By Vincent Gunde_

A foot soldier journalist who has opted to remain anonymous has thanked the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for winning the 2025 presidential election, saying the victory gave him renewed confidence about his future and the direction of the country.

The journalist says he only discovered after the DPP came into power that he had allegedly been closely monitored by the then Malawi Congress Party (MCP)-led government using state machinery because of his well-articulated political writing and the positions he took through his articles. He said he produced and published his work using his own resources throughout the campaign period, from the first day to the last, and never received any payment for his efforts.

He said he believes that his professionalism played an important role in protecting him during the politically charged period,saying he always remained professional in his writing by avoiding emotional language and focused on presenting issues rather than allowing personal feelings to influence his journalism.

“The thing that saved me was that I always remained professional. I never allowed emotions to control my writing. I wrote as a journalist, presented the issues and allowed citizens to make their own judgments,” he said.

The journalist said that had MCP been declared the winner of the 2025 presidential election, he believes he would have faced two possible outcomes: either going into exile with his family or facing an attack by what he described as bloodthirsty, panga-wielding MCP thugs.

“First and foremost, I thank God and the DPP for winning the election. Had MCP been declared the winner, I believe I would have either gone into exile with my family or faced an attack by panga-wielding thugs,” he said.

He said his fears were connected to the positions he took through his writing during the political campaign, maintaining that his journalism was motivated by a desire to bring what he believed to be the truth to Malawian citizens.

According to the journalist, he never wrote with the expectation of receiving a government position, financial reward or any other personal benefit.

“My aim was simply to bring the truth to citizens through my writing. I was not doing it to gain anything. I was simply doing what I believed was right,” he said.

The foot soldier has expressed profound gratitude to the DPP leadership for recognising his writing skills and honouring his contribution after years of political and social commentary.

He said his appointment to a high-ranking government position represents significant recognition of his skills, commitment and contribution through journalism.

“I am very thankful to the DPP leadership for recognising my writing skills and for honouring me for all the good work I have been doing. I never expected anything in return because I was simply doing what I believed was right,” he said.

The journalist said the recognition has encouraged him to continue using his experience and writing skills in service of Malawians.

He further said his experience demonstrates the importance of professionalism in journalism, particularly when reporting and commenting on politically sensitive issues.

Despite the recognition he has now received, the foot soldier said his original motivation remained simple: to use his pen to communicate what he believed was the truth to citizens and contribute to national debate.

He described the DPP’s recognition as an unexpected but deeply appreciated acknowledgement of work that he had undertaken without seeking personal rewards.