As the country is heading towards September 16, 2025 general elections, William Chikweta Kaweche, the independent candidate vying for the Mzuzu City South East Constituency parliamentary seat, shares his vision for the constituency’s development, outlines his plans for addressing key challenges, and highlights his commitment to transparency, accountability, and community empowerment. AUBREY THOM VAKHANI caught up with Kaweche to gain insight into his approach to leadership, his priorities for the community and his vision for a brighter for all residents.
Q: What drives you to run for a parliamentary race?
A: To run a parliamentary position is not just my idea, it’s joint effort after needs assessment in my area. No one has been a member of parliament and has helped people by giving them what they want, example improved road network, security issues, health and sanitation issues. I am geared to fix most of these things because that’s what my people have always wanted for decades.
Q: Why on an independent ticket when there are countless political parties?
A: I decided to go independent because in Mzuzu we have always helped and trusted people based on party ideologies that do not answer people’s needs. As independent what I speak is what people are asking me to do. Will work with people, plan with them and do what we want as a community so it fits me well as an independent MP.
Q: How do you intend to handle the Mzuzu City South East Constituency which many consider to be too hot in terms of competition?
A: It’s not about handling the heat but doing the right things for the people that make a difference. People want service delivery not false promises.
Q: What strategies would you use to build trust and rapport with members of various political parties after shunning their parties?
A: I am ready to work with any party that understands what my people need and is willing to do what is expected of me to do for the people in addressing challenges that have been ignored since 1985 when Mzuzu became a city.
Q: How would you ensure that diverse voices are heard and represented?
A: There shall be checks and balances. In fact, implementation of activities shall always be under trusted operations team that must serve the common interest.
Q: What role would you play to make sure the council is also able to play its role in addressing social and economic challenges in the constituency?
A: The council is the stakeholder and has bigger capacity and experience. The council has resources and economic strategies already in place to manage public funds, what is important therefore is to make sure that we engage and strategize together. Accept to work together and explore many income generating activities in the constituency to supplement the budget.
Q: Any anticipated challenges?
A: If the challenges shall be anticipated then the challenges shall overpower me. I believe that I know what the Constituency need and I got a plan that can address the needs. It’s my responsibility to share my plans with stakeholders and realise the dream.
Q: What role do you think youths can play in shaping the future of the constituency in particular and the nation at large?
A: This thinking of putting the youths in future plans is unacceptable to me. We need the youths now, they must get involved now in planning and implementing of our community activities and of course support their economic empowerment. I started building my business at a very young age, I have learnt it by getting involved. The youths can assist in the development of their communities and the nation at large.