GVH Chonde

Despite not going far with her education, she has vowed to encourage every girl and boy in her area to go further with education. As such, Group Village Head (GVH) Chonde of Mulanje has established several early childhood development (EDC) centres in her area, initiated village saving loans so that parents can ably meet their children’s education needs, established a group aiming at empowering girls and women in her area. She is fighting for the rights of disabled people in rural areas by lobbying government. The eloquent woman speaks to WATIPASO MZUNGU.

Who is GVH Chonde?

I am Bertha Kachingwe and I was born on January 3 1960. I am the last born and the only woman in a family of six. My father was Lhomwe while my mother was Yao. They both came from Mulanje. I attended Mendulo Primary School where I did standards One to Three within a year. At the end of every term, teachers sent me to the next class after assessing my class performance. That is why in one year, I was able to cover three classes. The following year, I went to Luchenza Primary School where I did Standard Four.

In 1973, I sat Standard Five examinations and did very well. In 1976, I sat for the Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examinations. I was selected to Providence Secondary School.

Tell us about your life while in secondary school.

In 1978, while I was in Form Two, I lost my mother who was paying my school fees. My relatives could not help. There was a Mrs Gondwe, a teacher from the Northern Region, who enlisted me for a government bursary. But things fell apart when she was posted to her home village following government’s order that all teachers from the North should return to their respective homes. But I managed to sit Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) examinations and passed.

Do you have an immediate family?

I have six children–four girls and two boys. I got married in 1979 to the late Michael Nampota who was working for Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) in Blantyre. We lived in Nkolokosa. He was a very loving husband such that when I told him the circumstances that contributed to my failure to go beyond JC, he encouraged me to enroll at a night school. I enrolled at Chitawira Private School where, unfortunately, I only did Form Three because in 1980, I had my first child Emmanuel. Sadly, Mr Nampota died on July 27 1981, a few months after resigning at MHC and joining a certain insurance company. In 1982, I relocated to Luchenza where I remarried in 1983 to Damiano Saikonde—the man I am still living with today. He too, wanted me to go back to school, but some of his relatives would not allow it.

How did you become GVH?

With the JCE certificate I have, I managed to get a job at Chonde Milk Bulking Group where I worked as a treasurer. But in 2004, my family asked me to resign and be installed GVH. I succeeded my aunt Edna Kaswanjete.

What projects have you so far initiated in your area?

I encourage my people to work hard in their fields and in education. I have initiated the formation of early childhood development (ECD) centres in almost every village in my area. I like projects that promote socio-economic development at household level, gender equality and eradication of gender-based violence. I facilitated the formation of village savings and loan association (VSLA) through which families are accessing loans to send children to school and buy what they need. I also formed a youth empowerment initiative, Young-Women-Can-Do-It that empowers women finacially and help them access education. We, however, lack support from government in running these projects.

Out of these initiatives, which one stands out to you?

The Young-Women-Can-Do-It. That I failed to go far with my education should not be reason for me to block or frustrate others from achieving their ambitions. I always work hard to instill the spirit of hard work among the youth in my area. I like interacting with them at every opportune time. Again, as a woman, I always want fellow women to take an active role in socio-economic activities of this country.

What have you done so far for people living with disabilities in your area?

I provide support that is within my reach–mostly food. But that is very minimal and I feel they need more than just feeding them. They need to be empowered with skills so that they can be self-reliant. Since government is not empowering these people, they are uninttetionally becoming burdens to their families.

What exactly do you want government to do?

Government should set up empowerment projects for people with disabilities from poor families and rural areas so that they can be economically independent. It should also consider coming up with bursaries or loans to cater for educational needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs).

Why are you advancing this cause?

I feel that’s the only way we can educate our nation. It’s not too late, government should consider this. Government should train many special needs teachers and deploy them in all schools in rural areas. There is no way a person with visual impairments, deaf and blind can learn together with those who are physically able in a classroom. What this means is that the education sector is sidelining some people who are also critical in the socio-economic transformation of this country. If we believe that disability is not inability, then we have to educate everyone.

What challenges do you face as a leader?

Stereotypes and prejudices. Failure by some male traditional leaders to accept that a woman can be a leader. They are still glued to the notion that a woman’s place is the kitchen. Most male chiefs do not want to give room to their female counterparts. For instance, during a number of meetings, I have been told not to contribute simply because I am a woman.

How do you overcome them?

I never relent. When I have a point to make or concern to raise, I make sure it is heard. Most people have seen my strength and I am happy that a number of male chiefs are now delegating me to speak for them during different functions.

Do you ever dream of holding a more senior position?

Yes, I have that dream. But I believe that my dream should match with my deeds. If I am development-conscious, then I deserve a promotion. I would be very happy to be elevated to the position of traditional authority or senior chief. I also wish female chiefs too should have the privilege of holding the highest position of paramount chief because, currently, there is none in the country.

What big sacrifices have you made in life for you to get to where you are?

So many. It’s not easy to be a leader because your people expect you to fight for them. I am always knocking on doors of NGOs, district council and other development partners asking for help for my people. I sacrifice my own resources for the sake of my people. I grow more maize every year that I share with those who have nothing. This is not easy considering that the cost of producing maize nowadays is becoming more and more restrictive.

What should ambitious women in Malawi learn from you?

My heart will rest when I see many women attaining higher education and occupying positions of influence. But for this to materialise, women must work hard and prove that they have the capabilities and not just sing about gender equality!

How do you balance your work and family life?

When I am at home, I am a wife to Damiano Saikonde and I respect him as a husband. I put aside the honorarium I get as a village head. I am a farmer with dairy cows, goats, pigs and chickens, among others. Every year, I produce more than enough maize for food and sale.

What do you like doing in your free time?

I like watching comic and Nigerian films. Nigerian films are good because they educate people while depicting reality. I also like listening to gospel music.

Where do you want to see yourself in the next five years?

I would like to see my area achieving significant development. I would like to see everyone in my area roofing their houses with iron sheets while producing enough crops for food and sale. I would like to see the quality of education improving for all the people. Finally, I would like government to elevate me to a certain level.

What is your favourite food?

Nsima with nkhwani wotendera (pumpkin leaves seasoned with groundnuts flour).

Is there anything you want us to know about you?

My door is wide open to anyone who may wish to learn from me as well as teach me new things. I’m also intending to enroll for Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE). I am a role model to girls. Therefore, even at my age, I need a good education to inspire them.