Preparations are in full swing for the highly anticipated grand finale of the “Dolo Amavotela Chakwera Challenge,” a music competition aimed at promoting civic engagement and encouraging support for Malawi’s President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
The event is scheduled to take place this Saturday, July 26,2025,at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Minister of Labour and project spokesperson Yamikani Chinguwo, expressed satisfaction with the smooth execution of the competition.
Chinguwo noted that the event has successfully showcased the country’s rich musical talent without any major setbacks.
“The competition has not only been well-organized but also attracted a wide range of skilled artists who brought forward well-composed and well-performed songs. This made the judging process highly competitive,” said Chinguwo.
He added that the contest served as a platform for emerging artists to shine, as many participants created original compositions that resonated with both the theme and the audience.
Winners in various categories of the competition are expected to walk away with cash prizes totaling K5 million, in recognition of their creativity and outstanding performances.
Minister Mumba is expected to grace the occasion as the guest of honour.
Adil James Chilungo is an independent presidential candidate contesting Malawi’s September 16, 2025 general election, marking his first formal entry into frontline politics with a vision focused on unity and sustainable development.
He officially submitted his nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), fulfilling all legal requirements including payment of the MK10 million nomination fee.
Chilungo hails from the districts of Chiradzulu and Zomba and is a practicing Muslim. He promotes a broader Muslim–Christian alliance aimed at bridging religious and regional divides to foster inclusive development across Malawi.
With a solid academic background, Chilungo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Economics, and Islamic Studies, as well as a Master’s degree in Public Administration, both earned in Malaysia.
Adil James Chilungo
Professionally, he has served in various leadership roles including Operations Manager at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Finance and Administration Manager at the National Local Governance Finance Committee, and lecturer at both the Malawi College of Accountancy and the Malawi School of Government.
Beyond academia and administration, Chilungo is actively involved in community development. He chairs the African Muslim Schools Association, manages an ICT and local development consultancy, and leads a fish-based organic fertilizer company called Glowbest.
Chilungo describes himself as “angry enough” to tackle Malawi’s self-inflicted problems such as hunger, excessive loan interest rates, inequality, and poor governance.
He advocates for ending hunger through modern, climate-smart agriculture that includes irrigation and the use of affordable organic fertilizers to increase land productivity.
His economic vision emphasizes introducing non-interest banking and interest-free loans to empower entrepreneurs and reduce the burden of high loan costs on vulnerable populations.
Chilungo insists his candidacy is based on fresh ideas and effective policies rather than political alliances, arguing that Malawians deserve innovation rather than recycled political faces.
He is among four independent candidates who have submitted presidential nomination papers this election cycle, competing against a total of fourteen candidates.
Political analysts suggest that Chilungo’s campaign may serve as both a serious bid for the presidency and a strategic platform to negotiate alliances post-nomination.
Concluding Analysis
Adil James Chilungo offers a unique combination of technocratic expertise, development-focused policies, and principled independence in a crowded political field.
His manifesto, titled “Operation Restore Dignity,” lays out clear plans for equitable wealth distribution, agricultural revitalization, youth empowerment, and institutional reforms.
While he faces challenges such as limited campaign infrastructure and lower national recognition compared to established party candidates, Chilungo’s focus on issue-based leadership and unity resonates with voters disillusioned by personality-driven politics.
The coming months will test his ability to mobilize grassroots support, amplify his message, and sustain visibility during the campaign.
Chilungo’s candidacy embodies a growing public demand for accountable, inclusive leadership, and if he succeeds in connecting with voters, he could play a significant role in shaping Malawi’s democratic discourse in 2025.
Joyce Banda is one of Malawi’s most prominent political figures and a trailblazer in African leadership.
She served as the President of the Republic of Malawi from April 2012 to May 2014, becoming the country’s first female president and the second woman to lead a nation in southern Africa.
Banda rose to power following the sudden death of President Bingu wa Mutharika, under whom she served as Vice President from 2009.
Her ascent to the presidency was constitutionally mandated but politically turbulent, as members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) initially resisted the transition.
During her presidency, Banda focused on economic recovery, fighting corruption, and empowering women and youth.
She implemented economic reforms that earned international praise, including the devaluation of the Malawian Kwacha to align with market rates and the re-engagement of international donors.
However, her administration also faced criticism and controversy, most notably the 2013 “Cashgate” scandal, a massive corruption scheme involving the looting of government funds.
Although Banda denied personal involvement, the scandal tainted her administration and significantly impacted public trust.
Before entering politics, Joyce Banda had a distinguished career as a social activist, educator, and entrepreneur.
She founded the Joyce Banda Foundation, which focuses on education, health, and women’s empowerment, and has impacted the lives of thousands of Malawians.
Her earlier political career saw her serve as Minister of Gender and later as Minister of Foreign Affairs, roles in which she championed gender equality and Malawi’s diplomatic interests.
