Memory Lane 30/06/2002

Talking to John Rizzo Naudi

Professor John Rizzo Naudi’s involvement in politics lasted 20 years. He did not start from the bottom rung as most politicians do. What actually happened was that in 1971 the Nationalist Party asked him at the last minute to contest the general elections.

"I remember that I filed my nomination at the very last minute. Time was running out and the doors were shut while I went through the process. Although I polled a large number of votes I failed to get elected. I was unlucky because normally candidates do get elected with the level of support I gained in that election," Professor Rizzo Naudi said.

Because most of the votes came from the Msida residents, the former Nationalist Deputy and Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly decided to contest again in the 1976 general elections and this time he was elected. He kept his seat in the 1981, 1987 and 1992 elections.

When asked which was his biggest satisfaction in politics he said that surely this was when the majority of the Maltese people started to believe that the PN was their party.

He said that in 1971, the first time he contested the PN was at a low ebb. Even during party meetings people used to be scarce but as time went by the crowds started to get bigger and bigger and the feeling was that people were again starting to believe in the party.

Another great satisfaction for Professor Rizzo Naudi was when he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for the Care of the Elderly in 1987 when for the first time the sector was formally included in a Ministerial portfolio. During his term he managed to transform the care for the elderly concept into reality. His many initiatives included the setting up of the Institute of Gerontology at the University, the first Geriatric Rehabilitation Hospital – Zammit Clapp Hospital – and the UN Institute for the Ageing.

"I think that a Secretariat with the specific responsibility for the Elderly was not just a new concept for Malta, but a new concept world-wide," he said.

A Professor of Medicine and Chancellor of the University of Malta he also occupied the post of a Parliamentary Secretary for Health between 1992 and 1995. He reformed and modernised the professional training and preparation of nurses and paramedics. Among other things, he was instrumental in setting up the Pre-Vocational School for Healthcare Personnel and he co-founded the Institute of Healthcare. Apart from his voluntary work in Malta and Africa he is also the author of a number of publications.

In fact his hobbies are writing books, photography and playing Golf. At 75 years of age, Professor Rizzo Naudi still wants to keep himself fit and what better way to relax and concentrate in a sport which is so mentally and to a certain extent physically important such as golf. "When I find time I visit the Marsa Golf Club and that is were I relax, I always try to steal an hour or two to play golf."

Regarding the work that has been done for the elderly and health since he left office in 1995, the former Parliamentary Secretary said that the government continued to work miracles on such issues. "Today life expectancy has reached higher levels and people are also living better than they used to not so long ago. What can be done is to allow people continue to work as long as they feel strong enough to do so.

"It is no longer the case that once you are old you are no longer any good. It is a case of contribution. If one wants to continue to contribute to his country, business, etc. he should be encouraged to do so," Professor Naudi said.

The former Nationalist MP also spoke about the European Union and said he believes that it is not only good for the young but also for the old. "The European Union is a Union which has safeguards fo everyone, including the old. There are regulations which give the elderly more power like in every aspect of the EU. The EU should be a role model for every citizen."

Finally he spoke about his retirement from politics. He said that the citizens of Msida still respect him and he still tries to help them whenever he can.

He concluded by saying; "although not in power anymore I am still loved by the Msida people. When I go to church or pass through my native town, people still show their respect to me and wish me well. That's the spirit of the Msida people and I thank them for it."

Prof. Rizzo Naudi was speaking to Ray Abdilla