Guest Spot

‘I’m not new in the political sphere’

Chapola: I enjoy good rapport with the UDF NEC members
Chapola: I enjoy good rapport with the UDF NEC members

Many have known United Democratic Front (UDF) presidential running mate, Godfrey Chapola, as a technocrat, but he says he joined the UDF at the time of transition to multiparty democracy about 20 years ago. He shares more about his political journey in this interview with our reporter Boniface Phiri.

 

Q

Who is Godfrey Chapola?

A

Godfrey Moses Chapola is a 64 year-old graduate of the University of Malawi (BSc), University of Exeter (UK) (MSc) and University of Florida USA (PhD). I am an agriculturist by profession. I have worked for the Malawi Government and I am the former general manager of the then Tobacco Research Institute of Malawi (predecessors to ARET), the former general manager of the Tobacco Control Commission. Until recently, I was managing director of an NGO called Rural Agricultural Market Development Trust (Rumark). I am devout Catholic and a suave development conscientious citizen who has implemented many development programmes both in official and private capacities.

 

Q

Where do you come from?

A

I come from Kumwembe Village, Sub-Traditional Authority (STA) Kalumbu in Lilongwe.

 

Q

Do you consider yourself a political material?

A

Yes, I consider myself worth that much and that has been evidenced by my being proposed for the running mate position, among many, and unanimously endorsed by the whole UDF NEC.

 

Q

Other people think you are relatively a novice in the political sphere. Isn’t this going to play negatively against you?

A

I am not new in the political sphere. What you have to bear in mind is that those who are known widely are those with prominent positions in any party because the media features them. I was holding public positions so I was known only in those circles more than in political circles. Negative perception is created by the onlooker. Anybody who is productive is not perceived negatively within their party. In addition, one does not have to be a politician to belong to a political party. There are technocrats in a party whose function is to deliver and attain the politicians’ goals.

 

Q

What has been your political journey so far?

A

At the time of transition to multiparty democracy, I joined the UDF but because of my positions in the public sector I could not have allowed myself to be featured prominently in political circles. What was important to me was to serve my country and it does not matter from what aspect you serve your country as long as one is serving. My journey was, therefore, that of a technocrat subscribing to the UDF ideology.

 

Q

Some quarters are claiming that the only thing you know is tobacco management and that there is nothing else you can offer. What new things do you bring to Malawi’s political landscape?

A

What I bring is tried, tested, successful seasoned experience in running institutions. Those who claim that the only thing I know is tobacco are only displaying their lack of knowledge of my background. I have worked in central government, in quasi government and in the private sector. I have very high academic qualifications. I have travelled extensively in this world interacting with people of diverse disciplines and professions. It must be remembered that front line politicians set goals, technocrats deliver on set goals. It is only the naivety of novices that think politicians work alone or in isolation of any other profession.

 

Q

Why do you think the UDF opted for you as its presidential running mate?

A

The UDF opted for me because I am a result-based technocrat. I have a verifiable track record of successful delivery. I am innovative, a team worker and original in thought. I bring to the UDF intergenerational integration. I have lots of institutional memory. I can site for you some of my successes…At the time I was joining the tobacco industry small holder farmers were not allowed to grow burley tobacco. They were allowed to grow dark fired tobacco and oriental only. Seeing this was marginalisation, I negotiated with government for smallholder farmers to also enjoy the tobacco wealth. Today, more than 85 percent of the burley is grown by small holder farmers. I initiated and piloted contract farming in tobacco and today 60 percent of the crop is grown under contract though they now call it Integrated Production Systems (IPS). I compiled the Burley Tobacco Production Handbook which is now the reference production handbook. The TCC used to rent offices in Lilongwe and Mzuzu. I built modern offices in Lilongwe and Mzuzu. I introduced the Tobacco Industry Annual Seminar, an interactive all inclusive conference that collectively determines how the tobacco industry should be run. I introduced button mushroom growing in Malawi. I am now promoting, as a responsible citizen, the growing of upland rice; this is rice that is grown under the same conditions as maize during the rainy season.

 

Q

How fair was your selection for this position; paint a picture for us?

A

My name was among five names that were considered for the position. An objective assessment of all five was done using recognised tools of assessment. My name emerged top most and the entire UDF NEC approved my name.

 

Q

Rumours making rounds suggest that you and the UDF president Atupele Muluzi are related. How true is this?

A

There is no relationship whatsoever between me and president Atupele Muluzi.  I have never even met his mother.

 

Q

Some people claim that you were being strategically positioned for this role for some time. Is this true?

A

Members of the party, recognising my productivity, dedication and integrity proposed my name and it was accepted. In any venture one must strategise, otherwise failure to strategise is a formula for failure.

 

Q

How is your general relationship with fellow UDF NEC members?

A

I enjoy good rapport with the UDF NEC members. If some harbour ill feelings then they keep the same under wraps.

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