Clergy urges Malawi presidential hopefuls to serve people with dignity
The officiating clergy for national prayers on May 20 Tripartite Elections organised by Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) advised candidates to serve people with love and dignity once elected into office.
Apostle Dr Madalitso Mbewe said in his sermon that there was a tendency by politicians to treat people inhumanly after winning elections.
Mbewe, who delivered a powerful serom in English at the prayers graced by among others 11 of 12 presidential candidates including President Joyce Banda, said the people they serve are children of God.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Professor Peter Mutharika did not attend the prayers because of “other commitments”.
“We exalt today our 12 leaders [Presidential candidates] to know that the people they want to rule are not your people. They are God’s people,” Mbewe said.
“We are therefore ask you the leaders to humble yourselves.”
The Calvary Family Church (CFC) founder and leader said the leaders should also be levelheaded despite that the position of presidency had many challenges.
He also appealed to MEC to level the playing field when carrying out their mandate to run the elections in a free and fair manner to all political parties.
“My plea to MEC is that we pray to you to ensure transparency of the highest degree so that you will not allow issues that derail elections,” he said.
“We declare that the elections should be free, fair, no rigging and peaceful.”
Malawi Council of Churches chairperson Rev Alex Maulana, who delivered the preaching in local language, Chichewa also said everybody not just the candidates had the responsibility to ensure that the elections would be free, fair and peaceful election.
“Everybody should be involved not just candidates because it’s the challenge for all of us to make Malawi through the elections a better nation,” Maulana, who is the General Secretary of Blantyre Synod of CCAP Church, said.
“What people should know is that it’s not just on the day of elections but the next five years that is at stake for the country to be prosperous nation.”
Sheik Idrissa Mahommed chairman of Muslim Association of Malawi appealed to the people to be united despite of their differences in religion, tribe and party affiliations.
“Differences in religion, party and tribal lines should not divide us,” Sheik Mahommed said.
He also advised the candidates to accept results because there would be only one winner.
Rev Ncozana of the CCAP applauded MEC for deciding to hold the prayers for presidential candidates.
“I would like to thank MEC Commissioners, management led by Chief Elections Officer Willie Kalonga, chairman Justice Maxon Mbendera for organizing national prayers because it’s important to do it,” Rev Ncozana said in interview with Nyasa Times.
He also saluted all the presidential candidates, State President Joyce Banda of PP, presidential candidate for UDF Atupele Muluzi, MCP presidential candidate Lazarus Chakwera, Umodzi Party torch bearer Professor John Chisi, New Labour Party leader Friday Jumbe, Mark Katsonga president candidate for People’s Progressive Party his brother Daves of Chipani Cha Fuko, James Nyondo for National Salvation Front, United Independent Party’s candidate Pastor Helen Singh and Geroge Nnensa candidate for Tisinthe Alliance.
The officiating clergy included Episcopal Conference of Malawi General Secretary of Catholic Church Rev Father George Buleya, Aposle Tsukuluza of Revival Life Ministries, Pastor Carol Chapomba of Living Waters Church, Bishop Brighton Malasa of Anglican Church.
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