KABAMBE, DEMOCRACY AND OWNERSHIP SYNDROME By Joseph Kayira | 22 November 2024 We all waited with bated breath for the announcement of the winner of the presidential race in the UTM Party during the November 17 elective convention slated for the northern city of Mzuzu. There were four candidates vying for the top position. They included former UTM secretary general, Patricia Kaliati; party guru Newton Kambala; and perceived newcomers – Mathews Mtumbuka; and former governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, Dalitso Kabambe. The events of the convention in Mzuzu bring a bitter lesson and inspiration to politicians who think long years of practicing can bring you votes on a silver platter. It has come to the fore that only those who embark on an issue-based campaign have the opportunity to survive in politics. UTM was the only party that had the highest number of people who had shown interest to vie for the position of party president. The party needed someone with popular mandate to fil...