Kabambe’s day dreaming

Kabambe’s day dreaming

BIRD’S EYE VIEW  – COLUMN 

• Something laughable happened on Monday which left many Malawians scratching their heads in disbelief.

  

Dalitso Kabambe, former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor and member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) delivered what he dubbed a “New Year Address.”

In this questionable new year’s address, Kabambe made the audacious claim that rumours were circulating,suggesting that President Lazarus Chakwera was considering him as his running mate in the upcoming 2025 presidential elections.

Of great concern is the legitimacy and appropriateness of Kabambe delivering a New Year Address in the first place.

One must question the grounds on which Kabambe, a mere member of a political party, feels entitled to address the entire nation.

The fundamental question that arises is why Kabambe, a mere member of a political party, feels entitled to address the entire nation. In an era where communication platforms are readily available to those with means, it seems that anyone with internet access or sufficient funds to organise a press conference can address Malawians.

This situation prompts a critical examination of the accountability and responsibility associated with such public declarations, as they have the potential to cause public alarm.

The careless language and statements from these “national addresses” can strip away hope from hardworking Malawians.

However, the more laughable issue lies in Kabambe’s apparent desperation to dispel the alleged rumours surrounding his potential candidacy as Chakwera’s running mate. Instead of delivering a substantive New Year message that befits the gravity of the occasion, Kabambe chose to dedicate his time to refuting unverified speculations about his political future.This move not only reflects poorly on Kabambe’s judgment but also hints at a potential overestimation of his political significance.

Malawians are already aware that Kabambe is a suspect in a case where he, along with former Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha and RBM former deputy governor Henry Mathanga, is accused of an arbitrary act that led to the cancellation of a $108 million Extended Credit Facility by the IMF.

President Chakwera is well acquainted with this alleged dishonesty during the DPP administration, making it unrealistic for Kabambe to envision consideration for the running mate position.

In more mature democracies, individuals facing serious court cases are typically kept at a distance from public offices. Kabambe’s active engagement in dispelling potentially baseless rumours risks portraying him as self-important and insecure.

Moreover, Kabambe’s reaction raises concerns about the level of internal cohesion within the DPP. This unwarranted New Year address not only blurs the lines between personal ambitions and responsible public communication but also exposes a potential overestimation of Kabambe’s political standing.

Malawians deserve leaders who prioritise substance over self-promotion, and Kabambe’s recent actions do little to inspire confidence in his ability to fulfill such expectations.

As the political landscape evolves in the lead-up to the 2025 elections, leaders must demonstrate a commitment to transparency, responsibility and a genuine dedication to the welfare of the nation rather than engaging in self-serving maneuvers.

Kabambe would be better served by focusing on his ongoing court case or, at the very least, channeling his energy towards contributing to the reconstruction of the fractured DPP.

The idea that the Malawi Congress Party’s presidential candidate would entertain the thought of considering him as a running mate ndi maloto achumba.