Usi, Mia clash in live running mates debate: UTM, MCP growing rivalry on spotlight
If there is one thing that came out clearly from Thursday’s live television debate for presidential running mates, is the manifestation of the growing UTM party and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) rivalry.
While United Democratic Front (UDF) running mate Frank Tumpale Mwenifumbo was still outstanding, the greater part of the debate was reduced to MCP’s Sidik Mia and UTM’s Michael Usi’s battlefield where each of the two used the platform to expose the other party’s weakness and repeatedly disagreed of facts.
Whenever the two took the platform there was less focus on governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) gaffes but rather on each other.
Mia questioned the morality of UTM leader Dr Saulos Chilima maintaining being the Vice President of the country when he is at loggerhead with the current President and also not working.
Usi took every opportunity to punch holes in Mia’s statements to the extent of bemoaning his lack of knowledge on the federal system.
It was in response to the health sector question that Mia and Usi took each other head-on Mia stated that MCP would ensure that there is a health centre every four-kilometre radius, which Usi said was not practical.
This of course made the debate which was live on Zodiak television from Comesa Hall in Blantyre and watched by millions of viewers more lively and exciting.
“What is coming out clear from these debates is that we should expect more political rivalry between MCP and UTM as they approach the elections,” observed governance expert and commentator Makhumbo Munthali in an interview with Nyasa Times.
“Unlike in the previous elections where the opposition had a soft spot on each other and instead concentrated on attacking the incumbent, the 2019 Tripartite elections provides an interesting scenario where the battle lines between MCP and UTM are already drawn, and as to whether this would benefit the ruling DPP or not in the next election is something that can be debated,” he added.
Professor Wiseman Chiere Chirwa of the University of Malawi’s Chancellor College described the debate held in Blantyre as “real debate” not a question and answer affair as was the case in the first session in Lilongwe.
The presidential running mates debate is an initiative of privately-owned Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS).
Everton Chimulirenji of the governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) who chickened out from the first debate again did not take part again in the second leg as his party said they will not participate in any debate relating to the May 21 2019 watershed election.
Dr Jerry Jana of People’s Party (PP) who attended the first leg of debate, pulled out from Thursday’s event following his presidential candidate Joyce Banda’s withdraw from the race.
The trio that took part in the debate ably moderated by Joab Frank Chakhaza tackled various topics ranging from health, gender and women empowerment, the economy, governance and access to justice and human rights, among others.
Malawians have another chance to see running mates battle in another debate on March 21 in Mzuzu where the style and substance, both which are important performance indicators in this political theatre, will be up for check.
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UTM chipani chama social network… mavoti ali ku mudzi mafana.. This race is btwn DPP and MCP.. believe it or not
Ndipo pa debate a Mia anati 4km iliyonse & not 4km radius ngakhale atapanga playback speech yao ija.
I was not impressed with debaters’ performance. They were all ignorant on most of the issues. Frank called Strategic Plan a research document hold my foot!!! On financing healthcare all showed that they knew not how small our internal resources for healthcare are. Payment meant for those who are able and willing. Even with efficiency improvement we cant afford sustainable healthcare without extra means of resource generation. About 25% of the population can afford. Kwa sing’anga matha bwanji?
I was bored with debate so i did not watch it to the end. One important question I wish could have been asked was on taming the population boom against decreasing natural resources. We are in demographic entrapment. That needs bold decision to cap the number of children per family like the “One Child Policy of China”. If it was asked I would be happy to hear how it was responded to.
Thumbs up to Dr Usi, He is the only new politician on the podium but he showed what he can do. Even Mia knows this.
What’s the difference?
This is the debate we know, a debate is about arguments, crashing or defending ideas basing on facts, evidence and figures. Not the one that happened in Lilongwe which was basically a podium for campaigning (just “we will do this or that”) is that a debate? That was not debate, it was rubbish.
whether debate or not UTM is in my blood you have my vote all the way…. time is up to make new choices kukuchelani mukapanga za UTM,,oonani mfundo zopititsa patsogolo dziko,osati kumangolozana zala.
