Chiwamba elected Poetry association of Malawi president
Renowned poet Robert Chiwamba has been elected the new president for the Poetry Association of Malawi (PAM), replacing Chisomo Mdala, also known as Nyamalikiti Nthiwatiwa, whose term expired.
Chiwamba was announced the winner on Saturday after the highly contested visual election, which saw new faces being ushered into various positions.
In his acceptance speech, Chiwamba promised to continue putting at heart needs of the poets both upcoming and established ones.
“I am very grateful. I thank all the poets who took their time in casting votes on this day. I feel greatly honoured with this huge responsibility of steering PAM towards achieving its goals and aspirations and promise to raise the flag of this association during my reign,” he said.
Chiwamba said his plans are to rebrand PAM into an association that embraces technology and innovation in promoting poetry and poets in the country.
“I will also try my best to create partnerships with other association from both within and outside the country to learn from them how to improve the welfare of poets, lobby COSOMA to collect royalties on behalf of poets and also mobilize the poets to be registered members of COSOMA.” he said
He also said finding a permanent officer for the association and also facilitating capacity building workshops for poets are among some of his priorities.
Poet Zabuloni Dam comes second in command as the vice President; the post of secretary general has gone to Patwel Phiri while Chikumbutso Kaliati has taken up a position of the Vice Secretary General.
Among others, Poet Joseph Kadzakumanja has been voted as Treasure General and Ross Kampaundi as Events Organizer.
The outgoing president Chisomo Mdala wished Chiwamba well and advised him to be a listening president if he wants to achieve his plans for the association.
Mdala pledged to provide necessary support to the new leadership in order to see the association blossoming and being recognized on the international scene.
He further asked all the contesters, both winners and those who did not make it to work together for the common goal of uplifting the poetry industry.
Conceding the defeat, both Hudson Chamasowa and Felix Njonjonjo congratulated Chiwamba and wished him well saying they will support him and make his dreams for the association come true.
The new executive will steer the operations of the association for the next three years.
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