Atupele unveils Faustace Chirwa: UDF candidate for Chitipa Central
President of the United Democratic Front (UDF) Atupele Muluzi on Friday unveiled Malawi’s renowned women’s rights activist, Faustace Chirwa, as the party’s candidate for Chitipa Central constituency.
The UDF leader presented the outspoken activist-turned-politician to Chitipa electorates during a political rally he held at Chitipa Boma attended by thousands of people.
The youthful May 20 presidential aspirant was in Chitipa in continuation of his five-day Northern Region tour. Besides Chitipa Boma he also visited Wenya and Chisenga.
Speaking to the eager gathering, Muluzi noted that despite the country attaining independence from the colonial masters in 1964 and political freedom in 1994, Malawians were yet to attain economic freedom.
He told the crowd of enthusiastic supporters political leaders take pride in parading Malawi as a poor country despite the rich resources which he said were not being managed accurately.
“The problem is not lack of resources but rather how these resources are prioritized and used by our leaders… We have developed a culture that says it is ok for the privileged few in power to abuse state resources at the expense of ordinary citizens and this goes unpunished,” said Muluzi to the cheering supporters who had waited for hours to have a glimpse at the 35-year-old leader.
He said it was because for that very reason that some political leaders could change parties at a blink of an eyelid and warned that such politicians have no space in the next UDF administration come May 20.
Muluzi urged Malawians to start examining people that surround a state president in order to remove those who confuse the president.
The UDF May 20 torchbearer also emphasised that his party was not fighting a personal battle (in order to get in power) but that of economic change.
“Leadership is about vision and courage. To stand up and to be counted when things are going wrong in the country. To take personal risks and sacrifices,” said Muluzi whose father was the first democratically elected president and ruled Malawi for 10 years (1994-2004).
Under his change agenda, stated the UDF leader, there are three priorities which are creating decent job and wealth for Malawians, protecting the poor and vulnerable and making the public purse work for Malawians.
“Our manifesto which will be out soon will explain how we intend to do things. However, we are mindful of the fact that we will probably be inheriting an economy that is in a mess come May 20,” he said.
The UDF president said he had a deep passion for the country’s youth that was why he came up with a jobs plan which will be launched together with the manifesto.
In order to attract private sector development, he told the people, once elected to the high office, the UDF would ensure that it restores public trust and confidence in the economy as well as create an enabling environment for the private sector.
He also stated that under his administration he would ensure he removes the secrecy in the manner public funds are organized.
“Open government makes better government. Malawians have the right to know how their every kwacha is being spent and ensure that it spent correctly,” he said adding “the people of Karonga must also know how their money from Uranium is being spent.”
Muluzi’s five-day tour of the region has taken him Mzimba, Rumphi, Karonga, Chitipa and Mzuzu. On Sunday he is expected to visit Kasungu in Central Region.
