From the mind of Gracian Tukula: The SKC I know
The election on May 21 this year will be the sixth time Malawians go to the polls to elect their leaders since the return to multiparty politics in 1993. I have been privileged to participate in all the previous elections and have had success in some cases, disappointment in others. My choice of candidate in previous elections has been informed by the scant knowledge of the candidates on the ballot and what I thought they represented.
This time, for a change, I will have on the ballot paper someone I know very well. Now, that can be either a good thing or a bad thing, because, for sure, knowing someone as well as I do this candidate means I know whether they are good for this country or not. I know their strengths and weaknesses and can tell with near certainty whether they are the real deal or not.
Ladies and gentlemen, the candidate that I am supporting in this election is none other than Saulos Klaus Chilima and I am urging you to follow me in supporting him, not because I know him, but because by knowing him I am sure he is the right person for Malawi. It would be nice for those who know other candidates as well as I do mine to also make their cases so that Malawians can make the best choice.
I must say many people who know me have been surprised to see me in UTM regalia over the last 10 months. It was my stated principle after coming out of Chancellor College that I would not don party colours ever again. Indeed, I have even vowed that I would never put on anything that promotes a human being, be they a politician, a football player or whatever celebrity, but here I am. I know I am not alone in this. That is how special this election is.
How well do I know SKC?
Saulos and I are not only age-mates – he was born three months before I was – but we were also classmates for four good years at Chancellor College. We were both studying Economics and we both graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science degree in 1994. In our first year, we were both taking refuge in Chilembwe Hall, he in Room 3 and I in Room 1. We, therefore, met virtually every day.
When multiparty politics came to Malawi, we both became politically active although we went different ways. He was president of the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) Chanco Wing and I was deputy publicity secretary for the United Democratic Front (UDF) wing. We were, in other words, political adversaries. It means we have not always agreed.
Since our graduation in 1994 our paths have crossed several times. He was a marketer and I was a journalist and therefore dealt with each other several times. Both of us also happen to be Catholics so that was another route for our continued interaction. Over the last nine months or so, I have been able to work with him and have got to know him even better.
Those who followed my writings during my days as a journalist will recall that in February, 2014, I congratulated SKC on his nomination as the presidential running mate for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) but made it clear that if he were to become the country’s vice president, he would do so without my vote because my conscience could not allow me to vote for DPP. It was a tough decision because I was really happy for him and wanted him to succeed. And I must say he did very well in that office. Now that he is his own man and leading his own party, I am not only going to vote for him, but I will also try to convince others to do the same because of the personal qualities I know he possesses.
So, what do I know about him?
He is genuine
SKC has not said many new things since he launched the UTM at Masintha Ground in Lilongwe on July 21, 2018. He has talked about corruption which every Malawian knows about and many other politicians have been harping about. He has been decrying the sickening levels of poverty which are very familiar to everyone living in this country. He has been condemning nepotism and its evils; things that have been highlighted in public discourse for quite a while. The difference between what we have been used to hearing and seeing SKC mention them is that you see genuine anger and frustration from him, you see a clear understanding of what needs to be done about these vices and, more importantly, a steel determination to be the one to lead the quest of addressing them. The UTM leader has proven that believability is a crucial factor in rallying the masses behind a cause. That is one of the reasons UTM has become a household name within a short time, defying the logic of all those who dismissed his bid when it started. It also explains why so many middle-class citizens who had nothing to do with politics only a year ago have come on board, offering themselves and their resources to help UTM’s bid. The anger you see at the rally or on the screen is what you see on SKC’s face even in private conversations. He is not putting up a show.
He has pride and ambition
SKC cares about his legacy and will do everything to create and leave behind a good name for himself. That explains why, despite all efforts by the establishment to scour for some mud to throw at him, nothing of note has come out to soil his five years of public service at such a high level as Vice President of the country. The man simply wants to be remembered as the leader who presided over the economic and social transformation of one of the world’s poorest countries. That pride and ambition is a source of great hope for Malawians because it creates a win-win situation. Malawians get the leader they have hitherto only dreamt of, while SKC builds the legacy that he has always aspired for.
