On Thursday, November 7, 2024, His Excellency President Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika and First Lady Prof. Gertrude Mutharika led a food distribution ceremony in the Chikweo area of Machinga district, where severe food shortages have left many families struggling to survive.
In recent months, distressing reports of starvation and heartbreaking images have emerged from this area, depicting families resorting to wild roots, mangoes, and other foraged items in the absence of adequate food supplies. Alarmed by the worsening crisis, President Mutharika said that, as a leader and a concerned citizen, he felt compelled to act.
Mutharika
Speaking at Mwakwera FP ground, the President expressed deep empathy for the affected communities, highlighting that Machinga’s escalating hunger crisis moved him to organize an immediate response to provide food relief. “As a leader, it is my duty to respond when our people face such hardships, especially when lives are at risk,” he remarked.
The relief packages distributed included maize flour, soap, cooking oil, sugar, and essential food items, offering some relief to families in dire need.
Several senior party members, including the DPP’s Deputy Leader for the Eastern Region, Honorable Bright Msaka, and the party’s Campaign Director, Honorable Makande, attended the event. Their presence emphasized the party’s support for the Machinga community during this difficult time.
The President’s arrival at Mwakwera FP ground brought a sense of hope to the crowd gathered for the ceremony, as they witnessed tangible support reaching the people most affected by the food crisis.
In a surprising turn in Malawi’s political landscape, UTM’s Publicity Secretary Felix Njawala has publicly endorsed Dr. Dalitso Kabambe for the UTM presidency. Njawala’s endorsement comes amid a highly anticipated contest within the UTM party, with several prominent figures vying for the leadership role, including Patricia Kaliati, Dr. Mtumbuka, Michael Usi, and Newton Kambala. Njawala’s statement underscores his confidence in Kabambe’s leadership qualities and vision for UTM’s future, sparking discussions across Malawi’s political circles.
Dr. Kabambe, a former Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, joined UTM with a robust background in finance and governance. His entry into the party marked a shift toward technocratic leadership, promising economic revitalization and reforms aimed at uplifting Malawi’s struggling economy. Known for his expertise in economic policy, Kabambe has been vocal about implementing strategic financial measures that could stabilize Malawi’s currency, control inflation, and foster sustainable development. This platform, centered on economic reform, has evidently resonated with Njawala, whose endorsement reflects a desire for a leader equipped to tackle the country’s pressing economic issues.
Njawala emphasized that Kabambe’s deep understanding of economic policy is precisely what the UTM party and Malawi need at this juncture. “Dr. Kabambe has the right mix of intellect, experience, and a genuine concern for Malawi’s welfare. He is someone who can lead UTM in a direction that prioritizes economic reform and effective governance,” Njawala stated. He went on to suggest that Kabambe’s leadership could appeal to a broad base of Malawians, potentially expanding UTM’s reach and strengthening its position in national politics.
The endorsement is notable not only for its timing but for its potential impact on the UTM presidential race. Njawala’s support could sway undecided delegates and grassroots supporters who view him as a trusted voice within the party. In turn, Njawala’s endorsement has given Kabambe a visible boost ahead of the convention, where members will decide on the party’s future leader.
Critics, however, argue that Kabambe’s previous tenure as Reserve Bank Governor may draw scrutiny, as his leadership came during a period of economic difficulties in Malawi. Yet, supporters counter that Kabambe’s candidacy is a sign of renewal, bringing with him the skills to address Malawi’s longstanding economic challenges and implement pragmatic solutions.
Njawala’s endorsement aligns with calls within UTM for pragmatic leadership that can present credible alternatives to the ruling party. With Malawi grappling with high unemployment, inflation, and public debt, Kabambe’s economic acumen is seen as a strength that could address these concerns, particularly in the eyes of UTM’s young and economically concerned supporters.
Njawala’s endorsement has amplified the stakes for other candidates, pushing them to articulate clearer visions for UTM’s future and distinguish their platforms from Kabambe’s. As the party convention draws nearer, each candidate will need to make a compelling case for why they should lead, in an environment that is growing increasingly competitive.
In the weeks ahead, as UTM’s internal dynamics continue to unfold, the race for the presidency promises to bring more surprises, endorsements, and perhaps even alliances. For now, Felix Njawala’s endorsement has added a new dimension to Dr. Dalitso Kabambe’s campaign, underscoring a strategic shift within UTM that could reshape its identity and approach to governance.
An independent presidential candidate for 2025 elections Isaiah Emmanuel Sunganimoyo, has appealed to those that have a helping hand of giving whatever they have to others, to come in and help the people under T/A Mkanda in Mulanje district.
Sunganimoyo has claimed that people in the villages of Nalikata, Likhomo, Kondwelo, Mphaya, Magombo, Tembenu and other surrounding villages, have crossed the borders to Mozambique to look for piece-works in exchange of food for their survival.
