The opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has declared its readiness to govern Malawi, saying it has the leadership and vision necessary to address the challenges facing the nation.
This was said by the party’s convention chairperson, Honorable Dr. George Chaponda MP, at a press briefing held at the party’s headquarters in Blantyre.
Chaponda at the Press Conference
Chaponda, who is also the leader of opposition, expressed confidence in the party’s ability to lead Malawi, citing its proven track record under former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.
He highlighted Mutharika’s achievements during his tenure, including reducing inflation to a single digit, increasing import cover, and implementing successful programs such as the farm input subsidy initiative.
Present during the press briefing were DPP’s Publicity Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson, Honorable Shadrick Namalomba, who provided additional insights into the party’s preparations for the convention.
The DPP convention, scheduled for August 17-19 at the COMESA Hall in Blantyre, will see the election of new leaders and set the direction for the party’s future.
Chaponda emphasized the party’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and transparency throughout the process.
With over 2600 delegates expected to attend from across the country, Chaponda assured that all logistical arrangements are in place, including venue preparation, security, and accommodation.
He also announced that the campaign period has kicked off and will run until August 15, urging aspiring candidates to conduct themselves with integrity and focus on issue-based campaigns.
Notably, Professor Mutharika is the only candidate nominated for the party’s presidency, and his leadership has been endorsed by several party members.
Chaponda emphasized that Mutharika’s experience and vision are crucial to the party’s success and the country’s progress.
The convention has been themed “A Return to Proven Leadership, A Call to All Malawians in Restoring Hope, Rebuilding the Economy, and Healing the Fractured Unity of Our Nation.”
Chaponda invited other political opposition parties, members of the diplomatic corps, and stakeholders to witness the event, ensuring media accreditation and regular updates.
Chaponda expressed excitement to share this experience with the nation through the press, looking forward to a productive and successful convention.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has officially confirmed that its current president, Peter Mutharika, will run unopposed for the party’s top seat at its forthcoming elective conference. George Chaponda, chairperson of the DPP convention committee, announced this development with enthusiasm.
“We are pleased to announce that Professor Peter Mutharika has collected presidential nomination papers and has been endorsed by party members as our presidential candidate for the 2025 General Elections,” Chaponda stated.
Mutharika
Chaponda emphasized the party’s commitment to fairness and inclusivity, noting, “Unlike other parties, whose positions are often concentrated within a single region or tribe, our party will demonstrate a different approach. All positions will be up for grabs during the conference, underscoring our dedication to equitable distribution of leadership roles.”
Unicaf University on Friday graduated 502 students with Bachelor’s, Masters and Doctorate degrees. Among them were 134 Malawians and the rest were from different countries.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony in Lilongwe, Deputy Minister of Education Nancy Chaoola Mdooko commended Unicaf for their contribution in promoting online higher education in Malawi.
In his sentiments Unicaf University’s Vice Chancellor in Malawi Dr Robert Ridley said their university is proud of their contribution to education in Malawi . He reiterated that the University will proceed to contribute in the promotion of research through science, knowledge and learning for betterment of the society.
Ridley – we will continue to contribute in higher education in Malawi
On his part, one of the graduates Shadreck Kalitera who graduated with Masters in Business Administration Finance hailed the university saying it is internationally recognized and that brings liberty to work elsewhere across the global.
Unicaf University is an international institution that offers online studies globally.
Once, their only chant was ‘A’choke! A’choke!’ (she must go! She must go!), but they now threatened “Total War” against government and that included anyone proxy to it.
After the 2019 annulled elections, there was tension in most parts of Malawi.
From nowhere, unrest erupted. There was no known leader, no office, and no one to control it as some opposition party supporters terrorized the cities.
One of the places where rioting erupted was Nsundwe, a community that sprawls 25-kilometers outside the capital city, Lilongwe,where some notorious citizens turned themselves into soldiers of fortune under the cult monickered “Msundwe Barracks,”violently demanding electoral justice.
A line of blue-vans, also full of riot police that for long had been staple of violent confrontation across the country, arrived in the area.
Rowdy boys started hurling stones at them. And teargas and stun bullets rattled all day,untill they pulled back.
But the vans dumped one in the middle of rioting mob. He was pronounced dead at Kamuzu Central Hospital.
People lacked a feeling of security to their democracy after the mismanaged elections under the watch of Jane Ansah, the then Malawi Electoral Commission Chairperson.
And a bullet could not stop them demanding her resignation for having mismanaged the elections.
