Political will needed to fight poverty—VP

Political will, proper strategy and consultation with ordinary Malawians can result in eradication of poverty and a turnaround in Malawi’s economic crisis, Vice-President Joyce Banda has said.

 

Banda was speaking on Friday when she welcomed into her People’s Party (PP) former Malawi Congress Party MP and regional treasurer for the Centre, George Zulu, who has defected from the yet-to-be launched New Congress Party.

Banda said PP launched Tiuzeni Campaign to align the party’s draft manifesto to the aspirations of Malawians, arguing no political party in the country has ever consulted Malawians before being given mandate to rule.

“People’s Party is party for ordinary people and we believe we will be able to eradicate poverty. Coupons alone are not sufficient to make a difference. We need to commercialise, mechanise and find stable markets for our cash crops,” said Banda. She said despite arrests of most of her followers in Zomba in the past two weeks, the party is determined to form the next administration.

Banda argued that high profile defections of people such as Zulu are an indication that PP’s message was appealing to a variety of Malawians.

Zulu, who served as Mchinji East MP prior to 2009 polls, described PP as an inclusive party that has shown transparent and mature leadership by entrusting young politicians with various positions.

“I had a choice to join many parties, but if anyone took a close look, the Peoples Party stands out as the best organised, visionary and with a tangible programme to offer Malawians after years of misery,” he said.

Zulu is best known for being part of an MCP task force that tried to upstage party president John Tembo after 2009 General Elections.

Zulu is the latest defector to join the party after former UDF deputy publicity secretary Ken Msonda and PDM general secretary Harry Mkandawire joined its ranks.