Billy Kaunda denies Nkhatabay relocation, to seek re-election in Mzimba
By Malawi News Agency
July 19, 2012
Mzimba West MP, Billy Kaunda, has rubbished rumours spreading in his constituency that in 2014 Presidential and Parliamentary elections he will stand in Nkhata Bay Central Constituency where Vuwa Kaunda is Member of Parliament at the moment.
Kaunda, who was accompanied by Senior Chief Mpherembe during the launch of three Local Development Fund (LDF) projects on Tuesday, said it was sad that some people say his district of origin is Nkhata Bay and that in 2014 he should not be allowed to stand in Mzimba West.
“I know this is the work of my opponents who I defeated during the [2009] elections. I want them to know that I still have the support and I will stand again in 2014,” he said without mentioning names of opponents behind the rumour.
Billy Kaunda: Am still popular
Kaunda first served as Parliamentarian for Blantyre City South East Constituency from 2004 to 2009 before switching to Mzimba West.
In his remarks, Senior Chief Mpherembe advised people in Mzimba West not to take rumours seriously, saying Kaunda was from Mzimba West and that he was free to stand again as parliamentary candidate of the constituency.
The Chief also commended the parliamentarian for presenting MK3,650,660.00 cheque to Manthulu Primary School classroom block project, MK4,099,000,00 cheque to Maleghele Primary School from the LDF for teacher’s house project and MK3,650,660,00 cheque to Chiukuzi Primary School for a classroom block.
Speaking during the launch, M’mbelwa District Council official, James Tembo, appealed to the school management committee members to use the funds for the intended purpose.
Labels: BILLY KAUNDA
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Mutharika being misled- Billy Kaunda
Marcus Zimtambira 17 February, 2009 04:05:00
Sacked Culture and Tourism deputy minister, Billy Kaunda, has hailed President Bingu wa Mutharika for according him the opportunity to serve in his cabinet, but has accused the President’s inner cycle of misleading him into making decisions that would be costly to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Kaunda, speaking for the first time about his sacking, both as cabinet minister and DPP member following his decision to contest against DPP deputy director of political affairs Harry Mkandawire in the parliamentary race, said Mutharika was a visionary leader who wished the best for Malawi.
He said, however, Mutharika was being increasingly misled, especially this time that Malawians are preparing to exercise their rights at the ballot, and vote into office people they will trust for the next five years till 2014.
“Here is a wonderful President who has surrounded himself with ‘Yes Bwana’ sort of people. These are misleading him, and I am sure he will live to regret the decision he made to fire us from the party and cabinet,” said the musician-cum-politician.
“We served him loyally and with all our hearts and might, and the ‘thank you’ we get is being disgraced. The DPP will live to regret this because we will make it to parliament come May 19, and the same people will be coming to us asking for support; I will think twice,” said Kaunda.
Kaunda said he had intensified campaigns in the run up to the elections, challenging Mkandawire that they will face each other at the ballot.
“I know Mr. Mkandawire is behind all this. The good thing is that we will meet on May 19, 2009, and he will lose to me. I did not just wake up one day and say ‘I want to contest’. People asked me and I couldn’t say no. Now the DPP is saying ‘no, don’t contest’, and who am I to say ‘yes’? I follow what the people say, and they want me to stand,” he said.
Kaunda said, if approached again after the May 19 elections’ to join DPP, he will think twice because of the continued refusal of the party to consider him as DPP, saying he did not participate in primaries because he had an appointment with the President the next day, so couldn’t make a fool of himself by going exhausted after the primaries.
Labels: BILLY KAUNDA, DPP, HARRY MKANADAWIRE
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Billy Kaunda disappoints ‘lovers’
Emelyn Nyoni 15 February, 2009 07:42:00
Musician-cum-politician Billy Kaunda virtually messed up an appealing finale to the Valentine’s Day when he failed to show up for the highly fired-up Valentine Music and Comedy Show in Blantyre.
Advertisements had been flying in the media until the day of the show that Kaunda, dismissed last week as deputy minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, would be among the performers to entertain cheery couples at the French Cultural Centre (FCC) as they wrapped up couples’ Day.
