By: Kassim Kajosolo
Many were left astonished on 12th February 2025, when the UTM Party announced that it would not participate in the launch of the SKC Foundation, scheduled to take place that evening at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC).
Mary Chilima, widow of the late State Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima, who tragically died in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest on 10th June 2024 alongside eight others, decided to carry forward her husband’s legacy by launching a foundation aimed at promoting self-resilience.
In an earlier interview ahead of the launch, Mary Chilima clarified that the foundation was not a political platform nor a tool to promote ethnic interests, but rather a non-partisan and apolitical organisation.
“The SKC Foundation intends to serve as a beacon of hope, progress, and empowerment for Malawians. By promoting education, self-reliance, and leadership while maintaining a non-political stance, the foundation will ensure SKC’s vision for Malawi and Africa is realised for generations to come,” she said.
However, just hours before the event, the UTM Party, founded by the late Chilima, held a press briefing to announce its official position on the matter.
The leadership declared that they would boycott the launch and instructed all UTM members to do the same, citing discomfort at sharing the platform with members of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Speaking to journalists in Area 49, Lilongwe, UTM President Dr Dalitso Kabambe said the party was still mourning the tragic loss of their founding leader and accused the government of failing to provide answers regarding the plane crash.
“We cannot therefore wine and dine with people who have not provided us with answers on the tragic death of our leader. How could we share a platform with those who owe Malawians the truth?” Kabambe stated.
While the Constitution of Malawi, in Article 32, gives every person the right to associate freely, including the right to form or refrain from joining an association, it also implies that no one should be compelled or restricted from attending any gathering of their choice. By instructing party members not to attend the SKC Foundation launch, UTM may have infringed upon this individual right especially considering that many held genuine affection and respect for the late Chilima.
To me, this appears to be a case of double standards. Earlier this year, on 15th January 2025, Kabambe and other UTM senior members attended the Chilembwe Day commemorations, where President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, his cabinet, and other prominent MCP figures were present. Kabambe even shook hands with Chakwera.
Yet just four weeks later, he claimed it would be unacceptable to share a platform with the same people. How can this contradiction be justified?
Furthermore, on 3rd March 2025, just two weeks after the foundation’s launch, Kabambe travelled to Nkhata Bay to attend the Martyrs’ Day commemoration, again in the presence of President Chakwera. Are these not glaring examples of double standards?
It’s worth noting that Mary Chilima played a vital role in building UTM. She supported her husband’s political vision, made personal sacrifices, and contributed both time and finances to establish the party. Meanwhile, some of the very people now distancing themselves from her were enjoying wine and beach trips in Salima and Mangochi.
Given the foundation’s apolitical nature, UTM could have been a valuable stakeholder. In her speech, Mary acknowledged her political journey and connection to UTM, showing she still holds the party close to her heart. Yet the party went AWOL.
One could speculate that UTM wanted to politicise the foundation’s launch for their own mileage, something Mary clearly did not want. By blaming their absence on President Chakwera and the MCP, they sought to justify their decision to both supporters and the public.
Political analysts have described the boycott as a missed opportunity and a major blunder. According to Nation Online, analyst George Chaima called it “selfish” and reflective of “a lack of visionary leadership.” Another analyst, Chrispin Mphande, said UTM’s absence dishonoured the late Chilima, whose wife organised the event in his memory.
From all this, I conclude that the UTM leadership is demonstrating a lack of leadership skills, respect, and integrity. Their selective appearances at events with the President suggest the issue lies not with MCP or the government, but possibly with the foundation itself or Mary Chilima as an individual. This is the very definition of double standards.
I rest my case.