People’s Party (PP) shadow Councillor for Songwe Ward Moshi Mkulama Fundi says the slow growth of socio economic development of the area has propelled her wish to stand as a Ward Councillor in the next week’s Tripartite Elections so as to serve and change the face of Songwe and Karonga as a whole.
Fundi made the revelations on Thursday to the people that gathered at Mayoka school ground during a public political debate in the area of traditional authority (T/A) Mwakaboko in Karonga North constituency.
MISA (Malawi chapter) in partnership with National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Public Trust organized the debate with funding from Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA).
Fundi said having been born and grown up in the area, she has witnessed how the area is lagging behind in terms of development, citing the school that hosted the debate, Mayoka which was constructed in 1942 but to date the school has four blocks, few teachers’ houses and not more than twelve desks to cater for about 770 pupils.
“The decision to join the race came about after I had noted that there is a huge development gap in this area. And I am determined to take this Ward to greater heights by upgrading the Songwe border Ngana road, bring portable water to people, erect market shelters, construct and rehabilitate school blocks and teachers’ houses,” Fundi said.
She further told the gathering that her working relationship with the Member of Parliament once elected, will be cordial to enhance development that will be brought about in a transparent and accountable manner.
Taking her turn, Karonga district NICE Trust civic and education officer Christobel Shaba said the political debates have been organized to enable electorates ask their shadow candidates pertinent questions on how they will develop their areas using development funds.
“We are hopeful that shadow candidates will use this opportunity to market their development plans to voters and that voters will also be able to judge who the best candidate is depending on how they express and articulate issues so that voters should make an informed choice,” Shaba said.
Shaba, however, advised all candidates to practice issue based politics during campaign, saying, in a democracy, there is no room for name calling and politics of castigation.
Out of the eight shadow Ward Councillors, only one aspirant turned up for the debate.
