Like it or not change will come to Malawi, say Atupele

Youthful presidential aspirant Atupele Muluzi appears to be gaining ground on his bid to run for presidency as he continue to attract mammoth crowds in his country-wide tour of United Democratic Front (UDF) rallies.

His road-shows in Mchinji recently pulled thousands upon thousands of people. The story was the same when he visited Kasungu.

On Sunday yet again, Atupele proved that the crowds he has been attracting is just a tip on the iceberg,  not a fluke either, but the making of a yet to be tested political giant in the central region, the home of his mother.

Nkhotakota on Sunday was overwhelmed by the Atupele frenzy. It was so natural as no single truck was seen to ferry people to the venues which is mostly the case with other political party meetings where audience is “imported”.

Atupele was addressing his rally in the backyard of the former vice president Cassim Chilumpha who has equally expressed desire to compete for presidency at the next UDF national conference.

Perhaps it is now a warning shot to his critics that they should underrate him on their own peril. The UDF 2014 presidential aspirant is fast establishing himself as a crowd puller.

He has the charisma and the magic wand to cause business to a standstill where ever he goes to address public rallies.

From Lilongwe where the journey started , passing through Salima up to Nkhotakota, chanting supporters and admirers converged at every trading center to catch a glimpse of Atupele.

Anything yellow was flushed and waved as an over 30 cars convoy carrying the young Muluzi himself and other senior party members including members of parliament travelled the over 300 kilometres distance to Nkhotakota boma with stop overs at Mwansambo- Turn off, Kalimanjira and Pasani Trading Centres.

His message was clear and devoid of the old type of personal attacks, ranting and insults, keeping his word for new and clean politics for Malawi.

Addressing thousands of enthusiastic supporters at all the four venues, Atupele was consistent with his message evolving around his ‘agenda for change.”

He told the people that “2014 is a year of change.”

Atupele accused the Bingu wa Mutharika government of not having the welfare of people at heart, saying “such a government must be shown the exit door in 2014.”

Call for change

He said because of the sad situation the nation is now, with worst economic crisis and poor governance record “some of us are saying enough is enough, things must change.”

He said the UDF party is prepared to lead the fight “to bring change right on your doorstep.”

“Ladies and gentlemen whether one likes it or not things are changing in 2014 and the UDF is coming back to power,” stressed Atupele attracting cheers and ululations from the mammoth crowd.

“When we say we are coming back to power, we have an agenda; we have programs to create jobs for many of our youths that have no jobs,” he said.

“We have an agenda to give you back your freedom,” he added.

“We have an agenda to give portable water at least at close distances for you, our mothers and sisters,” said the young Muluzi.

“We have a vision to give a leadership that respects other branches of government namely the legislature and the judiciary.

“We want to give a chance to women and the youths to make positive contribution towards the development of this country,” said the presidential aspirant.

He noted that women and the youth have been marginalized for so long.

“They have been abused for so long and all that is coming to an end in 2014.”

Working together

Atupele also sounded the call for a united front to fight the dictator.

“In order for us to achieve this, we need to work together, women, the youths and men.”

“We need to create a formidable force to promoting this agenda for change because dictators are cunning,” he advised.

“Politicians, civil society, the church, and other stakeholders let us work together because we can imagine another term of this style of leadership,” he said.

Atupele declared: “ I can guarantee you here if there are  people who are prepared to sacrifice anything for the sake of change in 2014, Atupele Muluzi is one of them and there is no turning back.”

He stressed that his agenda for change campaign “is not a personal fight, it is about all of us as Malawians.”

Huge turnout for public rallies may not be the only litmus test for popularity but to some extent it does indicate adoration which is not far from support.

Atupele Speaking to a mammoth crowd in Nkhotakota

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