Chilima brands combination with Atupele unique for ‘youthquake’: Malawi paper says ‘spell out agenda’
State Vice-President Saulos Chilima who has expressed his interest to be on the presidential ballot paper in the 2019 Tripartite Elections has branded a possible ticket with United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Austin Muluzi as “unique combination” to steer the country’s development agenda.
In an exclusive interview with privately-owned Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) Wednesday evening, Chilima who dumped the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) accusing it of being riddled with corruption, nepotism and cronyism, spoke positively of young Muluzi and that his UDF is one of the parties in the proposed grand electoral coalition.
Chilima said he would welcome an opportunity to partner with Muluzi, who is Minister of Health and Population in Mutharika’s Cabinet, on a presidential ticket if both sides agreed.
“We could explore how best a partnership could be structured. It presents a unique combination. Obviously, what is the heat of the moment is the ‘youth quake’, but obviously it is not just the issue of age, but youth who are progressive, delivering.
“It [the Chilima-Muluzi ticket] is an opportunity of two vibrant young men. We could see if we can present the partnership; it’s give and take.”
Commenting in a Whatsapp Group of UDF members, musician-cum-politician Lucius Banda said Chilima-Muluzi would indeed be a dream ticket.
But Muluzi said his party, which formed the country’s first multiparty administration in 1994 led by his father Bakili Muluzi, holds its convention on August 1 and he has no mandate yet to discuss any strategies for 2019.
“So, I cannot offer any decisions about partnerships at this stage [until after convention],” he said.
But Lucius Banda, the Balaka North legislator indicated if Chilima and Muluzi would work together he would not be contemplating on presidential run because it will be a good ticket for ‘youthquake’.
This comes at the time when some youth have rolled out a national elections campaign, code-named Youth Decide 2019, to dial up youth energies and active participation ahead of 2019 Tripartite Elections.
The campaign’s team leader Charles Kajoloweka said ‘Youth Decide 2019’ is a national campaign to amplify the voices of the youth when it comes to elections.
”It focuses on creating space for active participation of young people in the forthcoming elections. We want the youth to decide the future of this country in next year’s elections. The opportunity and potential is there because the youth are in majority. But to achieve that, we need first of all to organise ourselves to consolidate a powerful youth campaign,” Kajoloweka said.
Prevailing statistics show that during the forthcoming elections, the youth, aged 15-39, will constitute 39 percent of the 17.2 million population, forming a large constituent of both voters and contestants.
“The fact that youths constitute over 60 percent of the total Malawi’s population makes it a foregone conclusion that almost all the development challenges facing Malawi bear a youth face. Despite being in clear majority, evidence shows that most youths have not actively participated in political and governance processes in Malawi. There are fewer youthful Malawians than old people that participate in politics, especially in elections.
“Fewer youths than old people have contested in the presidential, parliamentary and local government elections or participate in front-line civil activism. The forthcoming elections in Malawi, therefore, presents a golden opportunity for the ordinary and marginalised young women and men who are in the majority and hungry for change to mobilise and organise themselves.”
Meanwhile, Malawi’s leading daily newspaper, The Nation, on a Thursday focused its editorial comment on Chilima’s comments during the televised interview.
The paper expressed the hope that Chilima and his associates will draw to be different politicians, by among others, rising above the First by focusing on issues other than pettiness and politics that concentrated on attacking personalities.
But it urged Chilima and his Transformation Movement to clearly outline their agenda for Malwi beyond 2019.
“They should tell Malawiand why they should be entrusted with governing the country,” urges the paper.
It also said Chilima should now forfeit his private life now that he aspires to be tenant of State House and let Malawians know what type of person he is.
SKC – Saulos Klaus Chilima- should be prepared to be in the limelight like other aspirants.
The paper wished Chilima well as, like any qualifying Malawian, he is out to exercise his constitutional right to bid for a public office of bid choice.
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My analysis based on Chilimas remarks;
1.He is a decorated leader ,at the moment, who has no clear vision for the nation,-he is contemplating of standing as a Presidential candidate merely based on growing calls perpetrated by the * so-called chilima movement*,
-a grouping of no vision and composed of frustrated DPP politicians.
-a grouping he has denounced and prefers to call it transformation movement just to make sense
-a grouping composed of members who are answering corruption charges,which he does not entertain and does not what to associate with allegedly corrupt people,why then not disassociate yourself with some of the members of the movement then,till their cases Are finalised?
-a grouping which doesn’t not even qualify to chilimas three principles of i) putting Malawi first before leaders,ii)identifiying needs for the Nation,ii)finding strategies on how to achieve the needs
iii)lastly,identifying the best leader for the task…the movement is working in reverse to the principles..
