With Malawi headed to the polls on September 16, presidential candidates have made their choices for running mates. But while these picks tell us a lot about political strategy, they tell us very little about visionary leadership.
From seasoned bureaucrats to political loyalists and surprising technocrats, these vice-presidential picks suggest one thing clearly: our politics remains deeply cautious, still stuck in the familiar dance of tribal balance, party loyalty, and risk aversion.
So who are these running mates—and what do they tell us about where their parties want to take the country?
Vitumbiko Mumba – A Safe Technocrat for Chakwera
President Lazarus Chakwera’s choice of Vitumbiko Mumba reflects a preference for calm, control, and competence. Mumba is an accomplished technocrat, respected in economic policy circles and development planning.
Strengths:
He brings a clean record, regional balance (being from the North), and the kind of behind-the-scenes discipline that Chakwera’s presidency has often relied on.
Weaknesses:
But Mumba lacks political charisma and has no electoral experience. In a campaign that requires energy and mass mobilization, Mumba may not be the engine Chakwera needs.
Verdict: A disciplined insider, but not a game-changer.
Jane Ansah – Mutharika’s Quiet Strategist
Former president Peter Mutharika surprised few by naming Jane Ansah, a legal expert and longtime DPP loyalist, as his running mate. Her reputation in governance and law makes her a calculated stabiliser for the ticket.
Strengths:
Ansah brings professionalism and discipline to a party in need of restored credibility. She also appeals to conservatives within DPP’s core support base.
Weaknesses:
She is a polarising figure for many voters and lacks the popular touch needed in a high-energy campaign. Her nomination is unlikely to excite youth or undecided voters.
Verdict: A move to consolidate the base—not expand it.
Mathews Mtumbuka – A Risky But Bold Pick for Kabambe
Dalitso Kabambe, the former Reserve Bank Governor, made a bold statement by choosing Mathews Mtumbuka, a respected ICT and innovation expert, as his running mate under the UTM banner.
Strengths:
Mtumbuka represents the future—a brilliant academic with a tech-savvy reputation and a clean record. His appeal to urban youth and professionals could modernize the UTM brand.
Weaknesses:
But Mtumbuka has never run for office, lacks political networks, and may not hold weight in rural areas. His impact on the ground is uncertain, and his learning curve in politics will be steep.
Verdict: A refreshing but risky choice—ideal for reform messaging, risky for ground mobilisation.
Khumbo Kachali – Banda’s Old Guard Returns
Former president Joyce Banda has revived her political alliance with Khumbo Kachali, once her vice president. The pairing is deeply nostalgic—but is it what voters want?
Strengths:
Kachali offers political experience, a northern vote base, and a sense of institutional memory. For older or traditional voters, he represents stability.
Weaknesses:
He’s widely seen as a figure from a bygone era. His energy on the campaign trail is low, and his return feels more like political recycling than renewal.
Verdict: A partnership stuck in the past—unlikely to inspire new voters.
Where Is the National Vision?
Looking across the board, these running mates reflect more about political survival instincts than national transformation. Whether it’s appeasing regions, repaying loyalty, or playing to legacy, there’s little evidence that any candidate chose a running mate based on bold, future-oriented vision.
In a youthful country battling poverty, inequality, and corruption, voters are left wondering:
Where is the courage to choose differently?
This election will test whether safe bets still win in Malawi—or whether voters are finally ready to demand something bigger, bolder, and better.
