Nyondo launches NASAF, promises to ‘transform politics’

By Charles Kufa, Nyasa Times

National Salvation Front (Nasaf) party which was registered in January this year was launched at Cresta Hotel in Lilongwe on Monday with a pledge to transform politics and political leadership in Malawi.

The 41-year-old James Nyondo formed Nasaf after his failed attempt at the 2009 presidential elections when he contested for the top seat as an independent candidate.

Speaking at the launch, Nyondo a trained lawyer based in South Africa said since the registration of the party, they have been working on the ground but now the national working team will start visiting all districts in Malawi to assist with the establishment of structures in preparation for convention and the forth coming general elections.

Nyondo: Launches NASAF party

He said NASAF believes in three key values:  “Reconciliation, Servant hood or stewardship and political commitment.”

Nyondo said: “Reconciliation is about forgiving ourselves and forgiving others. Stewardship is about helping others with what we have where we are. Commitment is about keeping the trust, meeting your part of your commitment.”

He said NASAF will advocate for enactment of the recall provision for Member of Parliament.

Nyondo also said the party will tirelessly work on constitutional reform.

“Never again shall one person be more powerful than the country; never again shall one person be more powerful than the constituency. In this regard, NASAF will push for constitutional reform to ensure that the people who elect the president must also have the powers to recall the President,” said Nyondo.

“Similarly, those who elect a member of parliament must also have the powers to recall the MP.”

Nyondo said other constitutional reforms close to NASAF’s heart include ensuring that the President is not more powerful than the people as to change the constitution at will.

On the state of the nation, Nyondo said his party is concerned about the current political and that the economic situation continues to worsen, with fuel and forex shortage being the order of the day.

“Up to this day, the issue of university lecturers remain unresolved and students continue to spend money on fees and upkeep without attending.  “

Nyondo said NASAF is appalled by the fact that government is preaching austerity measures without showing enough commitment on own part.

“Ministers continue to maintain expensive cars, two in some instance, a Merc and a Prado – sell them. How can you say, lets us tighten our belts when you are having two cars for ministers, when you have deputy ministers who are doing nothing? When you are maintaining non-essential staff at embassies? When you are paying an army of presidential advisors? Paying a first lady is not a good way of saving money,” he said.

Nyondo also commended President Bingu wa Mutharika for calling for national dialogue but attacked him over the notion of “raising an olive branch in one hand and a new panga knife in the other.”

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