By Burnett Munthali
A recent Facebook post from Bakili Muluzi TV has stirred political emotions, taking a swipe at supporters of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) following the announcement of Jane Ansah as the running mate for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.
The post claims that UTM supporters are in distress, believing that Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, a prominent figure in the DPP, has been overlooked in favor of Jane Ansah for the running mate position.
It reads, “UTM Supporters; Akulira chifukwa amaona ngati Kabambe akhala running-mate wa APM.” This suggests that UTM sympathizers may have preferred to compete against Kabambe, whom they might have considered a softer opponent compared to Ansah.
The post also targets MCP supporters, suggesting they are upset because their own party leader, President Lazarus Chakwera, allegedly cannot match the intellectual or professional stature of Jane Ansah.
It continues, “MCP Supporters; Akulira chifukwa president wao ndi bulutu sangafanane ndi Jane Ansa.” The term “bulutu” here is used derogatorily to describe someone seen as incompetent or inferior.
A more pointed jab is directed at MCP’s “Jiyamen” (youth or grassroots campaigners), whom the post accuses of lacking the class and credentials that Jane Ansah brings to the political arena.
The post reads, “MCP Jiyamen; Asasamba otuwa ngati bakayawo sangakhale ndi mapepala a Jane Ansa.” This line suggests that MCP’s campaigners, described in demeaning terms, cannot compare in educational qualifications to the DPP’s running mate.
The post ends with the phrase, “HISTORY IS THE BEST TEACHER,” implying that voters should recall Jane Ansah’s past achievements and leadership record when making their decision in the upcoming 2025 general elections.
The statement has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with DPP supporters celebrating what they view as a bold and strategic choice, while opponents have criticized the tone and personal attacks in the post.
Supporters argue that Jane Ansah, a respected legal mind and former Chairperson of the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), brings unmatched experience and professionalism to the DPP ticket.
Critics, however, contend that leadership is not solely about academic achievements, and that the language used in the post alienates ordinary Malawians who may not hold advanced degrees but contribute meaningfully to the nation.
As political tensions rise ahead of the 2025 polls, it is clear that social media platforms like Bakili Muluzi TV are becoming battlegrounds for political messaging, mockery, and mobilisation.
This post, like others before it, underscores how personal, provocative, and sometimes divisive Malawi’s political discourse has become in the digital age.
