By Rahim Abdul
After five years at the helm of the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC), Gift Trapence has officially handed over leadership to his deputy, Michael Kaiyatsa, marking the end of a chapter defined by bold activism and unwavering advocacy for human rights in Malawi.
Trapence, who took over from Timothy Mtambo in 2020, leaves behind a legacy of resilience and fearless leadership that saw HRDC stand up to government excesses and champion some of the most defining democratic reforms in recent years.
Under his leadership, the Coalition successfully pushed for the 51+1 electoral threshold, a reform that reshaped Malawi’s political landscape.
He also led HRDC in challenging the government’s Covid-19 lockdown plan in court an action that safeguarded the rights of vulnerable citizens during the pandemic.
Reflecting on his tenure, Trapence said it was both challenging and rewarding.
“The push for the 51+1 percent requirement in presidential elections was a great win for our democracy.Equally, the injunction against lockdown during Covid-19 taught us that the law must remain central, especially when protecting the poor and the vulnerable,”he explained.
However, his time at HRDC was not without turbulence. Several members of the Coalition, including Trapence himself, faced arrests, intimidation and political pressure for their activism. Despite these challenges, he says HRDC remained steadfast in defending democratic values.
Incoming chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa, who also heads the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), said his priority will be to rebuild public confidence in HRDC and strengthen its moral voice in society.
“My focus will be on rebuilding credibility through principled, non-partisan advocacy, standing firmly with the people, and holding all duty bearers accountable,” said Kaiyatsa.
