Indeed ignore SKC at your peril: Chilima the incoming Malawi President
We tend to trivialise success of those we see or interact with everyday, opting to struggle looking for lessons elsewhere – perhaps the Biblical prophets are not respected at home describes it best.
We read books and watch videos on success, spend precious time on google reading “how to manage time” or burn nights reading “The 4am Club”, “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”… essentially, reading articles and books chronicling how political and business leaders or any such leaders, elsewhere, effectively use or used their time, in order to deliver and succeed in life.
But folks, in all honesty, if you’re aspiring to break the world, Hon Saulos Chilima’s work ethic, confidence and determination, are worth reading carefully and emulating, if you can.
Beyond that, his style in leading from the front, particularly in regard to style, quality, detail, time and stress management, keeping to his spiritual life and himself fit by sticking to a body-exercise regime, are not just inspiring, but attributes that are essential for change management anywhere – for building an organisational culture – for radical reconfiguration and recalibration of systems and institutions.
You can’t help it but give it to him.
Last year when I reflected on his huge leadership potential, through “Ignore VP at your peril” I, mostly, considered how at a young age he had risen to the post of CEO of, then, arguably, Malawi’s biggest Telecommunication company, and the growth/presence of that company across the country – with innovative products that included yabooka, and all the K20 scratch cards – of course it earned him a nickname, Mr…Money, and how, eventually, he was noticed and became Vice President of Malawi.
These are in no way mean achievements.
Looking back at the quality of his campaign, how he has actively and carefully used the “first-mover advantage” card, and influenced adoption of branding and online live coverage across the board, each time letting his competition follow, well, I have no more to add, except to imagine the difference he would make to mother Malawi from day one.
For those of us who aspire for political office, business leadership, civic space and activisms, regardless the party you support, there’s a lot to learn from Saulos Klaus Chilima.
The now and the future belong to you and me; with his style, I believe, you can succeed at anything.
I wish SKC the very best!
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Koma Mr Nchalo Yourth tili limodzi apa? I can see that your comments are almost off target!! Kkk. On what the author has presented, I would like to say that is his wishful thinking. Much as Chilima has all the good qualities that the author has passionately presented, something tells me that he lacks the necessary skills to lead Malawi. He is driven by passionate anger and is too much of himself. I see a very dangeros dictator in him because even now, his party executive members fail to reason with him on certain crucial party issues. I do not see him doing anything to benefit the country. He is desperate for the hot seat to fulfil his personal agenda. I see him losing the elections and also causing havoc after the bitter loss to whoever will win.
Good analysis. Every objective Malawian would agree that building a strong political party worth to point at in just 8 months is not a mean achievement. It takes someone who is visionary, strategic and risk taker to do that. What Chilima has achieved is historical and worth to emulate. If this young man can be given the mandate by Malawians to rule this country, we can witness huge positive change as far as development is concerned.
However, experience has shown that people who has ideas or concepts have no following while those who are scopeless or clueless how to run the affairs of this country have a following and authority.
The coming in of UTM has been a blessing in disguise for the MCP. The DPP is disintegrated as we speak. UTM has eroded the DPP areas such as Ntcheu. But they (the UTM) will not get anything from Thyolo, Mulanje or CZ. The north is not predictable but we have to take note of the demographics. Mzimba is the most populated district there but the rest have few voters. Mzuzu and Blantyre cities will likely be split between SKC and the DPP, Am talking about the cities not rural. Lilongwe rural is the most populous in the country. All these stats are on NSO website. Ntcheu goes for SKC, away from the DPP. MCP takes a few seats in the Lower States in addition to the stronghold of DZ, LZ, Dowa (heavily populated as well), KU and Mchinji. Remember, in 2014, even after cheating using ICT and the fake registered figures with the help of Chilima, Mutharika won the presidency by 448, 519 votes. If you recall, MEC announced that the Central Region has got the most registered voters this time around. The registered figures in the south are less than in 2014
There you go! Done and dusted.
Your analysis is good but some what biased, even in the areas that you think MCP has as having voter not all people will go for MCP. Dont think that these strong holds per say have not been shaken with the coming of UTM.and this is the strength that UTM has. I would say UTM would even gain voters from such areas giving a chance to win.
