Old and new faces contest in Silver polls
Since Silver Strikers chairperson Dr MacDonald Mafuta-Mwale will go unopposed at the club’s polls tomorrow, the focus is likely to be on the position of general secretary where incumbent Owen Munthali faces challenge from Mike Tembo.
Mafuta-Mwale will go unopposed having won the confidence of the team’s sponsors, Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM). Oscar Mabulekesi is also going unopposed as the club’s vice-chairperson. Mabulekesi replaces Daudi Nthakomwa.
Munthali, who works for the Norwegian Embassy, has served the club as general secretary for two terms.
Tembo, who works for Games Stores, comes on the scene with a manifesto that promises to change the club’s style of management.
“This is a big club. It requires people with experience to organise things and produce results. I have been in the system and I know what I am talking about. I have great vision to take the club to another level,” said Munthali.
In his tenure, Silver have won the Super League three times.
Tembo said he has been forced to join the race as he seeks to change the way the club is run.
“What I have observed is that despite having an executive committee, the club’s affairs have been dictated by a few individuals . It is time for a vibrant secretariat that will work for the good of the team. There is need for input from all involved in the committee,” he said.
Tembo also said he wants to clear the image of the club which has been tainted by violence.
“In recent times our club has been associated with violence, which is bad for our sponsors. I want to change all that and bring discipline again. For a long time, we have been a clean club and we need to revert to those old days,” he said.
There is also stiff competition for the position of vice-general secretary where Madalitso Mazombwe will face Alex Major. Both are novices in football administration. However, the two love the club and have been associated with it for many years as supporters.
Mazombwe works for the Ministry of Information while Major is a businessperson.
Another battle is for the position of treasurer, which has been vacated by Chimwemwe Mkhwimba. Fred Kalonga, who served as vice-treasurer in the outgoing committee, will face Wesley Njete. Both are RBM employees.
Kalonga, who has a degree in business administration, has some experience whereas Njete, who holds qualifications in purchase and supply, is a new breed.
Edwin Ndege will compete against Gertrude Moses for the position of vice-treasurer. Both work for RBM. Moses is new in the system while Ndege has served as committee member for many years.
The battle for executive committee membership looks stiff.
The following people have submitted their nominations: Yotamu Malanda (Road Traffic Directorate), Levison Brandson (National Assembly), Chatheka Mangazi, Japhet Majekete and Edwin Banda (RBM), Goodall Chinjoka, Edward Kanyali, Gibson Mkanda, Kelvin Sanjale and Martin Chibweya (businesspersons).
Paul Zoipa and a Mr Chibekete will battle for the seat of the supporters’ chairperson.
