By Chalo Mvula 

They were thrown into the limelight by the constitutional court case  as they appeared as witnesses for the opposition Malawi Congress Party in the just ended election case.  However , Daud Suleman, Anthony Bendulo and Peter Lackson have decided to utilise their new found fame to sensitize the youth  on the need for them to get involved in politics . Travelling across the country as a group calling itself Kokoliliko , the trio are engaging in charitable works while using  that interaction to drive through their message of youth engagements in both aspects of the political spectrum.  

Kokoliliko  were in Zomba this Saturday where they embarked on a number of engagements. The group started the day by attending prayers at Chanco SDA . They then took time to visit  Passion Orphanage in Matawale where they shared the little goodies they had prepared to about 45 less privileged children who are cared for, at the orphanage. “ It is our aim, not just to focus on the politics  but also to visit the underpriviledged , our message is about inspiring the new generation so thats why we felt necessary to bring a little something for these orphans” said Daud Suleman. 

Kokoliliko has been formed  upon the realisation of lack of understanding of electoral process by a good number of Malawians. It is aimed at sensitizing the youths  to have great understanding so that they can be used as effective monitors during the elections.The tours which started in the Northern Region a few weeks ago have aimed at explaining  what happened in the constitutional court to have the court case won by the opposition parties as well as encouraging the youths to vote for Dr Lazarus Chakwera in the forthcoming elections 

The Zomba tour also saw team have informal chats with small scale traders plying their trade in Chinamwali market before going on to conduct a rally  Chinamwali Township. The climax of the trip was when several members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) , announced that they were defecting to Malawi Congress Party. The former DPP cadets were welcomed amidst  jubilation and ululation. 

The group however had a minor setback as despite  booking the use of the Great Hall at Chancellor College for their Public lecture , they were told last minute that the booking had been cancelled.  “ We booked to use Great hall from 6pm but were surprised to be told our booking had been cancelled “ said Suleman. This however, did not deter the group as they  managed to speak to the people that came to attend the lecture outdoors using the sport complex at the campus. Efforts to find out from the university administrators on why the booking was cancelled has proved futile. 

The kokoliliko crew are scheduled to be in Blantyre this sunday where they have also planned a number of public lectures 

Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture has completed drawing designs for Nyasa Big Bullets and Be Forward Wanderers football clubs stadia.

President Professor Peter Mutharika announced in January last year that government would construct two stadia for the giant teams.

Bullets picked land in Zingwangwa near Moneymen Growth Centre along Chikwawa Road while Wanderers opted for land near Kanjedza Forest in Limbe West opposite Blantyre Teacher Training College.

In April, the stakeholders including Malawi National Council of Sports, the line Ministry and Blantyre City Council, handed over the land earmarked for the projects, which will cost K1.7 billion for both stadia.

Speaking in Parliament on Friday last week when he presented the Mid-Year Budget Review Statement, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Joseph Mwanamvekha said procurement of contractors and the commencement of the projects are at an advanced stage.

Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture Francis Phiso in an interview said government has used its preferred choice of designs.

“We met officials of the two clubs and they made their input on the designs and told us areas of improvement. We have taken into account of what they advised us to do and now what is remaining is for us to advertise and identify the contractor,” said Phiso.

In an interview Bullets Chief Administration Officer Albert Chigoga said: “this is a good gesture by the government, a gift is a gift and to us, we only appreciate what government has done.

“We will not be looking at the tiny details but we are looking at this with a bigger picture which is that government is building us a stadium. We are praying for the commencement of the project which will make our supporters very happy.”

On his part, Wanderers General Secretary Victor Maunde said he has to consult the committee which was set up to pursue the project before commenting.