By Augustus Nkhwazi

Mzuzu, June 13, Mana: Global Platform, a network of youth-led activism under Action Aid Malawi, in collaboration with Youth Forum for National Transformation (YOFONAT) is set to support young people who are  aspiring to contest  for variuos political leadership positions during the September 16 General Elections.

The remarks were made on Thursday in Mzuzu by Chifundo Roberts, Executive Director of YOFONAT, during the launch of the K35 million Youth Responsive Governance 2025 General Elections Project. The initiative was introduced to youth organizations and aspiring young candidates planning to contest in the 2025 general elections in Mzuzu City.

He said that the project seeks to support young aspirants with technical expertise on how they can participate in politics and achieve their political goals.

According to Roberts, the eight-month project seeks to  train young aspiring candidates  on how to sell their ideologies and manifestos, promote  political coexistence among youths affiliated to various political parties and to attain violent free general elections.

"We want to encourage meaningful youth participation as we are heading towards the general electionss," Roberts said.

He added that experience has shown that young people who contest in elections fail due to inferiority complex which make them believe that politics is for the elite and older people forgetting that they are equally important in promoting good governance.

"I therefore urge the youth to contest for various political  leadership positions so that they influence governance decisions and policies that affect young people in the country," he said.

Incumbent councillor for Masasa  Ward, Manson Waya who is the youngest  councillor in Malawi said that the  project will assist  youths to enhance their participation in the coming elections.

“However,  I am concerned  that most youths did not register to vote and this bear negative impact on their aspirations in the elections as they will not participate in polling come the elections day.

"If young people are elected  as councillors and Members of Parliament, it will be to lobby for meaningful youth related policies  as numbers matter in decision making at council and Parliament levels," said Waya.

Youth officer responsible  for Mzuzu City and Mzimba North, Misheck Msokwa, commended the two organizations for the project which he said will go a long way in motivating youths  in vying for  political  leadership positions.

"I am glad that most of those that attended this meeting already collected nomination papers in readness to contest in the elections," Msokwa said.

The project is to be implemented in Mzuzu and Lilongwe cities effective June this year.