‘I am not a life president’

Mike Sambalikagwa Mvona has come under heavy criticism and pressure from some quarters for outliving his presidency at Malawi Writers Union (Mawu).

He has surely overstayed as president having served three terms and he attracted more anger from people, when he announced that he was contesting again with some not mincing words saying he was the ‘life president.’

But all this did not move him at all as he went on to contest again on Saturday during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) battling it out with activist Billy Mayaya, who was the only presidential challenger.

Held in Liwonde, close to 45 members from the three regions voted during the elections and it was during the election of the president that there was tension.

Mvona, who was in a suit, was tensed while Mayaya, who was dressed casually being a weekend, was composed and it looked like he would carry the day.

But at the end of the process which was handled by James Thole from the Department of Arts and Craft in the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Mvona once again, underlined his power when he saw off Mayaya, retaining the hot seat with a convincing win of 39 votes to six.

With Mvona sitting close to the front where he was relegated after the old executive was dissolved and Mayaya at the back, the two were given five minutes each to sell themselves to the members before the presidential race went into gear.

There was also a proposal earlier before the elections that the term of office which has all along been open thereby giving a chance to Mvona to keep on contesting, be limited to two terms.

The members deliberated for some time on the issue before they voted sticking to the open term where elections will be held every four years.

Mvona, who was embraced by the members after the results were announced, will serve for another four years.

He then went on to make his acceptance speech before he was congratulated alongside the new executive by Mayaya and other members.

“I am extremely happy to have claimed the presidency. This just shows that members have trust in me and they appreciate the progress we are making as Mawu. We just need to continue working as a

team,” he said.

Mvona said Mawu needs to dig deeper to source funds as at the moment there is donor fatigue.

With his triumph being welcomed with mixed reactions on social media where some still hit at him for not letting new blood take over, Mvona said people make such comments because they are misguided.

“People are misguided. They just comment on issues they don’t understand at all. They should not speak from outside let them come in and speak from inside. I am not a life president,” said Mvona.

He further revealed that he will only serve four terms and that he will not contest again.

“I will only lead these four years and then will retire but not quit and I will surely leave a legacy and again I want to build up a strong leadership because Mawu needs a visionary leader, who can serve the members,” he said.

Mvona said writers have suffered a lot the past years and that it was time for them to enjoy.

“It’s not that I receive money on this seat. I do this because I have got the passion to serve writers,” said the president.

Mayaya earlier pointed out that Mawu is weak.

“There is need for Mawu to be active, members have been weak and there is need for improvement,” he said.

Mvona’s vice is Christopher Chitukula, who was elected unopposed. The other members of the new executive are Martin Matandika (Budding Desk Chair), Apostle Raphael Chikwakwa (Religious Desk (Chair), Nancy Phiri (Women’s Desk Chair), Pius Nyondo (Publicity Secretary), Grace Gondwe (General Secretary) and Albert Kalimbakatha (Treasurer General).

Copyright Society of Malawi (Cosoma) Senior Licensing Officer Rosario Kamanga, described the elections as free and fair and called upon the members to work together for the growth of the creative industry.