‘I’m my own man’ Atupele insists, offers alternative

Supporters and loyalists of the former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), who filled to capacity the Mount Soche Hotel. Photo: Deguzman Kaminjolo/Facebook

Austin Atupele Muluzi, former president Bakili Muluzi’s 33-year-old son, has insisted that he would be “my own man" amid claims from some quarters that he would be a control freak of his father.

The Machinga North East MP on Thursday during a public discussion he held in Blantyre announced he would seek nomination to stand as presidential candidate in 2014.

“I am my own man. I am very clear about that,” said Atupele, a British trained solicitor.

“I have been in politics as a Member of Parliament now for seven years. I have served this country faithfully and I continue to serve it faithfully," he said.

"Yes, I do have a father who happens to be the former president of this country but I believe that there comes a time when as politicians we have to stand up to the challenges of our times and Malawi is going through many challenges,” he said.

Younger Muluzi , who said he will stand on a platform of 'agenda for change' said he wants to champion  the interest of young people in Malawi, saying “young people want better jobs, better services, a better future and they are calling for a new type of thinking.”

The presidential hopeful said the country is facing "significant challenges", observing that schools lack basic learning materials; hospitals continue to lack essential medicines; university education is in a sorry state; small businesses are struggling to survive; the future of tobacco is uncertain; infrastructure development has stalled and power generation is inadequate, among others.

He said that as a young politician, he sought to contribute to the rich debate on the need "to re-think our strategy for sustainable development".

In his speech, Atupele said that Malawi had over the years achieved sound macroeconomic successes, benefiting from donor confidence and qualified for debt relief. He noted that economic growth averaged around 6.5 percent and inflation has been contained within single digits.

"We have come a long way in feeding ourselves," the parliamentarian said, however, adding that this nation needs to make critical areas such as that the benefits of macro-economic achievements have to work for all ordinary Malawians especially poor people, saying that that is what entails inclusive growth.

He also said leaders need to re-think about how they can create decent paying jobs through new investments, support small businesses and entrepreneurs who are the lifeblood of the economy.

"We need to create an enabling environment for Malawian businesses, large and small, so that they can make the most of the advantages of globalization and regional integration, which offer remarkable opportunities by creating a profitable movement of goods and services, that broaden the chances to travel to new markets for our businesses," said Atupele.

On international relations, the young politician paid gratitude to "our traditional development partners with whom Malawi has enjoyed a most cordial relationship over so many years".

"Let me single out Great Britain and Ireland, the United States of America, Germany, Norway and others. We remain confident that this friendship will grow from strength to strength," he said.

"I would also like to state here that we also welcome our many new friends and in particular the People's Republic of China. The country offers Malawi amongst others the potential of being the largest market for our agricultural products and minerals," said Muluzi.

The younger Muluzi is married to former Blantyre UDF parliamentarian Angela Zachepa and the two have two children.

Atupele Muluzi:Malawi needs credible transformational leaders who will deliver a clear vision, values and aspirations of its people.Photo: Deguzman Kaminjolo/Facebook

Nyasa Times 30 Sep, 2011

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Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi/2011/09/29/%e2%80%98im-my-own-man%e2%80%99-atupele-insists-offers-alternative/
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