Malawi opposition leader Nankhumwa pledges ‘constructive criticism’  

Newly unveiled Leader of Opposition in Malawi Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa has said Malawians are anxiously awaiting to see a new opposition, which engage the new  government  led by President Lazarus Chakwera constructively as he announced he would not indulge in opposition for opposition’s sake.

Nankhumwa with DPP Chief Whip Vuwa Kaunda.-Photo by Lisa Kadango
Leader of opposition Nankhumwa: The immediate task of opposition is challenging the government, holding it to account and scrutinising legislation.-Photo by Lisa Kadango

Nankhumwa said said in Parliament on Tuesday when he presented his maiden speech as Leader of Opposition that  he  will use  the “constructive criticism” approach.

“Let me take this opportunity to assure our colleagues on the government side that we, on this side, will provide the new government the necessary support as it embarks on the momentous task of managing the economy and re-uniting Malawians against a backdrop of serious tribal, ethnic and regional divisions. Indeed, we will ensure that we engage constructively with government without deliberately opposing for the sake of opposing,” the youthful politician said.

Nankhumwa, who is also DPP Vice President for the South, said Malawians are anxiously waiting to see a new opposition that does not pander to narrow political interests, adding that he would ensure that as parliamentarians, they be positive examples and true representatives of their constituents in the way they behave and conduct business in the House.

“As the House rises this afternoon, I want to assure you that the opposition will in future meetings conduct itself with responsibility and not ruin the game for the sake of the prize,” he said.

Nankhumwa told Parliament that it was important to acknowledge that the DPP administration under former president Peter Mutharika has been integral in keeping the Malawi economy in shape and improving people’s lives, even in the midst of various challenges, including the recent coronavirus pandemic.

‘We will therefore draw from that experience to provide checks and balances to the new government to ensure that only representative policies are implemented for the benefit of all Malawians regardless of region, tribe, creed or colour. Malawi is a country that we all call home,” he said.

On his appointment, Nankhumwa said he accepted the challenge “with utmost humility”.

“I am honoured and privileged to stand before you this afternoon as Leader of Opposition.  I wish to convey my deepest gratitude to His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for yet again entrusting me with such huge responsibility. I know there are others who are equally deserving of this honour, but His Excellency Professor Mutharika appointed me, for which I am grateful to God the Almighty.

“As I perform my duties and responsibilities, I will rely on teamwork to succeed. I am hugely aware that teamwork is important and essential in order to accomplish the overall objectives and goals of this House so that we satisfy the expectations of the people we duly represent,” said the Mulanje Central legislator.

In his address, he congratulated President Lazarus Chakwera and vice-president Saulos Chilima for winning the June 23, 2020 court-sanctioned fresh presidential election.

“I wish to congratulate His Excellency President Reverend Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and State Vice President Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima for their victory.

“I am well aware that His Excellency Dr. Chakwera is a capable leader having worked with him in Parliament for many years when he was Leader of Opposition. As such, I have no doubt that the country will be in good and able hands,” he said.

Nankhumwa also acknowledged “the outstanding contribution” made to the Malawi nation by the outgoing President Mutharika during the period that he has been in office.

“Mutharika is a true definition of ‘Statesmanship’. The former president will go down in history books as the most tolerant leader who remained calm, amidst serious political provocation and personal denigration.” pointed out Nankhumwa.

“Professor Mutharika stands out as a bastion of diligence and respectable national leader who, despite serious electoral irregularities in the recent election, including intimidation and physical attacks on DPP and UDF monitors, he called on DPP-UDF Alliance supporters to remain calm and peaceful and to accept MEC declaration of the final winner,” said the Leader of Opposition.

Meanwhile, there  was drama in Parliament as opposition lawmakers kept mocking Minister of Finance Felix Mlusu as he moved a motion to pass a financial resolution to allow government develop a provisional budget.

The new budget has allocated K169.8 billion as development budget of which K119.8 billion will be foreign financed while K50 billion will be financed by domestic borrowing.

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Mchewa
Mchewa
3 years ago

Nepotism, regionalism came with Tumbukazi. DPP was just trying to balance the situation. Look at most big positions in the North. They are filled by Tumbukas. How many Lomwez are in big positions when you compare with Tumbukas or Chewas. But Tumbukas will say it’s merit and it’s nepotism or quota if done by Chewas or Lomwes. Stupid Malawians.

