At its heart, politics is not merely about power and control; it also encompasses human connection, social responsibility and wisdom.
The launch of the Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) Foundation should have been an event that transcended political divides, uniting people from various backgrounds to honour the late vice president’s legacy and support a cause aligned with his values.
Yet, UTM, the very party he founded, chose to stay away.
This absence was not a mere political oversight— it was a clear display of political immaturity, lack of foresight and a failure to comprehend the essence of leadership.
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Under the leadership of its new president, Dalitso Kabambe, UTM has made a series of political missteps, with this latest one serving as a glaring example of its inability to address sensitive matters with wisdom and maturity.
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Political engagement is not about making noise; it is about making thoughtful decisions that foster unity and progress.
By avoiding the launch of the SKC Foundation, UTM sent a stark message that it is more concerned with trivial political calculations than demonstrating the compassion and solidarity that true leadership demands.
Chilima’s death was a national tragedy that shook Malawi’s political landscape.
He was not just a politician but an inspiration to many—a visionary who dreamed of transforming the nation.
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His legacy extends beyond party lines and any event aimed at honouring him should have been a moment for all stakeholders to show respect and commitment to his vision.
The decision by UTM officials signals a disconnect from the values that the late vice president stood for.
This was not a moment for political grandstanding; it was a time for solidarity.
If ever there was an opportunity for UTM to reaffirm its commitment to the ideals of its late leader, this was it.
Yet, it chose to distance itself, raising serious questions about the political judgement of its leadership.
One of the most troubling aspects of this absence is the reasoning behind it.
UTM officials believe they are more mourners than the Chilima family itself. This alone reveals a dangerous sense of self-importance and an inability to distinguish between political manoeuvring and human decency.
The mourning of a loved one, especially a national leader like Chilima, is both a personal and collective experience.
It is not a competition. By implying that their grief is greater than that of the family, UTM officials displayed arrogance instead of humility and division rather than unity.
Leadership requires wisdom and wisdom is best demonstrated in times of adversity.
Kabambe, a technocrat with a strong background in economic governance, was expected to bring intelligence and strategic thinking to the political sphere.
Yet, his actions in recent months have shown a worrying tendency to prioritise political noise over meaningful engagement.
It is one thing to criticise opponents or advocate for policy changes, but it is quite another to politicise every issue, even those unrelated to partisan politics.
The launch of the SKC Foundation was not a political rally. It was not a platform for discussing political strategies.
It was an occasion to celebrate the life and contributions of a great man.
The fact that UTM failed to recognise this distinction shows that it lacks the maturity required to lead a serious political entity.
Politics should not be about scoring cheap points. At times, leaders must rise above party lines to demonstrate their ability to unite people for the greater good.
Kabambe and his team, unfortunately, seem to lack this ability. Instead, they appear trapped in viewing everything through a political lens, even when it is unnecessary.
Malawi’s political landscape has long been plagued by what can only be described as primitive politics—where politics is dragged into every aspect of life, even where it has no place.
This way of thinking has hindered progress and stymied meaningful national unity.
Rather than working towards collective development, political leaders engage in petty rivalries, suspicion and unnecessary conflict.
The decision to stay away from the SKC Foundation’s launch is a textbook example of such primitive politics.
It reveals an inability to separate political interests from national interests.
The launch of the foundation was a noble cause. It was an initiative that deserved support from all quarters, regardless of political affiliation.
There is also an element of hypocrisy in UTM’s actions.
The same party that claims to uphold Chilima’s vision and legacy should have been at the forefront of this event.
Is UTM genuinely interested in honouring Chilima’s legacy or is it more focused on using his name for political leverage when it suits them?
