By Burnett Munthali
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) official George Saonda delivered a fiery and unfiltered speech that pulled no punches as he dissected the failures of President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration during a rally that attracted thousands of supporters.
He began by offering a sweeping judgment on religious leaders turned politicians, stating, “We have tried two pastors—Rev. John Chilembwe and Rev. Lazarus Chakwera—but they have both failed us.”
The comparison, though provocative, was meant to underline the frustration Malawians feel after entrusting national leadership to individuals perceived as morally upright but practically ineffective.
Saonda went on to criticize President Chakwera’s communication style, saying, “He came with his itsanana English which is not helping anyone.”
The mockery was aimed at Chakwera’s preference for eloquent speeches, which many believe are detached from the daily struggles of ordinary citizens.
In a moment of rhetorical clarity, Saonda clarified his position, saying, “We don’t have Chakwera. He is not our enemy.”
This statement suggested that while the DPP views Chakwera as an ineffective leader, their opposition is not rooted in personal hatred, but in policy failure and national disappointment.
He drew an ecclesiastical contrast, referencing the legacy of the late Reverend Shaeffer, stating, “Shaeffer left good churches, but during Chakwera’s time he built kitchens instead of churches.”
It was a scathing metaphor implying misplaced priorities—accusing the current president of reducing spiritual institutions to basic infrastructure projects that lack moral value.
In a moment of satirical drama, Saonda shouted, “Listen to me, Chakwera—labakashakabdololo!” mimicking the style of speaking in tongues.
This drew laughter from the crowd, as he used the moment to ridicule what he called empty spiritual theatrics that do not translate into real-world solutions.
He also dismissed the president’s recent social support initiatives, saying, “We did not want the president to distribute MWK 50,000 to citizens.”
To him, cash handouts are short-term gimmicks that insult the dignity of the poor rather than empowering them through real economic reforms.
“Lastly, we don’t want shoes from Chakwera,” Saonda added, mocking recent donations that he viewed as shallow attempts to buy public approval.
He further questioned the meaning of Chakwera’s “Hi5” governance pillars, saying, “I didn’t know his Hi5 meant five expensive things.”
This jab alluded to excessive government spending and luxury benefits enjoyed by those in power while ordinary Malawians sink deeper into poverty.
Saonda ended his address with a dark and chilling warning: “If people were beaten during anti-Smartmatic demonstrations in the presence of the Malawi Police and Malawi Defence Force, what more do you think happened in Chikangawa Forest?”
The reference to Chikangawa Forest hinted at potential human rights violations far from public view, raising concern over state-sponsored violence and intimidation.
George Saonda’s remarks were a mixture of satire, anger, and political critique—an expression of the mounting public outrage over broken promises, economic hardship, and the erosion of civil liberties.
His message was clear: Malawians are tired, alert, and ready for change.
- MEC urges political parties to focus on manifestos to empower voter decisions
- Mtalimanja flags off Malawi’s 60-day campaign marathon for 2025 Elections
- MEC parade ignites campaign launch as nation tunes in for 2025 Elections
- Karim Makes U-Turn, Bows to People’s Call to Contest Again
- Mpinganjira’s Football Legacy In Malawi
