Tag Archives: Dr.  Saulos Klaus Chilima

Malawi

Thousands join anti-government protests in Lilongwe

Maravi Post Reporter
Kalindo addressing protesters after presenting petition

Thousands of Malawians took to the streets on Friday protesting the unemployment and the high cost of living in the country under the leadership of President Lazarus Chakwera who promised to take Malawians to ‘Canaan’.

The demonstrators, led by former top official of the Tonse Alliance Bon Kalindo, chanted songs against President Lazarus Chakwera and his vice Saulo Klaus Chilima while carrying placards demanding the current administration to fulfill campaign promises, such as creating one million jobs and providing free water and electricity connections.

Kalindo, who has meanwhile resigned from the UTM party which ironically is part of other eight political parties which won the 2020 court sanctioned presidential election as Tonse Alliance, is accusing President Chakwera and his cabinet of betraying Malawians.

According to Kalindo, some of the concerns include, among others: rise of fuel and food prices and other basic needs, increase of transport costs and tollgate fees, unemployment, absence of National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) loans for the youths, the infamous amended labour relations law, corruption and nepotism.

 The influential comedian also held similar protests in Blantyre where patronage was described as poor considering the fact that the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) enjoys massive support in the region.

However, contrary to people’s expectations, ruling officials in particular, the protests in Lilongwe where the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has lion’s share of supporters, saw thousands of citizens flocking to Lilongwe Community Centre ground where the demonstrations started.

But tension ensued as armed police officers formed a cordon just near the Community Centre ground—blocking the protesters from proceeding with their march to city centre.

The police blocked the road leading to city center at Kamuzu Central Hospital Roundabout and also fired tear gas at the group.

The law enforcers also chased the protesters to as far as Chilambula Road and the road was closed temporarily as the marchers pelted stones at the police.

President Lazarus Chakwera was at the moment holding an event at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) within the city centre.

The protesters, however, managed to deliver the petition to Lilongwe District commissioner Lawford Palani.

Speaking after presenting the petition, Kalindo called for resignation of the Inspector General of Police George Kainja and Minister of Homeland Security Richard Chimwendo Banda respectively for what he termed “unprofessional act” by Police to fire teargas on unarmed protesters.

Police had to fire teargas on a number of occasions during the march following simmering tensions.

Malawians are currently sailing in economic problems as prices of essential commodities continue to rise exponentially.

Information minister Gospel Kazako told a press conference last week that the government realizes the problems Malawians are facing, and the president will soon address the nation on corrective measures.

Development

Malawi’s Hip-hop artist Fredokiss joins Chilima’s UTM party

Maneno Chimulala
Fredokiss now UTM member

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Hip-hop artist Penjani Kalua, popularly known as Fredokiss in music circles, has joined Tonse Alliance partner UTM, a party which is led by the country’s Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima.

Speaking to the Nation online on Wednesday, Fredokiss said he decided to join UTM because it is a safe space for new generation ideas.


In a statement, UTM party has announced that a ceremony to welcome the hip hop artist into the party is set for Thursday, December 31, at Zingwangwa Youth Centre in Blantyre.


He will be welcomed into the party by UTM vice-president Michael Usi and party patron Noel Masangwi.

Fredokiss’ first experience with politics was last year when he contested for the position of Member of Parliament for Blantyre City South on an independent ticket. However, he lost to the incumbent Noel Lipipa.

Freddokiss was recently fighting court battle in which he was accused of giving handouts to voters at Mlowe in Rumphi district on the material day of the court-sanctioned Fresh Presidential Election that took place on June 23, 2020.

However, the state temporarily withdrew the case as they had insufficient evidence at that time to substantiate the case.

Fredokiss is a son of veteran politician Kamlepo Kalua.

Top News

UTM manifesto prioritizes ‘youths, civil service’

Maravi Post Author

 

By Joseph Mizimbe

DOWA-(MaraviPost)-The United Transformation Movement (UTM) Manifesto and 2019 Campaign Launch, can been described as unique for according villagers an opportunity to witness the launch.