He does not know failure
SKC has astounded many people by his levels of confidence, overconfidence if you will. The man simply does not know failure. The other day on one of his famed campaign sojourns in Thyolo, he was preceded by a heavy downpour which made the roads impassable. The driver in one of the vehicles ahead of him thought the most prudent thing was to turn back. SKC would not have it as it would mean he had failed to go and address the people whose vote he so much wanted. He asked the driver to step out, got onto the driver’s seat and drove the car to safety. He then returned the vehicle to the driver before going to take charge of his own and he proceeded to the rally venue and addressed the people. Drive and determination define his modus operandi. He believes in and lives the saying that where there is a will there is a way.
He has taste
SKC does not settle for half measures. It is either something is done well or it is not done at all. If you heard the story about the dyke in Nsanje, that was not an isolated incident. He simply detests mediocrity in all its manifestations. There are people who are now nostalgic about the standards that the founding father of this nation, the late Ngwazi, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda set in this country and in SKC you have a man that always settles for the best. You can, therefore, not expect him to compromise his standards in everything, be it on public appointments or in the quality of the development projects done on his watch.
He leads by example
SKC will not ask of you that which he is not ready to do or give. If he asks you to keep time, he will be the first to respect time. If he asks you to work hard, he will begin by rolling his sleeves and getting dirty. He will not abhor corruption in public while engaging in shady deals privately. He demands integrity because he smells integrity. That is a very important quality in a leader who wants to transform the ethos of a public service immersed in systemic lethargy and the mindset of a nation beset by a spirit of defeatism and resignation to fate.
He is frank
SKC will never leave you in any doubt as to what he thinks about you or something. He does not brook gossip. If he says anything negative about you in your absence, be sure that he will repeat it in your face once he gets the opportunity. That can only be good because no one working around him is uncertain about where they stand with their leader and everyone is able to work at ease and with clarity. There is no room for suspense.
He has enormous social capital
I cannot think of any presidential candidate who has a network of friends and collaborators as big and as diverse as SKC has. He simply knows who to go to whenever he needs a hand. And he seldom does that with the help of a third party. He will, of course, need advice in making certain appointments, but I doubt he will ever appoint anyone he does not know well enough to entrust them with a position. His social capital also means it is difficult to cheat him because, eventually, he is likely going to find out the truth through his vast network. I may call him a friend but I know hundreds of others that are ahead of me in the queue.
He is a patriot
SKC is not the only Malawian who knows the problems besetting this country and one would add that he is not the only one with the wherewithal to help change the situation. For many of us, however, personal comfort matters more than the drive to do something about the situation. SKC puts the country above personal interests. He had already made a name by being the first Malawian to head Airtel Malawi at such a young age and heaven knows how far he would have risen had he stayed on or moved to another job locally or outside. And yet he preferred to get dirty and risked a lot by resigning to accept to be running mate for a party that was in opposition and had just left power at a time when its popularity was at its worst. As vice president he is assured of state resources for the rest of his life and he could have chosen to leave the political stage to do other things, but his love for Malawi supersedes whatever personal interests he may have.
Of course, there are the other reasons that are known to many of you. Not all of the millions of people that love SKC have had the privilege of being as close to him as I have been, but they already know he is the real deal. They say he is a risk-taker; he is a hard-worker, he is humble, he is smart, he is God-fearing, he is focused, he is charismatic, etc. Mine was merely an attempt to lend weight to that vote of confidence. It is also an effort to convince those that still harbour doubts about him based on the fact that they do not know him well enough. Those who say politicians are all the same and that voting for Chilima, or indeed any leader other than the current rulers, would be simply changing from one of hegemony to another. To those people I am staking my reputation by saying, that is not entirely true. If you think voting for SKC is a risk, I will say SKC is worth that risk. I dare say SKC presents us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redeem this country. He epitomises hope for a brighter tomorrow.
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Kwa a Malawi ambiri sitinafike pokhulupilira achinyata ngati atsogoleri,zidzatitengera zaka.Mupite ku South Africa kuli wachinyama wina wotchuka ngati chilima wakoyo ,undifunse ngati anamuvoterapo.Uyu ndi Julius wa ku Malawi basi adikire mwina 10 years time.
dzanja lalemba basi….SKC the peoples choice
Gracian Tukula I respect you as a seasoned reporter I have followed your balanced reporting since 1996. What you have written about SKC is very true and I thank you for taking risk by writing the truth about our presidential hopeful. I am based in LL City and SKC is a popular brand here which was previously considered to be the bed room of MCP. At my work place SKC has 85% support while MCP has 14% the others share 1%. Thanks once again for your good analysis of SKC.
