By The Radar Reporters
The hope, pomp and euphoria after Malawi’s presidential election in June 2020 are fast turning into a bunch of unexpected frustrations among some voters; three years down the line. They feel used and dumped. Others even curse their vote!
This was a court-sanctioned presidential poll that sent Peter Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party-DPP packing. Corruption, nepotism and arrogance were some top evils that cost them government.
President Lazarus Chakwera and his Tonse Alliance administration promised business unusual, a better Malawi for all, clearing the rubble and above all-Canaan, a land of milk and honey.
But with exactly three years after voting, some Malawians think they were sold a dummy. We sought their views on what has suddenly changed? What’s wrong?
Vice Chairperson for Mponela Main Market Committee in Dowa, Biyola Bonomali says life is hard. He thinks the DPP was better off.
“Look at the mess in the Affordable Inputs Programme-AIP. Malawians are crying day in and out for what was promised is not happening,” says Bonomali.
Lloyd Kapalamula, a vendor within the market agrees. In fact, he regrets voting: “It’s meaningless now. The business sector is problematic. We still have the same development projects during the Mutharika administration.”
Joseph Banda, 39, from Traditional Authority Mapira in Mangochi thinks the administration has completely failed. He adds unemployment levels, forex shortage and rise in goods prices. “But I should commend government for at least trying to tighten security,” says Banda, a welder and a father of three.
But Amini Witness, 42, from Mtalimanja Village in Senior Chief Mponda in the district thinks corruption has worsened besides scarcity of money, jobs for youths and high cost of living.
Foster Matola, a businessman in Neno describes the Tonse Alliance as the worst administration. He rates it 3 out 10. “Malawians are suffering due to the high cost of living and devaluation of the kwacha which also affected our businesses,” he says.
Natalia Sato, a youth, from the same district gives the administration 2 out 10. “This government promised us 1 million jobs; where are they? We can’t even venture into businesses. Fertilizer prices are up; there is kwacha devaluation….how do we survive? The administration has completely failed.”
For James Amidu in Mchinji, the administration has tried advertising jobs but failed to recruit the youth. Instead, he claims, on relatives and wives close to power are employed; leaving out capable and qualified youths.
Catherine Nkhoma applauds government for intensified campaigns for people to seek medical attention early. But she fumes at lack of drugs in public hospitals where they are told to buy from pharmacies.
The Radar meets Christopher Tawakali, a driver, from Kumponda Village, Senior Chief Chikumbu in Mulanje. He says: “We are very disappointed. What’s happening runs parallel to what the Alliance leaders campaigned for.”
His district-mate, Wisdom Samson from Chikuli Village, TA Nthiramanja argues government has failed to stabilize the local currency and price fluctuations. He shares a tip: “The Government should stabilize the kwacha by ensuring more exports through mega farms, sugar and cotton fabrics production, tailoring, logistics and others.”
In Machinga district, Godfrey Lungu, 57, a security guard with 7 children, sees no better Malawi for all as promised: “Currently, we don’t know what happens next with the current situation of food scarcity in the district. The chaotic AIP management has led to serious hunger.”
And a shopkeeper, Florence Salima, 32, with 4 kids thinks the health sector is in shambles. She adds the administration should have just stepped down.
But for 53 year old Abdul M’bisa, who is also Liwonde Market Chairperson, Chakwera lacks control especially on corruption issues.
“He must emulate the spirit of former Tanzanian President, late John Magufuli. But he sees his juniors looting and stays quiet, failing to act fearing his family and party members. With this, we cannot end corruption,” stresses M’bisa.
Mercy Justin from Blantyre says: “I’m giving the Tonse Alliance 30 percent. There is a lot to fulfill. There is no indicator of the creation of the 1 million jobs. There is no hope.”
A lady, who opts for anonymity but works for Lands Ministry in Karonga, decries the AIP. She is not amused with its management. On other hand, Nidson Kayira from the same district laments high cost of living. But he hails the administration for increasing AIP beneficiaries.
Executive Director for Church and Society in the Blantyre CCAP Synod Reverend Master Jumbe rates the administration less than 40%.
He cites corruption, nepotism and high rate of unemployment as setbacks. “They have to go back to their manifestos and see how they will implement them,” he suggests.
However, social and political analyst, Wonderful Mkhutche sees leadership vacuum. He doesn’t see the transformative in Chakwera.
He argues: “There is need for the president to change his approach to leadership. He came with a claim that he is a transformative leader, but his actions are opposite of this. He needs to be hands-on, ready to make some difficult changes and stir our dormancy.”
He rates the administration 3 out 10. He justifies: “The 3 is for the goodwill we see in the president. He seems to be a man of good intentions and the 7 is for his failure to transform himself into a leader who can build the country.”
Earlier, Human Rights Defenders Coalition Chairperson, Gift Trapence observed the Tonse Alliance was entrenching itself with issues that sent the DPP packing.
“Public appointments are skewed towards Tonse Alliance’s political base of the central at the expense of those from southern and northern regions,” said Trapence.
But Information Minister, Moses Kunkuyu says the recovery journey has started despite the unforeseen challenges such cyclones and Covid-19. He believes the administration has registered strong pillars of democracy consolidation including success on rule of law.
“Chakwera is the only president who has fired or suspended top ranking people suspected of having gone against the law. He is the only president to appear before parliament to respond to questions. This is the only time we have had a well and timely funded Anti-Corruption Bureau to fight corruption spiritedly,” says Kunkuyu.
He adds there is clear separation of powers, unprecedented infrastructure development especially in road construction. Kunkuyu also thinks we now have a united Malawi with no cultural discrimination.
“This is also the first time former presidents have come together to serve Malawians. Again, there is restoration and strengthening of bilateral relations with neighboring countries. We are not yet there despite the challenges; the journey is in the right direction and Malawians are the best charges,” continues the Malawi Government’s spokesperson.
However, another predicament likely to haunt the regime are the seemingly silent but loud cracks in the Tonse Alliance. The Radar can confirm battle for supremacy ahead of the 2025 general elections has intensified. It follows what UTM President and the country’s Vice President Saulos Chilima exposed during his emotional media briefing last year.
In July 2022, Chilima told the nation they agreed, through their initially highly secretive pact, that Chakwera would govern for five years with him taking over presidency in 2025.
We have further gathered this has not pleased some senior MCP members who still want Chakwera to stand. Chakwera has remained silent ever since.
“We should not allow history to be changed because someone or some people now just realized that power which should be shared has become sweeter and begin to display as much excitement as a two-year-old at the sight of candy,” said Chilima in direct reference to his power sharing deal with Chakwera.
Some Malawians line up for voting during the June 2020 presidential poll.
