Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a few days since that Saturday afternoon when the returning officer from the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) declared me as the duly elected President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). It was a highly contested position with eleven candidates, all equally qualified, highly competent and loyal members of the mighty party. It’s so surreal I emerged the delegates’ choice! I am humbled! First, let me take this opportunity to thank the delegates for entrusting me with this challenging responsibility. I am highly privileged and honored to be the head of the Party that is at the centre of the history of Malawi. I look forward to continue the Party’s legacy by making it into the history books of our children’s future. Together, with the newly elected executive and the general membership, we have a responsibility to help shape the destiny of Malawi as we go past fifty years of independence. Our Party, just as it built the foundation of the last fifty years of self-rule, must rise to the occasion to rebuild another strong foundation for a second half of the centenary. I would be failing in my duty if I do not pay tribute to the outgoing President Rt. Hon JZU Tembo who, through his personal sacrifice and commitment, we are here witnessing a competitive, open and democratic transition process. No any other Party has had such a smooth and competitive transition process of party leadership. The National Executive Committee, the Regional, the Districts, the women’s, the youth leagues and all committees and general membership of the Party deserves all the credit for remaining steadfast to the virtues and four cornerstones as inculcated by our founding father the late President Ngwazi Dr H Kamuzu Banda. I am fully aware of the struggles, temptations you have endured to reach this far as members of an opposition party. Without your resolve, we would not have been where we are. Much as we are all excited with this democratic transition, we should not get overtaken. There is more work ahead. We have the duty and huge responsibility to walk the talk, proving all and sundry that we are the mother party, we are the leaders; others follow. We must build on the national presence and diversity of our membership to practice inclusive politics based on really issues and not vendettas. We have a party to make strong and general elections to win. We cannot continue to be an opposition party! And to all those who have sent in their congratulatory and good will messages, I say, THANK YOU. I may not have read and/or responded to them all, but know that I have enjoyed and will continue to cherish them all. I will be engaging with you all on different issues in different forms and media as we hit the ground running, on the road to May 2014.
Posted on: Tue, 13 Aug 2013 14:49:06 +0000
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