INTRO: My name is Tiyamike Chakhaza Mkandawire. I am currently working as a Program Associate for the USAID Malawi Scholarship Program at World Learning since February 2014. I am a young politician from Alliance for Democracy, AFORD.
EDUCATION: I obtained my MSCE from Lilongwe Girls Secondary School and I am a holder of a Bachelors Degree of Social Science from Chancellor College.
ROLE MODEL: Nelson Mandela
AMBITION: To become councillor and mayor. However, whether I hold high political positions or not, I will always make positive contributions to the nation through my political involvement.
INSPIRATION: Inspired by the selflessness of Nelson Mandela of South Africa who showed that his interest was to fight for the freedom of his people and not to promote his personal agenda through his involvement in politics, I decided to venture into politics in the year 2013 when I encountered an opportunity to join the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD). Malawi is underdeveloped and for the country to develop there is a need for Malawians who can rise up to selflessly serve. I believe that every human being regardless of tribe, gender, age or any other factor exists for a purpose and they ought to exit the world having made it a better place in some way.
NEXT 10 YEARS: I see myself having significantly and positively contributed to the actions and policies of the government of Malawi. I look forward to holding political positions that will enable me to more effectively make such contributions. In the short run, I would like to contribute to the development of a stronger youth wing for my party so that the youth are able to make better contributions to the effectiveness of the party as well as the development of the nation.
ADVICE: To the youth who are not in politics, first for those who feel they need to be actively involved in politics, is that they ought to take the step and join. Malawi awaits them and will not develop without them. For those who do not feel led to be actively involved in politics, I would advise them to support the young people who are involved in politics, with the understanding that every role of society has to be taken if we are to succeed as a nation.