By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, August 15, Mana: An ordinary Kasungu District Council meeting on Monday elected Lifupa Ward Councillor Mwambilanso Mbedza as the council’s chairperson, which Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, described as a positive development in ensuring that more women take up leadership positions.

Mbedza defied odds in a male dominated chamber to win the council’s chairmanship amassing 12 votes and beating other two male contestants, Charles Binya of Mbongozi Ward and Listed Saka of Kambira Ward who got nine and one vote respectively.

Mponda Ward Councillor, Nephatali Chikwanda, was elected Vice-Chairperson in the polls that saw 22 of the 28 voting members present. Former Chairperson, Sked Kachigunda, did not seek re-election.

While congratulating the winners, Wirima who is also Member of Parliament (MP) for Kasungu North North East Constituency, said it is exciting that the district has settled for a female chairperson for the first time.

“I’m excited that we have the first female chairperson of the council. We preach that girls must take their places in the spaces that are in their communities and that women must also take up roles of leadership.

“Even the President [Lazarus Chakwera] has empowered us women; there are a couple of us in his cabinet. So, to see the same happening at council level here is exciting and a sign that we are moving in the right direction,” Wirima said.

She expressed hope that the new chairperson would help unite councillors and MPs, and help the local council to source funds for development.

In her acceptance speech, Mbedza said she was aware of the funding challenges in the council, promising to help look for alternative sources to fund development initiatives.

“I have been aiming for this seat and I’m happy that it has finally come to pass. I will work with everyone and ensure that some challenges the council is facing are minimized,” she said.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Madalitso Kazombo, who is also MP for Kasungu East Constituency, appealed to the councillors and fellow MPs in the district to be exemplary by supporting the new chairperson.

“We elected a female Speaker of Parliament and we fully support her. We should do likewise at this [council] level. For the secretariat, we also expect you to support her including paying councillors in good time,” he said.

Kasungu has 18 councillors and nine MPs, all belonging to Malawi Congress Party (MCP).