Chakwera salutes Chilima, Malawi change agents: Touts Tonse philosophy of collective responsibility
President Lazarus Chakwera used his inauguration speech at Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe on Monday to salute Vice-President Saulos Klaus Chilima for his frontline role he played in championing democratic change that has lead to his presidency.
Vice President Chilima greets Tanzania Vice President Samia Sululu Hassan who led a few foreign dignitaries at President Chakwera’s inauguration
“To reach this inauguration as State President and State Vice President, Dr. Chilima and I have ridden the wave of indispensable contributions made by fellow Malawians who each rose to the occasion in different capacities to lend their hand to the cause of justice,” said Chakwera.
He also said if it were not for Chilima and the other party presidents of the Tonse Alliance “forfeiting their political aspirations to forge an unbeatable partnership at the polls,” there could have been no change.
President Chakwera also praised the people who contributed to the election case challenge and subsequent re-election, including the court witnesses, judges, civil society, journalists, members of Parliament, campaign funders, Malawi Electoral Commission, Police and Army.
“Without the patriotic efforts and sacrifices of these Malawians, none of us would be here. If it were not for the courage of over one hundred Malawians who toiled through the night to gather evidence of electoral fraud so that our court petition against the 2019 election was built on facts, none of us would be here.
“ If it were not for the courage of over twenty witnesses who submitted testimony to the court in the face of death threats, none of us would be here. If it were not for the courage of over a dozen lawyers who stood up to the abuse of office and misuse of the law by a politically compromised Attorney General [Kalekeni Kaphale], none of us would be here.”
Chakwera continued with his catalogue of salutes: “ If it were not for the courage of the five judges of the Constitutional Court to do right by law despite attempts to bribe them in the interest of subverting justice, none of us would be here. If it were not for the courage of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition [HRDC] galvanizing citizens across the country to sustain protests for ten months straight despite the constant threat of arrest and cloud of teargas under which they marched, none of us would be here.
“If it were not for the courage of the Supreme Court to uphold and buttress the just ruling of the lower court in correcting both a constitutional anomaly regarding how a mandate to govern is secured and a constitutional crisis fashioned by one of their own, none of us would be here.”
While some business people were propelling to have former president Peter Mutharika hold on to power, Chakwera paid tribute to those that sacrificed their resources and workers donating money to give wings to the Tonse Alliance campaign “so that we could reach voters in far-flung places, none of us would be here.”
He also mentioned the courage of thousands of volunteers going door to door, village to village, city to city, to reach voters that.
Chakwera also heralded the courage of the new leadership of the Electoral Commission led by Justice Dr Chifundo Kachale to deliver a credible election with limited resources and limited time.
He specially recognised the role of prayers in championing change.
“ If it were not for thousands of knees scraping floors across this country in night-long prayers that gave heaven no rest until God’s kingdom came, none of us would be here.
“ I could go on and on, but the point would remain the same, that it is the Tonse Philosophy of collective responsibility that brought us to this milestone and it is that same philosophy that will bring us to the next.”
Chakwera said building a new Malawi will have to be a team effort every step of the way.
“And when we have differences, we will still have to listen to each other and accommodate each other, for we have no other compatriots in the entire world than each other. And when you see another citizen who is not doing their part in the work that is in front of us, accept it as your duty to the country to rebuke them and help them reengage in the process of nation-building.
“In the same way, when you see another citizen who is making great strides in transforming their home, or their neighbourhood, or their village, or their workplace, or their business, or their country, accept it as your duty to the country to celebrate and reward them without succumbing to jealousy and mudslinging,” said Chakwera.
President Chakwera said in equal measure, whether a Malawian live locally or abroad, when he or she see a foreigner exploiting any of a fellow Malawian citizen or trashing the country, “accept it as your duty to the country to stand up for the flag and speak of the unsung beauties of this land God has preserved as our national inheritance.”
He asked each citizen to give their best for Malawi and “do our best for Malawians.”
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God bless Malawi
A president who doesn’t know how to pronounce English words properly eish Chakwera is crappy!! Tell us where to buy universal fertilizer now now inu a pedegu a MCP.
Time heals dont worry
At least we have leadership in Malawi. God bless Malawi
The heading of the story is very clear that any failure to deliver the promises will be the Tonse Alliance collective responsibility. No one should jump ship when it starts sinking like how Chilima jumped DPP ship. After he served for three and half years in the corrupt government which he presided over the corrupt cabinet, he jumped ship to make himself look clean. Don’t rule this out from happening again.
I agree with you on collective responsibility. However on SKC jumping DPP ship, I believe its DPP as a party that offloaded him, and he followed their wish to start his own movement. That is not jumping.
Exactly!
