By Burnett Munthali
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for the Central Region, Alfred Gangata, has issued what he describes as a “Holy Smoke” warning as he prepares to descend on Lilongwe with a wave of youth-led demonstrations.
Gangata has announced that he will be arriving in the capital city accompanied by members of the Gen-Z generation to conduct what he terms educational and peaceful protests.
According to the outspoken regional vice president, the demonstrations are aimed at teaching citizens that every individual holds the constitutional right to express themselves and to assemble peacefully.
Gangata emphasizes that the planned demonstrations will not be acts of provocation or disorder, but rather deliberate exercises in civic education and public awareness.
He insists that the Gen-Z youth movement must no longer be silenced or sidelined, particularly when it comes to issues of governance, leadership accountability, and social justice.
The planned protests, he says, are designed to reignite democratic participation, particularly among young Malawians who have grown disillusioned with the current state of the nation.
By invoking the term “Holy Smoke,” Gangata seeks to convey both a sense of urgency and a spiritual undertone to his mobilization, portraying the protests as a righteous cause rather than mere political drama.
He further states that the youth are not just tools of political movements but are the conscience of the nation whose voices must shape the future of Malawi.
The DPP’s Central Region leader also hinted that more demonstrations may follow in other parts of the country if the Lilongwe effort succeeds in capturing public attention and galvanizing national momentum.
Observers are watching closely to see whether this call will draw large crowds and how authorities will respond, particularly given the growing tension between opposition parties and the ruling administration.
As Malawi prepares for critical national elections in 2025, such movements could become flashpoints in the broader struggle for political space, transparency, and generational change.
For now, all eyes turn to Lilongwe as Alfred Gangata promises to light the “Holy Smoke” of peaceful resistance and youth empowerment in the heart of the nation.
