Peter to marry Maseko

The waiting is over. The silence has been broken. The clock has started ticking. In a matter of days, President Peter Mutharika is getting married.

It will be a double celebration for him, getting married exactly 21 days after he was sworn in as the fifth President of the Republic.
Vice-President Saulos Chilima broke the news at a press briefing in Blantyre yesterday that Mutharika, a widower of 30 years, will marry his long-time best friend and confidant Gertrude Hendrina Maseko in a traditional and private ceremony next Saturday.

“A private ceremony to bless the wedding will take place on Saturday 21st June 2014 at St Michaels and All Angels CCAP Church in Blantyre. Thereafter, a family reception will be held in the village, at the Mutharika family home at Ndata Farm in Thyolo District,” said Chilima about the event he disclosed is expected to cost about K38 million.
According to Chilima, who is chairing the organising commitee, the budgeting has been done around 600 VVIPs, 1000 VIPs and about 6000 people and the money will be raised from personal contributions from the families of the Mutharikas and the Masekos, including their friends.
“Regarding the VVIP, we may get foreign guests, but the condition will be that they will meet their expenses. Because if we are to host them on our expenses, it will defeat the spirit of this event—not to use State resources,” said Chilima.

The Vice-President said Mutharika had issued a directive that no State resources should be spent on his wedding.
“It is in times like these when some people take advantage to abuse State resources. Knowing this, the President has given very clear instructions that no State facilities and resources should be used.
“It is a private matter. It is his personal wedding. This is the reason it is not taking place at State House, but in his village at Ndata,” said Chilima, emphasising: “The only State resource we may not avoid to use is State security.”

Seen together many times during official functions, Mutharika, a father of three adult United States based children—Monique, Moyenda and Mahopela—always played down speculation that he and Maseko were an item.
During the presidential election campaign, some of his political detractors used his marital status as a basis for questioning his suitability for the highest office, but he remained steadfast, responding, once, in an interview with Zodiak—a private radio station:
“There is no proof that being married or having more than a single wife contributes to your value and abilities as a good president or leader.”

A visit to Malawi some five weeks ago of his daughters, Monique and Moyenda, helped to settle some of the queries his opponents fashioned regarding whether he had married before.
Peter, a sibling of former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika, comes from Kamoto Village, in the area of Traditional Authority Chimaliro in Thyolo while Maseko comes from Kapasule Village, Traditional Authority Msamala in Balaka.