UTM cautioned on a numbers’ game, tipped on winning strategy

United Transformation Movement (UTM) has been cautioned not be carried away by  he huge turnout at their  rallies during its three  recent launches in Lilongwe, Blantyre and  Mzuzu but strategise to win the battle of hearts of masses with the transformative content of the movement.

Crowds at UTM rally in Mzuzu
Chilima dancing with Ngoni’s in Mzuzu

Vice-President Saulos Klaus Chilima,  now marketed as SKC by his followers,  has emerged as a fresh voice worth following  since he accepted to the UTM after dumping the rulling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), accusing it of embarssing corruption and nepotism.

In all the three rallies SKC has held, supporters mostly the youth and women came and packed like sardines. And they formed a sea of people.

Journalist and  social commentator Idriss Ali Nassah cautione d that UTM should not fall into the trap of counting and celebrating crowds at rallies.

“Gloating about numbers is really the lowest form of self-serving political strategy. It also usually ends up in tears. I have seen eminent UTM supporters, who otherwise should know better, going gaga over Masintha and Mjamba rallies [as well as Mzuzu]. Large crowds will intoxicate the politically naïve, but the sober ones are well aware that our history is replete with candidates who performed poorly at the ballot despite having pulled impressive crowds at rallies,” pointed out Nassah.

He pointed out that UTM has gotten off  “an explosive start–better than anyone could have imagined.”

Nassaer, nonetheless, said the true test is in reaching out and engaging “pockets of resistance outside these rallies, and working hard to win them over with the transformative content of the movement.”

The 45-year-old, who appeared too slow to speak of his political future after dumping t DPP has been hailed on his messaging and manner of delivery at these rallies.

“SKC has done exceptionally well: his talking points have hit the right buttons and, more importantly, have largely been well received,” said Nasser, adding “ But the same can’t be said of the others. The District Governors, the Secretary General and others have to be careful not to sound like they did when they were in DPP,UDF, MCP… or wherever it is they came from.You don’t want to give the impression that the trees have changed, but the monkeys have remained the same.”

Chancellor College political scientist Ernest Thindwa  has said key challenge for UTM is to sell the movement to the rural masses “because that is where most votes are and people rarely change their electoral preferences.”

Thindwa said  “elections are decided by rural voters, not urban voters.”

Social and political commentator Emily Mkamanga said the movement needs to strategise on penetrating into the rural population because if they stick to urban areas, they will soon lose momentum like other parties.

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oMachemba
oMachemba
5 years ago

Taonani Chilimayo wanuyo is not even comfortable carrying the Ngoni war utensils! He’s acting like he just discovered that he is Ngoni.
He should be even pretend to be happy, if only for the cameras; but no, he would rather be at a business meeting rather than with what he considers illiterate people or villagers.
How can we then expect him to lead a country of people he is NOT proud of?

viva mcp
viva mcp
5 years ago

miracle jobs. 1,000,000 jobs????????
SKC ali mmboma why not give us coz u r in government now. Ice takana bodza.
Kuyankhula kwabakili uku. Later u chnge

SONG OF THE DRUNKARD
SONG OF THE DRUNKARD
5 years ago

STUDY THE GAME IN ZIMBABWE
CAREFULLY GUYS OTHERWISE THE
SAME SCENARIOS WILL HAPPEN IN
MALAWI COME 2019

DON’T BE OFFENDED OOOOH !!

Welensiki
Welensiki
5 years ago

Zimbabwe it is a clear case of a military induced electoral victory. If you want to talk numbers Nelson Chamisa was way way ahead. Mnangagwa has never had crowds since time immemorial. He was busing crowds and using trains and trucks to beef up numbers while most MDC Alliance rally goers did so voluntarily. Tell you something Malawi is not Zimbabwe and if Mutharika wants to burn the country he can try rigging his way to Sanjika. People will respond appropriately.

