Young Pastors Network Warns Against Political Recycling
The pastor's comments come as Malawi's political parties prepare for internal elections to determine their leadership and candidates for future national polls.
MZUZU, Malawi — The Young Pastors Network in Malawi is urging political parties to embrace youth leadership and reject "recycled" politicians ahead of upcoming party conventions, writes Tionge Hara.
Speaking to journalists after a press briefing in Mzuzu, the Rev. Webster Kameme, president of the Young Pastors Network, emphasized the potential of young people in politics.
"If you look at the youth, they are energetic. They have potential, ideas and efforts," Kameme said.
"They can think. So, if you read the Bible, many youths had positions. God gave them positions and they served well."
Kameme advocated for a balanced approach, suggesting a "50-50" split between older and younger candidates.
He stressed the importance of free and fair elections during party conventions, warning against violence or intimidation.
"In a democratic society, votes are the ones that rule," he said. "Let people decide. Let elections decide."
The network president criticized long-serving politicians, whom he called "psychotic" and "recycled."
"We need new blood," Kameme insisted. "This recycled one, those you know, they are recycled. They don't have new ideas."
He urged delegates to consider fresh faces, citing Vitumbiko Mumba, a young candidate for the Malawi Congress Party convention, as an example of needed leadership.
"We have not seen his potential," Kameme said of Mumba.
"These are the people who have seen their potential. Let us try the new blood."
The pastor's comments come as Malawi's political parties prepare for internal elections to determine their leadership and candidates for future national polls.
Let's get new people, especially young people and more women. We need Malawians who think country and people not party or tribe or region.