Chilima has hallmarks of transformational leader for better Malawi – Movement

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members in the so called  Chilima Movement have said they are backinb  Vice-President Saulos Chilima for presidential run in 2019 Tripartite Elections, saying he has all the hallmarks of a transformational leader that Malawi needs.

DPP national director of women and Mulanje West legislator Patricia Kaliati who branded Mutharika as “a clueless leader” and nominated Chilima as a presidential candidate at the convention, said the Movement leaders want Chilima to lead because he has demonstrated passion to get things done for the benefit of Malawians.

“He has also demonstrated that he is an accomplished decision maker even under pressure-cooker circumstances. Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima is a proven winner and a humble performer with exceptional temerity for hard work. He has demonstrated diligence and positive work ethic, something which the Mutharika and his panel of close friends furiously lack,” said Kaliati.

The Chilima Movement has accused  the President that has also demonstrated poor leadership skills and fails to make decisions, touting  Chilima as a person who has all the hallmarks of a transformational leader, and will be a breath of fresh air from the indecisiveness of Mutharika.

They argue that Chilima’s passionate sense of value makes him the ideal person to take Malawi forward and steer the DPP ship “out of the perennial doldrums that Mutharika has taken us into.”

Said the Movement: “Every generation must also rule itself, and Malawi is a young country where a majority of the population is below 65 years of age. It is our conviction therefore that Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima is more disposed to connect with us and understand our challenges better than the disconnection that we are currently experiencing under President Pete Mutharika.”

They highlight that Chilima was also born in Malawi; grew up in Malawi; got his education in Malawi and has extensive knowledge of the Malawian private sector having worked there and created employment for many youths for many years.

“We believe this background gives him the vantage point to effectively respond to the needs of Malawians from different sectors with quick and practical solutions for their myriad challenges. We believe Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima’s leadership would be a significant departure from the procrastinations of Mutharika, whose long stay outside this country is the reason why he is clueless and totally disconnected from common issues that affect Malawians. We believe that is also the reason our President over-consults even on very small and ‘split-second’ decision matters.”

President Mutharika, however , reacted furiously with the Chilima Movement statement, saying it was full of insults to him and warned “if they continue insulting me, as they did in Lilongwe, there is a limit, ndiwafinya [I will squeeze them]. Section 4 is clear about that.”

But the Chilima Movement  defended their position, saying thry have anything personal against Mutharika; in fact thry regard him as their father.

“We only think he is no longer able to provide the kind of leadership that the DPP and Malawi require at this critical time when the country is facing monumental social economic challenges. We respect Prof. Peter Mutharika just like we would respect any other elderly person in the spirit of  akuluakulu ndim’dambo mozimila moto. We want him to rest and keep his legacy and will still be our ‘go to man’ on issues that require his insights. We just don’t think he has the energy levels that his office demands,” the Movement said.

The Chilima Movement also said the reason for asking Mutharika to step aside is also not only due to his advanced age as they recognize that the elders are a bastion of wisdom, as such their  respect for the elderly is beyond question.

“However, we are also not blind to the fact that a 70 year old does not have the energy of a 40 year old. We  live to the understanding that ageing comes with its own downside.When one is ageing, it is natural to rely more on the support and judgment of others such as your grandchildren and advisors; you therefore become less of your own man. We believe the DPP has been a victim of poor leadership because age has affected Mutharika’s better judgment.”

The Movement said elsewhere  people have been fortunate enough to draw from the elaborate wisdom of their elders] statesmen in Malawi it has been an unfortunate case where  elders have only used the youths as a trump card to amass political power and wealth for themselves.

They pointed out  as stated by African philanthropist, Mo Ibrahim that advanced age of leaders is a contributing factor to problems in Africa , they fear the only place that Mutharika’s leadership can take Malawu would be to its grave.

Mo Ibrahim is known for  the Mo Ibrahim Foundation which awards the world’s largest prize for good governance and leadership to departing African leaders.

He founded Celtel International in 1998 (which in Malawi changed to Airtel and once managed by Chilima) and went on to be a trailblazer in establishing communications on the African continent. The company is famous for never having paid a bribe, a story Ibrahim is fond of telling.

The DPP senior members that have come in the open to demand that Mutharika must step down and pave the way for Chilima in the May 2019 elections include  Kaliati, who is also director of women in the party, DPP Blantyre City East legislator Noel Masangwi, who is also the party’s executive member, national director of youth Louis Ngalande and DPP Mulanje South legislator Bon Kalindo.

Other lawmakers include Willet Kalonga, Joseph Chidanti Malunga, Paul Chibingu, Aaron Sangala, Malison Ndau, Pete Kumpalume and DPP director of logistics Dr Ben Chidyaonga.

Former first lady Callista Mutharika—widow of DPP founding president and the incumbent President’s elder brother Bingu—sparked the succession debate weeks ago, when she said her in-law, who is 79, should pave the way for the comparatively younger Chilima, 45.

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