Kalekeni Kanene
5 years ago

The guy (Chilima) looks unstoppable as he has a real message to tell the Malawian.

#DzukaniAmalawi
#DzukaniAmalawi
5 years ago

Both Chilima and Atupele have been preaching about unity amongst Malawi and yet both of them are unable to practice what they preach. UDF and UTM ideologies, prop-poor policies and developmental imperatives are all the same. The leaders are young and hungry to lead. If that’s the case then why can’t the two parties unite and forge an alliance for the 2019 elections. One can be the torch bearer for the alliance from 2019 to 2024 and the other can tae over in 2024. If that’s too much for these young leaders to take then we know they’re also as… Read more »

Wakukaya
Wakukaya
5 years ago

Whatever side of the story one takes. But the point is that we dont want sekulu /agogo politics. Tivotera chilima. Tupiti apumbwa inu. Mwadya kokwana. kkkkk

hohodo
hohodo
5 years ago
Reply to  Wakukaya

ife ndiye tivotela apumbwawo. musatipangile maganizo

Sindi
Sindi
5 years ago
Reply to  hohodo

Not surprising for pumbwa to vote for pumbwa

Yahya Yahya Jammeh
5 years ago

All political party launches take place in he cities and spread to the rural areas. The opposite cannot work. Campaign has not started, so do you think SKC will only be campaigning in the cities? Some pieces of advice are very irrelevant. Why not wait when campaign kicks off then come up with this advice. Te problem with Yao is that they know their party UDF has lost track and they would like to find faults with a party that is commanding large following. There are experienced people in UTM who will advise SKC on all campaign strategies. Please spare… Read more »

Keen Observer
Keen Observer
5 years ago

Good & sound advice.

mavuto
mavuto
5 years ago

We want change ya Chakufwa Chihana.

Bambo phiri
Bambo phiri
5 years ago

The difference between SKC and all other parties is that this guy has a target. A real leader must have target like will create 1 million jobs . Now these other leaders they dont want to take that risk. He thinks like a business man who always have targets and if you fail after trying its better than failing to try. Secondly he is a risk taker, a leader must take a risk like quota issue. Chakwera was talking about it silently but SKC said it point blank. 1 million jobs is possible in malawi if government pays half of… Read more »

Ecclesia
Ecclesia
5 years ago
Reply to  Bambo phiri

I beg to differ boss, the difference between Chakwera & Chilima is that Chilima has the monies to invite the media while Chakwera has not. Its not easy to operate from the opposition. Chilima has an advantage because he has government resources at his disposal. They are many corrupt ministers who are donating money to him incase he wins so that he considers them. Chakwera is an honest man while Chilima is a thief..

Heavy-duty
Heavy-duty
5 years ago
Reply to  Bambo phiri

Komano while it is true kuti we must dream higher, we must also be realistic in setting targets. Goals must be SMART. If USA the world’s latest economy created 2.1 million jobs last year I wonder how a poor country (3rd from bottom) really can create 1 million jobs in 6 or even 12 months. If targets are set too high, they look more like wishful thinking or fantasies or just strategy to get votes. Even this issue of electricity issue, no one can fix in a single day. If you look at it from a helicopter view point, you… Read more »

Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
Hlabezulu Ngonoonda
5 years ago
Reply to  Heavy-duty

Worrisome indeed. May be those in public sectors who have amassed wealth will be told to go on voluntary retirement, assuming that they fail to explain how they came to acquire it, so that they pave way for the recruitment of new staff besides creating the said jobs. May be the total may come to 1 million. The question would be: where will their salaries come from since Malawi’s tax base is very small?

Mike
5 years ago
Reply to  Bambo phiri

Atcheyanso had a target of distributing shoe and maize which never happened. Talking is very easy but action

hohodo
hohodo
5 years ago
Reply to  Bambo phiri

asa 1 m employment. that’s a miracle. I choose not to believe until I see with my eyes

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