Sunganimoyo
He said even if Mec voter registration exercise is being conducted in the district, many people are not patronizing centres as villages have been disserted expressing fears that these people will be denied their right to vote for a candidate of their choice case in point hunger.
Speaking through a video clip, Sunganimoyo said he wanted to find out why people are not going for voter registration and a national outcry that no national Identity Card (ID) no chance to vote for candidates in the 2025 elections.
Sunganimoyo said he visited some villages in parts of southern and eastern regions saying it was heartbreaking to see many villages in the area of T/A Mkanda in Mulanje district with no people and after enquiring their whereabouts, he was told that many are in the neighboring Mozambique.
He said this hunger crises has not only affected areas under T/A Mkanda but the whole district of Mulanje and many districts, people are sleeping with empty stomachs a development which demand urgent attention not only by government, but NGOs, church organizations and well-wishers.
The independent presidential candidate has made a special appeal to Christian churches and Mosques in the surrounding villages whose people are hunger-stricken to do something and after giving them food, they should encourage them to work hard in their fields to avert hunger.
He said in villages whose people are affected by hunger crises, children are not going to school due to lack of food describing this as a threat to the future generation that they will not contribute positively to the development of their areas, communities, district and the country as a whole.
“To those whose hands are blessed to support others with food for their survival, I am urging you to share a little food you have for the beneficiaries not to forget you for life,” said Sunganimoyo.
He has finally appealed to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and political parties to take lead to help the people of Mulanje and other districts to save them from being escorted to early graves because of hunger which is biting hard in many households.
United Transformation Movement (UTM) presidential aspirant Dr. Dalitso Kabambe has urged delegates to vote for him during the party’s elective convention on November 17, 2024, in Mzuzu.
Speaking with journalists after meeting the delegates at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre on Thursday, Kabambe said he is worthy of running the party since he has worked in various top government positions for twenty-five years and is ready to bring the experience he gained from those positions into UTM.
Kabambe
“I am urging the UTM delegates to vote for me during our convention next week. The party needs someone who has experience to drive it forward and I am eligible for that. I have twenty-five years of experience and qualifications in running various government institutions.
“I have been budget director, I have been Governor of Reserve Bank, I have been principal secretary in Malawi government and I have served various top positions out there. I bringing all this worthy of experience into UTM so that the party also has people who can run this country,” said Kabambe.
The former RBM Governor also highlighted the economic challenges Malawi is facing under Tonse Alliance leadership, including hunger, poverty and joblessness, which have left half the population in dire need of help.
He emphasized that the country needs a government that addresses these challenges and meets the needs of its people.
Kabambe promised to bring economic reform and transformation if elected.
He stressed that the UTM party needs to stand by its ideals of unity and transformation and elect a team that can be trusted by Malawians and has the confidence of the people.
Umodzi Party (UP) has urged the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to remain steadfast amid calls from opposition parties for the resignation of its Chairperson, Justice Anabel Mtalimanja. UP President Thomas Wezzie Kaumba has dismissed the opposition’s demands, describing them as driven by “bitterness” rather than a genuine desire to protect Malawians’ interests.
Kaumba shared his views stating, “The opposition parties know they stand little chance of winning next year’s elections, and that is why they are calling for Mtalimanja’s resignation.” He further argued that if the opposition had valid evidence to suggest electoral manipulation by Mtalimanja, they should take their grievances to court rather than resorting to public pressure.
Kaumba
“As UP, we urge Mtalimanja to stand firm and not give in to these baseless calls,” Kaumba emphasized, reiterating that the chairperson’s role is critical in ensuring a smooth electoral process ahead of the 2025 elections.
The statement from Kaumba comes as opposition parties intensify their calls for Mtalimanja’s resignation. The opposition’s concerns are formalized in a letter addressed to Mtalimanja, signed by representatives of key opposition parties, including the United Democratic Front (UDF), UTM Party, the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
In the letter, the opposition parties accuse Mtalimanja of compromised leadership, questioning her neutrality in overseeing the electoral process. Their criticism is partially based on her family background, as she is the daughter of the late John Tembo, a former president of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP). Opposition leaders argue that this connection could present a conflict of interest and impact her impartiality.
The opposition’s demands for Mtalimanja’s resignation have fueled ongoing debates about transparency and fairness in Malawi’s electoral system, with some citizens expressing concerns about the potential for political interference.
With the 2025 general elections fast approaching, Kaumba’s defense of Mtalimanja signals that UP is aligning itself with the current leadership at MEC, pushing back against opposition criticism. Kaumba’s position underscores a broader message that, while political scrutiny is essential, accusations should be backed by evidence.
As tensions build, the call for an impartial and credible electoral process remains paramount for all parties involved. Whether Mtalimanja will continue to lead MEC without further opposition interference will be closely watched as Malawi prepares for what could be a pivotal election.