2.His problem with DPP are minor and are only two,(Nepotism and Corruption);meaning his decision to contest has no sound backing,based on his admission of success stories of DPP administration ranging from,Economy,Vocational centres..etc
I)Nepotism ;his problem is with the civil servants (Malawians)not necessarily the President nor DPP as an advocate of Nepotism ,he said they is a homeboy culture in the civil service,he noted when he was fully granted permission to propose reforms.The main problem is mindset of the nation not any single individual or grouping.
II)Corruption;
-he said the first step to curb corruption is to admit the vice exists and,he further said the president has openly said it does,just as you said at a church service ,now what’s the problem on the first step sir?,the president further let ACB do its job to the former Leader of the House plus to a former organising Sectary of the party now in the *transformation movement*you forget to highlight those issues ,sir
-he has been in the system for 3- 4 years,he said “he has seen people within the system coming with nothing and now are Super rich,they are meant to be exposed”,why not drop a case with ACB,as a patriotic Second Citizen of the nation,and tell them based on my visionary eyes….A,B,C had one suit and now has 10 ;more less like mine,he must be corrupt.?,just for instance
3.He has mentioned of glorification of leaders which he has been part of,he has decorated and glorified Peter as a visionary leader and President well befitted for the nation for the past 3-4 years ,what has changed now just a year before elections,….not fully principled as you sound.
4.With all due respect to his past track records,as CEO of Airtel Malawi,….Carlsberg and… Unilever;
-I feel he is well suited as a Marketer not a Presidential candindate ,at the moment,
-he really presents well ideas which have been already crafted for well established organisations,
-his track record is overrated,without trying to compare to his fellow youth ,Bushiri has a masssive track record…establishing companies nearly competing to Airtel or even greater,he would have employed our Vice President if he was still with Airtel….Hint DPP should consider Bushiri for VP.
-if I was the President I would have appointed him as spokesman or minister of tourism and culture,he would do better in those two fronts as he ;-
-dresses very well,more appealing to public
-his presentation are on point,plus miyambi,😂😂
-his barber is on point,mahope ndi azungu omwe..😂😂😂
-graces occasions in a very fashionable manner
-mfana Wa gym,be-ball,plus ma looks ..😂😂😂
5.He cited trusting the youth of proven record to Important roles,he gave an example of of Dr Banda rule which performed well between 1964 to
1993/4 and promoted the likes of youthful Aleke banda(Mhrip) to a mere cabinet position not Vice President,my questions
-Who is a youth?,Are you not a youth?
-Have you not been given an opportunity to perform in an important office of the land?
-who doubts your integrity to rule based on your youthful age?
-who has not promoted youths between between the time you to took Office and now?
6.Of 50:50 campaign and women dancing for the leadership.
-What have you done for the campaign with the proven track record?bring statistics,maybe you have employed more female airtel money agents during your reign at Airtel Malawi?
-women dancing and signing for the leadership has nothing do with 50:50 campaign,doesn’t not even amount to any abuse neither hero worshiping,it’s part of our good culture we dance and sing for a events,we can’t live foreign,your movement is even dancing very well for you,incase you have no idea.
My general observation
-With all due to respect to his rights to stand as a Presidential candidate,his actions are based on frustration just like the movement, at the moment.
-he fell short to blend well with DPP senior members who aimed at his position,which is normal in politics,…..Politics is a career to Politians they all need to progress.,..fight(not dirty nor physical)for Positions with strategy,but remember to accept the outcomes.
-his relationship with his immediate boss is or was cordial,he would have used it to his advantage to advance well in his political career but not trying to top him,Kenyan Vice President has done it well,and he is more likely to succeed to the current president at the end of his tenure.
-he is a good marketer who knows how to convince a few elite in an established organisations,he should use the same strategy to woo local Malawian masses,just like the uladis and Mias ….for him to remain relevant in politics,just intelligence alone is not enough.
-his stand on corruption is appreciative and good for the nation
-if you can partner with PP,UDF,and small other parties,(I doubt your partnership with MCP if it can work),and remain as a Vice President or President and define solid goals after 2019 not based on frustration your likely to upgrade from a smart marketer to a smart politician and President in 2024….( only if you keep your group alive)
Koma Chilima ndi wosakhwimanso eti!
That ticket would lose to DPP or MCP by a wide margin: something like in the 2:10 ratio, I predict.
People, even most of our relatives in the village, do NOT vote just for “pretty” faces or cute youths. Anthu anachenjera masiku ano.
Youth quake my dirty bottom,,Atupele cannot make his own decisions,he has to consult his father ,the father thinks for him .He is one useless spoiled boldhead.You wil bel teaming up with Bakili Muluzi ,Atupele is a brainless fraud ,he claims that he has a law degree ,how can he have a degree when he failed his examination?Saulos is now a desperado ,time is against him .He will fail miserably in 2019,ndiye udzalira ngati mmene unalilira ku Chanco utalindidwa Linda …Paja suchedwa kulira
Saulos needs a head transplant
I think it’s you who needs one.
