The Maravi Post

BLANTYRE—“Some of these ugly faces" allegedly made by MBC deputy director Chimwemwe Banda is causing quite a storm in Malawi, with human rights activist saying to call someone ugly was "despising God" who created all in His image.

Banda, director of news and programmes at the public broadcaster, is claimed to have made the remark after TV presenter Marie Segula was picked by the ministry of foreign affairs and international cooperation to host the 6th Comesa first ladies meeting in Lilongwe last year.

She accused the ministry of not consulting her or the MBC, saying:" Kodi inu simumamva bwanji? Ndinakuuzani kuti TV is about showbiz, sitimangotenga munthu aliyense, why didn’t you ask me first? [Some of these ugly faces you are picking are not for such functions.]"

Segula, who told The Weekend Times that she still feels the pain about the "demoralising incident," still went ahead to host the event.

A leading rights activist, Seodi White, was quoted by the same newspaper as saying if what Banda said is true, then Marie has been "injured", adding this was discouraging to aspiring presenters who would not have the confidence to face the public.

"We are all created in the image of God,so to call someone ugly surely is despising His creation."

White, executive director of the Women in Law in Southern Africa (WLSA-Malawi), bashed Banda for failing to lead by example and to respect the rights of women.

She said this was harassment at work which had created a bad working environment to employees.

No comment yet from Banda.

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