Mia made a big GOOF I have never seen before…. He should know that times for Atcheya foolish politics is way gone. How can we construct 4KM hospital/clinics in every part of the country. Is he sane enough to know that a hospital requires staff, medicine equipement and what what to operate? Kapena amatanthauza mizikiti mwina
You need to go back to school.
Whether radius or access point etc… The proposal is a non starter and tatal gibberish that Mia miserably failed to defend.
this is just a matter of filling gaps. I trust that you are well aware that we have a lot of healthy facilities across the country both in use and not in use. kindly be informed that 4KM Radius is not distance between 2 health facilities but middle way meaning that if you want to go to any health facility to your right side direction, it should be 4KM away and the same applies to your opposite direction but actual distance between 2 health facilities is 8KM. ADZOZI INU MUNGAKONDE ZIPATALA ZITALIKIRANE NDI MTUNDA WANJI OPOSELA 8KM?
Mboni ya boma (nanu boma lake liti mukupangira umbonilo?) 4km radius hospital issue is a total non-starter, even if you say its 8km or so. Please face the reality and be practical
4km is not practical anyway regardless politics.
Dr. Michael Usi is very very genius. whenever he was answering he was composed and no sign of lying thus my UTM which is so unique and cant wait to see them forming the next government on 21 May 2019…..Mia has been in government since 1994 but he cant understand even a single question from the moderator of the debate…he is just another recycled politician no votes from the youth who have registered in majority and are ready for change…shame and pathetic.
It was an interesting debate indeed, MCP knows just like the DPP knows that the most popular movement on the political scene is the new team on the block called UTM. Whether it is the personal brand or charisma of their President or whether it is their message, or even if it is just their branding, there is no doubt that UTM has flexed its muscle and everyone has noticed. So no wonder MCP was attacking UTM from day one, whether that wins them votes or makes them look bad, only time will tell.
Politics is dirty game. Usi is a drama man and he accepted on that, look at what he did by pointing finger at woman who was just cheering and booing at him instead of the host Joab Chakahaza to discipline the lady he did it direct himself by anger. He even said olo mtati nyonyonyo nyo kkkkkk vice president wanji wokwiya ndi anthu. Nthawi ya debate kaya wina akutukwana or not you retaliate.
USI IS USELESS (INSTEAD OF CONVINCING HE WAS CONFUSING PEOPLE)
A 4KM RADIUS FROM WHERE I AM TO A CLINIC OR HEALTH CENTRE, MEANS 8KM BETWEEN THE CLINICS OR HEALTH CENTRES. IN BLANTYRE FOR EXAMPLE, NDIRANDE HEALTH CENTRE IS ABOUT 4KM FROM QECH. ZINGWANGWA HEALTH CENTRE IS ALSO 4KM FROM QECH. THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE OF NKOLOKOSA, NAPERI, CHITAWIRA HAVE LESS THAN 2KM TO ACCESS A HEALTH FACILITY.
BY JUST LOOKING AT SIMPLE NARRATION GIVEN ABOVE, IS 4KM RADIUS NOT PRACTICAL?
MICHAEL USI PLEASE NOTE THAT POLITICS IS NOT TIKUFERANJI
he was talking like he is a child, or maybe he forgets that he is not on tikuferanji platform kkkkkk azitolere
Very great explaination, ziphunzitseni mbuli bwana, 4 km radius is not every 4 km
Nonsense, the 4KM was promised across the country not just in the overpopulated urban areas, don’t try to cheat voters with half baked examples please. It was Mia’s responsibility to explain clearly and he completely failed to do so.
Federation not handled well may lead to more corruption but strengthening of governance system not only ACB, but National Audit Ofiice, FIU and Central Internal Audit as well. But all you candidates you missed one question to be asked. How are you going to increase production of exports? Otherwise that is what makes a country grow.
If I were Mia I would have interjected Dr by saying. 1. When we say a health facility every 4 kms radius we don’t mean KCH or QECH. 2. When we say a health facility every 4 kms radius, we don’t mean we will ask the department parks and wildlife the size of vwaza game reserve on Malawian side and when they tell us it’s 400 SQ Kms then we launch the project to 100 health facilities in vwaza game reserve.
