Benedicto Okomaatani-Malunga

Registrar of the University of Malawi (Unima), I would appreciate that the issue of Dr. Jessie Kabwila’s appointment as Malawi Congress Party (MCP) spokesperson is tricky and needs to be handled with caution.

If I were Okomaatani, I would tread with care for fear of being used by political powers that be lest I emerge a villain as was the case during the Academic Freedom saga which made Kabwila the coveted woman she has become.

Yes, while there might be a conflict of interest for Kabwila on her involvement in active politics and her position as a University lecturer, I would recall that many lecturers before her—for example, the late Harry Chiume (former president of United Party), Chijere Chirwa (former publicity secretary of PPM) and Salule Masangwi (spokesperson of NDA)—were public servants when they were involved in active politics, but the Unima office did not ask them to resign.

If I were the big shot that is Ben, I would, therefore, tread carefully on the issue or else Unima might be accused of practising double standards.

I would also appreciate, if I were my man Benedicto, that even if the working conditions at Unima stipulate that a lecturer is not supposed to be involved in active politics, she may argue that there has been precedence before and, therefore, it cannot only apply to her.

That is if I were Ben, unfortunately it’s just a fantasy because daft as I am, I can never be a registrar of Unima. Hollaa!!