By Vincent Gunde
Dzalanyama Mbewe Heritage International Chairperson, Isaiah Emmanuel Sunganimoyo Mbewe, has written an open letter to President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera warning him of the Chewa tribal divisions ahead of the 16th September, 2025 elections.
For years, there have been divisions rocking the Chewa tribe with one taking Paramount Dr. Kalonga Gawa Undi as His Majesty and others taking Paramount Lundu as their leader and two Chewa tribal groups emerged with one going to Mkaika in Zambia for annual Kulamba ceremonies and the other one holding their Chewa ceremonies in Malawi.
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera was expected to mend these divisions with trust that him being a cultural competent Chewa and President of the country will unite all the Chewa groups into one Malawi Chewa Heritage Foundation, but all this, has failed.
Sunganimoyo has brought the pressing matter that is threatening the unity of the Chewa people to President Chakwera , appealing to him to intervene and find a solution to this problem that the Mbewe clan will not continue to be treated as inferior members of the Chewa tribe.
In the open letter dated 23rd May, 2025 Sunganimoyo said as a member of the Mbewe Clan, he has expressed his deep concern regarding the divisive actions of Village Headman Sosola saying if his actions are left unchecked, President Chakwera’s road to 16th September, 2025 elections will be bumpy.
Sunganimoyo said since the Chewa of the Phiri Clan assumed power through President Chakwera in June, 2020, the Mbewe and other Clans have been subjected to discriminatory treatment a development which is worrisome to the Chewa tribe.
He said Village Headman Sosola’s utterances in various social media platforms have created a toxic environment, and fostering division among the Chewa people who already are divided by two Chewa tribal groups, Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO) and Bwalo la Chewa or Chifukwato cha Chewa.
“As someone well-versed in the history of the Chewa people, I am aware of the rich cultural heritage that binds us together,” reads Sunganimoyo’s open letter in part.
He said the persistent marginalization of the Mbewe and other Clans by the Chewa of the Phiri Clan has led him to reconsider their association with the Chewa tribe hence, this has compelled him to express his deep concern before President Chakwera.
Sunganimoyo said the Mbewe Clan have noticed with great regret that the Phiri and Banda Clans are dominating government positions whereas the Mbewe Clan is underrepresented saying this disparity is a clear indication that the Mbewe Clan are not considered equal partners in the Chewa government system.
He has finally urged President Chakwera to take immediate action to address this situation with a warning that if Village Headman Sosola’s actions continue unchecked by the 6th June, 2025, he will be forced to announce his decision regarding the Mbewe Clan’s future affiliation with the Chewa tribe.
