UDF ‘youthquake’: Lance Mbewe elected VP; Ndanga retains spokesman post, Baisi campaigner, Mbaya organiser, Sichinga treasurer

The transformation momentum has played a key role in regenerating interest in electoral politics among young people  with United Democratic Party (UDF) convention held in Blantyre seen a ‘youthquake’ in key positions.

The party gave youthful Atupele Muluzi, 39,  a fresh mandate to lead the party.

Almost 2 500 delegate took part in the elective conference ahead of the 2019 Tripartite Elections.

On the position of UDF vice president for the South, delegates elected Lance Mbewe, 42   who defeated convention chair Charles Chikuwo after polling 1 422 votes against Chikuwo’s 412 and there were 108 null and void votes.

Mbewe is a law graduate from Leicester De Montfort University in UK and also completed the Masters of Law Degree in International Commercial Law with merit at University of Kent in UK in 2003. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Science degree in Property Studies at University of Cape Town.

Mike Anthony defeated Clement Stambuli to become vice-president for the Central Region.

Abubakar Mbaya MP is the new national organising secretary for UDF after he defeated Martin Jawadu.

While Ken Ndanga 42, retains his position as publicity secretary in a tight contest against Aisha Mambo Adams MP after amassing 1 400 votes against 837 for Aisha Mamb and Innocent Baisi is the new campaign director after he beat Austin Kalimanjira and Ibrahim Jamali

Ndanga’s deputy is Judith Ngwira.

Some members who have won posts unopposed at the UDF convention included secretary general Kandi Padambo, vice president (North)-Victoria Mponela, vice president (East)-Lillian Patel, treasurer general-Carlton Sichinga and deputy national organising secretary-Andrew Mkana.

UDF’s new deputy treasurer general is Nelson Phoya who defeated Square Mkwanda; national director of elections is Wellington Nakanga who beat Pemba Mussa; and Dave Rally will deputise Padambo.

In attendance at the opening ceremony were Atupele’s father, former Head of State and UDF founding president Bakili Muluzi; and his colleagues Peter Fatch and Patrick Mbewe who were given a special mention for their contributions to the transition from one-party dictatorship to multiparty democracy in the early 1990s.