A sombre yet celebratory atmosphere enveloped Lilongwe on October 25th as family, friends, and fans gathered to unveil the tombstone of the late hip-hop artist, Martse. The emotional ceremony, held at his final resting place, served as a final act of closure and a permanent tribute to the musician whose life was tragically cut short.
The unveiled tombstone, a sleek and dignified structure, now stands as a physical testament to his legacy. Its completion was met with a mixture of grief and reverence from those in attendance, marking a significant milestone in the healing process for the Malawian music community.
Provoice at Martse Tombstone unveiling
The event resonated strongly online, where the artist remains a frequent topic of conversation. Social media users quickly shared images and reflections. Provoice, a prominent local media page, posted a picture of the new tombstone, captioning it, “A final resting place fit for a king. Rest in Power, Martse.” The post ignited an outpouring of digital tributes.
Fans flooded the comments section with heartfelt messages. One user wrote, “Seeing this makes it so final, but what a beautiful send-off. His music lives on forever.” Another commented, “He was more than an artist; he was a voice for the youth. This stone is a symbol of the impact he made.” The collective online mourning underscored how Martse’s influence transcended his music, cementing his status as a cultural icon whose memory is now permanently etched in stone and in the hearts of his followers.
The Malawi Congress Party caucus has anointed Peter Dimba as its candidate for the powerful role of Speaker of the National Assembly, a decisive move that sidelines fellow contender Sam Kawale. The selection, confirmed late Tuesday, sets the stage for a significant leadership shift within the house and has ignited a flurry of reactions across the political landscape.
Dimba, the Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South and former chairperson of the Public Appointments Committee, is now the presumptive favourite for the position when the new house convenes. His victory within the party caucus over Kawale, who had publicly declared his ambition for the role, signals a consolidated front from the opposition party.
Dimba
Political analyst Mzondi Mzomera described the choice as a “strategic and unsurprising pick.” He stated, “Dimba carries significant parliamentary experience and a reputation for being firm. The party has chosen a known quantity who they believe can manage the house effectively and uphold the executive’s agenda, a crucial consideration for any ruling party.”
However, the decision has drawn criticism from some quarters. “This feels like a missed opportunity for a more unifying figure,” commented civil society activist Grace Banda. “While Dimba is competent, his partisan stance is well-documented. One would have hoped for a candidate perceived as more neutral to foster constructive debate across the aisle.”
Reached for comment, a triumphant Peter Dimba expressed his gratitude to the party. “I am deeply humbled by the confidence my colleagues have placed in me,” Dimba said. “This is not a personal victory but a call to service. My focus, if elected by the full assembly, will be to uphold the integrity of our parliamentary democracy, ensure robust debate, and serve every Malawian by steering the house with fairness and dedication.”
All eyes now turn to the formal election in the National Assembly, where Dimba’s ascension is widely anticipated.
Injured stars sidelined for the Kamuzu Stadium showdown, but Mighty Wanderers are fired up to defend their pride in the TNM Super League grudge match.
The stage is set for a fiery Blantyre Derby as Mighty Wanderers FC vow to repeat their May heroics and secure another victory over arch-rivals FCB Nyasa Bullets this weekend at Kamuzu Stadium.
Bob Mpinganjira
Fueled by the memory of their 1-0 triumph that ended a four-year winless streak, The Nomads are charging into the clash with confidence. Team coach Bob Mpinganjira, in a press briefing, declared his squad is ready for battle and determined to claim the crucial three points.
“We are geared for battle and we are determined to win,” Mpinganjira stated. “I have told the boys to convert the chances that will come their way.”
However, the path to victory won’t be without its hurdles. Coach Mpinganjira confirmed the team will be missing key players due to injury, including defenders Chimwemwe Nkhoma and Mphatso Kamanga, as well as attacker Gaddie Chirwa.
In a boost to their frontline, striker Clement Nyondo has recovered and is available for selection, offering a critical offensive option as Wanderers aim to unleash another strike force against their fiercest rivals.
Member of Parliament(MP ) for Lilongwe Nyanja Constituency and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Director of Youth, Steven Malondera, has accused president Arthur Peter Mutharika of deliberately delaying the announcement of his full Cabinet for political reasons, alleging that the move is aimed at rewarding loyalists rather than prioritizing national development.
