Former Street Kid Elected Deputy Mayor of Blantyre, Vows Change
Osman, known for owning local football teams, including Mtopwa men's and ladies' teams, represents a unique story of personal transformation that he now hopes to extend to the city's disadvantaged.
BLANTYRE, Malawi— Isaac Jomo Osman, a former street child turned businessman, has been elected deputy mayor of Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital, writes Steven Godfrey Mkweteza.
Osman secured 11 out of 30 votes cast during elections held Monday at the Blantyre City Council offices.
In his first interview after the election, Osman called on current street children to follow his example of transformation.
"They need to borrow a leaf from me. I have been a street kid for a very long time, but I decided to change my life into someone people can incorporate into society," said Osman, who represents the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
The new deputy mayor pledged to work with his superior to clean up the city's streets by introducing programs to help transform the lives of homeless youth.
"People in the city of Blantyre need to start walking peacefully than ever before in the streets," Osman said.
He promised to implement self-sustenance programs to discourage begging and petty crime.
In the mayoral race, Joseph Makwinja of the DPP was elected with 16 votes, narrowly defeating Getrude Chirambo, also of the DPP, who received 14 votes.
Makwinja, in his acceptance speech, promised swift action.
"Just give me the first 100 days, and you will see wonders in the city like never before," he said, outlining plans to establish clear central business district boundaries and a 24-hour city center.
Outgoing mayor Wild Ndipo praised the peaceful nature of the elections, describing them as the first of their kind in the city's history.
He advised the newly elected officials to address residents' concerns and work together towards common goals.
Osman, known for owning local football teams, including Mtopwa men's and ladies' teams, represents a unique story of personal transformation that he now hopes to extend to the city's disadvantaged youth.