Callista Chimombo
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Callista Mutharika | |
---|---|
First Lady of Malawi | |
In role 1 May 2010 – 5 April 2012 | |
Preceded by | Ethel Mutharika |
Succeeded by | Richard Banda |
First Lady of African Union | |
In office 1 May 2010 – 31 January 2011 | |
President | Bingu wa Mutharika |
Preceded by | Safia Farkash |
Succeeded by | Constancia Mangue |
Personal details | |
Born | Zomba, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland (now Malawi) | 24 May 1959
Political party | Democratic Progressive Party |
Spouse | Bingu wa Mutharika (2010–2012) |
Madame Callista Chapola-Chimombo (Callista Mutharika) (born 24 May 1959)
She currently serves as the High Commissioner of Malawi in the Republic of Kenya, she presented her diplomatic credentials to Kenya's president on 1 April 2022. She has also previously served as a member of the Pan-African Parliament, and as the Malawi Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture.[2]
As of 2005, she was Secretary of the Malawi Women's Caucus.[3] Chimombo is a former member of the Democratic Progressive Party and a former member of the United Democratic Front (UDF).[4]
Personal
In January 2010, following a period of intense speculation, it was announced that Chimombo and President Mutharika were engaged to be married and would marry on 1 May 2010. They got engaged on Valentine's Day 2010 in a traditional ceremony that was broadcast on the news.
Career
She has worked for Joyce Banda's Hunger Project before being involved in politics.[7]
Political career
As of 2005, she was Secretary of the Malawi Women's Caucus. She served as a member of Parliament for Likangala Constituency in the district of Zomba.[7] She also was a member of the Pan-African Parliament and was Minister of Tourism and Culture in Malawi. She became First Lady of Malawi after marrying Bingu wa Mutharika.
First Lady of Malawi
After her marriage to Bingu Wa Mutharika, she was the first lady of Malawi until the death of Mutharika on 5 April 2012. Mutharika was a politically vocal first lady. She publicly weighed in on the decision by the DPP to fire the first and second vice-president by stating that Joyce Banda (who had not publicly expressed an interest to run as President) was not qualified to run as president.[7] She stated that Banda's supporters were tantalizing themselves by drawing parallels with Liberian first female President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.[7] Some analysts have suggested that she may bid to run for Presidency in 2014.[7]
Safe Motherhood role
In August 2010, late president
Malaria program
Mutharika, was also in charge of the country's Malaria program.[8] This was made an official cabinet role on September 8, 2011.
Official duties and cabinet role
After coming to power, the former First Lady was increasingly given the roles of the official Vice-President, now President
Castigation of NGO's and civil society
Callista Mutharika created tension over a speech in which she criticized local NGO's that, "supported homosexuality and disturbed peace". She asserted that the NGO's were being given money to disturb the peace and to spread homosexuality in the country. She also castigated the civil rights groups for organizing the July, 20
References
- ^ "Profile of First Lady Callista Mutharika". Malawidemocrat.com. 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2012-04-16.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Malawi Announces Cabinet Reshuffle". Scotland-MalawiPartnership.org. Scotland Malawi Partnership. 2007-05-11. Archived from the original on 2011-01-03. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
- ^ "Parliamentary Centre Hosts A Southern Africa Regional Workshop On Micro Finance as Strategy for Poverty Reduction". ParlCent.ca. Parliamentary Centre of Canada. Archived from the original on 2005-07-31. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
- ^ "List of Members of the Pan African Parliament" (PDF). Africa-Union.org. African Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-18. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
- ^ a b [1] Archived February 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Malawi's President Mutharika to marry ex-minister BBC News, 24 January 2010
- ^ a b c d e "Malawi First Lady weighs in on sacked VP vilification campaign". Archived from the original on December 20, 2010. Retrieved December 18, 2010.
- ^ a b c d [2] Archived 2014-07-17 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ [3] Archived November 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c [4] Archived March 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "NGO's hit back at 'reckless' First Lady | Malawi news, Malawi - NyasaTimes breaking online news source from Malawi". www.nyasatimes.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 27 January 2022.