In an interview with 247 Malawi News, Malondera claimed that Mutharika’s hesitation to finalize the Cabinet has nothing to do with finding competent leaders, but rather with internal political calculations surrounding the upcoming Speaker of Parliament election, scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Malondela
“Some of his supporters claim he is taking time to pick the most competent and experienced leaders. That, however, is far from the truth.The delay is deliberate, strategic, and deeply political. The President wants the Speaker’s office filled first because he has his eyes on Sameer Suleman for the position,” he said.
According to the MP, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does not have an absolute majority in Parliament, making Suleman’s victory uncertain.
He alleged that Mutharika plans to use Cabinet appointments as rewards for MPs who campaign for Suleman’s candidacy.
“If Suleman wins, those who campaigned for him will be rewarded with Cabinet posts. If he loses, Suleman himself and his close allies will still be appointed.If the President appoints a full Cabinet before the Speaker election, many DPP MPs will be disgruntled and may not support the party’s candidate for Speaker” said Malondera.
He further argued that the Cabinet delay reflects a pattern of patronage politics that prioritizes loyalty over competence.
“This is not about merit, governance, or delivery, it is about rewarding cronies.Citizens must open their eyes to the propaganda being sold that this is a ‘return to proven leadership.’ Is it really? Or is it just politics of favoritism returning under a new label?,” he said.
The MCP legislator also alleged that a number of individuals tipped for Cabinet positions have pending legal cases or are under investigation.
“Over 80 percent of those expected to be appointed have pending bail cases.How they got those cases is a story for another day,” he claimed.
Malondera concluded by warning Malawians to watch closely how Cabinet appointments unfold after the Speaker election.
“Mark my words, once the Speaker issue is resolved, the pattern will be clear. This is about rewarding loyalty, not serving the nation.I will not be silent, no matter how much they try to silence me,” he said.
President Mutharika has yet to respond to the allegations.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), under President Peter Mutharika, has pledged to restore the rule of law and tackle corruption in Malawi.
In his inaugural address on October 4, 2025, Mutharika declared, “The honeymoon of looting government is over,” signaling a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
However, the effectiveness of these promises depends on how the administration handles judicial independence, corruption cases, and the overall integrity of Malawi’s legal institutions.
Judicial independence: A cornerstone of democracy
Judicial independence is critical to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is administered impartially.
The Malawi Law Society has long called for reforms to strengthen the judiciary, highlighting concerns over systemic corruption and political interference.
Previous administrations introduced the Judicial Service Administration Bill and the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to enhance judicial autonomy, but key elements such as the Courts (Amendment) Bill remain unresolved, leaving questions about government commitment to reform.
The DPP manifesto emphasizes strengthening governance through the rule of law, digitalizing public service delivery, and conducting rigorous audits to prevent corruption (DPP Manifesto).
While these initiatives are promising, their success depends on genuine implementation that protects judicial independence and resists political pressures.
Corruption cases: Testing political will
Malawi has a long history of high-profile corruption cases that have eroded public trust in government institutions.
The previous administration faced criticism for selective enforcement of anti-corruption measures, with some cases delayed or dropped under alleged political influence (Foreign Policy).
The DPP’s commitment will be tested by how it manages ongoing and future corruption investigations.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Malawi’s independent anti-corruption body, has raised concerns about politicization and insufficient resources (ACB Statement).
The government’s response to these concerns will indicate whether anti-corruption efforts are genuine or merely rhetorical.
*Early signals: Balancing promises with actions*
Early actions by the DPP administration present mixed signals regarding its commitment to rule of law and judicial independence.
While the president’s speeches emphasize accountability, public scrutiny and independent oversight are critical to ensure that these commitments translate into tangible reforms.
The Malawi Law Society has urged the administration to uphold the judiciary’s independence and resist attempts to undermine legal institutions.
The handling of corruption cases will serve as a litmus test for political will, shaping public perception of whether justice is genuinely impartial.
Conclusion: A path forward
The DPP’s success in restoring rule of law and combating corruption depends on implementing reforms that strengthen judicial independence, ensure impartial handling of corruption cases, and uphold the integrity of legal institutions.
Early signs suggest a willingness to act, but true commitment will be demonstrated through consistent, transparent, and accountable actions.
Malawians are watching closely to see if the DPP can transform promises into tangible improvements in the justice system.
Call to action
Citizens must hold the government accountable to ensure that justice and fairness prevail.
Advocacy for judicial reforms, support for anti-corruption measures, and demands for transparency in government operations are essential.
Only through collective vigilance can Malawi build a society where the rule of law is respected and justice is accessible to all.
