Chilima assents to Youth Manifesto: Commits to address numerous challenges affecting young Malawians
May 8, 2019
Wongani Chiuta - Nyasa Times 21 Comments
UTM Party’s presidential torchbearer Saulos Chilima, who disclosed that he will also be minister responsible for the youth should he be voted into power on May 21, has appended his signature to the National Youth Manifesto to commit himself that he will address numerous challenges youths are facing in the country.
Chilima adopts Youth Manifesto and commits to uplifting youthsYouth Decide team leader Charles Kajoloweka with Chilima presenting National Youth Manifesto
The youth movement which launched the 2019-2024 National Youth Manifesto–the first such strategic document ever in Malawi– had an audience with Chilima on Wednesday morning in Lilongwe .
Chilima was presented with the document which will be a catalyst for economic transformation in the country as it is tackling a number of issues such as the revising and redesigning of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (Yedef) while also looking on creation of 500 000 jobs for the youth each year.
Putting his signature on the document, Chilima said he was committing himself and the UTM to adopt issues in the manifesto considering that most of the issues in it are also within the UTM electoral pledges.
“People have been asking what I will do for the youth. But I have also asked what it is that the youth want. I subscribe to what the Youth Manifesto is saying. So, I don’t have any choice but to endorse it,” said Chilima, who listened attentively and took down notes during the remarks when Youth Decide leader presented the documents.
“Malawi youths deserve a better future. Tsogolo labwino, lowala with UTM,” he said.
Youth Decide team leader Charles Kajoloweka, who is also outspoken Youth and Society (YAS) executive director, said the youth, who constitute about 50 percent of the country’s population, commended Chilima for making what he called a high-level political commitment saying it is a step ahead in trying to alleviate a number of challenges the youths are facing.
Some of the organisations which supported the formulation of the National Youth Manifesto are Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (Osisa), Danish Church Aid (DCA), National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the European Union, according to Kajoloweka.
The manifesto has 14 strategic points, with access to youth employment and vocational training being the first issue they want the next government to consider while agriculture and entrepreneurship come second.
A consortium comprising Youth Network and Counselling, M-Hub, Youth and Society, Young Politicians Society and other youth rights organisations will be monitoring its implementation.
Some points in the manifesto
1. Access to youth employment. 500 000 youths employed each year
2. No child should be learning under a tree by 2023
3. Scrapping off of quota system as a method for selecting students into university
4. Revise and redesign the Youth Enterprise Fund (Yedef)
5. Delink ACB from the Office if the President in terms of appointment of the director general.
Was Chilumpha forced out by Bingu? Yes. Was JB forced out by Bingu? Yes. Was Chilima forced by Alamu Pumani Mwakalamba? No. Is Chilima working for Malawians? No. Is Chilima stealing from Malawians? Yes. Is Chilima leading by example by stealing taxes? No. So Chilima and APM are both thieves and should not be voted? Chilima was supposed to be impeached. The new government must bring in practical impeachment laws.
The youth who are intelligent will grab what President Mutharika is doing. Those who can discern and know that they should grab the chance of enrolling themselves in Community Colleges. Malawi is developing and will need much of skilled labour who are well trained in different trades. We don’t have to have plumbers, electrician, woodworking, bricklayers coming from abroad. We need people who will establish their own brand, who can design and make or build their own. Don’t fight for white collar jobs, go for skilled jobs there is a high demand on the market for these guys. We don’t… Read more »
Aka
4 years ago
You who say Chilima amangidwe mwawuponda kaya. Kawerengeni chomwe lamulo limanena pa za kampeni ( Campaign period is protected and these tantrums as Dausi call them do not lead to crime.
Only if you read the law you would automatically shut up
I am surprised to see why some people are flattered by what Saulos Chilima is saying or promising. Chilima has been working with thugs in dpp and should not look a saint today. He worked with udf. For your information this guy is turning out to be a demagogue. Demagogues use tricks to win the hearts and minds of the people. He is promising 1 million jobs in one year. What type of jobs is he talking about. The ILO talks about decent work. Who would want to work for the Chinese and Indians. Who would want to work as… Read more »
BigMan
4 years ago
Well done Mr President Sir, the youth need to be empowered and supported, not just painted in blue paint or hired to pull down other political parties flags.
A Party’s Youth Manifesto MUST be crafted on the lines of that of the Party as to ensure it articulates its vision and mission. Failure to do this could make the youth manifesto a mere collection of words that mean nothing.
I hope SKC has ensured this.
WANA
4 years ago
The word ‘assent’ has been misused… ‘endorse’ would have been better. Also, points raised seem to be politicised. Quota system abolished – which youth are saying that?
Was Chilumpha forced out by Bingu? Yes. Was JB forced out by Bingu? Yes. Was Chilima forced by Alamu Pumani Mwakalamba? No. Is Chilima working for Malawians? No. Is Chilima stealing from Malawians? Yes. Is Chilima leading by example by stealing taxes? No. So Chilima and APM are both thieves and should not be voted? Chilima was supposed to be impeached. The new government must bring in practical impeachment laws.
The youth who are intelligent will grab what President Mutharika is doing. Those who can discern and know that they should grab the chance of enrolling themselves in Community Colleges. Malawi is developing and will need much of skilled labour who are well trained in different trades. We don’t have to have plumbers, electrician, woodworking, bricklayers coming from abroad. We need people who will establish their own brand, who can design and make or build their own. Don’t fight for white collar jobs, go for skilled jobs there is a high demand on the market for these guys. We don’t… Read more »
You who say Chilima amangidwe mwawuponda kaya. Kawerengeni chomwe lamulo limanena pa za kampeni ( Campaign period is protected and these tantrums as Dausi call them do not lead to crime.
Only if you read the law you would automatically shut up
Kawerenge lamulo iweyo. You dont understand the different between criminal lawsuits and civil claims. Shutup!
Zopusa Ali m’boma anapangapo chani? Don’t be brind useless….. Kajoloweka you have gone useless I know you want favours but God is great you will see
I am surprised to see why some people are flattered by what Saulos Chilima is saying or promising. Chilima has been working with thugs in dpp and should not look a saint today. He worked with udf. For your information this guy is turning out to be a demagogue. Demagogues use tricks to win the hearts and minds of the people. He is promising 1 million jobs in one year. What type of jobs is he talking about. The ILO talks about decent work. Who would want to work for the Chinese and Indians. Who would want to work as… Read more »
Well done Mr President Sir, the youth need to be empowered and supported, not just painted in blue paint or hired to pull down other political parties flags.
Chilima kathyali ufuna anyamata azakhale atambwali ngati iweyo God forbid, Yehova sangakupatse utsogoleri, MCP bomaaaaaaaa
A Party’s Youth Manifesto MUST be crafted on the lines of that of the Party as to ensure it articulates its vision and mission. Failure to do this could make the youth manifesto a mere collection of words that mean nothing.
I hope SKC has ensured this.
The word ‘assent’ has been misused… ‘endorse’ would have been better. Also, points raised seem to be politicised. Quota system abolished – which youth are saying that?
Why Chilima only? Are you sure he has won? Zachibwanadi ma Youth
Kumadikira kapena kumafufuza kaye mkulu wanga, all the presedential aspirants will sign
eish a Malawi phuma