Bwamnoni onona
3 years ago
Reply to  Mchewa

Bwana Mchewa, thanks very much for your true analysis of the people in Malawi behind tribalistic/nepotistic/regionalistic tendencies. I wonder why we choose to remain silent and beat about the bush when actually it is not a hidden thing tumbukans and other tribes in the north are the champions of nepotism and other related vices. Ironically, the northerners are the ones loudly crying, lambasting the dpp ; even shamelessly identifying the entire lomwe tribe with this evil that is theirs. Until we became true and honest as malawians and tackle the vices at the root level, we will never eradicate these… Read more »

mchisala
mchisala
3 years ago

Shameless Mutharika did everything to frustrate court -orders and never conceded defeat! Fresh presidential elections were held against shameless Mutharika’s wishes! So where is his statesmanship?????!!!!!!! To hold in high esteem a low-life like shameless Mutharika speaks volumes about the worthlessness of Nankhumwa and his inability to carve his own political path!!!!!

HARDCORE FEDERALISM SUPPORTER

When the tribalist, regionalistic, terrorist, mulhakoism regime didn’t want to listen to any body. It was all about itself and terrorizing Malawians. We don’t see any constructive debate coming from these tribalistic fuckers.

Mannequin 2
3 years ago

At least we ALL know the criminal activities of Mr. Arthur Peter Mutharika, kondwani nankhumwa, frank mbeta, gertrude, Jane Ansah, blaise saenda, kalekeni (my list goes far). And we ALL know who was murdering our relatives with albinism for the rituals at state house where Mr. Mutharika enjoyed free meals. At least we know the true meaning of STATESMAN. It does not include criminal Mutharika.

Bwana Wa Ulesi
Bwana Wa Ulesi
3 years ago
Reply to  Mannequin 2

Osamalimbana ndi Munthu Ngati APM sikape nzako ameneuja……. He doesn’t do dirty politics ngati yapaMalawi that’s why he has accepted the election outcome unlike enawo bwenzi tikuti akukaba zinthu ku Spur

Vubwa
Vubwa
3 years ago

ACB must investigate him…the guy is a billionaire

nafundo zalo
nafundo zalo
3 years ago

ee ce Vuwa matendatu awa.

sopano opposition
ps 124 inutu palibe comwe mungaunike kuti m7nalakwitsa pati mukoze musazaluzeso.
olo mwana akuuzani
ma blackout osaneneka
madzi akumwa omwea mpaka 2 wks mmataunimu osawaona ife ku Bt kuno abale mmaoni machinjili mpaka 2 wks np madzi ma pipe kuyamba dzimbili
etc nde mwati panalibe polakwikwa????????
osamapanga ma speech opanda substance hetini.
tisamalowele pa denga khomo natilona

Nalingula
Nalingula
3 years ago

If at the end of the Day …Mombera University is done,Neno road is done ..
.We have Blantyre District Hospital ,M1 road LL to Mz or Ka and Lakeshore road between Salima and Nkhatabay….ETC .At least some Major projects at the end of 5 yrs then we will know we are on the Right Track …..

nafundo zalo
nafundo zalo
3 years ago
Reply to  Nalingula

at last making malawi look like SINGAPORE!!!!!

MALL PA CITY CENTRE

Malawi belong to the citizens

If all Malawians call Malawi home then why were you doing nepotism, favouritism, and quota system instead of constructing more universities in Malawi.Our leaders remember when population of a country increases, social needs should increase,universities also need to be increased to cater the increased population.So DPP waited to be in opposition to see or to know that all Malawians belong to Malawi.

Bwana Wa Ulesi
Bwana Wa Ulesi
3 years ago

Ngati simukufuna Quota System mutengane aku Noth muzinka ku North kwanuko chifukwa mmaiwala kuti mwazazana ambiri here ku south chonsecho mmakhalanso mukutengedwa ku Southern kuno nde muzipita palibe chimene mmatipindulilapoyi mxiew anthu okonda inu

Truth
Truth
3 years ago

Great that DPP MPs have stood with Nankhumwa by threatening to be independent mps if he is removed as an oppositions leader. I think he was to be punished by saying that zitangoti zachitika kuti sizinayende tizapita kumakalima nandolo. Eiiiiiiish, Nankhumwa was right and he deserves to be opposition leader. He speaks TRUTH!!!!

Kala
Kala
3 years ago

True democratsszz.koma mtumbukaa waeononga ndaleeee

Bwana Wa Ulesi
Bwana Wa Ulesi
3 years ago
Reply to  Kala

Straight up

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