Dr Mutharika, DPP shakes Blantyre

By Lucy Liponda

The ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) this morning engages the second gear of its 2009 Presidential and Parliamentary Election campaign when it launches its campaign in the southern region.

The launch, takes place at the giant Kamuzu Stadium in the commercial city, Blantyre.

However, to add colour, pop and hype to the event, State President Dr Bingu wa Mutharika will not go straight to the stadium from his presidential palace.

According to information gathered by Malawi Digest from Sanjika Palace, the State President and his convoy decorated in DPP colours will visit some areas in the city before the launch.

The information says that Dr Mutharika is expected to depart Sanjika Palace at 10 am via the Catholic Institute (CI) area, Stella Maris Secondary School, driving through Zingwangwa Township, Kamba to Limbe Market then into the Masauko Chipembere Highway to the famous Clock Tower in Blantyre via Mwaiwathu Hospital to Ndirande township and visit Makata area before the convoy lands at the Kamuzu Stadium.

According to the ruling DPP spokesperson Dr Hetherwick Ntaba the launch is expected to be one of the best ever staged in Malawian politics.

“Last Sunday we failed because of the rains and we are very optimistic that this time around, rains will not disturb us. Let all people come to the Kamuzu Stadium and see for themselves how popular the DPP is,” he told Malawi Digest.

On the behaviour of DPP supporters during the campaign period, Dr Ntaba said that the party’s supporters are some of the best behaved.

“Our supporters are calm and well behaved because they know that their DPP is going back into government and that the Malawi incumbent leader Dr Bingu wa Mutharika is already assured on victory after May 19th,” he said.

After this launch at the Kamuzu Stadium in the southern region today, the launch moves to the other remaining three regions in the next few weeks.

Mangochi is the next destination where the launch will be held next Wednesday.

Last month, the DPP became the first political party to launch its election campaign manifesto in all of the country’s four regions.

The DPP manifesto was launched in the southern region in Mulanje, Machinga in eastern region, Mchinji in central region and Karonga in northern region – Malawi Digest.