Women on the fore

Simwaka: I promise to work hard
Katawa ward councillor Monica Simwaka of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has made history by becoming the first female to hold the position of deputy mayor for Mzuzu City.
Simwaka was voted on the position on Wednesday during an elective full council meeting, amassing ten out of 16 votes.
She defeated two male challengers, UTM Party councillor for Chiputula ward Hiwet Wiseman Mkandawire and MCP’s Tony Gladwell Mwenitete of Mzilawaingwe ward, who got three votes each.
Simwaka’s election comes just a day after Esther Sagawa and Ruth Chingwalu were elected as Mayor and deputy for Lilongwe City respectively.
Speaking to journalists following her election, Simwaka expressed her excitement for being the first woman elected on the position and promised to represent women effectively.
“I would like to thank my fellow councillors for electing me, which is an indication that they have trust in me. I promise to work hard in collaboration with the mayor to develop the city. I believe I will be a role model for women aspiring for decision-making roles,” Simwaka said.
Mzuzu City Council (MCC) chief executive officer Gomezgani Nyasulu described Simwaka’s election as a positive development for the city.
“It is really very good to be able to balance, to make sure that we are not segregating anyone. With the election of the first female deputy mayor, as council, we are happy that we are implementing applicable gender roles that we are supposed to,” Nyasulu said.
Apart from ushering the first female on the deputy mayor position, during the elective full council meeting, councillors ushered in office a new mayor, Kondwani Brian Nyasulu of the UTM Party, who defeated former mayor, MCP’s Gift Desire Nyirenda.
Nyasulu will hold the position for the second time having been the city’s mayor from 2019 to 2022.