SKC the people`s choice
The writer is simply making tricks to be rewarded with Press Officer post if SKC wins. Kukonza kapansi.
Chilima does not represent any change and he is not running for president because he loves Malawi. He has demonstrated from the beginning that if he had been given the chance to be the candidate in DPP he would have remained there keeping all secrets and evil the DPP represents. He is power hungry, seeking vengeance, arrogant and very shallow in his approach to things. Iwe Tukula ngati wadya za Chilima ukavote wekha osati utiuze ife chochita. Iwe ukutiuza ngati ndani?
I am 37 years. never voted before because i saw politicians as for what they are, Politicians. This time around for the first time I see chilima not as an ordinary politician but a redeemer. I has never see a guy like this one in Malawian presidential elections. Politics is filled with useless people, mbava ndi anthu ena opanda pake omwe akamayankhula they don’t speak with conviction. for the first time i have seen a man who speaks with of our poverty with great disappointment.
Actually Mr. Tukula Malawi is the third poorest countly. The ranking is wrong- why should we feel that we beat Burundi and South Sudan, forgeting their wars. We are the poorest countly on earth and for the first time an energetic leader presents a real plan. I cannot vote for an ordinary man. not this time. mwamwayi ndinalembetsa vote, kaya chinandipangitsa ndi chani kaya but i registered. this time i help to make a change
Boma sasintha ngati Malaya, APM should continue as state president of Malawi till 2024.
Zanu izo ife tisintha tatopa kuberedwa
Some ‘thieves’ are patriotic! I need my brain.
Thieves are never patriotic! Most are destroyers of the countyr’s economy. Besides, the country’s interest are subservient to their interests.
Once upon a Time there was a Young man who was Picked as a Running Mate to Help Rig an Election…They Even went ahead to Burn government Property as Cover Up….Patriotism By Malawi Standards…When its Dead its Dead even if you Embalm it so that it should not Rot and Smell…Tamatochekenerani Choncho Namawombera Mfiti mmanja.
Where did you get This! Mutikomora ndikuseka.!!!@!@!!!@
Bwinotu bwino! Macomments enawa mutipha ndi mphwete! When it is dead, it is dead! No matter even if you take it to Pretoria!
Kulemba mosabela kapena kukondela. And winabe zikumunyasa. Nde ufitiwo umenewo. Chilima is the only hope for Malawi. Osatengela zakomwe munthu akuchokela but his capability to transform. Thanks GT for being Frank.
Wayiwala kuti amati akaledzera kwachikanda ama……………………………………………
Tukula you have missed the point here. Firstly, you are a card-carrying member of UTM, a staunch (stench) supporter of SKC, a potential beneficiary of an SKC presidency, and by your account, a friend of SKC. That being said, you are blinded by your loyalty and that is why your article is nothing more than a UTM pamphlet, begging for votes. Be prepared to stay in opposition for another 5 years (hopefully more), your SKC dined with the devil for 5 solid years, rigged the 2014 elections against MCP, and by his own admission, even knew that Dausi burnt the MEC warehouse (yet he kept quiet all along until recently). Not to mention the sad fact that SKC has been drawing a salary while not work (such an unpatriotic thief), SKC has no moral ground whatsoever to stand on and criticize a government he is a part of and one that he helped rig the 2014 elections. This article is by all accounts a piece of gutter journalism, trash and a sign of your dimwit thinking capacity. You and the thieving SKC (WHOM YOU KNOW AND WHOSE YOU ARE) are a disgrace to all the Chanco graduates.
Not by loyalty BUT by GREED -expected REWARDS
what a feedback to Tukula
‘……the return to multi-party politics in 1993……’? say….the advent of !
return is the right word. There was multiparty in malawi in the 60s. Read your history
I’ll shed a tear if Malawians let this life time opportunity to redeem our country by voting for SKC pass. Chonde a Malawi tiyeni tikonde dziko lathu polipatsa msogoleri ngati ameneyu.
Well said. When I look at SKC in his eyes from a distance, I see seriousness to do things and aspiring for quality.
What Malawi has been lacking since 1994, is a leader who would unlock its vast potential to put the country at par with economies that use knowledge as the main ingredient of prosperity. The world has fairly advanced economies such as Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Chile, Israel, Finland, to name just a few, which have used knowledge to produce products for exports and these economies I believe, fall into the second tier below giant economies of USA, China, Japan, Germany etc. The question is: Why hasn’t any Malawian leader after Dr. Banda not gathered the courage to learn from the rise of these economies? Surprisingly, all the leaders after 1994 placed so much faith in Tobacco exports. There has not been any talk of export processing zones to establish knowledge – based industries which would drive Malawi into prosperity – no country can ever prosper with traditional farm produce for exports.
