There was drama at Gonapamuhanya annual festival in Rumphi on Saturday as people booed the Minister of Sports and Culture Grace Obama Chiumia for launching an attack at the Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya.
In what was regarded as an indirect attack at President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, Msowoya asked leaders including paramount Chief Chikulamayembe to respect their people, saying: “When you are a leader, it doesn’t mean you should be ranting all the time.
“Leadership is not about insulting the people. Treat them well and with dignity. I am saying this to all leaders, including Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe himself,” said Msowoya.
The remarks attracted ululations from the gathering.
Although this was the case, the remarks did not please Chiumia who represented President Mutharika and was the guest of hounor at the ceremony.
Instead of concentrating on the invent, Chiumia diverted and started to attack the Speaker while defending Mutharika’s recent banging of tables at a news conference in Blantyre, saying its normal for the President to vent his anger.
Chiumia’s remarks did not please the gathering and some were heard screaming “khala waka pasi [please do not waste our time, just sit down]” and “jala pamlomo[shut your mouth]”.
Chigonapamuhanya celebration is an annual traditional event that takes place toward or in the last quarter of a year.
This celebration commemorates the chieftaincy of the Tumbuka Kingdom which has its headquarters In Nkhamanga at Bolero in Rumphi District.
This annual event is not rotational, it only takes place at Bolero Community Ground.
The gathering attracts not only Tumbukas but people of all tribes in recognition of the diversity that Malawi enjoys.