Unique again because the party’s President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima presented copies of the manifesto to representatives of local people, traditional leaders, business community, youths, faith community, and the media unlike other parties which launch theirs in cities’ lucrative hotels.

UTM Manifesto tackles three key important areas namely: Anti-Corruption Drive, Economic Transformation and Governance Transformation. The Manifesto further outlines what the UTM Government intends to do for the people when voted into power on May 21 this year.

It emphasizes the need to remove presidential immunity from criminal prosecution while in office, 30 day amnesty declaration for the restitution of proceeds of crimes, phasing out of Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (FISP), redevelop the existing ‘M’ roads to multi-carriage motorways, the vice president to be in charge of at least one of the ministries, public broadcaster (MBC) to be free from political interference.

The manifesto also tackles ways of addressing tribalism, regionalism, corruption, and provide answers to the much anticipated and talked youth unemployment, unfavourable business loan conditions, challenges facing the public sector, dilapidated  houses for Malawi Defence Force (MDF), Malawi Police Service (MPS), Immigration Department, Malawi Prison Service and presidential powers and immunity.

Launching the Manifesto at Dowa Community Ground on March 23 this year, UTM President who is also the country’s vice president, Dr. Chilima, said to ensure that youths who are the majority their well-being is uplifted, he would head the Youth and the Civil Service Ministries.

Dr. Chilima who was accompanied by his National Executive Committee (NEC) said, he would do this because he doesn’t believe that anyone could do a good job but only him.

On youths, Dr. Chilima said, his Government would create one million jobs, provide conducive environment for youth to venture into businesses. He added that he would ensure that all sports disciplines’ performance is super and that he would want Malawi’s football clubs to participate in English Premier League.

“I don’t want youths to be used and abused by politicians. I want them to take part in the development of sports and the country’s economy,” he claimed.

The UTM president added that he would ensure that the Civil Service under his charge should be reformed in all sectors, and salaries for workers adjusted upward.

“I want to assure Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defence Force that my Government will build them houses, DRC allowances for MDF officers that were reduced will be given back to them. The welfare of MDF, Malawi Police Service, Prison and Immigration officers will be looked into,” Dr. Chilima said.

He added: “Police officers will no longer queue along the road when the president is going somewhere.”

Dr. Chilima said, Malawians went through difficult times ranging from oppressive colonial rule whereby the likes of Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani, John Chilembwe were killed while Dr. Kamuzu Banda, Orton Chirwa and Aleke Banda were arrested; to the fight for multiparty democracy by Dr. Bakili Muluzi, Chakufwa Chihana and Prof. Bingu wa Mutharika.

“Today people are in poverty; lack food, no markets for cash crops and domestic animals. Malawi is the poorest country in the world and UTM wants to provide solution to these problems,” he assured.

The State Vice President sounds concerned: “God gave us everything for our betterment- we have fertile soil, beautiful mountains and lakes which can attract tourists, and a peaceful nation. But what lacks is a leader who is visionary and development conscious. The painful thing is that instead we have a leader who is corrupt and doesn’t want to develop this nation.”

He said UTM Government would bring meaningful development to all people by ensuring that public funds are be used for intended purposes as corruption would not be tolerated at all levels.

He said he would love to see people have money so that they should be independent economically, prices of commodities would be reduced.

This, he said, would ensure that what people want should be available and this would be good foundation for development.

According to the Manifesto, the UTM Government would embark on major projects which include construction of health facilities, roads, bridges among others.

“UTM leaders will be busy with tangible developments not foundation stones development- that’s not development,” he said.

It would also introduce a K40 billion loan facility for people who want to start or boost their businesses.

On governance, Dr. Chilima said, his Government would remove presidential immunity and as such if the president is involved in corruption while in office the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) could institute an investigation.

For those involved in corruption, Dr. Chilima said, would be given 30 days to repay the money and this would make the ACB work easy.

