JB jets in, calls for PP rebuilding
As early as 8 am on Saturday, Blantyre was painted orange with men and women thronging to Chileka Airport in Blantyre to welcome home former Malawi president Joyce Banda, a leader they called ‘always close to their heart’.
The former Malawi leader arrived in the country from the US where she went on a two months holiday.She was flanked by her husband Retired Chief Justice Richard Banda.
Addressing a sizeable crowd that braved the cold to welcome her at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre at 11AM, Banda, who is the leader of opposition People’s Party (PP), encouraged party’s followers to move the party ahead.
Banda was mobbed and some close officials hugged her as all smiled as if to say ‘its good to be back’.
PP women draped in orange party cloth could not stop to sing praises for Banda who was popular for her poverty alleviation strategies that included providing housing for the poor, distribution of food and revolving funds for soft loans.
“I am so happy she is back,” shouted one PP supporter waving her flag in Blantyre.
Banda’s aide Tusekele Mwanyongo said the former president called on her party followers to stay the course in order to rebuild the party to great heights.
“She encouraged her followers that although they lost the elections, the party still has the majority to claim another space in the country’s politics. She added that soon, she will be calling for the national executive committee to chart a new way forward for the party,” he said.
