Thoko Banda blasts Malawi ruling PP on anti-‘Matchona’ stand, hails Atupele
Son to Malawi’s former cabinet minister, the late Aleke Banda who recently announced that he will contest as an independent presidential candidate in next year’s tripartite elections, Thoko Banda has heaped praise to youthful presidential candidate Atupele Muluzi for advancing an Agenda for Change discussion.
Banda said despite aspiring to run for presidency, he is throwing his weight behind ‘Agenda for Change’, saying Malawi needs a political revolution, as trumpeted by lawmaker Muluzi.
Speaking during Tiuzeni Zoona Programme on Zodiak radio, Banda said: “Atupele is very wise and dynamic. He wants the best for this country.”
He credited Atupele Muluzi for launching an Agenda for Change during the most critical time when the country was sliding back toward autocracy under the late Bingu wa Mutharika administration.
Banda however said he was not party to Muluzi’s UDF, saying he does not believe in political party structure to push the revolution but engaging Malawians with “substance” beyond sloganeering.
“Agenda for Change is an important discussion but we need diverse views,” he said.
Pressed to comment on rumours that he had asked to be running to Muluzi and the proposal was not entertained hence his decision to go solo, Banda denied saying: “I never asked to be running mate. Our discussions with Atupele have been based on matters of national interest.”
And asked to clarify why he is standing as an independent candidate when he is also agreeing with the Agenda for Change spirit, Banda said “it is democracy which calls for competition.”
He nonetheless said the electoral posturing will be sorted out later during the year.
During the interview, Banda also hit back at ruling People’s Party (PP) for its continued campaign of discrediting political leader who have lived outside the country for a long time (Matchona).
“I would mention of China, Japan, Vietnam and Brazil as some of the countries that have hugely benefited from a chemistry of people that have been outside and those that have always been on the ground,” he said in trashing the PP notion of discrediting ‘Matchona’/
“By the way, President Joyce Banda has lived in Malawi for most part of her life, is she a better leader? Are there drugs in the hospital? Do people have food on their tables? Are there enough resources in our schools?” queried Banda.
Banda was also asked on his marital status, he said he had no wife. Probed on reported that he was once married to President Banda’s step daughter, Susan Banda, Thoko said indeed they were divorce.
He declined to discuss his private life, saying it had no bearing to development of the country.
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