I thought Chilima told APM kuti ‘njoka saweta’ in reference to Atupele Muluzi. So, how can he say that he can work with Atupele the ‘snake’ to get the vote through Youthquake? Chilima is really pathetic.
I was going to vote MCP. But chilima has sparked something in me and many others. Voting for him just seems right… him and Atupele…my gosh what a combination… change is coming…
You don’t know what politics Muluzi the father plays. He sees more chances for his son under APM than under Chilima. He sees an opportunity to take back government which he inadvertently handed over to Bingu. Muluzi still seethes with rage over the way DPP took over the reigns from a well-run campaign which he put up. Muluzi is carefully inching closer to taking back the government and believe me, he will make sure that he does that. People should also know that Muluzi hates to see the presidency go back to the central region. This will the be the last thing he will want to see and to contribute to.
I said it. Chilima sizinthu amwene. Tiyeni toooonse tikwere Team ChakweraMia
Let me remind you Mr Chilima that you are under oath. Please repeat after me.
“I Saulos Klaus Chilima solemnly swear that, in compliance with the Constitution of Malawi, I will uphold the rule of law by, among other things, not interfering in the trial of one Elson Bakili Muluzi after an alliance with Atupele Muluzi and ascending to the high office of President of the Republic of Malawi.
Political novice the more you talk the more you become irrelevant. This movement will not move..
If there is any Malawian who believe that Chilima Drama Group with Msowoya, Manganya, Kaliati, Makondi and Masangwi + UDF can bring transformational leadership , then that person need to go for a mental check up. The guy is just clueless and indecisive. Today, you will tell you that kusinth mtundu wa nkhuku sikusosola nthenga koma kusintha tambala and tommorrow he is talking about UDF (Youthquake). Lerooo??? UDF Leroo?? Now i hear Atcheya ayamba kuyankhula kuti zinthu sizili bwino. In fact, Chilima drama group will be worse than Madala team. The guy is completely sorrounded by the worst beasts in Malawi. It will be very interesting to see how his statements will be consolidated along the way.
HaHaha koma madala team ikuponda mwa chabe.. sizinawonekeso chibadwireni ..these old people we need to start to arrest them its too much.. ine wanga ndi Tambala wa black basi. I w
Look at the age here and what age is gonna vote. Out of that, how many have registered?
Much as I’m of that age bracket, youths are not yet ready for such a responsibility on the ground n not on paper. Hate it or loathe it, its my opinion….
…… in my dream I saw a young of stature and handsome rising to the position of king of an african nation whose flag black, red and green. ……..when time to count how much he had ammassed…. it was 5,201,819 votes……. everyone was suprised and overwhelmed…… then came the angel with a bright glowing walking stick which had been snatched from a relatively oldman in his late 70s….. then this walking stick was given to SKC…. In a state of suprise, SKC asked…. I dont need a stick to walk for I am still young….. the angel angrily replied….. this stick does not represent inability to walk but symbolises power and authority…. take it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In order to transform Malawi politics there is need for a firebrand to come out of our ranks; it be old or young. Currently, the old, recycled and no-clue politicians have entrenched themselves comfortably under the mandate from the 65% poor and illiterate village people. They know the game of mobilising this constituency of disfranchised voters who also have no clue how to elect ethical and moral leaders. The Saulos Chilima-Atupele Muluzi team will fail if its unable to resonate with the 65% poor people at grassroots level. The two young aspirants must learn the game and learn it quickly that the votes are in the rural areas and not in urban and peri-urban areas. Laluta continua!.
Awa satithandiza – kuchuluka zonena but alibe mablume.
Except for MCP (which has already settled for Mia), Atupele will be sought after by three parties: DPP, PP and Chilima. Of the 3 DPP is in a pole position to win the 2019 presidential elections so if Atupule is desirous to be in the limelight for 2024 presidential elections just us Chilima has to day then clinging to DPP is the wise thing to do.
Which leaves Chilima with PP. Chilima has to convince former president Joyce Banda to abandon her presidential aspirations for which she can reluctantly do but ofcourse demand a runningmate of her choice, her son being a high probability. Can it be a winning ticket? Not necessarily but it will give both MCP and DPP a run for it’s money.
The last option for Chilima will be to entice the remnants of the briefcase parties since some would have gone to DPP, PP, and MCP. The chances of Chilima pulling a surprise win with these parties will be nil.
Komatu Msowoya wants to be Vice President. It’s his life’s dream. Ndiye zitha bwanji ?