Nevertheless I enjoyed the response, “Do I need to commect? It’s drama as usual..”
Unfortunately you are not Mia, and he failed to explain his answer.
MIcheal Usi was little childish and not prepared. I understand that currently UTM does not have a manifesto but I should believe that its preparation should be at advanced stage such that Usi might have glance what is the pot. The stage was a perfect time to start showcasing what people should expect from UTM. He was more of just reacting to what other parties in particular MCP will do when elected. I think the clarity in which MCP running mate discussed the issues on the basis of their manifesto was a big challenge for Usi to comp with.
I like the way Frank Mwenefumbo articulated most the issues presented, in summary we can say, He came prepared.
Clarity my foot, the people could hardly deduce the heavy foreign accent and unfortunately it seems Mia has a temper problem. Once you start attacking the moderator, you’ve lost the debate.
Frank Mwenefumbo knows and understands practicalities of government system that the other two…State Problems are solved via policy based solutions osangodzuka basi kumati lero titele..
Problem with Usi paliponse amafuna aziwoneka wanzeru zambili….4km radius health center ndizotheka ndipo zikuenela kutelo
Distance is not the major factor. Look also at the population distribution. Otherwise you will end up with underused health centres.
I think Usi wanted to tell the nation the truth. This is not possible given the amount of money government would need to to sustain this. Health Centres are not merely buildings but services
Very correct. In fact the recommended radius is 5km so 4kms is even generous
Dont expose your ignorance here. You need to understand that catchment area plays a bigger role in making availability of the health facility. Health post allocation optimization model is a function of placement of people not just distance. So there is to be a catchment population for a health facility to be placed within a 4 km radius. With your ideology it means there will health facilities without people to serve in inhabitable geo locations like mountains and the like. Even in developed countries, its a function of proximity to catchment population being within that radius. So please dont comment on things you dont know.
Usi should just go back to Tikuferanji drama, I think he is missing ake Sikono, he miserably failed us (UTM members) he should have concentrated on what UTM has for Malawi.
Manganya is childish. How can he so busy with MCP instead of showcasing the capabilities of UTM? He is a political novice who cannot withstand the heat that comes with Malawi politics. Emotionalism with just a mere debate what more if UTM gets elected? I must say, at this juncture, that UTM has lost my vote. The sight of two immature men trying to wrestle power should be something to halt.
Dr Usi well done DR Usi You have my Vote
@Ecclesia, dont say UTM has lost your vote when actually you are already an MCP or DPP sympathiser. Munazolowera zija zoti wina akamanena mfundo zopanda substance, anthu azingovomereza? Like lack of knowledge ya munthu za federal govt, and health facility every 4 km??? shaaaaaaa
Seriously!!!? you must have been too blinded by your political affiliation or whatsoever but Manganya stood up to be the most intelligent of all ! he was issue based and used both wisdom and intelligence to answer o counter attack during the whole debate.
UTM has not lost your vote because it never had your vote in the first place! Why should Usi be debating with people who are not there? Mia is debating for MCP and trying to show that his party is the best camp and you want Usi not to answer that but to talk about DPP? Then where is the debate? What do you mean by immature men? By the way, nobody wrests power in a democracy. Your so-called youngmen are visionary leaders who are selling themselves to the electorate. It’s up to the electorate to vote for them or not. As for you, you are free to join a party of your choice. That is what Malawians of goodwill established on 14 June 1993.
a vote lost for MCP sindigasankhe chipani chambuli ngati chimnechi…….
inu inu mbuli ndiye ndi ndani pamenepa??? or vote yako utapita nayo angakulire ndi ndani???? ovota ndiwe wekha???
Michael Us I showed us how it should be done. Well done. U have my vote!
Not true,Dr Usi not childish,you misunderstood him and Dr chilima is not immature as well.
Who is childish here.Was Maganya at debate or Dr Michael Usi.Learn to differentiate things.Should we say those who do drama despite having colourful qualifications are not eligible to contest.
You must have been watching a different debate mate.
We, in Mzuzu, are waiting for this rare opportunity.