A lot of people have been asking me lately in my inbox what my take on the presidential candidates is. Even though I registered to vote I remain non-partisan. Im just out to help Malawi choose the best leader it can with my one vote. Everyone has positives and negatives and thats human nature. My opinion of the main four would be: Joyce Banda: Even though factors point to her failing to run or resurrect the failed state she inherited upon Bingus death and her lack of knowledge about things happening within her own government is appaling, the last thing you can say about her is she doesnt care because trust me she does. She actually cares about the welfare of Malawians, one Malawian at a time. However, losing the international trust she had regained for the country might end up her biggest blunder. She is the only one of the four candidates with presidential experience. Peter Mutharika: Despite his inability to express himself and his ideas easily, his lack of eloquence is easily replaced by his intellectual abilities which is necessary for any leader as presidents receive a lot of advice but in the end are responsible for picking the option the government pursues. His experience, when it comes to running government towers above the other candidates. However, his style and tactics at ministerial level were questionable especially his lack of involvement on the issue of academic freedom during his tenure as education minister. It can also be noted that even though he is a Mutharika he is no Bingu. Atupele Muluzi: This is the youngest presidential candidate of all four but arguably is the most experienced politician among them due to his service as a member of parliament for the past decade or so. To his benefit he has also served as minister of Economic Planning but not much can be said about his short tenure to his benefit, especially with the added blemish of accusations of embezzlement by an Indian firm. His strength lies in his part in revolutionizing Malawian politics as now parties like PP and DPP have been forced to counter his youthful appeal and his biggest flaw is his inheritance of his fathers corrupt image. Lazarus Chakwera: To call the reverend a dark horse is an understatement as all thats known of this charismatic candidate is his former role in the CCAP church and that his biggest and only political achievement so far is to have replaced a man that had already lost two elections. It is no big deal disposing of a spent force such as John Tembo but the refreshing impact Chakwera has had on Malawian politics can only be underrated at the other three candidates own peril. May 20th 2014. Vote wisely!
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 10:13:07 +0000