Banda also founded the People’s Party in 2011 after falling out with the DPP and used the party as her political platform during and after her presidency.
Internationally, Joyce Banda has received numerous accolades for her work in advancing women’s rights and social development, including listings among Forbes’ most powerful women in Africa.
After leaving office in 2014 following an electoral defeat by Peter Mutharika, she spent several years abroad but returned to Malawi in 2018 to re-engage in domestic politics.
Although she announced a presidential bid for the 2019 elections, she later withdrew and endorsed opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera, contributing to the formation of the Tonse Alliance.
Her political philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, social justice, and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
Despite setbacks, Banda remains an influential voice in Malawi and continues to participate in both national and global conversations on democracy, governance, and women’s leadership.
She is seen by many as a symbol of resilience and one of the few African leaders who prioritized integrity and people-centered governance.
*Concluding Analysis*
Joyce Banda’s legacy in Malawian and African politics is both complex and inspiring.
As a woman who broke the highest political ceiling in her country, she paved the way for future generations of female leaders.
Her focus on social equity, economic reform, and grassroots empowerment defines her as more than a politician—she is a movement builder.
While controversies like Cashgate have challenged her record, her lifelong advocacy for women and the poor continues to resonate.
Banda’s enduring relevance lies in her ability to bridge politics and humanitarian work, leaving an indelible mark on Malawi’s democratic and social landscape.
Lilongwe, July 24, 2025 – The newly announced alliance between the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) is less a strategic masterstroke and more a last-ditch effort by two fading political forces to remain relevant. While the DPP sells this partnership as a game-changer, the reality is stark: this alliance lacks the numbers, unity, and vision to unseat President Lazarus Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in the September elections.
No Electoral Weight Behind the Hype AFORD, once a formidable force in the 1990s, has been reduced to a regional footnote, holding just one parliamentary seat . Its support is confined to the northern region, which, while symbolically significant, lacks the voter base to meaningfully shift national results. Political analyst Wandeful Mkuntche aptly dismissed such alliances as “noise without numbers,” pointing out that neither AFORD nor the DPP’s other minor partners bring substantial electoral clout . With Malawi’s 50+1 threshold requiring broad national appeal, this partnership is mathematically insufficient to secure victory.
A Divided Opposition Guarantees MCP’s Win The opposition’s fatal flaw is its fragmentation. While the DPP scrambles to cobble together minor alliances, the absence of a united front—particularly one including the United Transformation Movement (UTM)—dooms any chance of defeating Chakwera. As political analyst Lyson Sibande argued, a DPP-UTM alliance was the only viable path to victory, but internal power struggles and distrust killed that possibility . Instead, the DPP’s hunger for control has led it to embrace weak partners, ensuring vote-splitting that will only benefit the MCP.
Opportunism Over Policy Enock Chihana’s sudden enthusiasm for an alliance reeks of opportunism. Despite his claims of selflessness, his party’s dwindling influence suggests he is angling for a vice-presidential slot—a position he could never secure through AFORD’s own strength . Meanwhile, the DPP, desperate to reclaim power, has prioritized political survival over substantive policy solutions for Malawi’s economic crisis. This alliance offers no clear agenda beyond removing Chakwera, a tactic voters have grown weary of.
Conclusion: A Predictable Failure This alliance is dead on arrival. Without UTM’s votes or a coherent policy platform, the DPP and AFORD are merely delaying the inevitable—another MCP victory. Malawians deserve better than recycled power struggles; they need a united opposition with a real vision. Unfortunately, this partnership is not it.
Lilongwe, July 24, 2025 – The Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) has officially announced a political alliance with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), endorsing former President Peter Mutharika as its leader for the upcoming elections.
AFORD President Enock Chihana confirmed the alliance during a press briefing at the party’s headquarters in Area 47, Lilongwe. He stated that AFORD will fully support Mutharika’s leadership and that the DPP leader will have the sole authority to choose his running mate.
Chihana emphasized that he is not seeking any personal position in the alliance, saying the decision was made in the best interest of the country. He dismissed concerns about the absence of AFORD’s vice president, Timothy Mtambo, at the announcement, stating that Mtambo was aware of the alliance and was away on party duties in Chitipa.
Chihana
Senior DPP officials, including Secretary General Peter Mukhito, George Chaponda, Sameer Suleman, and Ben Phiri, attended the event. Chaponda led the DPP’s negotiations in forming the alliance.
Chihana highlighted AFORD’s history of supporting various parties to form governments, including the UDF, the late Bingu wa Mutharika, Joyce Banda, and the current administration. He expressed confidence in the new partnership, stating that the party has no doubts about working with the DPP.
On campaign preparations, Chihana assured that AFORD has sufficient resources, including campaign materials such as T-shirts, and vowed to run a vigorous campaign.
Following the announcement, Chihana called for a show of support from AFORD members, who unanimously affirmed the alliance. The move signals a significant shift in Malawi’s political landscape as parties consolidate forces ahead of the elections.