Still on governance, the UTM Government would revise Chiefs Act to ensure they work independent of politicians and also their honorariums would be adjusted upward.

The UTM Manifesto has broken the Economic Transformation section to align itself with tax remittance compliance, closure of all public funds mismanagement gaps, and appointment into ministerial position people who are not corrupt.

To boost the country’s economy, the manifesto provides for the introduction of mega farms in all districts- each farm would have an agricultural extension worker among technical workers, have a factory for value addition, and find better markets for the produce.

Apart from improving the country’s economy, these mega farms would help Government deal with malnutrition and create employment.

Dr. Chilima was optimistic that after five years in Government, the country would be transformed: improved school infrastructure (all learners would be learning in classes), good houses, easy access to quality water, walkable distance to health facilities, improved electricity supply among others.

Turning political, the UTM president said, people should not be cheated that electio

Malawi, Opinion

Talking Blues: Mist worsening over the Salima – Lilongwe Waterway Project

Mapwiya Muulupale

Minister Goodall Gondwe
Goodall Gondwe

“When you’re dealing with frauds and liars,” DaShanne Stokes says, “listen more to what they don’t say than what they do.” Consider this: have you ever encountered a good parent who played hide and seek with investments they said were their children?

Of course not.

Modern parents keep their wards informed so that should anything – God forbid – happen, their wards should know what and where their inheritance is. The same applies to governments undertaking genuinely beneficial projects for its citizens. In fact, when politicians have conceived a development project, they look for the highest anthill and employ the most vocal hoodlums they can hire to harangue us with cost and purported benefits of the project.

Politicians, more so the local breed, being distant cousins of Chinua Achebe’s lizard who having jumped from the high Iroko tree to the ground, decided to sing praises for himself when no one seemed to have noticed his gymnastic feat; can never let a publicity opportunity go to waste.

Blues’ Orators, as per our unique tradition on this column, facts must always come first. Therefore, please allow me to dispense this week’s bunch of facts.

Facts:

• Government has signed a deal with a financier of the K400 billion Lilongwe-Salima Project.
• Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe confirmed this.
• The financier, Trissag Espanola of South Africa with headquarters in London, was conveniently identified on our behalf by Khato Civils. “An agreement has been entered that 35 percent of the loan will be granted without interest,” Gondwe said.

More facts:

• Asked to clarify whether the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had endorsed the deal, Gondwe said the loan no longer requires approval from IMF as it was not a sovereign guarantee, but rather a bank guarantee.

A sovereign guarantee is a promise by the government to discharge the liability of a third person in case of default while a bank guarantee is a promise from a bank or other lending institution that if a particular borrower defaults on a loan, the bank will cover the loss.

Very big fact:

• In both cases, never mind the jargon, you and me – as taxpayers – will take a direct hit when things fall apart. Just as was the case with the MSB toxic loans.

“We have renegotiated the loan. It is now concessionary, 35 percent interest free, and the interest on the whole amount is at 1.8 percent, with 30 years repayment period, increased from 15 years. There is also a five-year grace period,” Gondwe said adding,

“We are in discussion with the Reserve Bank of Malawi [RBM] in preparation of this bank guarantee because the funds will come from commercial banks. When everything is done, it will be taken to Cabinet to review the changes and for approval.” Apparently, the renegotiated deal includes an agreement to cater for irrigation projects in Salima in the project’s second phase.

Up to this point, good old Goodall was on a roll.

That is, until the simple question of the actual amount of money paid to Khato came up.
While Gondwe was willing to confirm that government had paid Khato ‘some money’ as part-payment for the works, he could not provide the most important thing: the actual figure.

Funny for a guy heading the Ministry of Finance to happily provide all sorts of information BUT be reluctant to divulge the only detail that matters: how much of our money has gone down the water drain!
However, Goodal Gondwe being who he is, i.e. a guy who can’t be trusted to even declare his assets, no surprises there.

The question: “how much of our money has been paid to Khato” bullied off a spirited Ping-Pong match:

• Gondwe pushed the responsibility of informing us how much Khato has carted home to Lilongwe Water Board (LWB).

