By Chalo Mvula 

They were thrown into the limelight by the constitutional court case  as they appeared as witnesses for the opposition Malawi Congress Party in the just ended election case.  However , Daud Suleman, Anthony Bendulo and Peter Lackson have decided to utilise their new found fame to sensitize the youth  on the need for them to get involved in politics . Travelling across the country as a group calling itself Kokoliliko , the trio are engaging in charitable works while using  that interaction to drive through their message of youth engagements in both aspects of the political spectrum.  

Kokoliliko  were in Zomba this Saturday where they embarked on a number of engagements. The group started the day by attending prayers at Chanco SDA . They then took time to visit  Passion Orphanage in Matawale where they shared the little goodies they had prepared to about 45 less privileged children who are cared for, at the orphanage. “ It is our aim, not just to focus on the politics  but also to visit the underpriviledged , our message is about inspiring the new generation so thats why we felt necessary to bring a little something for these orphans” said Daud Suleman. 

Kokoliliko has been formed  upon the realisation of lack of understanding of electoral process by a good number of Malawians. It is aimed at sensitizing the youths  to have great understanding so that they can be used as effective monitors during the elections.The tours which started in the Northern Region a few weeks ago have aimed at explaining  what happened in the constitutional court to have the court case won by the opposition parties as well as encouraging the youths to vote for Dr Lazarus Chakwera in the forthcoming elections 

The Zomba tour also saw team have informal chats with small scale traders plying their trade in Chinamwali market before going on to conduct a rally  Chinamwali Township. The climax of the trip was when several members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) , announced that they were defecting to Malawi Congress Party. The former DPP cadets were welcomed amidst  jubilation and ululation. 

The group however had a minor setback as despite  booking the use of the Great Hall at Chancellor College for their Public lecture , they were told last minute that the booking had been cancelled.  “ We booked to use Great hall from 6pm but were surprised to be told our booking had been cancelled “ said Suleman. This however, did not deter the group as they  managed to speak to the people that came to attend the lecture outdoors using the sport complex at the campus. Efforts to find out from the university administrators on why the booking was cancelled has proved futile. 

The kokoliliko crew are scheduled to be in Blantyre this sunday where they have also planned a number of public lectures 

Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture has completed drawing designs for Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers football clubs stadia.

President Professor Peter Mutharika announced in January last year that government would construct two stadia for the giant teams.

Bullets picked land in Zingwangwa near Moneymen Growth Centre along Chikwawa Road while Wanderers opted for land near Kanjedza Forest in Limbe West opposite Blantyre Teacher Training College.

In April, the stakeholders including Malawi National Council of Sports, the line Ministry and Blantyre City Council, handed over the land earmarked for the projects, which will cost K1.7 billion for both stadia.

Speaking in Parliament on Friday last week when he presented the Mid-Year Budget Review Statement, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Joseph Mwanamvekha said procurement of contractors and the commencement of the projects are at an advanced stage.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture Francis Phiso in an interview said government has used its preferred choice of designs.

“We met officials of the two clubs and they made their input on the designs and told us areas of improvement. We have taken into account of what they advised us to do and now what is remaining is for us to advertise and identify the contractor,” said Phiso.

In an interview Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga said: “this is a good gesture by the government, a gift is a gift and to us, we only appreciate what government has done.

“We will not be looking at the tiny details but we are looking at this with a bigger picture which is that government is building us a stadium. We are praying for the commencement of the project which will make our supporters very happy.”

On his part, Wanderers General Secretary Victor Maunde said he has to consult the committee which was set up to pursue the project before commenting.

The Director of Strategy for the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) who is also the legislator for Nkhatabay South has torn to shreds the Mid budget that was delivered by the Minister of Finance in Parliament.

Taking his turn to review the budget, Zikhale gave thanks to the first Deputy Speaker before opening his account which argued that the budget delivered by the Minister was not well balanced.

“Basing on the current prevailing economic environment, the people of Nkhatabay South are of the opinion that the Minister of Finance has brought this time around a budget that is not well balanced” Zikhale argued.

He went on to say the proposed budget deducted is a bit higher than the normal, basing on the international standards which demand that the physical deficit should be 1.5 and we are at 3.9, which is as double as much.

The Chief Strategist, also went on argue that Malawi debt levels are already too high and it was not a sensible thing as a nation to be busy planning for a higher no budget deficit.

Zikhale gave an example of the expenditure allocation for Police.”If indeed Police is failing to utilize 50 billion in the six to eight months, being an allocation for the first half, how do you expect the same Police to consume an additional 13 billion Malawi Kwacha in only 85 days remaining?” questioned Zikhale.

He went on to accuse the DPP-led government of failure to collect revenues as projected in the first half of the year due to rampant political interferences and directives. He did not miss words but acknowledge that the Minsters could have done a good job but because of the rotten government system the DPP-led government adopted, it is positioning the Minister at an awkward position, making him incompetent.

Zikhale finished his review on a positive note by acknowledging that this Mid Year Budget Review has included very crucial matters of importance in this country which among them include ;The provision of fresh elections and The provision in support of Northern Region Water Board Projects in Nkhatabay South and other parts in the North; and the Two Secondary Schools in Nkhatabay South.