If Chilima want to lose by wider margin let him team up with Atupele.It is not the same Atupele with his UDF MPs making bad decisions to favor DPP.50+1% his MPs voted against the will of the majority Malawians.The IG issue,they voted in favor of DPP,you name them.Even this suffering we are now,it’s because of Chilima who rigged the elections in 2014,by that time Chakwera won the elections but now he wants to become an angel.Don’t take us for a ride because we know the stories.If you want Malawians to vote for you should(must) firstly come open and apologise for the role you played in 2014 failure to that no one will vote for you.
I watched Chilima’s interview yesterday. He is intellectually very sound but abstract in his pronouncements; still speaking at marco-theoretical level. I hope he is intelligent and wise enough to understand the following prevailing empirical facts:
1. MCP and DPP remain joint favourites to win next year’s elections: they have well defined constituencies; i.e. Lomwe belt still largely intact for DPP and enjoys benefits of incumbency, although incumbency doesn’t guarantee victory. Much of central region and the north are for MCP; Mia will bring some votes from the south (lower shire plus a few elsewhere from the south and lakeshore). Race close to call between MCP and DPP at the moment.
2. Chilima’s constituency currently constitutes the following: Much of his home district and some people on social media. Would be interesting to know where else he draws his support. Politics is about numbers. Where will he get the numbers?
3. Combining smaller parties will add little value to Chilima’s candidacy; they added almost nothing to Mgwirizano coalition he referenced in his interview yesterday, and are more likely to add almost nothing next year.
4. If Chilima stands next year and assuming MCP, DPP, PP and Chilima will be on the ballot, Chilima will come third; only beating PP which will come a distant 4th.
5. If Chilima’s agenda is about this country’s bright future, he should forget about next year’s elections and focus on building his movement. Unfortunately, the momentum may not be there at that point. However, sustaining momentum beyond next year will prove that he is indeed up to something and necessary numbers of voters may turn his way in 2024 and beyond. Standing as a candidate next year, where he is more likely to lose badly, will damage his legacy because it will smack of desperation and hunger for power. But Chilima has every right to stand. So, let him decide.
The combination of Chilima and Atupele is so great. Sitimasnkha madzi othimitsira moto.
Sumusakhadi madzi ozimitsira ,the most corrupt asshole ku Castel is you Omex..You also need to change your corrupt way of thinking…Koma kupatsa mahule ma fridge a carlsberg ..You are very bad for business Mxiii..Chimidzi too much
Atupele cannot say anything against corruption because he is part of corrupt government. He is eating with corrupt people. What will he be saying during the campaign? Is he going to criticize Mutharika?
UDF is the architect of corruption in Malawi. It is started with his father Bakili Muluzi. As we speak, he is answering corruption charges of K1.7 billion. Secondly, UDF as a party inatha ngati makatani. It is no longer the UDF people used to know.
Chilima ought to be careful who he partners with in the elections. Atupele has now become an opportunist. He served under PP and the DPP. It is him alone who is eating. He is now positioning himself so that he benefits again should another party win. Chilima get another person not Atupele. UDF has doen more harm to Malawi than good. Malawians do not want UDF any more. Remember Atupele came 4th in the elections. What does that tell you?
Chilima -Atupele my vote……Nyau zikumva nyunyunyu
which ever strategy chilima might use .
Chilima is not decided – says this, says that. Completely confused. Doesn’t understand politics at all.
Actually he understands it pretty well. You don’t make enemies in Politics, that’s why he even said he can work with DPP given a chance and assuming they embraced transformation agenda. He is decided on a transformation agenda and that he will run for the presidency. The how takes a lot of thinking and negotiating which is a process. That’s what he is doing now.
Some of these problems have been created by the youth ourselves. Saulos himself as a youth decided to help rig the elections in favor of the old APM. Atupele himself as a youth, sold a whole party to DPP. So these are two young men who will do anything to be popular and be comfortable. So lets see who will fund the Movements campaign if it wont come from Indians and other former cashgaters. UDF is run purely on wealth from Corruption during the UDF reign.
Things will never change in Malawi. If Chilima wins we will still have the Kaliatis, Masangwis, Ngalandes. These cant change now.
do we have eviddence about this?
A Chilima apa game mwayiphonya and ndimkuluwiko wanu uja oti kusintha mtundu wankhuku sikusosola nthenga is quiet contrally UDF is the pioneer of corruption worse still ulamuliro wa UDF ukadali ku banja lomwelo la nzeru zakubalo
Yes Chilima is clean but association or teaming up with atupele makes all bad apple because all these problemswouldnt have been there if Atupele ddnt join DPP and peter is enkoying majority in parliament and making bad decisions Atupele is not for Malawians.. If thats the decicion Chilima then forget my vote
Very true. Chilima is picking an opportunist