Malawi to host Miss Elections 2009

Interest in Malawi's Parliamentary and Presidential elections

among youths seems to be growing by the day, as evidenced by plans by the country's youthful journalists to host the first ever 'Miss Elections 2009'event slated for May10, 2009 at the Blantyre Youth Centre (BYC).  

Justice Mponda, Events Manager for Top Citizens Events Management (Topc) - a name under which 25 Malawian journalists, supported by youths from various Southern region youths' clubs- said in Blantyre on Friday the event was aimed at mobilizing youths to take keen interest in electoral processes following concerns from political commentators that youths were yet to realize their rightful role in democracy. 

One of the analysts, Chancellor College lecture in the Department of Political and Administrative Studies Joseph Chunga said, for instance, that Malawian youths were yet to appreciate the crucial role they have in influencing political change, bemoaning their continued indulgence in violence.  

Chunga said, while youths played a pivotal role during the Nationalist period, it was disappointing that they had now abandoned this role and were playing second fiddle to age-old' politicians.  

But Mponda said the May 19, 2009 'Miss Elections 2009'event was aimed at rectifying this anomaly and bringing Malawian youths' back to their old constructive ways.  

"We know that many people have dismissed the present generation of Malawian youth as unconstructive and disruptive, but here is the opportunity for them (youths) to dispel this misconception and show the world that there is real participation without taking to violence," said Mponda.  

He said the event will, among other activities, involve modeling by the country's top ladies, including Malawi News Model of the Year, Miss Townships (Bangwe, Machinjiri, Chilomoni, among others), some former Miss Malawi's; music performances by top artists like Atumwi, Nyasa Gurus, Utitili, Mphatso (Chikalipo, an FM 101 DJ-cum-musician); and poetry recitals by inspirational youthful poets.  

"We will also have inspirational talks from youth politicians, who will emphasize on the need for Malawian youths to take their rightful role in society and democracy. It is time we realized that gone is the time when youths were 'leaders of tomorrow' because their time is now. In this case, this time in May 19, 2009 when we all go to vote,"said Mponda. 

He said youthful journalists had a role to play in advancing democracy, saying this process started by taking part in national elections.

http://www.nyasatimes.com/national/3315.html