Chakwela forget about God just enjoy the power you wanted. God is always God not only when you have achieved what you wanted!!! Why are we not hearing the Rev title on your salutation? But it was used strongly during campaining?
Great inspiring speech by President Lazarus Chakwera. God bless Malawi
We are on the right track Mr President. Thank you. Let us continue on this trajectory.
I can now proudly say I am a Malawian with my shoulders high.
During dpp era , I felt shy and embarrassed to cal myself a Malawian.
There was nothing worth celebrating for.
But now , am really proud to be called such ~Malawian.
Jst pic this;
1. Citizenry protested Apm win without fear
2. Courts stood firm and overturned Apm victory
3. Mdf stood by the citizen and protected the judges
4. Lawyer Modecai Msisha turning down Chakwera appointment on the basis of old age and not wanting to be seen as being rewarded for being Tonse alliance lead lawyer during the elections case
5. Chakwera acknowledging the fact that he is now state president bcoz of Chilima
That’s wat we want as Malawians
But , the presidency shud see to it that ALL MWENYEZI are not closer to the govt purse.
Indigenous Malawians want to be empowered economically thru business
We’re able citizens who can develop this country.
Chakwera and Chilima you’re our only hope
Tatopa kumangoona a mwenye akutilemelera mmaso
Arrest jezabel for we know she committed a crime against the law together with peter and other corrupt people like thom. Let the law lead us by example by arresting them please.
They (the immigration) have blocked Jezebel from secretly slipping out of the country with suitcases full of….your guess is as good as mine…..Corona border restrictions will make it difficult for the mafia gang members that have looted the national treasury to escape!! The world is becoming smaller and smaller for them!!!
Who cleared the car to cross the boarder?? who authorized use of the car, why was she using a government vehicle after Malawians fired her???, who/ what? how?
Soon, all Malawians will realize how fortunate they are to have such an inspiring visionary as a president. Palingenesia, Woyeee!
Linda madzi apite ndiye uziti wadala. A new marriage is as sweet as honey. JB anayamba bwa? Who knew that she would sell our plane and become Abiti Cashgsre?
Abiti was one of the best president we had before the current presidency.But the DPP system disturbalised her government by stealing from them.She realised too late and these Tonse alliance government must not underrate those evil system
So you admit the judges were not following the law but to put you in power,
Mumutu mwanu munadzadza chuku chifukwa cha u cadet. Kutereku simunamve zanenedwa apa?
So you don’t believe that Malawians kicked out of government? Keep on showing us your stupidity because that’s what you are capable of.
umbuli ndi matendadi, so you you mean you can’t understand a simple english statement above kkkkk
Good speech yes! But Kachale is more intelligent and more human.Despite Anser’s shortfalls Kachale did not ignal to acknowledge the good things she did.That is civilization.
Chakwera became President of all Malawians today and i am glad to have him as our President.
I’m very proud of the people of Malawi for a new change.You have shown other African countries how to run free and credible elections without observers. Now it’s time to build the Warm heart if Africa lure investors.I love Malawian people very hard working people. So let’s stop squabble and focus on rebuilding the economy and beat also coronavirus. Let’s keep ourselves safe and help the health services.
*Free and credible” has changed meaning for sure. These things who destroying, killing and stealing in the name of regime change will be abswersbke to every drop of blood that touched the soil whether victims are dead or alive. Be prepared to face the question that God asked Cain after he killed Abel
The anointed leader like David during the Israelites who defeated Goliath of Philistines. Peter Muthalika was Goliath of DPP in Malawi and God destroyed him for ever in his life.
Don’t forget to change the law so that those financing political parties their names should be made public just like in the USA. It helps the public to assess if anyone is getting paybacks
Yeremia please push for federalism. This is the ideal time.
Am a happy man that my country has functioning President and Vice presiden.All thanks should go to Almighty God for the grace.
May God bless Malawi with this leadership
Bravo!
A SPEECH OF A TYPICAL “GOD FEARING PRESIDENT”, LOOKING FORWARD TO A BETTER MALAWI FOR ALL OF US.
Clap clap you are my president, you speak a language majority of us have always want to hear. God bless Malawi
Chakwera is really a pastor he has spoken the truth. Chilima used to go to risky areas for their achievement. Congrats Mr President very few can realize that and humble themselves the way you have done. Keep it. God bless.
Also Mr Pagonachi, we need to thank him
That’s shows good Quality Leadership
Tonse philosophy is powerful. God bless.
That’s is a wisest speech long live Malawi. Hopefully will act that way to build a better malawi for all.
Brilliant speech. Now as citizens, it should be about what we can do for the country and not what Malawi can do for us. Even if its just reporting corrupt activities is a good start. Every little helps. We all worked hard for this.