Times TV to host running mates debate on disability rights Wednesday
As the country is scrutinising the presidential running mates if they are capable of assuming leadership in the shortest time possible, private broadcaster Times TV will this Wednesday conduct a presidential running mates debate on the theme of disability rights.
Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (Fedoma) has organised the running mates debate and invitations have been extended to five running mates which include Everton Chimulirenji of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Sidik Mia of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Jerry Jana of People’s Party, Frank Mwenifumbo of United Democratic Front (UDF) and Micheal Usi of UTM.
The debate will take place at Times TV studios in Blantyre.
Sources at Times TV said messages and invitations have been sent to the running mates and  only Mwenifumbo has sent apologies that he will not be able to make it as he is engaged with some matters of exigency.
Times TV said the debate is still on and the organisers will host the remaining four candidates.
The candidates will tackles issues that include Fedoma concerns that people with disabilities still face discrimination, exploitation and limited access to skills training.
The live TV debate is crucial as governance experts say the choice of running mates should be that can replace the president’s shortfalls with strengths when governing the country.
They argue that qualities Malawians should look for in a vice-president in the face of realities is  that a deputy can eventually become State president as was the case with Joyce Banda after Bingu wa Mutharika died in office.
Another running mates debate is scheduled for March 14 at Comesa Hall in Blantyre organised by Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS).
Meanwhile, Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi is also organising debates for selected presidential hopefuls in the May 21 2019 Tripartite Elections to take place on March 29 and April 5.
National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust on the other hand is organising debates for parliamentary candidates and aspiring councillors in all constituencies and wards from April to May 10 this year to provide a platform for candidates to outline their manifestos to electorate thereby enabling them to make informed choices.
Recently, there were also debates on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Debating on just one issue? What a waste of time and resources? Why not just include it among the issues to be debated upon on the ZBS Thursday running ,mates tussle at COMESA?
its useless when you have never experienced a disability, a time will come when you will appreciate this debate
Stupid times and MISA. Zaziii. Of all problems in MW why should we waste our time debating on disability alone? Chimulirenji please don’t go there. This debate is both shallow and narrow.
Until you are blessed with a disability you will know the reason to separate. You are not the first one to invite such a blessing. Even if you had a child with a disability you would know. Actually we are told that there are over 300 000 citizens with disability who will vote. So who can want to loose such a constituency. This group can turn an election if mobilized to vote for one Candidate as President
Are you aware that these debates are there to help people to know our presidential running mates than reading the parties manifesto which some people are talking about, which they can’t even access them in the remote ereas , even in towns ?
It’s Zodiac kenako Times, nanga the monther of all TV Stations in Malawi – MBC, apanga liti ma debate?
Does it need to take the whole MBC radio/TV station to do that? Those radio and TV stations are enough todo the debates, I guess!!!
Abale tikhalira zimenezi
If u don’t need it don’t watch it. Lucky enough you have MBC you can tune in to. Ife tikufuna kuti tikhalire zimenezi mpakana 21 May.
Its easy, just change channels and you will be home and dry
kkkkkkkkkkk
Don’t expect Chimulirenji to avail in this debate because he will not be able to defend the issue of people with albinism which his Government has miserably failed to handle.
brethren and sisters i doubt if this is a debate or questions and answers. if i were one from MISA my criteria to participate in this was only those that have manifestos that are current..it is obvious that the participants are getting their answers right there on the podium without any justification..MISA i thought you believe in authority? where is their authority..not even one of them has produced a manifesto to justify their arguments..misa and sponsors you are giving us a raw deal. wake up
Leave misa out of this!!!! Funso ndi funso basi. Politicians have taken us for ride for a very long time. Amachititsa misonkhano nkumana knowing kuti palibepo atawafunse mafunso. Nthawi yakwana pano yoti tidziwafunsa mafunso. Misa shouldn’t even say anything coz the country is not ruled by Misa but politicians.
Iam of the view that the right approach could have been to include the issues of disability into the debate of 14th March,2019 rather than to have another debate on 13th March,2019 for one issue only.
If you had a disability or your child had one you would know the reason to separate. Wait until you get one to start appreciating. God Bless You
I agree
Times is trying hard to be relevant in our country. There have been criticisms out there that Zodiak is more Professional than Times hence the hosting of debates sponsored by well known international organisations. And now Times trying to do the same with only one question on debate because they don’t have any company to sponsor the debate. Times is goofed.
disability issue is mostly igonored at policy level ,albino issue is just fraction of such issue lungalunga nkubadwa ayise just wait mwina mawa uzavomeleza ukazalandila ka albino baby more over those debates apangisa ma elections kubeba