Chilima’s consistency in his message to establish factories in all districts can sound too exaggerated to some skeptics but what makes a leader successful is the ambition to achieve the best and leave a legacy of transformation. Chilima’s ambition reminds me of Rwanda’s Paul Kagame whose dream is to make his country become the Singapore of Africa. Is Kagame making headway to achieve his dream, yes. Rwanda is now assembling Germany’s Volkswagen vehicles and also making Smartphones. The country has export processing zones already in place. Kagame is ambitious, loves his country, and is putting his landlocked country on a sound economic footing. The most painful thing is that he is using Malawi’ s vision 2020 blueprint.
Chilima has also talked about turning roads with “M” designation into multilane motorways. This can only be said by a leader who wants the best for his country. Motorways are a sign of prosperity, a country’s robust transport network, and a reflection of a country on a fast move. Motorways direct traffic systematically and move people and goods fast.
Chilima’s ambition is highlighted in his vision to turn many lakeshore towns into resort and industrial cities. One of the reasons why Malawi is poor is because it has few cities that would provide industrial and tourism activities against a large population. The more the cities, the more the industries which also means many jobs, more income for people, and more savings. This means more income for the country and less poverty for the people, and therefore, a substantial rise in GDP per capita and a change in Malawi’s economic categorization.
I have screened all these candidates and I am compelled to conclude that Chilima is the real deal for the country – he has ambition, wants the best, and will not disappoint.
Well commented Bibo. You know what your saying. In fact I envy the economies of Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Finland and of late Rwanda. Yes, Malawi’s GDP can rise but it will not be automatic that poverty will be eradicated. Unless the implications of poverty as spelt out by economists are properly looked into address it from poor households at the village level and those flocking into urban areas.
Thumbs up Bibo
We are not here to take Risks you have taken your we will be decisive we know who to vote for ..thanks for trying
A Malawi, Chilima ndi munthu olimba mtima, anasiaya anzake akuba ku DPP, chifukwa cha zolakwika zambiri, akanakhala wina akanangozisiya osatuluka. Plse vote for UTM and Chilima, he is a serious gents.
Hehehehehe Mwadya banzi eti? Ndiwe munthu omvetsa Chisoni kwabasi
Wrong candidate |I CANT NGATI MWADYA NAWO KAVOTENI
Chilima cant win an election never
Chilima my foot bola ADADDie
THIS GUY WAS IN KARONGA WAUZIDWA POYERA HE CAN BRIBE KARONGA TO VOTE FOR HIM. HE IS NOT A GAME CHANGER AKUNGOTAYA NTHAWI
Mukuteta he has good support in Karonga. musatinamize apa
uSANAMIZE ANTHU HE IS MY RELATION SAKUTHANDIZA A Malawi WADYA bANZI iWE U THINK WE DONT KNOW THE FIRST CASH YOU GOT FROM cHILIMA SENT THOUGH Rachel kANGOMBE KUTI AKUPATSE, THEN YOU GOT TSECOND AND THIRD ZIPHUPHU FROM LAMECK MSISKA WAGWA NAYA ISE…….I CANT VOTE MY PRECIOS VOTE FOR CHILIMA
There is no way I can vote for mbava Chilima olo mutandimanga Nyakula
STUPID GRACIAN KEEP UR OPINION TO URSELF ITS UR CHOICE >SKC WILL NOT HELP MALAWI AT ALL>HE HAS BLACKMAILED THE WHOLE NATION TO SAY AZAULULA AFTER ATAWINA> THE NEXT FIVE YRS WILL BLAME JOURNALIST FOR WHATEVER WILL HAPPEN TO MALAWI .YOU HAVE BEEN VERY BAISED IN UR REPORTING BUT TRUST ME MULUNGU SI MUNTHU YOU WILL BE SHOCKED. U WILL BE SHOCKED YOU CAN NOT FOOL MALAWIANS COZ U THINK PPLE READ YOUR STUPID JOURNALS MUMVETSA
Yep 👍
Yep!👍
Word! I never voted cause all parties have been shitty for me but for this youth man im willing to stand on those long q! We want change esp. on data for us urban and we want better for those in the village as far as proper tax is concerned not this Mr New York we have
Its sad that I will not vote this year because of some impossible circumstances but looking at chilima. Ineyo ngati mzika ya Malawi I see a bright future not only for the youth in Malawi but for those who are not so young as well. I have heard Chakwera with his hi5 thing. Its beautiful but he has betrayed Malawians by joining himself to the Former commander in chief Hon. Joyce Banda whose government according to public opinion plundered Malawi’s wealth. As for DPP I have nothing against APM, he has done quiet a lot in this country but I guess its high time now that he comes back here in USA and continue lecturing as I do. Malawians vote wisely. Zikomo kwambiri kutola khobwe ndi mmawa.
