Fernie Sadyalunda

Fernie Sadyalunda, 69, served as Cabinet minister in the late Dr Hastings Banda’s regime in the 70s. She is a woman who rose to political heights within a short period after struggling with her education. However, her success was not without trials. Her political arrest at 32 and six-year detention without trial was her worst experience as she tells Paida Mpaso.

 

Please introduce yourself.

My name is Fernie Sadyalunda. I was born in 1944 and married Mr. Sadyalunda in 1965. I started my primary school education at Lingadzi in the 50s. We used the sub B and A kind of system so when I finished my Sub A, my father sent me to Chileka in Namitete to continue my primary education. I was selected to Mzuzu Secondary School but did not go because of the political transition at the time. Our village was branded as a Malawi Congress Party (MCP) sympathiser; hence, I could not be admitted. Then I went to Kapeni Technical College to do teaching. I finished in 1963. I have taught at Lilongwe CCAP, Dedza then Nkhoma.

 

Did you ever go back to school?

Yes I did. While teaching at Lilongwe CCAP, there was a white lady who visited. She wanted a guide to show her places. I was chosen for the task. I spent three weeks with her. She learnt that I never did my Junior Certificate Examinations (JCE) so she offered me a manual to study in preparation for the examination. I wrote and passed with flying colors.

 

I moved to Zomba with my husband after our marriage. While there, I was shortlisted to be among the teachers to specialise in home economics and was sent to Stella Maris Secondary School. We were told to write Cambridge Examinations to qualify for the specialisation. I wrote the exam and passed. I was scheduled to go to America to further my studies but my husband got a foreign service call to South Africa and we ended up  there in 1972.

 

Whilst there, I got a part-time job as a radio announcer, specialising in home and gardening. My role was to share with the masses the importance of family and how to take care of children.

 

What memories do you have while growing up?

When I was four, we lived close to an estate. There was a white family nearby. The wife loved me a lot and I would go to their house to play with their child so we became friends. They would even teach me the alphabet. There was a time when we were all to go to Zomba by plane but when I saw the plane, I cried a lot and they left me behind. I ended up going by bus.

 

What challenges did you face while growing up?

My parents separated when I was young so my father re-married. After some time, my mother also re-married. She took two of my siblings to live with her new husband and left me with my grandmother. I cried because I felt bad. I missed my mother.

 

How did you join politics?

While in South Africa, Kamuzu nominated me MP for Lilongwe City in 1974. We were recalled on this basis. In October the same year, I was appointed the first woman Minister of External Affairs till 1975. I also served in the ministries of social and community welfare and health in similar capacities.

 

Tell us about your arrest as Minister of Health.

It remains one of the terrible ordeals that I went through in my life. In 1976, while in Blantyre during Mothers’ Day, I was seated outside Mount Soche Hotel. Suddenly at about 9am, two police officers came and ordered me to follow them to my room. During that time, my mother was sick and I thought the sickness had worsened. But I was surprised to see these men going through my stuff. I did not react but was curious. I was ordered to the police station to meet the commissioner. I met him around 8pm and thereafter told to wait in a cell. I thought they were only keeping me for the night, but that night turned into a week.

 

What happened?

I met the commissioner again who told me that a certain man called Muwalo was planning to take over government. The police wanted me to testify against him. They told me to admit to that, but I said I had not heard him say anything to that effect. When the panel realised I would not cooperate, they became angry and called me an ingrate. I was left with a certain man who was trying to change my statement, but I did not. At that moment, they took me to Maula prison and locked me there. I thought they would come back, but they never did. Days turned into weeks, then months and years. Before I knew it, I spent six years.

 

Six years in prison? That must have been hell.

Oh yes, it was but I had my good moments. I looked to the Lord. I also had the guards who were very nice to me and we loved to pray together.

 

How was life in prison?

I did not know my crime and during the first years, I panicked. I did not know how my children were doing, how my husband was or if they were alive. It was tough and I cried most of the time. To make matters worse, I was not allowed visitors for two years.

 

Who was your first visitor?

I thought it would be my husband, but it was my mother. When she saw me, tears ran down her cheeks as she narrated to me what happened during my arrest. She told me that my husband lost his job and was arrested for two years. My children were banned from attending school in Malawi and every household item was confiscated. She also told me that my husband was in the village farming.

 

And your children?

I was 32 during my arrest. My oldest child was eight years old and the last born was three. I had four children. I saw my children after four years and we cried. I sympathised with them but it was nice to know they were doing fine.

 

How about your husband visiting you?

Each time he came, he encouraged me. He told me one day that things would be fine and after two years, I was released. He was outside waiting.

 

How did you react to news of your release?

I was emotionless. I told myself to be strong and expect anything. I was told that even radios, were announcing my release. Guards told me that government warned members of the public not to question the reasons behind my arrest. I was so happy yet so full of tears.

 

How hard was it starting all over?

It was hard during the first years. I had people from our church coming to pray for the family, trying to encourage us. I began to knit and sew. Some company appreciated my talent and in the 1980s, I began knitting and sawing as a business.

 

How did your children cope?

My children picked up in school and progressed well. All of them were selected to government schools and went to college. But we lost the second child. The first is a doctor, the second has a Master’s degree in engineering. The last has a Master’s degree and works for the United Nations. It has been a great experience.

 

What’s the worst thing that happened whilst in prison?

I fell sick and almost died.

Did you ever go back to work?

No, I never found a job and in 1986, my husband was paid back all his money from the time he was fired and we managed to find a house.

 

What advice would you give to fellow women?

When problems arise, let us work hard and not give up. All things happen for a reason.