‘Politics is not about coronation’
He has been Speaker of Parliament, Minister of Education and an active Member of Parliament during the United Democratic Party reign before being convicted, in 2008, of abusing office when he was minister. With most of his life dedicated to politics, Sam Mpasu is back, this time as New Labour Party’s vice-president. In this interview, Paida Mpaso quizzes him about his political future, the party and its vision.
Q
During the New Labour Party press briefing held this week, you said the party will bring a new dimension to the definition of politics in the country. You have been a politician for over 15 years, why did you not change the definition of politics all these years?
A
Yes, I was in the Bakili Muluzi administration, but you must remember that government is not the minister; it is the President. What the President wants gets to be done. If you try to be clever and brilliant, you will get fired. This is the most unsecure job. The issue is: as a minister, you are not sure if the president will like you enough to retain you the next day. So, we act in a manner that the president wants, it’s [the president’s] government and not ours. We go to Cabinet to discuss [the President’s] agenda.
Q
But isn’t minister’s failure to demonstrate his or her brilliance for fear of being booted out cowardice, and a demonstration that they are inspired by personal gains?
A
I don’t think so; it’s what the Constitution says. The Constitution empowers an elected president to pursue their agenda for government, not the ministers because it’s not their government.
Q
Do you still consider yourself relevant in today’s politics?
A
Very nice question. Why are you not in politics? That’s the same reason I am still in politics. I would like many more Malawians to come and I am not stopping anybody, but there are things we must get right, people are not coming forward, especially you boys and girls, it is pertinent to come up with better ideas, like Barack Obama did. But so far, this is not happening. The youngsters who are coming are not even bringing in new ideas, hence they have no followers. As a leader, you need to come up with ideas, you can’t just sit and expect everything to follow in your lap. Politics is not about coronation, nobody is going to say you are the new MP, you have to work for it. We would like to relax but with so many things going wrong, it’s a question of saying what can we do for our country? And that is why we are still here.
Q
What is New Labour Party’s vision?
A
Our vision is to have a new Republic of Malawi, which is united, developed, democratic and prosperous. Malawi that is not held hostage by one family, one tribe or one region. Malawi of all Malawians by all Malawians and for all Malawians, including women, the youth and the disabled.
Q
This vision doesn’t sound new. What unique thing is NRP offering?
A
This country has been running on rocks for so long. We will be 50 soon and it seems there is nothing to show for it. Our party will empower the poor economically so that they can enjoy the fruits of their labour. You know, the people of Malawi should be worried about the future of their grand children; I mean why should people die with billions when Malawians are suffering? So, this party will give economic power to those that matter.
Q
How many members does NRP have?
A
How many members does MCP have? And how many members does UDF have? I can only tell you the number of people in our executive because members are fluid. Let it also be known that we are calling for people to join in all the regions of Malawi.
Q
Do you really think it was necessary for you and others to form a new party when this country has over 45 political parties?
A
When we were coming up with this party, we thought long and hard about this, but we noticed that most parties in Malawi were more of family parties where a brother wants a brother to take over, and in other parties, they want a son to take over. I mean what is that? Are these parties for Malawians or for their families? This party is bringing a new dimension to the definition of politics.
Q
Couldn’t you have advanced the same agenda by joining other parties?
A
Listen, we are going to contest and we have every hope that we are going to win. We are, therefore, asking people to begin to express their interests as we will soon be holding our first ever convention where all positions will be put up.
Q
Where is NRP getting its funding from?
A
Most of the funding is coming from our pockets; it’s a gamble we are taking but we have Malawians best interests. If there are well wishers, we encourage them to come forward.
Q
Do you think the party could win the forthcoming elections?
A
It is our hope that we will sweep the presidency, councillors and members of Parliament. We are telling our supporters to begin expressing interests. The New Labour Party may be new, but we think we have what it takes for Malawi to get out of its perpetual poverty.
Q
Your political career has seen marred by scandals such as the Fieldyork notebook scam which saw you incarcerated, and your other arrest in Machinga where you trespassed a graveyard in 2006. Do you think people still think of you as a good leader?
A
This is political demonisation; this was all political. Why do you think [ South Africa’s Nelson] Mandela faced treason charges for 27 years and [Zimbabwe’s Robert] Mugabe for 10 years and then [Hastings] Kamuzu Banda? Why do you think all these happened? This was all political; trying to bar me because they were afraid of me. They tried to bring me down, but we will take this party to greater highest and serve the interests of Malawians.
