By Vincent Gunde
Political analyst and activist Burnett Munthali has emphasized the urgent need for Malawi to elect ward councilors who are transparent, accountable, and closely connected to the communities they serve.
Munthali stated that councilors must be willing to regularly meet with the people who elected them, share financial reports, and explain how decisions are made. He argued that the era of elected officials hiding from voters must come to an end.
He called for visionary councilors who can articulate clear development plans, mobilize community participation, and actively lobby for investments in infrastructure, education, and health.
According to Munthali, councilors should not wait for the central government to handle everything. Instead, they must act as catalysts for transformation at the ward level, taking initiative and leading by example.
As the country prepares for the next local government elections, Munthali urged Malawians to reflect critically on the kind of leadership they desire. He stressed that the nation needs councilors of integrity—individuals who cannot be bought, bribed, or bullied.
In his remarks, Munthali reminded the public that ward councilors are the frontline leaders in local governance. They are the closest representatives to the people, living within the same communities, walking the same paths, drawing water from the same wells, and facing the same challenges as their constituents.
He observed that the role of councilors in Malawi has long been misunderstood, undervalued, and sometimes hijacked by individuals with selfish interests, despite their crucial role as a bridge between local aspirations and national development.
Munthali highlighted the need for leaders who can sit confidently in council meetings, ask tough questions, and challenge dubious contractors and unplanned developments. He stressed the importance of inclusive, people-centered representation that treats every citizen fairly and equally.
“Let us choose councilors who have blueprints for local industry, environmental protection, disaster preparedness, and youth empowerment,” Munthali declared.
He warned Malawians to beware of aspirants who only appear during funerals, distributing T-shirts and sugar. He cautioned that the next five years are critical for Malawi’s local governance system and urged citizens to reject weak leadership at the grassroots level.
Munthali stressed that it is time to turn the tide by electing councilors who understand their responsibilities and are committed to building a legacy of service and integrity.
He reminded voters that this is not merely about politics—it directly affects their daily lives, such as access to clean water, whether children learn under trees or in proper classrooms, whether ambulances arrive on time, and whether local markets are clean, safe, and organized.
In his concluding remarks, Munthali appealed to all eligible voters to scrutinize the character, competence, and commitment of every aspiring ward councilor. He advised against being swayed by handouts or empty promises.
He urged voters to elect individuals who possess a clear plan, a compassionate heart, and a strong backbone—leaders who will serve with pride, humility, and purpose.
Munthali concluded by calling on all citizens to rise and usher in a new generation of local leaders, dedicated to building the Malawi they all aspire to—from the ground up.