• LWB chief executive officer (CEO) Alfonso Chikuni, neither confirming nor denying the payment made to Khato Civils, hurled the ball back to Gondwe and his folks at the Treasury.

• Finding it too hot to handle, the very person in charge of the Lilongwe-Salima Waterway Project, the CEO Modesta Kanjale, was also elusive as to the amount that has changed hands. She duly completed the circus by tossing the ball back to the Ministry of Finance.
The ball refused to stop bouncing.

• Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Gray Nyandule Phiri, deflected it back to LWB.

• Khato Civils spokesperson in Malawi, a certain Mr Taonga Botolo, just fell short of invoking the Fifth Amendment or its local equivalent.

Question: If this project is greatest thing to happen since the smartphone and if every cent in this extortionate and secrecy shrouded project is being spent for our benefit, why the mystery?
From experience, when government and contractors behave like this Blues’ Orators, it means that

a) something is fishy and

b) sooner or later it will crop up for the valiant defenders of our hard-earned rights to add to that the string of lawsuits dodging this project.

How long did it take us to learn about the K3 billion payment to Mulli? How about the K145 million presidential kickback, did it stay hidden forever?
I have three points to make, feel free to add yours.

First, Goodal Gondwe – a finance minister allergic to assets declaration- knows very well that he will not repay a cent of these humongous debts he is creating. He should therefore have the decency to let us know how much of our future he is auctioning willy-nilly so that we can brace ourselves for the coming hell.

Secondly, if the benefits we will derive from this monkey business indeed outweigh the cost, why all this secrecy?

Could it be that something has or will ‘stray’ back to that sole signatory bank account and hence the less we know the better?

Finally, despite all these shenanigans – beg your pardon – perhaps because of this tomfoolery happening as it is a few months to elections, Goodal and his pals should rest assured that come May 2019 they will either be:
a) applying for amnesty if Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima wins, or
b) facing the Zero-Amnesty-4-Thieves wrath Dr Lazarus Chakwera who could, ironically and thanks to Democratic Progressive Party – DPP, eat his cake and still have it.
Blues’ Orators, in our unenviable situation where we have a government that is accountable only to itself and an opposition too pliant to the whims of anyone with potential campaign funding, Stokes’ advice is as good as gold.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of the Publisher or the Editor of Maravi Post

Politics

My take on it : Open letter to Vice President Saulos Chilima, UTM President

Janet Karim 3 Comments

My Take On It August 3, 2018

Open letter to Vice President Saulos Chilima, UTM President

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips Joshua 1:7-8 a

To the Right Honourable Saulos Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi,

At the outset, profound and sincere congratulations for splashing onto Malawi’s information avenues in the last few weeks by coming out from behind the scenes and launching the United Transformation Movement (UTM!

In coming out, speaking from the heart, and holding numerous humongous rallies starting with Lilongwe, moving to Blantyre and then Mzuzu, you have heeded and in one sweep, glazed yourself with your supporters’ praises. This is indeed the melting point in Malawi politics, and as many of your followers expressed concern that you were taking long, I wish to join the voices coming out as we race on the road to 2019 Presidential elections. Outlined below are seven points (the first of many to come), words of wisdom from These Freedoms platform; three are on former presidents’ speeches for you to earnestly study.

1. No need to resign

There is no need for you to resign; in fact, the constitution is silent on this concept. There is no one that was endowed with the authority to remove you or force your removal. Muluzi failed to remove VP Malewezi; Bungu failed to remove VP Chilumpha; and Bingu failed to remove VP Banda. These presidents failed to remove their VP’s because the Constitution does not deal with it; the VP as the President may be removed from their respective offices only in the case of their becoming incapacitated.

There is no one in Malawi that is endowed with the power to remove the Vice President from the office of the Vice President. It is also unconstitutional to remove the Vice president’s security detail. Your office and security detail are guaranteed by the ordinances of the Office of the VP.

