Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05LILONGWE146
2005-02-16 14:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Lilongwe
Cable title:  

BIODATA - MALAWI'S NEW MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Tags:  PGOV KDEM PINR KMCA MI 
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UNCLAS LILONGWE 000146 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/S, INR/B, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR KMCA MI
SUBJECT: BIODATA - MALAWI'S NEW MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000146

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/S, INR/B, INR/AA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PINR KMCA MI
SUBJECT: BIODATA - MALAWI'S NEW MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS


1. CDA paid a courtesy call to new Minister of Foreign
Affairs Davis Katsonga on February 14. Katsonga, whose
appointment to Foreign Affairs comes in the wake of the
President's departure from the United Democratic Front
(UDF),expressed his support for the president and his anti-
corruption initiatives. Though apparently only somewhat
familiar with Malawi's Millennium Challenge Account (MCA)
Threshold status, Katsonga indicated that the new political
developments in the country can only be positive for MCA as
well as for the future of Malawi. Katsonga most recently
served as Minister of Mines, Natural resources and
Environmental Affairs. His knowledge of these subjects
appeared to be vast, and he spoke in detail about the
various mineral deposits in the country. Katsonga expressed
interest in increasing foreign companies' access to these
deposits.


2. Katsonga made a quick political ascent, rapidly
attaining status as an influential member of the UDF elite.
In spite of his previous status within the party, Katsonga
now seems to be firmly allied with President Mutharika, as
evidenced by his significantly higher-ranking new job.


3. Biographical Information follows.

2005: Minister of Foreign Affairs
2004: Minister of Mines, Natural Resources &
Environmental Affairs
2003: Speaker of Parliament (UDF)
2001: First Deputy Speaker of Parliament (UDF)
2000: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and
International Cooperation (UDF)
1998: Member of Parliament
1997: Managing Director, Big Sea Containers (UK)
1990: Sales & Marketing Manager, Fleet Shipping (UK)
1986: Managing Director, dck Images Promotions Ltd. (UK)
1980: Salesman, Dakin & Co. (UK)
1978: Hotel Manager, Chester's City Motel
1974: Assistant Hotel Manager, Ryalls Hotel

In 1998, after returning from the UK, he was elected a UDF
MP for Mwanza District (Southern Region). He briefly
encumbered the deputy position at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs in 2000, before becoming the First Deputy Speaker of
Parliament in 2001. In 2003, President Muluzi orchestrated
his succession to Speaker of Parliament.

In a 2001 interview, Katsonga stated that he left Malawi in
1980 because of the political situation under President
Banda. Throughout much of the 1980s, Katsonga resided in
the UK, first as a student and subsequently as a businessman
in sales and marketing. While in the UK, he started his own
business, which remains in operation.

Katsonga earned a Diploma in Business Studies from Columbus
College in 1982. He also holds a Bachelor Degree in Business
from Schiller International University (UK),a Post-graduate
diploma in Marketing from Chartered Institute of Marketing
(UK),and participated in a Masters Degree program at South
Bank University (UK).

Katsonga was born on August 6, 1955 in the Mwanza district
in Southern Malawi. He is married and has two sons who
continue to reside in the UK. His hobbies include
computers, playing squash, football, volleyball, fishing,
swimming, painting and listening to soul ballads.

Katsonga traveled to the US in September 2003 on a National
Democratic Institute (NDI) sponsored trip. Upon his return,
he told the Ambassador that he had greatly enjoyed the
experience.
GILMOUR