Gwengwe speaks on political career

Former minister of Industry and Trade, who was also People’s Party (PP) running mate in the May 20 Tripartite Elections, Sosten Gwengwe, has said Malawians should not expect much from him now that he is out of active politics.

Speaking in an exclusive interview at the weekend, Gwengwe said he is currently resting.

“I am currently spending more time with my family at home [Nathenje]. I want to give myself enough time to reflect on my successes and failures during my five-year stint in politics. There are things I did well and things I didn’t do well; for now I just want to learn from all the lessons,” he said.

This is the first time the 37-year-old politician has spoken since losing his Dedza Central seat to Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) Daniel Chiwere.

Gwengwe was once MCP finance spokesperson in Parliament. He became part of a section within the party calling for former MCP leader John Tembo’s resignation before joining DPP in 2011.

He later joined PP when late President Bingu Wa Mutharika died in 2012.

“I am very grateful to our former President Joyce Banda. She has given me vital experience at all levels in politics; climax of it all was when she took me to the White House to meet US President Barack Obama.

“Now I am out of Parliament and frontline politics, so people should not expect much from me. The new Parliament has attracted many intelligent and capable young men and women… they need to be given space to show their various talents,” he said.