Former Legal Advisor to the late President Bingu wa Mutharika, Allan Ntata has questioned the honorary degree awarded to Malawi’s First Lady Gertrude Mutharika, saying the award is dubious and politically motivated.
Madam Mutharika was awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Management from the University of Malawi at Chancellor College (CHANCO) on Wednesday last week.
Writing on his official Facebook page, Ntata said Madam Mutharika could have not been awarded a doctorate for sweeping a street had it been she was not a First lady.
“We know that because numerous people have been sweeping streets before she did it and none of them got doctorates for it.
“For those wondering why I am commenting on this matter, know that this is about the politicisation of honorary degrees. I Submit that the dubious awarding of an honorary degree to the wife of the chancellor of the university of Malawi is a matter of national interest. Make no mistake about that,” said Ntata.
He added: “What’s to stop us from speculating that perhaps the President being chancellor of the university ordered the university council to award the degrees on his wife???”.
The degree also stirred debate in Parliament last week with Rumphi East MP Kamlepo kalua mocking the first lady over the honorary degree.
