By Suleman Chitera
Malawians have expressed mixed reactions to the newly launched manifesto of the ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP), unveiled on Saturday at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
While some have welcomed the manifesto’s pledges, others remain skeptical, questioning its feasibility in light of the party’s performance over the past five years.
Among the critics is Laston Kapito, a porter, who dismissed the promises as “mere words.”
“These are just sweet-talking tactics. We have seen unfulfilled promises before. Instead of making new pledges, President Chakwera should show us what he has already achieved,” Kapito said.
At the Limbe market, Alinafe Billiat, a local vendor, expressed doubts about the practicality of one of the manifesto’s most talked-about promises — a monthly deposit of K500,000 into every child’s bank account.
“That money would be better spent on restocking hospitals with medicine. Besides, with the number of children born every day, how will this even work?” Billiat questioned.
During the launch, President Lazarus Chakwera pledged to create three million jobs and to open bank accounts for every child born in Malawi, promising monthly deposits as part of a bold economic plan.
As the campaign season heats up ahead of the September elections, the MCP now faces the challenge of convincing the electorate that its promises are not just ambitious rhetoric, but achievable goals.