More deadly clashes escalated in most part of the country. Peace were broken. There was more violence and the country became tense.
The following day,a fiery statement was issued,reverberated across radio, television, and social media platforms.
“Jane Ansah must resign! We’re prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for the people of Malawi. We’re not intimidated. We cannot trust you, Ansah, with our votes.”
This ruffled voice belonged to Timothy Pagonachi Mtambo,chairperson of the Human Right Defenders Coalition(HRDC).
A leader, whom many believed, spoke.
For Fidelis Kumwenda,57, who had experienced earlier riots at the dawn of multiparty system, the emergence of a believable leader in a state of near anarchy, heaved a huge sigh of relief.
At least, there was somebody authorities could talk to,“Without Mtambo, there was going to be total chaos in the country.”
Kumwenda’s mind swirls with memories of the riots on 6 May 1992. Riots over pay went off in parts around Ginnery Corner in Blantyre which escalated to other places nationally.
There was no leader, it was total chaos. Property was destroyed and about 38 people lost their lives nationally.
During the 1992 riots, the then president, Hastings Kamuzu Banda quickly constituted a Presidential Committee on Dialogue which was going to speak for the government side, and the churches provided leadership on the other side—where they had Public Affairs Committee (PAC).
As now the two groups could talk, relative calm was restored.
Aside from the much publicized arrests, petrol bomb targeting his house—and being shot at, they were other run-ins with authorities that showed he is a “daredevil.”
For me, patriotism and integrity is why his name remains legendary for activism throughout the country and beyond.
However ,people don’t understand how he gained a foothold in activism.
There are some,who say it was when he signed up with Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation before he eventually became the founding chairperson of the HRDC in 2017.
A funny one is that of the mystical belief which centers on allegations of being traditional leader in his village,Chitipa.
Which is also backed by how he survived six bullets in an attempted assassination.
If you saw him speak, clenching his fist while carrying a stick to his right hand, coupled with a corpulent ring on his left hand, you could gullibly believe he had mystical powers.
In April,2020,Mtambo announced his resignation from HRDC—forming a political movement which he named; The Citizens For Transformation-People Power Movement (CFT) through which he helped in advertising the Tonse Alliances promises that were a pie-in-the-sky.
Worse still, what followed later— was his appointment as minister of the newly established Ministry of Civic Education and National Unity—before he was dismissed in 2022.
The immediate reactions from citizens were anger, not analysis.
But is anger enough to judge Mtambo’s decision? Was it wrong for Mtambo as an activist to join politics?
Well, the answer is no.
Activism in Malawi did not start with Mtambo. History is replet with examples of activists who turned politicians.
As early as 1912 Levi Ziliro Mumba and his team of North Nyasa Native Association lobbied for the good working condition for educated Africans.
Later,activits of other associations merged to form a political revolution which was called Nyasaland African Congress which is now Malawi Congress Party.
Timothy Mtambo
The group,at first,was led by Levi Mumba,before Kamuzu Banda who took it into independence in 1964.
Henry Chipembere,Yatuta Chisiza,Kanyama Chiume, Orton Chirwa became ministers in the Kamuzu Banda regime.
Activits became politicians and never discarded their hat as activists. They took activism inside government. Later,when they faced resistance inside,they pulled out and relaunched the fight,now against Kamuzu.
Earlier than that,John Chlembwe also protested against the Thangata and conscription in the British Army.
He later attempted to take over government by force. An activist became politician.
Since 1980, Malawi has produced many activists that include Bakili Elson Muluzi,Kamlepo Kalua, Chakufwa Chihana and many others who later became politicians.
The solace for people should have been found in this background, that despite joining politics, Mtambo would continue fighting like Kanyama and Chisiza. Taking activism inside the government.
As I was writing this encomium, Mtambo had given an interview to Nation Publication’s political index section, published a few months ago, explaining how he was a a revolutionary daredevil inside government.
Well,this is just me and some quick stupid thoughts on Timothy Pagonachi Mtambo birthday.
Skeffa Chimoto has declared his intention to represent the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in the Nkhotakota South parliamentary elections. In a recent interview with Times 360 Malawi, Chimoto shared that local residents approached him with strong encouragement to run for office.
Initially hesitant, Chimoto ultimately chose to enter the race after thorough reflection. “The pressure came from our own community. Although I was initially reluctant, I realized that, after much consideration and understanding why so many people wanted me to run, it was the right decision,” Chimoto explained.
Skeffa
Should he win, Chimoto aims to address the key issues facing his constituency and drive significant improvements in the region.
