By Watipaso Mzungu, Contributor
[dropcap]L[/dropcap]azarous Chakwera, president of Malawi’s main opposition party, Malawi Congress Party, has asked members of his politburo to stop gossiping, backbiting and peddling lies about one another because it can hurt the chances of the party winning next year’s elections.
Chakwera said gossiping, backbiting and peddling lies are detrimental to modern politics; and, could potentially disadvantage the party at the forthcoming elections.
He made the remarks in Lilongwe on Friday when he closed a two-day MCP National Youth Conference.
Chakwera, who is also Leader of Opposition, also talked about accepting and embracing dissenting views saying its is critical to polishing ideas which help strengthen and consolidate intra-party democracy and good governance.
“What we must understand is that people need to sharpen one another. Iron sharpens iron. And when it comes to ideas, and how we can end up with the best ideas, we must put all our ideas on the table. If somebody disagrees with somebody else, it doesn’t mean that they are despising those people,” he said.
MCP, which has been in opposition for 25 years after losing the first multi-party elections, has always come second in the last four elections. This time the party is determined to win next year’s elections is fielding candidates for parliament in all the 193 constituencies.
“Time had gone when leaders used to know everything. I think the idea that the father knows best is not necessarily an idea that encourages innovation,” Chakwera said.
During the conference, the Young Wing raised a number of issues, which they asked Chakwera to address if he is elected into office next year.
Speaking on behalf of the youth, Wazamazama Katatu urged Chakwera to address rising unemployment rates, lack of markets for agricultural produce and revise the education curriculum so that it reflects the current trends on the job market.
Katatu also proposed the establishment of a board to formulate and administer examinations in the technical colleges.
“Currently, students in technical colleges are writing examinations formulated and administered by United Kingdom (UK) boards. And usually, what they learn and get examined in does not reflect what is on the ground here in Malawi. We therefore ask you to address this problem once you take over government next year,” he said.
Chakwera reiterated that, if elected into government on May 21 next year, his administration will endeavour to seal loopholes in the government systems to ensure the protection of the existing jobs as well as creation of others.
“I am saying this because it’s not just a matter of creating jobs, but also protecting the existing ones by ensuring that companies are ticking and not closing. Our administration will address the electricity problems so that companies are not closing, but rather creating more jobs for you,” he said.
At least 2,000 young people attended the conference and they were drawn from all the 193 constituencies.
Leave a Reply