On Saturday, February 8, 2025, Minister of Mining and Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, met with over 200 chiefs in Tukombo to reaffirm President Lazarus Chakwera’s commitment to development. The meeting, held in a spirit of collaboration, aimed to strengthen ties between the government and traditional leaders while outlining the administration’s plans for continued progress.
Dr. Zikhale expressed gratitude to the chiefs for their unwavering support and partnership with the government, emphasizing their critical role in driving development at the grassroots level. He assured them that President Chakwera’s second term, if re-elected, would focus on accelerating transformative projects across the country.
Zikhale and the chiefs In Tukombo
Highlighting key achievements of the Chakwera administration, Zikhale pointed to the construction of Capital City roads and the establishment of mega farms as tangible evidence of the government’s dedication to improving livelihoods. He urged the chiefs to remain steadfast in their support, promising that more development initiatives would be rolled out to benefit Tukombo and surrounding areas.
Zikhale’s message resonated strongly with the chiefs, who reiterated their commitment to working alongside the government for the betterment of their communities.
The meeting not only bolstered morale among traditional leaders but also reinforced the Malawi Congress Party’s (MCP) vision for a prosperous future. As the 2025 elections draw closer, such engagements underscore the ruling party’s strategy to consolidate support through grassroots development and inclusive governance.
In a significant setback for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Vice President Jappie Mhango’s rally in Tukombo on February 8, 2025, drew only a handful of attendees. The event, held at Kadokana Ground, was marred by poor turnout, with locals and traditional leaders largely shunning the gathering. Many attendees were reportedly brought in from Mzuzu, raising questions about the party’s local support base.
Residents expressed strong loyalty to President Lazarus Chakwera and his administration, with some stating they had no intention of returning to the DPP-led era of Peter Mutharika. “We are satisfied with President Chakwera’s leadership and won’t abandon him for DPP,” said one local. Chiefs in the area also echoed this sentiment, refusing to endorse Mhango’s rally and reaffirming their support for the current government.
The rally’s failure underscores the DPP’s ongoing struggle to regain influence in the Northern Region, a key battleground in Malawi’s political landscape. Despite efforts to revive its grassroots appeal, the party faces mounting challenges, including widespread dissatisfaction with its past governance and a lack of trust among voters.
This event highlights the growing divide between the DPP and the electorate, particularly in regions where the Chakwera administration has made significant development strides. As the 2025 elections approach, the DPP’s ability to reconnect with voters remains in doubt, with events like the Tukombo rally serving as a stark reminder of its uphill battle.
In a significant development, the Concerned Citizens People Power Movement (CC-PPM) has given its stamp of approval to the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority’s (MACRA) plans to procure a misinformation tracking platform. The platform, estimated to cost around 4.5 billion kwacha, aims to track and analyze trends on misinformation and disinformation.
CC-PPM’s decision to support MACRA’s initiative comes after a meeting between the two parties, where MACRA addressed concerns over potential surveillance implications. The regulatory body assured CC-PPM that the platform would only track publicly available false information on social media platforms.
This development is a significant win for MACRA, as it demonstrates the regulatory body’s commitment to transparency and accountability. By engaging with civil society organizations and addressing their concerns, MACRA has shown that it is willing to work collaboratively to find solutions that benefit all stakeholders.
The approval of the misinformation tracking platform is also a testament to the growing recognition of the need to combat misinformation in Malawi. As the country continues to grapple with the challenges of misinformation, MACRA’s platform is poised to play a critical role in promoting media literacy and fact-based information.
Frank Mwenefumbo writes, “This is the road leading to Mwazisi, Hewe, the Nyika National Park, Nthalire, Wenya, and Chitipa. It’s virtually impassable this time of the year.” A poignant observation that highlights an ongoing challenge faced by the people in the northern parts of Malawi. The road connecting these key areas is crucial for access, commerce, and basic services, yet it remains largely unusable, especially during the rainy season, leaving residents completely cut off from the rest of the country.
Northern Malawi is known for its stunning natural beauty, with the Nyika National Park being a notable tourist attraction due to its rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes. However, the conditions along the road leading to this part of the country have been a persistent issue for years. During the rainy season, the terrain becomes treacherous, with mudslides, flooding, and poor road maintenance making travel nearly impossible. This has had a direct impact on the communities residing in these regions, including Mwazisi, Hewe, Nthalire, Wenya, and Chitipa.
Mwenefumbo
For the people living in these areas, the lack of accessible roads creates a myriad of difficulties. Emergency medical services are delayed, and the transportation of goods becomes a major challenge. Many farmers in these areas rely on the road for the movement of their produce to markets. Without access to reliable roads, they struggle to sell their crops, which affects their income and ultimately their livelihoods.
The implications of this poor infrastructure extend beyond economic hardships. The education sector also suffers as students and teachers find it increasingly difficult to reach schools. Similarly, healthcare services, which are already limited in rural areas, become even harder to access. Clinics and hospitals in the region often run out of necessary supplies due to delays in deliveries, further affecting the health and well-being of the people.
In addition to the practical challenges, the inability to access these remote areas also deprives them of much-needed attention from national and regional policymakers. With limited transport options, the voices of the people living in these communities are often unheard in discussions about national development. This disconnect is problematic, as these communities remain in a cycle of neglect, lacking the infrastructure that could improve their access to essential services.
However, the situation is not entirely bleak. The government has made some efforts in recent years to address the poor infrastructure in northern Malawi. Development projects aimed at improving road conditions have been launched, though they often face delays or run into funding challenges. Local residents have also called for more investment in infrastructure, especially roads, to ensure that they are not left behind as the country pushes forward in its quest for national development.
One of the key challenges in developing this part of Malawi is the region’s geographical terrain. The hills, valleys, and expansive forested areas present unique engineering challenges that make road construction both difficult and expensive. Furthermore, the heavy rains of the wet season cause frequent damage to roads, creating a vicious cycle of repair and reconstruction that makes it difficult to achieve long-term improvements.
Nevertheless, there are signs of progress. Community-based initiatives, often supported by local NGOs, have aimed to improve the conditions of small sections of the road. Additionally, tourism, particularly around the Nyika National Park, remains a potential avenue for economic development in the region. For this to happen, however, the road infrastructure must improve significantly, enabling easier access for tourists and providing economic benefits to local businesses.
The situation in Mwazisi, Hewe, Nthalire, Wenya, and Chitipa serves as a stark reminder of the inequalities that exist in Malawi’s infrastructure development. While cities and more accessible areas benefit from better roads and transport systems, remote regions like these continue to struggle. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach that involves government action, community engagement, and international support.
The road to Mwazisi and its neighboring areas may be impassable now, but it is not a road that should be ignored. For the people in these communities, improving the roads is not just about convenience; it is about survival, economic stability, and the basic rights of access to services. It’s time for the government to prioritize road infrastructure in the north, ensuring that no part of the country is left behind in the push for national development.
