Be wise in handling children

Having served all the three Malawian presidents, Eddah Chitalo is one of the first active female politicians in Malawi. She interacted with the late Hastings Kamuzu Banda while rubbing shoulders with foreign dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth of Britain. She served as minister in several ministries during the Bakili Muluzi era and briefly worked with President Bingu wa Mutharika. This admirable powerhouse shares her story.

What was your life and political career during the Kamuzu era like?

During Kamuzu era, I first served as a nominated Member of Parliament for Blantyre. I later contested for and won Blantyre South East Constituency, where I now live. Together with other women, we sang and danced for Kamuzu. He loved the dances. It was also during this time that I was chosen as the vice-treasurer of the party.

How did you join politics?

In 1965, while teaching at Kapeni College, I got a call from Sanjika. I was told that the Ethiopian Emperor, Haille Selassie, was coming to Malawi and that I had been chosen as the lady-in-waiting to his wife.

One of the reasons they selected me was my ability to speak English. I did the job they had asked me to do, which involved showing her places in Malawi, explaining their meanings and the value attached to them. I believe I did a very good job because from that day on, Kamuzu’s men would call me whenever foreign dignitaries were coming to Malawi. This included the Queen of Britain’s visit to Malawi.

A while after the queen went back, I received a phone call saying some people would come to pick me up so that I should meet Kamuzu Banda. He told me that he had nominated me to become a Member of Parliament. Since I had no idea of politics, I accepted on condition that his team would help me out. When he accepted, I resigned from my post as a teacher and set out on my political journey.

As a nominated Member of Parliament, what was your job?

We associated with fellow Members of Parliament and learnt from them. In 1972, I was elected as parliamentary secretary, or deputy minister, for Community Development and later in 1973, I moved to the Ministry of Health where I also worked as a parliamentary secretary.

I also won a seat and, therefore, doubled as a Member of Parliament for Blantyre East Constituency. In 1976, I was the minister of health. During this time, I opened the K5 500 Limbe Health Centre for antenatal services.

The following year, before the reshuffle, Kamuzu Banda invited me to the State House. He told me that he had always wished to see women at the forefront but women themselves were bringing each other down, which left him with no choice but to leave out all the women in the next cabinet.

He informed me that he would have a reshuffle and I would no longer be in cabinet.  I remained in Malawi Congress Party serving as deputy treasurer and secretary for Southern Region up to 1983 when I quit politics completely and devoted myself to farming.

You were later selected by the former president Bakili Muluzi…

Yes. While in Parliament, I met different politicians who lured me into working underground against Kamuzu Banda. We met at my house during the night and discussed a lot of issues. These meetings were top secret, otherwise if Kamuzu had caught wind of them, all of us would have been long gone.

I remember how intense and dangerous they were. When the former president won in 1994, I was the first female minister of gender in that Cabinet. In 1997, I was sent to Fiscal Planning and later went to Human Resources Management to serve as a minister. In 1999, I quit politics.

In 2001, I was chosen as assistant secretary to the president, responsible for women. During this time, I was also the director of women in the UDF party. I also served as the personal assistant to the president until President Bingu wa Mutharika came to power. During the Bingu regime, I was removed as the adviser. They cited under performance as the reason.

Were you convinced with the reason?

Bingu wanted us to join [his Democratic Progressive Party] DPP, which I was against. I don’t have any grudges against him but I felt his remarks on underperforming were a bit rude. I was one of the women who helped that man to take up the position he has today.

I worked behind the scenes to mobilise women across the country as part of my duties as director of women for the previous ruling party. There were times I spent sleepless nights trying to perfect the campaign as I moved from district to district trying to organise the women.

You interacted with all the presidents of this country. What did you learn from each of them?

Kamuzu would command. Anything that he asked needed to be done as soon as possible. You had no time to question, hence you needed to be alert and attentive when he was talking. He wanted the job to be done as per his instructions, but Bakili would let you throw in your opinion and he did not really care how the work was done as long as the work was done and reflected what the people wanted.

Bingu chose me as the assistant in the Office of the President responsible for women and the elderly and since I was selected, I wrote three memos where I gave in my proposal and recommendations. I must be honest I never got a response; with that, how could I perform? My desire was for him to direct me.

What challenges did you encounter as a woman?

Women are very difficult. They might smile at you and stab you in the back. Some women thought I was misbehaving because I worked with men. Some people actually told my husband that I was committing adultery with these men, which was not true.

Is present day politics any different from the politics you practised?

During our time, Members of Parliament worked with the people more. Our aim was to uplift the lives of the people in our various constituencies but now I have noticed that it’s all about money. Some of the constituencies do not even know who their legislators are as they no longer visit them; it’s just not on.

How did you raise your children successfully despite being so busy?

I have two children, one is an architect and is outside the country and the other is an accountant in Malawi. I tried as much as possible to always spend some time with them. I did not want them to feel like I was neglecting them. I told them to work hard in class and explained my work to them, so they understood what I was doing.

How did you grow up?

My parents separated when I was still quite young, so I grew up with my five siblings and my mother. She earned a living through washing at the mission and selling mowa wa masese (local brew). From the money she got she was able to pay for our fees. When my father reappeared for reconciliation, he was very surprised at how our mother had taken care of us, but of course, my mother did not take him back. She said they had been apart for so long, but she encouraged us to accept him as our father.

You are a prayerful woman and were recently awarded, alongside your husband, as one of St Michael’s and All Angels CCAP Church’s longest serving members. What significance does prayer have in your life?

Politics is very stressing and during those days, I always found comfort and ease in the Word of God. Prayer was and still is the perfect remedy for me.  My husband and I have grown up in the church, we did school within the church and even taught there, so I can say that we have been with St Michael’s and All Angels all our lives. I am very grateful for this reward.

How can you compare the women of your era and the present day women?

I think the younger generation is more interested in money and other material things. The women I grew up with were hard workers who loved taking care of their families.

What keeps you going?

The belief in God and the support I have received from my family throughout the years.

What are you doing now?

My garden, pigs, chickens and cattle keep me occupied.