The deafening silence of the simplest, Simplex Chithyola: A quiet strategic doer
Even as he is today, as the Minister of Finance, its very easy, if you meet at a public place, not to recognize that there goes Simplex Chithyola Banda.
He doesn’t have the aura of presence like late Goodall Gondwe; his history of achievements isn’t too loud—he is just simple, calm and, yes, collected both visibly and audibly.
Yet in that simpleness, lies the greatness of Simplex.
Because you barely expect a person with such simpleness to maneuver the dusty politics at the constituency level and triumph to become a Member of Parliament. Because you barely expect a person with such simpleness to be among the first to be considered in the first cabinet team of President Lazarus Chakwera. Because you barely expect a person with such simpleness to be elevated to manage the most critical ministry, the Ministry of Finance, at the most critical economic history of our time. Because you barely expect a person with such simpleness to run the Ministry of Finance with dexter and be able, within months, produce results for all to see.
In his simpleness, I repeat, lies the greatness of simplex.
No one has questioned how did, as shy and a bit withdrawn guy, manage to win as an MP, to be considered for the cabinet and all that? What did Chakwera see in him?
Well, perhaps, its time count his results and nothing comes self-evident than his results at the Ministry of Finance. No more fuel shortages. Three-month forex cover. Resumption of budgetary support. Donor confidence. Etc.
This is not an attempt to cloud all these on Chithyola but it would be foolhardy to ignore or deny the role he has played for Malawi to achieve this. He comes out as a guy who works in silence—saying so little but letting the work of his hands speak for itself. He is not a politician who should be underestimated.
Lets take at his choice to contest as Secretary General for Malawi Congress Party (MCP). He hasn’t been loud, especially in the media, talking about himself or showing off how he is positioning himself. In fact, from a distance, he looks like a weak link.
But look what is coming out?
All over sudden there is just too much propaganda against him—evidenced the recent news that some lady was used to petition ACB to investigate corrupt allegations against Chithyola. His campaign has undoubtedly been cool, calm, and collected. Chithyola’s competitors for the SG position are justified in their apprehension of him. They must indeed be afraid.
Make no mistake, Chithyola’s prowess in administration is undeniable, as evidenced by his outstanding record, which extends back to his tenure in the NGO sector. He has always been the go-to-man with an open-door policy, a fact attested to by those who have worked with and for him.
He interacts well with people at all levels, and the versatility he has displayed as Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs has been infectious. Chithyola is comfortable with the rank and file of the party, individuals in villages, and also among intellectuals in the power corridors of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as academicians. For example, Chithyola was invited as the Guest of Honor at the finale dinner organized by the University of Malawi.
To bolster all this, Chithyola boasts impressive academic credentials. He holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy & Administration (MSc.PPA) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Restorative Justice and International Human Rights. Additionally, he is currently reading for a PhD in Public Policy & Administration.
This is perhaps why some desperate politicos have resorted to dirty tactics, throwing mud at him in a desperate bid to tarnish his image. The social media campaign against him is not mere coincidence.
However, the mercenaries and their masters ought to have known that Chithyola’s rise to the apex of politics is not by fluke. An African proverb aptly captures this idea: “The mango tree with the ripest fruits bears the most stones.” It effectively captures the idea that success often attracts adversity.
There is a saying that “you don’t win the race by breaking the leg of the fastest runner.” You just need to run faster yourself.
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