By Conleith Selenje
The outcome of the Nyasaland Economic Symposium was echoed worldwide. The attendees spoke and wrote of its success and marveled at how topics touching the economy of Nyasaland and Africa intertwined with world economics. Nyasaland as an upcoming economy on the road to its independence became recognized and Dunduzu Chisiza Snr earned himself high profile respect internationally as a brilliant economist.
This did not go well with Kamuzu.In Nyasaland, Kamuzu had established himself as the All-Wise and other MCP elite harbored the same sentiment. The ascension of Dunduzu up the steps of success and fame was almost a psychological challenge to Kamuzu’s All-Wise status. The feeling was that every success is credited to him as Prime Minister.
The status of Dunduzu Chisiza also meant that a rival in policy was gaining international recognition. At the symposium, Dunduzu Chisiza made it known that the economies of Africa could be affected if countries in Africa became to be ruled by dictators.
Earlier on he had written and heavily criticized dictatorships in his two pamphlets (Realities of African Independence and Africa What Lies Ahead) both written in 1961. He is quoted: ’the mind of a dictator is not obviously not open to persuasion. Constitutional methods are therefore out of the question. In the circumstances we are left with nothing short of assassination and violent take over as possible antidotes(to despotism)….assassination is the most dangerous method to use, because it has a built-in tendency to become habitual…
By August 1962, reports indicated that Dunduzu Chisiza had fully been groomed to be the first native Minister of Finance for Nyasaland to replace Henry Phillips, the Nyasaland Minister of Finance. However, Chisiza’s economic policies were more Socialist in contrast to Kamuzu who had Capitalist ideas. The new country ready for independence was promised that it could neither tilt towards capitalism nor socialism, thus hanging between the two and choosing only what was best for Malawi.
Following the differences in policy and arguments between him and Kamuzu, Dunduzu harbored thoughts of resigning and enter into active opposition and form a new party. The only development he waited for was the granting of independence to Nyasaland.
To further the Nkula Hydro-Electric Scheme Plan which Kamuzu had rejected because of its source of funding, Dunduzu Chisiza Snr in his capacity as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance booked to meet the Nyasaland Roy Welensky and Kamuzu was made aware of this.
Feedback: c.selenje@historyofmalawi.com
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