By Hon. Allan Ngumuya
Friday, 28th February 2025
My fellow youths of Malawi,
With the utmost respect, I write to you today with a deep concern for our country and our future. I also write to echo the powerful and fearless voice of Dr. Patience Namadingo, who stood before the President at Sanjika Palace and asked the hard questions on behalf of all Malawian youths. These questions cannot be ignored; they demand answers.
Dr. Namadingo did not speak for a political party—he spoke for the millions of young Malawians who wake up every day to the harsh realities of our nation. And let me add another voice that must be heard—Yankho Seunda also raised critical concerns. Mr. President, if you and your party choose to dismiss these voices, you are heading for disaster. The issues they raised are not isolated complaints; they represent the collective frustration of an entire generation.
It is only those whose minds are controlled and manipulated who fail to see the truth. But let me tell you, Mr. President, that today’s youths are not the same as those of yesterday. We are more informed, more vocal, and we demand action.
The real question is, why has it taken four years for the government to hold a dialogue with the youth? Why was there no genuine engagement all this time? And now, at the last minute—when the meal has already been eaten and shared among the baby boomers—the youth are being called in to talk. Do you not see that these same baby boomers have used you for their own gain, rather than for the benefit of the nation?
And then, after everything, each participant was given K200,000. For what purpose? To cover travel expenses within Blantyre? Or was it a form of bribery? Over K30 million was spent on this event alone. And if the same happened in Lilongwe and will happen in Mzuzu, that means close to K100 million will be wasted on gatherings that do not change the reality on the ground. Meanwhile, young people are struggling—eating roasted maize, suffering from extreme poverty, taking their own lives due to hopelessness, and living without opportunities.
Mr. President, are you truly unaware that some youths are being armed with weapons to terrorize those who oppose you and your party? We all saw what happened at Parliament—the people caught on camera destroying property and attacking others were young men, and they were clearly affiliated with the ruling party. Is this the kind of youth empowerment we should expect?
At a time when Malawi is on the verge of collapse—when the nation is already in ruins—your priority should not be holding events that waste resources. Where is your seriousness, Mr. President? Where is your love for this nation?
Is it really wise to start engaging with the youth now, just six months before the election? What meaningful benefits can be achieved in such a short time? Or have you been misled into believing that this will boost your public image?
If you truly care, then take these matters seriously:
- Hunger (Njala)
- The soaring price of maize
- The rising cost of all essential goods
- The persistent fuel shortages
- The lack of medicines in hospitals
- The growing number of young people taking their own lives out of desperation
- The scarcity of foreign exchange
- The high rate of unemployment
- The unaffordable cost of fertilizer
- The skyrocketing school fees
If these issues are not addressed, Mr. President, let me assure you—Malawians will choose a new leader. They will not return to the old ways of governance that have repeatedly failed them.
To my fellow youths, I have one strong message: do not be deceived by any political party that has already ruled Malawi. We cannot afford to recycle failure. We must look beyond party politics and choose a leader who has the vision, experience, and capability to transform Malawi.
We must vote for someone who has worked in all government departments and has already demonstrated competence. We must support someone who truly understands the challenges of governance—not just in theory, but in practice. We need a leader with genuine vision for Malawi’s future.
My fellow youths, let us not forget the lies we were told in the past. Remember, we were promised that Malawi would be turned into “Singapore.” Have we seen that happen? The answer is no. So why should we trust these same people again?
It is time for a fresh start. Let us give Dr. Dalitso Kabambe a chance. He is young, educated, experienced, and has worked in three different governments. He understands the system and knows how to fix it. Let us not be fooled by those who only seek power for their own benefit.
Finally, I must give credit to Dr. Patience Namadingo for his courage. He spoke the truth, and now it is up to us—the youth of Malawi—to act.
Malawi belongs to us. The future is in our hands. Let us choose wisely.
Hon. Allan Ngumuya