We have the courts to review this provision or lack of it. It is a right that even former VPs and former Presidents will enjoy as long as they live. It’s in the Constitution.

2. On UTM cloth

Honestly speaking Your Honor, the red cloth is bright and very colourful. The design is also super and when worn by men and women, the red sea is brilliant and dazzling. But please, you don’t have to wear it also. Leave the wearing of your face, to your supporters. Can you imagine Kamuzu wearing a Kamuzu cloth? No? Of course not, he would never and never had a suit made from his cloth.

Speaking of the cloth, this was mainly worn by women; today, even men wear the cloth to show their support. Thus, speaking of the cloth, please REMEMBER women with your own lenses, in you planning.

3. Micromanagement

The third point that Your Honour needs to consider is to avoid micromanagement in the running of the country. While taking note that Malawi is faced with a myriad of challenges, however, to speak about them from the Presidential podium, gives the voters the impression that it is the office of the President, to which you aspire, that will correct challenges like persistent blackouts, corruption, nepotism.

There are Constitutional frameworks that were established to implement programs in the such domains as electricity generation and distribution, anti-corruption, provision of water, housing, roadworks etc. We trust that Your Honor will ensure the operatives will follow through on their mandates without your interference. This is what we want to hear from you in your campaign rallies. People are looking for changes in the drama of running a government. It is time that Malawi moved away from the dictators in this democracy.

4. Bingu’s inauguration speech

Please listen to former President Bingu wa Mutharika’s inaugural address in 2004. Bingu’s win disappointed many Malawians and on this day, disgruntled citizens that feared Mutharika would be a puppet of the UDF President Muluzi, were stunned to hear Bingu speak so eloquently at Kamuzu Stadium. And to many, the speech sounded so much like a Kamuzu – he covered all the sectors. Please get that speech and hear how Bingu, who’s great line during his campaign was “Malawi woyee,” won the hearts of many disgruntled Malawians.

5. Kamuzu speeches

Malawi’s first President, late Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda, has been labeled numerous and horrific names; among them dictator, villain and even murderer. However, in his 31-year rule, Banda brought tremendous development, that has been unmatched by any of subsequent presidents; except in some way, Bingu.

Please take time to listen to at least 6 of Kamuzu’s public statements: youth week, crop inspection, Kamuzu Day, Mothers’ Day, parliament, or opening of development projects. One theme you will hear is the delivery of his promises surrounding his vision (popularly called Gweru dreams): all of which came true, they were implemented.

“When I was in Gweru, I had three dreams: university in Zomba, capital to move from Zomba to Lilongwe, and building the Lake Shore Road linking the Southern, Central and Southern Regions….”

From such a clear and concise development roadmap that the people looked forward to and all Malawians and visitors to Malawi can clearly see, Malawians are still benefiting from the Gweru Dreams. From these visions, Kamuzu set out to create structures such as an entity for produce (ADMARC), housing (MHC), provision of electricity (ESCOM), clean water (LWB, BWB, MWB), government road works (PVHO), development planning and implementation (MDC), among others. These were on the government side, but Kamuzu also had visions on the private sector side: Press Corporation, Import and Export, DWS, SUCOMA, VIPLY and a host of others like the Kamuzu Academy, providing international education to Malawi high school students.

6. Watch Muluzi speeches

Lastly, please watch former President Muluzi and his speech and bantering style during the time the UDF was a pressure group (1992-1993). Muluzi’s easy flair and ability to rouse the public, who in turn usually roused him, create a spontaneously flamboyant and gleeful crowd.

Muluzi: “Uuuuuuu!” Crowd: “Uuuuuuu!” Muluzi: “UDF.” Crowd: “UDF.”

Muluzi: “UDF, BOMA, UDF! UDF, BOMA, UDF! UDF, BOMA, UDF!”

Crowd: “UDF, BOMA, UDF! UDF, BOMA, UDF! UDF, BOMA, UDF!”

