Maravi People’s Party (MPP) president Uladi Mussa has said recent calls for the youth to take over leadership positions are misplaced as they do not have a prerequisite experience to run a country.
Uladi said in an interview with The Nation in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, on Tuesday lack of experience has proved to be dangerous in politics.
But youth groups have differed with Mussa, saying he belongs to a group of politicians who resist change and stick to positions when dynamics in politics have changed.
“My point is that youths cannot just wake up and start saying we want the presidency in 2014. Let them [the youth] work and acquire necessary experience in various fields and when they are ready, they can make a run for presidency,†said Mussa.
He cited President Bingu wa Mutharika’s short stint as a Cabinet minister as having led to his failing to understand collectiveness of running a government, saying lack of experience at a political level would see the country degenerate into worse situation.
“Calling on youth to take over is not appropriate way as of now. Let us have experienced hands run the government and offer opportunities to train young people how it is done,†said Mussa who touts himself as one of the most experienced politicians after having been in Cabinet for close to eight years.
Youth Association for Democracy (Yadema) interim president Wapona Kita on Wednesday laughed off Mussa’s assertions, saying it is time for people with such thinking to pack and go.
“President Obama was one time senator, but nobody accuses him of lacking experience. Unlike in the 1960s when politicians gave space to young firebrands, this time they want to use them and tell them you have no experience, that is unacceptable. Being a majority in 2014 surely they need to have a say on how the country is run,” said Kita.
Lead Consultant for the Youth Alliance in Social and Economic Development (Yased) Brian Satha said the problem with most politicians is that they believe they think on behalf of their voters.
“In a democracy, it is the majority that decides. The young people voting in 2014 will be a majority and Uladi Mussa will have to accept if the youth vote for their fellow young person. He should define the type of experience he wants, young people are running companies, NGOs and even in Cabinet today, what can prevent them from becoming President?†asked Satha.
Chancellor College political scientist Blessings Chinsinga told a public debate organised by Youth Association for Democracy (Yadema) that in the next general elections slated for 2014, young people will make up to 54 percent of voters, making them an influential voting block.
