Tale of two movements
During a rally at Njamba in Blantyre on Sunday, Michael Usi of the Wodya Zake Alibe Mlandu movement pledged unconditional support to the United Transformation Movement (UTM) led by Vice-President Saulos Klaus Chilima. Our reporter AYAMI MKWANDA caught up with Usi to unpack the move.
Q
: What has attracted you to join Chilima?
A
: The ultimate mission of the movements. When you look at the philosophy and issues that are raised by UTM and Wodya Zake Alibe Mulandu philosophy, both are talking about emancipating Malawians from the dungeon of poverty. Both are talking about empowerment, strategies which resonate with the philosophy of empowering Malawians. We are interested in respecting the rule of law. Malawi should be governed by policies and laws. No one should be above the law. Malawians should enjoy the fruits of development. We have had democracy since 1993, but governing parties seem not to embrace the principles of democracy.
Q
: In other words, you have joined UTM because…
A
: I wouldn’t say we have joined. We have partnered. It’s a partnership. When you say ‘join’, that would mean that the principles that we are embracing in Wodya Zake Alibe Mlandu Movement have actually been abandoned. This is an understanding based on what we are and understanding what Chilima’s philosophy is all about. We have come together as partners. I am not talking about positions, but a mission. When it comes to positions, it is his prerogative to see who to place where.
Q: At Njamba you called for mass empowerment to ensure Malawians no longer beg or depend on politicians. How is your movement empowering Malawians?
A
: I don’t usually talk about the good things I have done for people. But if you go to Mzuzu University, Malawi Police Service and various hospitals, not through Adra [Adventist Development and Relief Agency] but me, I have contributed something to the welfare of Malawians. These people will tell you what I am doing. I don’t want to mention names. That will be unethical. But I do what I preach. I strongly
believe that when Malawians are able to fend for themselves and earn some income, they will be powerful and make independent decisions. I don’t like seeing Malawians being beggars or looking up to politicians as solutions or to get money.
Q: Are you eyeing any position should Chilima win the presidency in next year’s elections?
A
: One thing that I like about Chilima as a person is that he has convinced me that he is not desperate for a position. I am also not desperate for a position. But we are desperate to help Malawians come out of the mess that we are in today. And this mess is not only from the DPP administration today, but a problem that has been persistent because of poor governance. So, I’m not there for a position. Right now, I am privileged to work with international organisations and have a CV that can take me where I can be and perform. With a position or not, I am in this movement for Malawians to earn what they deserve.
Q
: You criticised political leaders who quickly forget the people who voted them into power. If you get into power, can you criticise such leaders from within?
A
: It is not a question of just criticising, but understanding what ought to be done. I have been working with Adra. If you ask the country director Dr Tay Oden, he will tell you he received more criticism more from me as his deputy than from any other person. And he described me as his best colleague at work ever. When I criticise I don’t mean to destroy. I criticise constructively and I propose options that would make people better. So yes, I would offer my alternative options to what I see. If Saulos Chilima becomes the President of Malawi, I don’t think it will be difficult to criticise him because he listens and talks directly. I think that we can blend very well.
Q
: You have just earned a PhD. What is it all about?
A
: Governance. It focuses on the empowerment of the youth. And it goes into how policies have helped develop or derail Malawi. I am looking at issues slowing youth development and possible strategies that will help Malawi get out of poverty.
Q
: Do you have any ambition to contest at the UTM convention for any position?
A
: I will respond to that question when time comes, when the convention date is announced. I will see which positions to vie for. Now my headache is not about positions, but seeing Malawi out of this dungeon of poverty. If God told me I will die tomorrow, I would still do what I am doing today to help Malawi. It is not about my future, but Malawi as a whole.
