Mia in a canoe to Makhanga to sell Chakwera High-5-Agenda!
A picture of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) vice President Sidik Mia and running mate to the candidature of Lazarus Chakwera has gone viral on the social media when he visited Makhanga ‘Island’ in Nsanje North Constituency to address the people using a canoe transport.
Makhanga is in Deputy Speaker Mcheka Chilenje’s constituency—which Mia, during a Mangochi rally recently, predicted that it will be won easily by MCP candidate, Enock Chizuzu.
According to the locals, sailing through dugout canoes on Shire River is the only way to access Makhanga area as due to floods, the course of the Ruo River changed — making the area an Island— with the use of canoes as the only way to access the place from all directions.
Mia has been hailed for being the first top party leader to visit this abandoned place.
“Top politicians abandon this place. They fear they may drown as canoes operate without those lifesaving jackets. So this Mia guy is genuine and has shown that he is one of them [the people] and indeed very courageous,” said one posting on the social media.
In an interview, Mia confirmed the authenticity of the picture.
“We were there yesterday. I heard scary stories of hippos and crocodiles which threaten lives when sailing but I told the canoe operator; ‘ I am not scared, let’s go! I need to assure the people that side that they are part of Malawi and that when we take over, their problems will be fixed,” said Mia.
He continued:“People are struggling to interact with the mainland and more importantly to move goods from outside to the area. In the short run, I promised the people that our government will put a ferry to ease transportation of goods. This is very important and I wonder why this government is paying a blind eye to the plight of these people.”
The MCP’s second in command also said that their government will, in the long run, explore the possibility of fixing bridge and rail line—these facilities were swept away by floods.
“We had a bridge in Makhanga as well as a functioning rail line from Limbe passing through Makhanga to Bangula up to Beira in Mozambique. Our government will fix these facilities in order to improve the lives of our people,” he said.
After being declared running mate to Chakwera, Mia promised to mount a spirited campaign to wrestle power from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
“Let me renew my vow that I will work hard, visit the hard to reach places, even if it means using a canoe to reach those places. I will knock on every door to hunt for the winning vote and I will leave no stone unturned until we change the wrong direction our country has taken,” said Mia after being declared running mate.
On Saturday Mia will join Chakwera in Ntcheu district where the party will address a mega rally.
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It takes a true leader to take risks, even travelling by boat to reach people he cares about. Yes, he was in UDF, DPP, PP, DPP.. However he was not VP then. He will be come May 2019
stupid response
High-5 reminds me of the four corner stands…… Ngodya zinayi eeeeish, ……..bad memories of when MCP was in power
Sidik Mia you have been in the government of udf, Dpp and PP as a senior minister yet you did nothing for people of makhanga.
Why are you doing it now?
Humility???? Koma anthu campaign simuyidziwa ndithu, munthuyo kwawo ndi konko why is he going there now for the first time?????
The irony and hypocrisy of this picture is that Mia would not have jumped into this canoe had it not been for the campaign, this is what needs to change in Malawi ……….it a campaign stunt in a poor taste!
54 years after independence people are still using dug out canoes , this is embarrassing !
A Mia mufere chani APA?
KONGERESI simawina chisankho
Mia sangagwidwe ndi ng’ona ku Lower Shire. Ng’ona imagwira ng’ona inzache? Pakuti MCP ndiye eni ake a ng’ona!! Kkkkkk!! Zochezatu!- BRAVO ALHAJI MIA FOR YOUR COURAGE AND HUMILITY.
Riding a canoe without safety life jackets is a sign of recklessness. Too bad for a deputy Head of State. This stunt works against Mia and MCP. It’s the same as driving without securing yourself with seat belts. That doesn’t make one brave or humble. That is recklessness.
What about the people out there? Should they be left alone? My understanding of the issue and priority is to interact with pple out there not the selflessness yo talking about.
Its this kind of thinking that has brought Malawi to a halt in terms of development coz we only think of ourselves.
The news item focuses on on the Al Haji; and so criticism about the other people not wearing lifesaving vests is not relevant. Asa.
Mia yekha baasi achitidwe criticize because he’s a “leader” in that group, and so he should be setting an example for responsible habits.
Bystander, if he had put on life jackets the locals could have felt insulted because they dont have these things. Better for him to go through such humility. He has earned respect from the islanders
Good Lord, it is mere stupidity to be in that canoe without a life jacket, plane and simple. He did this because of political reasons. How many more times is he going to do so?
Being in Malawi Crocodile Party -MCP he is suppose to move where some of his party members live.kkkkkkkkk joke
Mia u r failing to abide by small safety measures by putting on safety jacket and u r dreaming of forming next government really???
Using a canoe, ship, bicycle,foot ,car, donkey ,doesn’t make any fufy at all.
This is a very cheap campaign
Using a canoe will not make you. Win
But expensive campaign is by killing people and burning others party colors is it idiot.
No follow the story. Kumaloko younhabe no choice but a canoe.