The night show was organised by the deadly duo of Edgar Njovu and Davis Kachere, well known as Edgar and Davis, who are shooting a DVD for their forthcoming album.
Apart from the twosome, Kaunda was to also join the youthful Mwanza-based gospel artists Tingo and Khemeng’ene of the famed gospel hit Ambuye Muwapatse Moyo, veteran Giddess Chalamanda and comedians Winiko Theatre Company.
As the enthusiastic audience that painted the FCC’s Auditorium red and white waited patiently to witness Kaunda’s return to public performance after missing on stage because of his ministerial status, a statement came from Davis that almost disturbed the jovial patrons.
“We would like to apologise that we were supposed to be joined by Honourable Billy Kaunda but he has failed to make it… As you know he now resides in Lilongwe, he has communicated to us that he would have loved to be here but due to some pressing matters he has failed.”
The statement did not go down well with the fans who had parted with K1000 (couples) and K500 for singles as they started booing and apparently lost curiosity of the whole affair.
The auditorium was filled to capacity to the extent that scores of patrons had to watch the proceedings while standing.
But Kaunda’s absence was effortlessly absorbed with some nicely-blended jokes from director of ceremonies Jermiah Mwaungulu’s, an accomplished actor, who has performed with a number of great local artists like late Du Chisiza Junior, late Getrude Kamkwatira, Frank Patani Mwase, among others.
Wwhen Tingo and Khemeng’ene stormed the stage audience’s spirits were already down. But despite being their first public performance the youthful Mwanza based gospel singers did their best.
They were the only ones to be given a second chance on stage but this time specifically to do their masterpiece- Ambuye Muwapatse Moyo.
Renowned stand up comedian Bon ‘Winiko’ Kalindo was as usual in his best when he came on the stage with his mind-blowing comedies.
Edgar and Davis dished out some of their new pieces like Wamgenda galu and Tachangamuka lero from their–yet-to-be-released album which left the entire room. Gidess Chalamanda was featured briefly in Zubwera mochedwa.
“At least they contained the situation because people had lost interest after that announcement that Billy would not perform. People felt cheated but at the end of the day we are going home with our partners happy people,” said one teenager identified as Shakenda as people trouped out of the hall.
According to their advertisement, lucky couples were expected to go away with hampers worth K10 000 courtesy of Candlex Limited which was unfortunately not given to anybody.
But nobody was readily available to explain why the hamper was not given despite their pledge as they rushed to the dressing room.
Labels: BILLY KAUNDA, ENTERTAINMENT, MALAWI
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Billy Kaunda to contest in DPP re-run primaries
Judith Moyo 10 November, 2008 01:21:00
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, Billy Kaunda has indicated he will contest the re-run of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) primaries in Mzimba West.
DPP secretariat said it will re-run the primaries in which Kaunda withdrew because of “flawed and manipulative process”.
Kaunda who is sitting Member of Parliament for Blantyre City East wanted to contest in Mzimba West his home village for the 2009 general elections.
However, the musician-cum-politician has entered the race again to DPP Regional Governor in the north Harry Mkandawire.
DPP secretary general Henry Chimunthu Banda said the party will re-run primaries where there are “genuine complaints” only.
“We have put in place a mechanism to iron out the issues,” said Chimunthu Banda.
“There are other genuine complaints. We are working together to promote ideals of the party,” he said.
“It’s not automatic that where ever there are complaints we will hold re-run. There will be some complaints that we will be genuine,” said Chimunthu Banda tipped to be President Bingu Mutharika running mate in 2009 polls.
Kaunda is backing Mutharika-Chimunthu ticket while Mkandawire is for Bingu-Goodall ticket.
Mkandawire won the earlier DPP primary elections against Huxley Zgambo.
The primaries which took place at Enkhweleni full primary school on Wednesday, in Traditional Authority Mpherembe. The governor was voted by 1,009 against 41 for Zgambo.
Labels: BILLY KAUNDA, DPP, HARRY MKANADAWIRE, MALAWI
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