it is eventually established.
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