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| National |
| Gondwe elected first deputy speaker |
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by
Joseph Langa, 02 July 2003
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07:58:37
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Mzimba West MP Loveness Gondwe (Aford) was on Tuesday unanimously elected first deputy speaker unopposed after MPs from both government and the opposition supported her nomination.
Gondwe, who was nominated by Karonga Central MP, Frank Mwenifumbo of the Aford loyal to party president Chakufwa Chihana, was surprisingly supported
by almost all MPs from MCP, the rebel Aford and the ruling UDF.
Aford rebel MP from Mzuzu City Rodger Nkhwazi and his Nkhatabay South counterpart Sam Kandodo Banda respectively were among the first MPs who stood to congratulate Gondwe despite their political differences in Aford.
The MPs who belong to the Genuine Aford pressure group guaranteed their
support to Gondwe who they said had assisted the opposition in the fight against the defeated open terms bill.
Nkhwazi hoped that Gondwe will not be removed from Parliament by appointing
her to the cabinet as has been the case previously where, he said, “intelligent speakers were removed from parliament by appointing them as cabinet ministers or deputies.
Gondwe has replaced speaker Davis Katsonga who rose to the position of
speaker when the position fell vacant following the resignation of Sam Mpasu after his appointment as Commerce and Industry minister.
In her acceptance remarks, Gondwe thanked the house for entrusting her with the position of the first deputy speaker and appealed for their support which, she said, would guarantee her success in the National Assembly.
“I owe this to this house. What I need from you is your support. With your total support I will deliver. I would have loved to say much but I am deeply touched with the death of Hon Mekki Mtewa who always wished me well. I wish he witnessed this,” Gondwe said.
Speaking earlier, Chitipa East MP Peter Chiwona (MCP) said it was the hope
of his party that Gondwe will exercise her duties intelligently and professionally without bias. “Knowing her I know she will deliver,” he said.
Leader of the house Thengo Maloya, Natural Resources minister Uladi Mussa and HIV/Aids minister Kaphwereza Banda and Gender minister Alice Sumani applauded Gondwe for her election to the new position and assured her of the UDF’s support.
But Mussa told the house that Gondwe’s position did not come on a silver platter but came because of the unity that exists between Aford and UDF.
He said: “This (her election) has not come on a silver platter but has come because of working with government. Otherwise we also had abler lady MPs who would have risen to that position. This shows that UDF is not greedy but shares positions,” Mussa said.
Sumani said Gondwe’s name will be recorded in history books as the first lady member to be elected unopposed. The minister described the achievement as a milestone.
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