By Draxon Maloya…….
A consortium of Civil Society Organisations and faith leaders under the banner of the Forum for National Unity and Dialogue (FNUD) has called on UTM President Dr. Dalitso Kabambe to consider appointing Dr. Catherine Mzumara as his running mate in the upcoming general elections.
Addressing a press briefing in Mzuzu on Tuesday, FNUD Coordinator Mervin Nxumayo said Dr. Mzumara possesses the leadership qualities and credentials needed for the second-highest public office in the land.
“We believe that nominating a female running mate would mark a significant milestone toward achieving an inclusive and equitable society. Dr. Mzumara is a self-driven leader with a strong track record in governance and an outstanding academic background,” said Nxumayo.
Speaking on behalf of the faith community, Pastor Christopher Nyirenda echoed the call, emphasizing the importance of gender balance in leadership roles.
“Nominating a woman as a running mate would not only promote gender equality but also inspire young girls and women to actively participate in politics and national decision-making processes,” said Nyirenda. “It would also demonstrate Malawi’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and Vision 2063.”
Gender rights activist Stafel Chipeta, from the Young Human Rights Defenders Network, added that Dr. Mzumara’s potential nomination could help address historical imbalances in national representation.
“Dr. Catherine Mzumara is a capable and visionary leader from the Northern Region. She holds a PhD from Peking University in China and would bring impactful leadership and regional balance to the UTM ticket,” said Chipeta.
Chipeta further noted that after reviewing various party manifestos, the forum found UTM’s development agenda to be the most inclusive.
“Our review of party manifestos led us to conclude that the UTM manifesto stands out as a beacon of hope for a just, inclusive, and equitable society,” she said
Efforts to reach both Dr. Kabambe and Dr. Mzumara for comment were unsuccessful, as their phones were unreachable by press time.
As Malawi edges closer to the next election, FNUD’s endorsement of a female running mate serves as a timely reminder of the need to promote gender equity and women’s empowerment in the highest echelons of leadership.
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