|
|
|
|
| Features |
| Moment of truth for Mussa |
|
by
Jacob Jimu, 18 January 2007
-
07:32:24
|
Uladi Basikolo Mussa has made ‘Chenji Golo’ the anthem and hallmark of his career as a politician. At every turn he has made on his political journey, Mussa has never hesitated to proclaim the virtues of his new-found political buddies, in the same breath expressing regrets for having aligned himself with his erstwhile party.
His awesome oratory skills and passion for politics have made him an irresistible utility soldier on the political minefield.
During its 10-year stay in power, the United Democratic Front (UDF) made maximum use of his tongue and commitment, rewarding him with key positions in the party.
Among others, Mussa was UDF regional governor for the Centre, Minister without Portfolio and Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
It was a career on the rise.
That, though, is not to say that his career would always rise in the same direction. Don’t forget that Chenji Golo has always been at the centre of his political outlook.
So, when the UDF was pushed by the wayside following President Bingu wa Mutharika’s decision to part ways with the party and form his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), it was time for Mussa to change directions and start shooting at a different set of goal posts.
In a typical parting short, he argued at the time that his former party had lost direction and that it had no respect for its own constitution.
Once again, the former primary school teacher made a determined and assured soar towards the political glory, assuming plum positions in the Cabinet and the party.
But, as it so often happens in life, the eagle had to land, and indeed, land he has done, except that he has done so with an audible thud following the DPP’s decision to jilt him.
Perhaps, one would say that by intimating his desire to form a party, the former headmaster of Blantyre Islamic Secondary School declared too soon his intention to chenji golo.
The problem for him is that, unlike in the past, there aren’t many attractive goal posts where he can score, least of all the party he reportedly intends to form. The UDF, the party he branded all sorts of names after leaving it, is not a very promising destination for him, at least if statements made by the party’s officials on the possibility of welcoming him back are anything to go by.
At any rate, wouldn’t the UDF, and indeed any party, be justified to be wary of a person who can change gear any time?
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP)? Well, maybe if he goes there as a small ‘cowboy’, not the linchpin that he might be tempted to be. But the Mussa that the country has come to know since the return of multi-party democracy in the country is unlikely to settle for the tail end of the ladder.
For a man whose political usefulness goes no further than working up the masses with the fire in his mouth, he would be stretching his ambition too far if he launches a party of his own and hope for a stint at the presidential palace.
Also militating against his grand ambition is the fact that his influence barely stretches beyond his home district of Salima. It would be laughable for a whole presidential hopeful to anchor his hopes for electoral victory on the loyalty of the people of a single district.
What all this shows is that honourable Mussa is one of those politicians who can truly thrive in, not at the top, of a political party.
Wiseman Chijere Chirwa, professor of history at Chancellor College, feels the situation surrounding the former DPP first vice-president is so misty that it is difficult to determine whether it is him or the party that is responsible for his collapse.
“The party owes the nation an explanation. Just to claim that he wanted to form his own party is not enough. They should demonstrate the extent to which he has gone in forming the party and how this has harmed the DPP,” says Chirwa.
Chirwa says the DPP should explain why Mussa might have wanted to form a party as this could show that there are serious problems in the party.
However, the history professor says Mussa, being second in command in the DPP, was a little hasty in declaring manoeuvres towards setting up a political grouping of his own as this compromised his position in his former party.
Another Chancellor College lecturer, Wapulumuka Mulwafu, believes Mussa could be a victim of the perception in the DPP that he is too ambitious.
“In politics, it is not just reality that counts but also perceptions,” says Mulwafu.
He says Mussa would be wrecking his political career if he forms his own party. He says experience has shown that in Malawi it is difficult to sustain a party if you are outside government as one does not have the means to keep it going.
Mulwafu cites the case of DPP secretary general Hetheriwck Ntaba and UDF co-opted executive committee member Brown Mpinganjira—who formed parties but later disbanded them—as examples of people whose political groupings lived precarious lives because of the lack of sufficient resources to sustain them.
Ntaba formed the National Congress for Democracy (NCD) after leaving the MCP while Mpinganjira set up the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) following his departure from the UDF.
“Mussa has the option of joining established parties like MCP and UDF where he might be rehabilitated. He is a very eloquent person and these parties might want to use his skills,” says Mulwafu.
Alternatively, suggests the lecturer, Mussa can go down on his knees and plead with the DPP to welcome him back.
“The point is that if he starts a party, it is difficult for him to rise again,” he argues.
Born on July 24, 1963, in Salima, Mussa obtained the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) in 1987. After completing his studies at Salima Secondary School, Mussa had a stint as a temporary primary school teacher at Mnema Primary School in the district from 1987 to 1989.
In 1990, the MP for Salima South received his T2 teaching certificate at Domasi Teachers Training College. The professional achievement took him to Msalura Primary School, also in the district, where he taught up to 1991. From 1991 to 1994, he was at the Blantyre Islamic Secondary school where he was the headmaster.
While heading the Islamic secondary school, Mussa could not resist the pull of politics when the breeze of change at the turn of the decade titillated his nostrils. In 1994, he changed golo and ran for a parliamentary seat which he won and has maintained to date.
Unlike before, when changing course was a smooth ride for him, it would seem this time round the son of Salima is in big trouble. With few, if any, viable options on the table, Mussa is perhaps at the most critical point of his political career.
It is the moment of truth for him.
But one thing for sure is that whatever path he decides to take, he should be prepared for the hazards that lie along all the way.
Things just aren’t the same for Mr Chenji Golo. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
