Callista Chimombo

As of 2005, she was Secretary of the Malawi Women’s Caucus. She served as a member of Parliament for Likangala Constituency in the district of Zomba.[7] She also was a member of the Pan-African Parliament and was Minister of Tourism and Culture in Malawi. She became First Lady of Malawi after marrying Bingu wa Mutharika.

In August 2010, late president Bingu wa Mutharika appointed her as African Union Goodwill Ambassador for Safe Motherhood, replacing Vice President Joyce Banda.[8] The concept of a National Coordinator for safe Motherhood in Malawi was drawn from that of the national Goodwill Ambassador for Safe Motherhood initiated by the Africa Union Conference of Ministers of Health in 2005. She was also in charge of the Safe Motherhood Foundation.[8] The First Lady's Foundation sought to promote the advancement of women and vulnerable populations in all sectors of our rapidly changing and developing society.[9]

Mutharika, was also in charge of the country's Malaria program.[8] This was made an official cabinet role on September 8, 2011.

After coming to power, the former First Lady was increasingly given the roles of the official Vice-President, now President Joyce Banda and Banda's name was omitted from the official Malawi cabinet list.[10] She has also been appointed to the Malawi Cabinet as of September 8, 2011 as the National Coordinator of Maternal, Infant and Child Health and HIV/Nutrition/Malaria and Tuberculosis. Her work, including charity work has been considered as a salaried position by the Mutharika administration and she a monthly sum of over $7,000 for doing charity work as a coordinator of safe motherhood.[10] On September8th, 2011, an online newspaper, Maravi post and the Nyasatimes Newspapers reported that Callista Mutharika had been either accidentally or purposefully listed as Vice President of Malawi on the official Malawi government website and included screenshots.[10] This information was corrected on the government site. The Mutharika administration though has denied that she is the nation's Vice President.

Callista Mutharika created tension over a speech in which she criticized local NGO's that, "supported homosexuality and disturbed peace". She asserted that the NGO's were being given money to disturb the peace and to spread homosexuality in the country. She also castigated the civil rights groups for organizing the July, 20 2011 Malawi protests and encouraged rural dwellers not to protest.[8] She receive much criticism for her statements regarding the protest and civil society. Eight organizations signed an official response, acknowledging her right to free speech but questioning her role as the spokesperson for the party because her role as a spokesperson was not mandated in the constitution at that time. They accused her of spreading propaganda and stated that her comments were 'reckless and unacceptable'.[11]