Malawians are a highly creative people, and you don’t have to copy style per style of these former presidents, but message crafting and crowd management was key to their successes.

7. Listen to Diaspora drums

What started out as the brain drain in the mid-1970’s and continues, has created a massive corps of Malawians in the diaspora; Malawians gifted with various skills and financial muscle. This entity has produced three presidents (HK Banda and the two Mutharika brothers), but that is all Malawi has benefited from this reality: Malawi brains outside Malawi.

There are Malawian scientists, economists, educators, doctors, nurses, health officials, evangelists, development specialists etc., all over the world.

In the 1970’s the government of Taiwan, created a science park that invites its citizens in the diaspora to come during their holidays to work in the park; they are given the opportunity to contribute to the development of the country. This is a great factor in the rapid progress the tiny island has made, against the political odds it faces.

Malawi needs to make an open olive branch outreach that is deep and sincere to its growing diaspora. Let’s face it, Your Honor, when Kamuzu Banda said he had dreams, on one of them, he explained he “could not sleep thinking about my boys and girls traveling outside the country to get higher education.” That is why he established the University of Malawi.

Sadly, the University is churning out graduates that are forced by circumstances, to seek livelihoods outside their country. Its your opportunity, to use the diaspora muscles, or continue to let the country bleed and lose.

Anyone who flips this, is in the win, win and win Chair.

Sports

Vice President   Rt. Hon Dr.  Saulos Klaus Chilima joins #Be More Race

Ausborn Banda 1 Comment

for be more race-chilima

Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima is the latest high-profile Malawian to join and endorse Standard Bank’s “Be More” 21 km marathon coming up this Sunday in Lilongwe.

Sporty and youthful Chilima, a fitness enthusiast and basketball player announced the decision to race during a routine gym work-out in the administrative capital, Lilongwe.

The Vice President said in order to get the best out of a fitness and working out regime,   one has to do it in stages.

“Begin with baby steps, walk run, sprint and eventually come back to the routine you started with. There are two things that one has to bear in mind when taking this journey. It’s a lifestyle change and you have to do it forever. You can’t stop midway so let it become part of your life You simply must keep on moving forward,” he said.

He encouraged Malawians to keep fit and maintain their health by nurturing themselves through regular exercise.

“Our bodies are the best God-given gifts. These we must look after and invest in accordingly. And whatever the hurdle, do not put away the need to exercise. Do not be satisfied with minimal achievements, learn to be and do more to move our beloved country, Malawi forward,” he said.

Chilima joins other high-profile individuals, including Lilongwe City Mayor Dr. Desmond Bikoko, academic LUANAR Professor Emmanuel Kaunda and other prominent professionals in the race, a race whose goal is to raise funds for Keeping the Girl Child in while promoting wellness.

To the Vice President, Be More means a number of things:  First, to push towards your goal, to achieve extraordinary things, second, to go beyond what you do normally and thus go the extra mile and third, to encourage other people to deliver more.

“Be more race is a signature race for the people of Malawi, it’s the first time that road actually meets nature in this manner. It is a race from modern times that takes runners back into nature and back to the modern day and as nation we must  all be proud as it’s the first time not just in Malawi but in Africa”….

• The Be More Race will be from the starting point- financial hub Standard Bank City centre

• Passing the Reserve Bank of Malawi

• Passing Wild Life Sanctuary

• Passing Parliament

• Passing the embassies –USA, South Africa, Great Britain, Chinese

• Passing the Bingu wa  Mutharika international convention centre

• Passing Presidential Villas

• Passing the Kamuzu Presidential Palace

• NATURE

• Enter into the dusty African road

• That takes you into the scenic Kumbali Lodge (where the 21 km, 10km and family 5km run/walk will take place) Where you finish at the Standard Bank Race Village – Our aim is to give runners an experience of Lilongwe by touching the key national landmarks before finishing off with a true Africa experience of nature at the city’s outskirts at Kumbali Country Lodge.

Over K2.5 million is up for grabs for the top three winners for men and women of the 21-kilometre race.