That’s good that Tukula you have put it there in the open from your days at Chilunga.
Salutation to you, Gracian. Atleast, to somebody who was undecided, can see a direction. How I do wish if all other candidates parading, had their pals who would explain their capabilities in the same manner, done by Gracian. Good luck to all our candidates. May the best candidate win during the election day.
Usatinyase
What we need is a chanco trained president. Zinazi ayi. We want the fruits of Kamuzu education system to bail this country out of misery. Let all product of chanco unite and rule this country. No more fake graduates. No more honorary degree candidates.
Any one who did not go thru the walls of UNIMA out!
You are extremely very stupid. Mxiiieww
through the walls of unima ndiye kuti chani? shupiti!
GO SUCK YOUR MOTHER’S CLIT..
I join you in supporting Chilima after reading carefully what you have written here
Well said Graciun. Would have carried out the same analysis having known Chilima way back in the late 80s. To Chilima failure is not an option. He has demonstrated it year in and year out. As a neighbor in Area 12, Chilima has continued to humble himself by showing love for the desperate and needy. He mixes well with people of all classes. Talk about money he has plenty yet many people do not know it because of humility. Malawians, this is our perfect chance to change things around not for us but our children and those unborn. Tsogolo lathu lafikadi.
and he is a womaniser and an alcoholic. rude and know it all character
ife tikamuvotele because you were together at chancol? kkkkkkk Mr tukula that is cheap
koma anthu timaiwaladi. Tukula, were you not the one who said to the contrary five years ago that you could not vote for Chilima because you knew him from college days? That was when he was running mate to Mutharika in DPP. so now Chilima is all good, visionary and has your vote? Puleezze
Mwadya zingati baba Tukula? Musatinamizepo apa mwauponda baba.
Very biased and poor analysis, your Chilima will be heavily defeated even with dpp!
Thank you Gracian….!!….I have heard the stories too…we need a hero not a politician in Malawi…SKC…ndi deal….I agree with you.
An excellent analysis from a seasoned writer. He has my vote!
This is a valuable character assessment of a possible new-style Malawian president. This is someone who is concerned not only with winning the big prize but also with the legacy he will leave behind him in the country. Thankyou Mr Tukula. You have provided a precious service to voters!
Kudos Gracian. I hope the rest of Malawians akumva mauthengawa. Fate is in our own hands. If Malawi is to progress, we need Chilima, not the matchona and other masquaraders. Dziko lathu ndilomvetsa chisoni and we wonder tinalakwanji while other countries are progressing? Sichifukwa cha lack of resources, but mediocre and visionless leadership we have had since Kamuzu left the scene. Mukamva munthu supporting DPP today, just know they are personally benefiting from the hopelessly corrupt regime.
Some of us do not live in Malawi but we follow the political,social economic matters affecting the country. Many times we are at pain when we see our country being confronted by extreme poverty because of political leadership that lack vision and willingness to take the country out of poverty..We at times visit the country and oftentimes we see for ourselves what majority of our countrymen go through to survive…when we advocate for change of political guards, we just have the ordinary suffering malawians at heart..we in diaspora, when we advocate for change we pray that some day the country and people of Malawi will come out of this shameful situation!…Perhaps God is finally answering our prayers by giving Malawi a leader of the Obama calibre..SKC…however the ball is in your hands fellow countrymen…you have in less than a month to choose your own destination…We in diaspora, we are not there…we are not suffering…much as we pity you we ourselves are in some comfort zone ..we know you sometimes you can take a thirsty carmel to the river but you can not force it to drink …the Carmel can choose to die or survive…”wakusina khutu ndi mnasi.”
Umuvotera wekha!
Thats my man