Prof. Mutharika: After a successful sitting of Parliament, it's time to celebrate. Pic by Malawi Digest.By Lucy Liponda,
Thursday, the 3rd of December 2009 will go down in Malawi’s history as the day when one of the country’s most distinguished sons Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika treated all Members of Parliament to a dinner and dance in the administrative capital, Lilongwe.
This, after a successful three week Parliamentary sitting in the administrative capital, Lilongwe where business in the house was dominated by Bills tabled by the Justice and Constitution Affairs Ministry.
During the 21-day sitting, the house approved among many other bills including the Police Bill, the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Law, the Courts Act, the Insurance and the National Registration Bill.
All these and others were tabled in the National Assembly by Professor Peter Mutharika such that he had enough reason to thank the MPs for the good job well done.
Instead of using his position as cabinet minister to use public funds in hosting such a huge gathering, Professor Peter Mutharika decided to play it big and cool by hosting all MPs to a delicious dinner and dance from his personal coffers.
One could not believe it when all legislators from both sides of the House converged at the beautifully constructed Great Sapitwa Hall at the Cross Roads Hotel in Lilongwe.
From about 7:00pm, the MPs trooped into the hotel premises in their large numbers, elegantly dressed.
Almost everybody was there including the Speaker of the National Assembly Henry Chimunthu Banda, Leader of the House Goodall Gondwe, Leader of the Opposition Ephraim Kayembe, Leader of UDF in the House Ibrahim Matola and his colleague Alfred Mwechumu, MPP’s Uladi Mussa, Aford’s Khwauli Msiska and many more.
Almost the entire cabinet was there and the opposition was represented in great numbers expect the UDF’s Abubakar Mb’aya and obviously MCP leader John Tembo and his lieutenants Joseph Njobvuyalema, Vitus Dzoole Mwale and Lingson Belekanyama were in their usual defiance mood, they did not attend.
From the government side, almost everybody was there expect for ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP’s) Vice President and Transport Minister Khumbo Kachali.
He only appeared in the banqueting hall after 10 pm after dinner was already served and the disco dance already hot.
During the event, MPs were served with dinner and drinks before Professor Peter Mutharika opened the dancing floor for the game to begin.
Just before this, director of ceremonies Ben Phiri invited Professor Mutharika to address his guests.
In his short speech, Professor Mutharika said that he decided to host the dinner as a way of appreciating the great role, the MPs played in the national assembly during the current sitting of Parliament.
“All the Bills were passed by the whole house as a unit, hence this invitation to this dinner and dance tonight. We worked as a team,” said Prof Mutharika.
He hailed the MPs for coming in their large numbers to party showing a sign that Malawians are getting matured politically.
“This is the way things are supposed to be,” said Mutharika in winding up his speech to a thunderous applause from the Members of Parliament.
According to Professor Mutharika’s personal assistant Ben Phiri, all the expenses at the dinner and dance have been paid for by the Justice Minister from his personal coffers.
Phiri could however not disclose how much the Professor spent on the merry but said “It’s quite a reasonable figure which I cannot disclose now,” he said.
The dance here is expected to go on to the early hours of Friday-Malawi Digest.
Thursday, the 3rd of December 2009 will go down in Malawi’s history as the day when one of the country’s most distinguished sons Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika treated all Members of Parliament to a dinner and dance in the administrative capital, Lilongwe.
This, after a successful three week Parliamentary sitting in the administrative capital, Lilongwe where business in the house was dominated by Bills tabled by the Justice and Constitution Affairs Ministry.
During the 21-day sitting, the house approved among many other bills including the Police Bill, the Penal Code, the Criminal Procedure Law, the Courts Act, the Insurance and the National Registration Bill.
All these and others were tabled in the National Assembly by Professor Peter Mutharika such that he had enough reason to thank the MPs for the good job well done.
Instead of using his position as cabinet minister to use public funds in hosting such a huge gathering, Professor Peter Mutharika decided to play it big and cool by hosting all MPs to a delicious dinner and dance from his personal coffers.
One could not believe it when all legislators from both sides of the House converged at the beautifully constructed Great Sapitwa Hall at the Cross Roads Hotel in Lilongwe.
