Fryson Chozi writes:
THE POLITICAL VERDICT
Episode 1: The burden of leadership, Chilima’s Balancing Act!
At this moment, I don’t envy Saulos Klaus Chilima, the Republican Vice President. The man is put in a situation where going forward is as fastidious as going backwards.
Every day, there are calls from different quarters and some pretend to have a divine vision or whatever is called prophecy for Chilima to tread UTM out of Tonse Alliance and for him to resign from the Vice Presidency.
As if that’s not enough, the major partner in the Tonse Alliance (MCP) while at an official level pretends as if all is fine in the alliance, unleashes its attack dogs on Chilima at every opportunity. It would be naïve or childish for a person to think that the attacks that Chilima is suffering from the media team from MCP is at an individual level, it is sanctioned.
Compounded to all these, there have been rumors of posturing among top brass of the MCP who will take over in the event Chilima is out of power. The idea of Impeachment for Chalima has not been abandoned but rather pended because it became too obvious.
For now the official plan is to corner Chilima to an extent that he must throw in the towel. Very soon, we are likely to see some CSOs for hire, getting into the streets demanding for either resignation or impeachment of Chilima.
In all this, truth be told, I wouldn’t like to be SKC, mfana oganiza bhoo at this time. To begin with, the calls made on Chilima are academic and to some extent very reckless to some point. Of course the people making the calls are either naïve or they are political assassins. But the majority falls into the first category, and they think that it’s easy for Chilima to just wake up and say am out of the Alliance and no longer the Vice President.
Whatever Chilima decides has a huge repercussion not only for his political and personal life, but for a group of people and lives that have survived on his being the Vice President and UTM being an alliance partner.
In fact, if Chilima decides to leave the Alliance today, there is a huge collateral damage and domino effect of the decision. The decision will disrupt a lot of people’s lives. Lots of people will become jobless, they will lose a way of life.
Don’t just focus on the few cabinet ministers, but look at the whole nine yards of family, friends and UTM supporters who have received government contracts, done business with government, employed in diplomatic missions, in the civil service, in boards, and what have you. Chilima is not naïve and he knows all this. He literally knows that he is not making a personal decision but rather he is carrying the entire village of UTM and others.
It’s much easier for Chilima to leave Tonse Alliance and applauded by few overzealous people who are more hoping that the day Tonse Alliance crumble will be the end of the Government, unfortunately that will not be the case. Chilima staying in the Government and holding on to the Vice Presidency is hurting him more on a personal level as compared to him leaving which the triple effects on several lives.
What the Political Verdict?
Given an opportunity to advise Chilima, I would advise him to stay on as the Vice President of Malawi and UTM must be in the alliance, for better or for worse. If UTM and Chilima were to get out the Government, let it be around mid-2024 and not now.
The basis of this verdict is that, if Chilima was to resign today as a Vice President, besides the issues raised above about livelihood of people lost, it shall be the end of democracy as we know it. Malawians seems to have short memory.
MCP wants Chilima and UTM out of Government for them to consolidate power and even develop another system similar to what they had in the 1960s. The problem with most Malawians think that the first multi-party elections in Malawi were held in 1994. NO.
The first multi-party elections in Malawi were held on 28th April 1964. When MCP emerged victorious, it started with a purging campaign which led to one party state.
Déjà vu 2022. There are people so myopic that think MCP does not harbor ambitions of another unopposed 30 year rule in Malawi. If you see the actions and laws the MCP are pushing, are synonymous of the hangover of what happened in 1960s. Only that we have a digital age and more learned society that is going to fight all the way. So taking out Chilima from Government is part of a larger scheme towards total control and rule.
MCP cannot and should not be allowed to consolidate power. Chakwera has already shown that he ha dictatorial tendencies looking at how he deal with perceived enemies in MCP. Of course it’s not surprising for a Pastor to act that way. He is a man so used at being praisedl and having total authority at church where he was given authority by God, which is not inl politics.
So as to my verdict, Chilima must stay put. Don’t listen to the irrational calls of people that are naïve of are just political schemers just to finish you off. In fact, the people making such calls are well aware that if you decide to leave now, UTM will break as those to be affected might decide to stay with MCP. From the looks of things it might be fatal.
What next?
Be the Vice President, use the state resources to expose the MCP hypocrisy. The MCP can’t be fighting you left, right and centre and you continue to be a good man. Take the fight to MCP until they must be exposed and feel naked and realize that you are an integral part of this Government and cannot just be used and dumped.
Youth empowerment in action: Judith Msusa applauds success of Business Acceleration for Youth Project By Burnett Munthali, November The Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth, Judith Msusa, has expressed her satisfaction with the impact of the Business Acceleration for Youth (BAY) project, describing it as a transformative initiative for empowering Malawian youth economically. Msusa commended the project during a visit to some grant beneficiaries who have successfully turned their ventures into thriving enterprises. Speaking during her visit, Msusa lauded the program for equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools they need to enhance their livelihoods. "The government is impressed with the youth who, through this initiative, have been able to increase their revenue streams. This not only enables them to live decent lives but also positions them as job creators for their peers," she said. Msusa emphasized the project's role in fostering a generation of self-reliant, innovative, and economically active young people. Adding to Msusa's sentiments, David Slane, Chief of Party for the project, expressed his own delight at the progress made. "It’s rewarding to see these young individuals demonstrating tangible successes as a result of this support. They are living proof of what is possible when young people are given the right opportunities and resources," said Slane. The three-year BAY project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is being implemented by the Alliance of Biodiversity International and the Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). Focused on the districts of Zomba, Balaka, Chiradzulu, Chikwawa, Machinga, and Mangochi, the project aims to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit among youth by providing grants, mentorship, and technical assistance. During the visit, several beneficiaries shared their inspiring stories of transformation. One of them, a poultry farmer from Mangochi, recounted how the project’s financial and technical support helped her scale her business, enabling her to employ two additional workers. Another young entrepreneur in Zomba, specializing in agro-processing, highlighted how mentorship from the project helped him navigate market challenges and significantly increase his revenue. These testimonials reflect the project's profound impact on communities. Beyond financial gains, the BAY initiative is helping youth build confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose, all of which are critical for sustaining long-term economic growth. As Malawi grapples with high unemployment rates among the youth, the BAY project stands out as a beacon of hope. With continued support from USAID and partners, the initiative could serve as a model for youth empowerment not only in Malawi but across the region. Msusa’s visit underscores the government’s commitment to supporting programs that align with its broader vision of reducing poverty and unemployment. "The youth are the backbone of our nation," Msusa concluded. "Projects like BAY remind us of their untapped potential and the immense possibilities that emerge when we invest in them strategically." The success of the BAY project serves as a testament to the power of collaboration between government, development partners, and the private sector in addressing pressing societal challenges.
