JB warns on 2014 candidates

President Joyce Banda on Saturday asked the electorate to question the track record of people vying for various positions as the country moves closer to the 2014 tripartite elections.

The president made the call when she addressed a crowd that gathered at Lumbira ground in Chilomoni Township in the city of Blantyre.

“When people are coming to tell you they can do better than me, ask them what they have done before they claim the position. It’s sad that many people trying to take over as president or parliamentarians have nothing to offer. Some have failed to run their households, businesses even a single ministry. How would you expect such people to run government?” she wondered.

Banda highlighted her successes before ascending to the presidency which she described as an “impeccable track record.”

“Most Malawians are aware of the many projects that I ventured in outside my political life to better the lives of Malawians. I have been involved in the uplifting of women, children and youth and that still remains my passion,” she said.

Banda also congratulated newly elected Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) torch bearer Peter Mutharika.

She took advantage of the rally to outline programmes that her government would like to undertake up to 2014.

“We have stepped up irrigation farming which is now being supplemented by cattle farming. My government is also fully committed to promotion of maternal health and also to fighting diseases such as Aids and cancer,” she said.

Banda emphasised that government would ensure that a cancer centre should be constructed at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

She called upon youths to venture into various businesses but also take advantage of the government youth internship programmes in South Korea.