Zodiak offers Mutharika, Chimunthu live debate on DPP presidency

Malawi’s leading private radio station, Zodiak has offered opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) a chance for its presidential aspirants for the party’s presidency at its forthcoming convention to make a splash in a live debate on its radio.

DPP interim leader Peter Mutharika will be challenged by Speaker Henry Chimunthu Banda for the presidency during the party’s convention to be held from April 17 to 19, 2013.

In a letter to the two aspirants, Zodiak Broadcasting Services asked the two candidates to build momentum in the upcoming contests by appearing on radio live debate.

“As a media organisation that strives to help in the consolidation of national as well as intra-party democracy, we would like to organize a debate in which the aspiring party presidents will sell themselves to the delegates,” reads part of the letter from Zodiak’s General Manager, Mathias Manyeka.

Chimunthu Banda: Mutharika’s challenger

The letter seen by Nyasa Times says the debate will also go further to ask what immediate plans each candidate will do once the party is voted into power in 2014 under their leadership especially on the economy and other issues.

“We shall find an exclusive place where the debate will be held,” reads the letter.

“We believe that the debate will make your party a beacon of democracy in that it would be the first time that prior to a convention, candidates will debate on issues,” Manyeka told the DPP gurus.

When contacted to confirm the authenticity of the letter, Zodiak Editor, Pilirani Phiri confirmed, explaining: “This is our initiative to help build democracy both at party and national level.”

Meanwhile, DPP spokesman Nicholous Dausi said the party “welcomes the idea” but said it will leave it to the candidates to decide.