Candidates vying for Nkhotakota Central Constituency seat took time on Sunday to outline their plans for the area.
The platform was a debate the National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust organised at Nkhotakota LEA School where five out of nine candidates, namely veteran politician Clement Stambuli of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and independents Sylvester Ayuba James, Susan Kakota, Ahmed Msiya and Andrew Kaliwa took part.
hands. I Lovemore Khomo
In his speech, former parliamentarian Stambuli outlined his plans on health, education, agriculture and infrastructure development.
“I would like to bring a transformative change on various issues of health, education, agriculture and infrastructure in the area,” he said.
On her part, Kakota stressed the need to diversify development and incorporate women and youth empowerment to support vulnerable communities.
“Women and youth empowerment can bring change to communities,” she said.
Taking his turn, Ayuba James pledged to continue supporting commercial farming as well as winter cropping to address food and income security.
“I will support early childhood development education, vocational training among the youth and businesses for women,” he said.
Kaliwa pledged to help Nkhotakota District Council generate electricity while Msiya promised accountability and transparency in the management of public-funded projects.
The four who did not turn up are Peter Mazizi of Malawi Congress Party, Ishmael Malidadi of United Democratic Front and independents James Mongeya and McOsward Juma.
Nkhotakota Nice Trust programmes officer Hellina Mwimba said debates are free platforms for candidates to share their development agendas with voters.
“These debates are important because you face your voters and tell them what you will do. Let me also advise that the future is in our hands. Let us take part in elections,” she said.
Nice Trust is conducting debates for parliamentary and councillor aspirants in the district with support from the European Union.
