US embassy cable - 05LILONGWE146

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000146 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/S, INR/B, INR/AA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, PINR, KMCA, MI, Cabinet, Political 
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