Chewa chiefs rebuke AFORD President Enock Chihana over Kudambwe remarks

By Linda Kwanjana

Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO) on Saturday expressed concern over the remarks that Alliance for  Democracy (AFORD) President Enock Chihana said on 13 November 2024 .

On the material day, Chihana was quoted as saying “Chimashini chimenechi cha
Smartmatic mudzikavoterana ku dambwe komweko (Chewa Traditional chrines)”.

Senior Chief Chadza described the remarks as tribalistic and unfair to the Chewa people.

“We have noted with sadness the provocative and insensitive
speech made by Mr Chihana. His remarks tantamournt to hate
speech and demonstrates that he hates the Chewa people and
has no respect for their culture. Mr Chihana is telling the Chewa people that they have no space to vote in the 2025 General Elections unless they do that kudambwe,” he said.

Senior Chief Nthondo from Ntchisi said that Malawi is one, and Chewas are Malawians just like him.

Nthondo said Chihana has
shown that he is not a mature politician and is not capable of
being a leader in Malawi because he is tribalistic.

“CHEFO has observed that if Mr Chihana was to be elected, the
president of Malawi, he would chase the Chewas out of this country and ultimately divide this country, which has enjoyed unity for a long time,” he said.

According to Senior Chief Nthondo, Chewa, people have noted that Mr Chihana is immature and can not be entrusted with the responsibility of
leading a country.

Taking his turn Senior Chief Dambe from Mchinji said Enock Chihana should apologise within three days.

During the presser, CHEFO chairperson Dr Stanley Chakhumbira Khaila appealed to Chihana to apologise via the same channels that he used to when uttering the sentiments

Khaila said the grouping that exists to safeguard chewa culture is very disappointed with the political remarks.