Veep Chilima talks tough on Malawi economic independence, development
Malawi is capable of developing and attaining economic growth if the country started doing things correctly but “not the politically correct way”, Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima has said.
Chilima was speaking Saturday at Zomba Cathedral where he attended the launch of Strategic Plan for the Catholic Diocese of Zomba aimed at making the diocese economically self-reliant
Chilima said by launching the strategy, Zombadiocese was showing a “picture of the need to be self-reliant by liberating ourselves from relying on others”.
To encourage the diocese that what it had embarked on was achievable, the veep gave the example of Rwanda which he said was focused and on the move.
“From the ashes of genocide in 1994, Rwanda is on the move and is rising as a strong economy through focus and tough decisions similar to what you are embarking on today as a diocese,” said Chilima.
The Vice President also cited Singapore as another country which he said decided that enough was enough, and rallied its people together to achieve economic independence and economic growth.
“Just like what you are doing today, the story of Singapore inspires me. It is a story of a country that agreed to do things correctly not the politically correct way,” he said.
Chilima said in 1965, very few people gave Singapore any chance of survival after it was granted independence with no valid infrastructure to point at.
“However, through resolute leadership, focus and a strategic plan of where they wanted to be, Singapore is now a thriving Asian metropolis with not only one of the world’s top airlines, best airports and largest port but also the world’s fourth highest per capita income,” said the Vice President.
He said Singapore is a classic example of what happens when a diocese or a country decidesto be self-reliant by seriously pursuing development the correct way.
Not done with examples, the Vice President also mentioned Dubai which he said transformed itself from a desert to a well-developed nation on the global stage in just 40 years.
Quoting Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum the ruler of Dubai and PrimeMinister of the Federal Government of the United Arab Emirates in his book titled Flashes of Thought, Chilima said the future belongs to those who generate ideas.
“If we inculcate a culture of achieving excellence, we will grow our diocese then our mother church and finally create a positive and lasting impact on our motherland,” Chilima said.
The Vice said he believes Malawi has the potential to gain a global edge one day.
“The launch of the strategic plan gives us hope that while government is also doing all that it can to preach self-reliance, you as a church are taking the lead as well”.
Earlier Bishop of Zomba Diocese, Bishop George Desmond Tambala, appealed to Christians in the diocese to domesticate and own the strategic plan.
The task team that worked on strategic plan include Dr. Ngeyi Kanyongolo of Chancellor College, Dr. Denis Khasu, and Mr. Michael Nazombe.
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If there is a political will to end corruption, as a nation we will develop beyond our own expectations. The country is being dragged down by excessive corruption and those in power seem to have no clue or lacks political will to fight it. Every institution in Malawi is either embroidered in corruption or mismanagement. How is it difficult to identify and bring to book those who are siphoning the little money we have as a nation into personal pockets. We have banks are playing a part in promoting corruption by either allowing people to launder the dirty money through… Read more »
We should just accept the current situation until a true leader emerges from our midst . No country on earth can develop when Hate, regionalism, jealous, envy, tribalism, nepotism, incompetence, laziness, corruption, mediocrity are all directly or indirectly encouraged by the leadership. What do you expect sir.?
The only time Malawi will develop is when people will be given strategic national positions in public service because they are Malawians and because they are Chewa, Yao, Tumbuka or whatever other small tribal groups
Malawi will only attain self-reliance when the people of this country embrace the spirit of HARD WORK.Malawians are LAZY people.They would want to reap where they did not sow.The major culprits are the civil servants who most of the time report late for work and knock off early.At work, most civil servants spent much of their time on fb, w/up or playing bawo.The following morning you see them marching on the streets demanding salary increments. Choncho dziko lingatukuke?
In Singapore, development or self-reliance did not come on a silver platter.The people had to sweat for it.
Chilima Is Suitable For The Top Position
We need such focused leaders to develop
Malawi
Good comments. But what are insinuating.? It seems you are saying current leadership is letting us down. Your examples are irrelevant to Malawi scenario. All the countries you have mentioned are strategically located than Malawi and they are rich in natural resources. Mr Veep talk reality not just say things to please the opposition.
Catholic Church in malawi is the sitting duck being preyed on by DPP. Poverty is evil. The church is desperate to be financially independent from Rome handouts. In so doing, stupid people in power are trying to buy the Bishops’ favours by being involved in the interests of the Catholic Church. DPP will never help the church. Chilima is trying to buy votes for the 2019 elections from the Bishops. Chilima is the poster boy who wants a mild pastoral letter. He is the sellout of the church and he is the one who wants to betray Jesus, the Judas… Read more »
You always inspire me sir.
Good observation VP but avoid using the church gatherings to make what could be construed as political pronouncements as your blue colleagues may have started raising eyebrows as regards your motives.