From about 7:00pm, the MPs trooped into the hotel premises in their large numbers, elegantly dressed.
Almost everybody was there including the Speaker of the National Assembly Henry Chimunthu Banda, Leader of the House Goodall Gondwe, Leader of the Opposition Ephraim Kayembe, Leader of UDF in the House Ibrahim Matola and his colleague Alfred Mwechumu, MPP’s Uladi Mussa, Aford’s Khwauli Msiska and many more.
Almost the entire cabinet was there and the opposition was represented in great numbers expect the UDF’s Abubakar Mb’aya and obviously MCP leader John Tembo and his lieutenants Joseph Njobvuyalema, Vitus Dzoole Mwale and Lingson Belekanyama were in their usual defiance mood, they did not attend.
From the government side, almost everybody was there expect for ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP’s) Vice President and Transport Minister Khumbo Kachali.
He only appeared in the banqueting hall after 10 pm after dinner was already served and the disco dance already hot.
During the event, MPs were served with dinner and drinks before Professor Peter Mutharika opened the dancing floor for the game to begin.
Just before this, director of ceremonies Ben Phiri invited Professor Mutharika to address his guests.
In his short speech, Professor Mutharika said that he decided to host the dinner as a way of appreciating the great role, the MPs played in the national assembly during the current sitting of Parliament.
“All the Bills were passed by the whole house as a unit, hence this invitation to this dinner and dance tonight. We worked as a team,” said Prof Mutharika.
He hailed the MPs for coming in their large numbers to party showing a sign that Malawians are getting matured politically.
“This is the way things are supposed to be,” said Mutharika in winding up his speech to a thunderous applause from the Members of Parliament.
According to Professor Mutharika’s personal assistant Ben Phiri, all the expenses at the dinner and dance have been paid for by the Justice Minister from his personal coffers.
Phiri could however not disclose how much the Professor spent on the merry but said “It’s quite a reasonable figure which I cannot disclose now,” he said.
The dance here is expected to go on to the early hours of Friday-Malawi Digest.
Why is he hosting them? Where did he get the money from?
ReplyDeleteMan of the people! this is great news indeed, Peter Mutharika is bringing in some new ideas of doing politics. Is this the American way Prof? I am very excited about this news because it makes people think twice about co-existing between government and opposition. A Prof kumeneku ndiye kubwera
ReplyDeleteAs per Prof s comment that the deliberations were a sign of matuality in our honourable members that great news. Malawians need to to look forward to develop our country. Arguments always will not help us. Congrats Peter.
ReplyDeleteMalawian politics is moving in a better direction. Politicians can disagree on various matters but in the end they ought to reach common ground for the good of the country. The justice minister is certainly showing great leadership in transforming the political landscape to a point whereby politicians can disagree but remain civil about their political differences. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteI think this is great. I commend all the opposition leaders who attended this dinner dance. Shame on Tembo, he doesn't seem to learn this guy. The good news is that Tembo is old news and is gone gone gone.
ReplyDeleteCan we get some pictures of the Prof and other MPs dancing please?
ReplyDeleteA professor, you have enlighted some of these old politicians. Keep it up.That is what we call maturity
ReplyDeleteA Prof mwabwelesa ndale zachizungu = teach them how to do it Prof.
ReplyDeleteWAKE UP WAKE UP,a get together party is just ok BUT ,WAKE UP .If this party was hosted by one Mr pre-nobody MP, I doubt if even the professor himself would have attended. If I got the facts right this gathering was in Lilongwe. 90% of the MPs are given allowances that allow them to eat and live in luxury anyway.What's the big deal that some MPs didn't attend. What if there were urgent constituency needs.Thank God for his level of education but that does not eliminate the fact that he could be cacooning you into his own interests. WAKE UP, THERE ARE PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY DIEING FOR FREE. Dieing for lack of simple drugs in hospitals,dieing for lack of simple visible slow down / pedestrian signs and signals. the list goes on. one man's luncheon could have been used as a prize for the NURSE OF THE month at a local hospital, or as a trophy to the most dedicated patrol police officer ,etc. thereby encouraging and motivating the spirit of joy for all..WAKE UP
ReplyDelete