Guys, koma ngati zili ndalama za Saulosizo ndiye mwazitafunadi mungolemba manyaka aliwonse okhudza Chilima.Kampeni yatha tifinyikira limodzi,mimba zafufumazo zichita kufota ngati mbatata za dzana.
SKC machine amphepooooooo!!!
woyee
well articulated comrade, all the best
Thanks Steve for being honest. Eight months ago, many said one can never establish a party and run for the presidency. Guess who has been the political shaker. Without UTM, the choice could have been so obvious, we could have settled for much less. SKC is daring our scope. It is time for real change with SKC and UTM. God Bless Malawi
May he be our next president!!
Yes, i also second the views of the author, the capabilities of Mr Saulos Klaus Chilima is really a must to be emulated. He is a leader with strong principles and the way he delivers his speeches gives alot of hope to all the listeners because he shows strong determination.
Oastivutisa ndi ma essay
Inu Chilima sawina olo mutayankhulira chotani a Malawi akandali ndi chikayiko.
Top notch analysis…
I agree Chilima’s leadership qualities are what this country needs. We need a revolutionary leader to change Malawi from the slumber that has kept it amongst the poorest in the world. I dont see that leadership in Adadi/Chimulirenji, or Chakwera/Mia. To be clear, If Malawians do not vote for SKC this election, then frankly we deserve to remain amongst the poorest and pathetic countries in the world.
me too i see
The Malawi President on this coming Tuesday, elaborating UTM manifesto and what he will do to develop Malawi. He have demonstrated how capable he is, he has been to very part of Malawi. The only President Malawians were looking for. Chilies tiomboleni mu singa, maumyolo atimanga madala akupitawa.
Who was the last Malawi VP to be elected President? That is supposed to be a trick question.
A: There has never been, and won’t happen next week.
To be sure, Chilima did succeed in the telecom industry. In Malawi!
But the writer need not look farther back in history than two years ago: DONALD J TRUMP! : Business is a different game compared to Politics, and success in the former does not necessarily translate into the latter. Some differences: the paradigm, the rules, the personality requirements like temperament, the hierarchy (command structure).
Chilima is young, and has not really been tested as a politician; so don’t lionize him yet.
He may possess some qualities common among politicians, like extreme self confidence. But Humility, a common trait among successful politicians, is NOT his forte. And he doesn’t even attempt to hide his arrogance.
There is not credible polling anywhere that says Chilima has a chance at beating Chakwera or APM, this time around.
Sure, Chilima has worked hard, and even surprised some doubters out there; but time has not been on his side. And, he might have a better chance next time, among a different set of competitors may be, or beyond, who knows. But, as far as this time or this round is concerned, forget it.
For now, let us just enjoy the naivete of UTM leaders; and let us also doubly enjoy their lack of reality checks, and realistic self evaluations.
Attaboy, the overconfidence! Most Presidential candidates would have two speeches prepared for when election results are determined. Chilima probably has only one speech ready; and that is a victory speech. He may even sulk at losing – pulling a Joisi Banda in 2014.
Even if Chilima and his lieutenants – Kaliati et al. – put on brave faces as results are announced when voting is complete, the atmo at UTM HQ will have to be funereal. Depression setting in – demand for serotonin enhancing meds will be high abale inu.
The guy, Chilima, is not ready, by many metrics.
And the current race is between two people: APM and Chakwera.
And stop the vivid dreams.
Till last week I was among those who had doubts that Chilima campaign would mobilise the masses. Time was not on his side to penetrate all corners of Malawi, set up structures and convince the voters to take him as a credible alternative.
However, last week I did travel around, talked to people from different backgrounds to gauge what was happening on the ground as different campaigns were crisscrossing the country presenting their manifestos.
Honestly I was mesmerized at how effective Chilima campaign has managed to build a semblance of a national movement within 10 months or so. Am not sure that he has done enough to earn keys to State House but it would mean to underrate his capabilities and work ethic. And if at all he garners enough votes to lead Malawia and gets into office with the same energy and enthusiasm that was demonstrated during campaign am sure Malawi might move a few notches up.