Muluzi condemns former first lady
By Feston Malekezo
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ormer President, Bakili Muluzi,has asked politicians to refrain from abusing democracy indirectly accusing former first lady Callista Mutharika of disrespecting incumbent President Peter Mutharika
Muluzi made the remarks on Wednesday at Comesa Hall in Blantyre where United Democratic Front (UDF) held its third elective convention which saw his son, Atupele go unopposed as the party President.
“Chilamu [in-law] or no Chilamu the president must be respected. If we have grudges with the president that should be done kunyumba kwanu [at home] … if you tune in to radios today or televisions all you hear are
insults to one another. Thus why I stopped watching televisions, I only watch cartoons,” he said.
The former first lady said during the launch of the United Transformation Movement in Blantyre that Malawians should not vote for Matchona.
Mtchona is a chewa word referring to a person that have lived most of their adult life outside the country.
“This is the only Malawi we have…We are all one and we should stay united. There is no Tumbuka, Lhomwe or Yaos, we are all Malawians. Democracy is beautiful but should not be abused by despising others. Democracy comes with responsibility, democracy without responsibility is useless.
Politicians come and go but Malawi is still here. I am no longer a politician but I thought I could say this,” he said.
Muluzi is still the patron of the party. Other long time politicians at the convention were Patrick Mbewe and Peter Fatch, who served as Attorney General and Justice minister during the time of Muluzi.
The first convention of the UDF was done in 1994 which elected Muluzi and Justin Malewezi as the vice president. Muluzi is credited for putting governance institutions in place during his reign.
Minister of Local Government, Kondwani Nankhumwa, represented President Peter Mutharika, and ruling Democratic Progressive Party was represented by Southern Region Governor, Charles Mchacha, Secretary
General, Grezeldar Jeffrey and Salim Bagus represented Malawi Congress Party.
United States Ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer was also in attendance. Others were political and traditional leaders, Mark Katsonga, John Chisi, Paramount Chief Ngolongoliwa, Mulhakho wa Alhomwe Chairperson Leston Mulli and Traditional Authority Kapeni
The delegates unanimously voted Atupele Muluzi as the party’s torch bearer at the May 2019 tripartite election.
In his acceptance speech the young Muluzi said he believes he has the experience and the knowledge to run the UDF and the country.
“Malawi has lost too much already. Malawi is facing challenges. But at the heart of any progress, must me asustainable economy. There have been improvements for example the inflation rate but only a
selected few enjoy these changes,” he said.
Malawi needs a 21st century engine–which would mean diversification–a difficult matter for some. Maize and tobacco has been good to us for years but let us admit they are no longer sustainable crops,” he said.
Others who went unopposed included Victoria Mponela Vice President for the Northern Region, Eastern Vice President, Lilian Patel, Secretary General Kandi Padambo, Treasurer General, Carlton Sichinga and Deputy
National Organising Secretary Andrew Mkana..
Two thousand delegates took part in the voting process that have ushered in 16 new office bearers.
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