Malawi spin-doctor Ntaba says: ‘I can’t quit politics’
Former spokesperson for late President Bingu wa Mutharika, Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba has dismissed reports that he has quit politics after resuming active medical practice.
Ntaba a surgeon by profession, last month applied to Medical Council of Malawi to revamp his medical career after years on front-line politics.
He is currently doing orientations at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) and College of Medicine campus in Lilongwe which is a requirement for medical personnel who haven’t been practicing for more than five years.
Ntaba was the personal physician of Malawi’s first president Dr. Kamuzu Banda. He was later on hired by former president Bakili Muluzi to be a physician of his late mother before being appointed by Mutharika to be his spokesman.
In an exclusive interview with Nyasa Times, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) executive member, Ntaba vehemently stood his grounds, saying “I can’t quit politics”.
“Quitting politics? No, people never quit politics, they just resign from political parties they affiliate but can’t quit politics. I don’t think I will quit politics. There is always a political element in all of us,” said the eloquent speaker.
“Am still active and as a member of DPP only that now am doing some clinical work, trying to balance my medical career and politics.
“I was into politics 100 percent, but now I want to go back into practice while still doing politics. It’s all about how I manage my time. I am currently doing orientations with doctors at Kamuzu Central Hospital, Surgeon Department,” Ntaba explained.
The former Mutharika spin-doctor n who earned himself a nickname of ‘Talking Computer’ could not specify how long the orientations will take before he is enrolled into mainstream medical practice.
Still DPP
On suggestions to quit DPP and join ruling People’s Party (PP), Ntaba said: “I have never resigned from DPP. I am still the member and hold the position of Director of International Relations Corporations. It’s only that this time I would like to practice as medical doctor while continuing with politics”.
And he was quick to say that is currently harboring no intentions to vie for any position and that is satisfied with his current executive post.
“Meanwhile I don’t plan to vie for any position. I am comfortable with the position am holding right now. It gives me space to balance my career and politics. But if they insist I should have any executive position, I consider that if it allows me to portion my time,” he said.
About 2014
Ntaba refused to talk about his 2014 political pans and said “let’s talk about that in 2014. Right now let’s deal with current issues first”.
And the party’s Publicity Secretary, Nicholas Dausi cemented Ntaba’s stand, saying the politician cum medical doctor, is still part of the rejuvenated DPP rank and file.
“As far as we are concerned, Dr. Ntaba never quit politics and he never resigned from DPP. He is still our member and holds a respected position in the party,” said Dausi.
Last month it was reported that Ntaba has quit front-line politics to concentrate on his medical profession. It was also reported that was considering quitting DPP and join ruling PP.
But two week ago he was spotted at DPP’s rally at Njamba Freedom Park dismissing the rumours of quitting politics.
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