Goodall sleeps, legacy lives on

Veteran politician Goodall Gondwe died after a short illness yesterday, ending a 42-year illustrious career that distinguished him as Malawi’s economic firefighter.

Born on December 1 1936, the revered economist spent 22 years at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), four at the African Development Bank (AfDB) and 18 in Malawi’s public service.

As the Minister of Finance, he slashed Malawi’s inflation from 30 to six percent between 2005 and 2008.

The economy grew by about six percent. In 2006, the highly indebted poor country had its $2.3 billion debt cancelled by the World Bank and IMF.

Top politicians paid tribute to Gondwe’s discipline, resilience, hard work and networking.

Former president Joyce Banda, who worked with him during the Bakili Muluzi and Bingu wa Mutharika eras, said Gondwe was the most dedicated public servant she has ever known.

The country’s first woman president roped the deceased into her Cabinet to spearhead the post-Cashgate economic recovery.

She said: “Gondwe’s death marks a sad day for Malawi, but we must celebrate his life because he gave about 40 years to our country.

“I don’t know any other economist who has done that. We have to be proud of the decisions he made for the country even on the global stage.  When he worked with Bingu, that’s when Malawi enjoyed the greatest economic growth.”

Gondwe went to Blantyre Secondary School and  Dedza Secondary School for Advanced Levels alongside her husband Chief Justice Richard Banda, retired, and ex-president Bingu.

The trio took pride in hard work, she said.

Banda said:  “Gondwe and my husband were good friends, so I worked with him closely. His father, Kayiwonanga Gondwe, was also a public servant.

“He grew up in a family where he was groomed into one of public servants who epitomised true servant leadership.”

Principled politician

Gondwe also served five years in the Cabinet of Banda’s successor, Peter Mutharika, who eulogised him as the most distinguished, decorated and accomplished economists-cum- politician.

Gondwe was instrumental in stabilising the fragile economy during the DPP rule, said the immediate past president.

“As we mourn, we further take cognisance of his greatness and, therefore, [are] challenged to continue from where his road on earth ended,” he said.

Gondwe, who served as DPP vice-president for the North since 2011, recently endorsed Mutharika’s return to the ballot in 2025

The largest opposition party said its “economic stalwart” was “a source of shade and shelter”, “a pillar of the DPP”.

“His remarkable tenure as Minister of Finance will be sincerely remembered,” said the party.

Current Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe was Malawi Congress Party parliamentary spokesperson on financial affairs during Gondwe’s heyday.

He recalled Gondwe urging him to stay the course in 2009 shortly after his first presentation on economic affairs.

“Since then, we were always in touch. He was very humble and an inspiration, technical and experienced. He never stopped reaching out even when we were on opposite sides,” Gwengwe said.

He said the debt relief was “a huge achievement” because it freed billions for rapid infrastructural development.

“Gondwe will be remembered as a disciplined person. All these achievements require a lot of discipline. People want instant results, but you need to be focused,” said the minister.

Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enoch Chihana, described the principled politician as a father figure and his adviser who “steered the economy during a difficult period” and taught him “to fight for what you believe in”.

“The problem with our society is that we like to praise people when they are gone,” he said.

Dr Betchani Tchereni, associate professor of economics at Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, said Malawi has lost a bank of knowledge and skills in economic management.

“He had a tactful way of looking at the economy,” said the scholar. “During his time with Bingu, they won donor confidence and introduced good financial management laws. Gondwe knew who to connect with globally. He was respected by international funders and it was easier for him to unlock some donor support for the budget.”

Tchereni saluted Gondwe for keeping an eye on public funds flowing to both central and local governments.

“Let’s learn from him to focus on investments and distribution of development, not consumption,” he said.

Early life

Gondwe obtained a bachelor of science in economics from the University of London.

He worked as Secretary to Treasury before being appointed deputy governor and later general manager of the Reserve Bank of Malawi.

From 1976 to 1980, he served as AfDB vice-president and acting president.

He was IMF senior adviser for the African Department from 1980 to 2000 when he became IMF director for Africa.

He returned home in 2002 to become president Muluzi’s economic adviser.

He held the advisory role until 2004 when newcomer Bingu appointed him Minister of Finance.

In 2008, Gondwe was voted as Africa’s Finance Minister of the Year at the African Banker Awards in Washington DC, US.

The man from Kayiwonanga Gondwe Village, Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba, is survived by a wife and two children.