By Mabvuto Kalawa, Malawi Freedom Network Correspondent
As Catholic bishops once wrote in their pastoral letter, “Who is going to remove the rock on the grave for us?” Today, that question seems to have been answered.
On September 16th, during the elections, Malawians finally removed the rock that had weighed heavily on them under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) regime.
The bishops’ letter described the “rock” as the burden of corruption, hunger, fuel shortages, and even the indignity of people resorting to eating buffalo beans (chitedze). These were some of the symbols of suffering that needed to be lifted.
The pastoral letter was not only a reminder to Catholic faithful but also a message to all Malawians to think carefully during the elections. Voting was the one opportunity to remove the so-called rock.
One example cited in the letter was the unfulfilled promise of “Canaan.” Instead of the promised land, Malawians felt they had been taken to a land of hardship—“Bagamoyo.” This was not what Malawians had expected in 2020, and the answer was a resounding “no.”
There is a saying that where there is a will, there is a way. Malawians exercised their will at the ballot, and now they have found a way forward.
Speaking to this reporter, one citizen said: “The rock which was on us has now been removed by our vote. This is what was needed. We were facing many problems during the rule of MCP under the leadership of Lazarus Chakwera. Malawi was indeed heading to Bagamoyo.”
He further appealed to the new Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government not to repeat the mistakes of the MCP. He said the suffering of Malawians should serve as a wake-up call.
For the bishops, the letter was simply a reminder. But for Malawians, it symbolized the heavy rock on their grave.
Now that Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and the DPP have been given a second chance, this should also be their reminder. If they fail to fulfill what Malawians are hoping for, the people will once again face another rock.
Malawians are patient and peace-loving, but when they are betrayed, they do not take up guns. Their weapon is their voter registration certificate.
And so, the question remains: Will DPP be another rock? Or will they finally lead Malawians to the promised land?
Only time will tell.
