Malawi Voted Wrong Leadership

The hope, pomp and euphoria after Malawi’s presidential election in June 2020 are fast turning into a bunch of unexpected frustrations among some voters; four years down the line. They feel used and dumped. Others even curse their vote!

This was a court-sanctioned presidential poll that sent Peter Mutharika and his embattled Democratic Progressive Party-DPP packing.

Corruption, nepotism and arrogance were some top evils that cost them government.

President Lazarus Chakwera and his Tonse Alliance administration promised business unusual, a better Malawi for all, clearing the rubble and above all-Canaan, a land of milk and honey.

But with exactly three years after voting, some Malawians think they were sold a dummy. We sought their views on what has suddenly changed? What’s wrong?

A mother of six children, Bertha Mbewe based in Ndirande, Blantyre doing a business of flying sweet potato mix with flour locally known as ‘,Zibhwente’ says life is hard. She thinks the DPP was better off than this beast administration.

“Look at the mess in the Affordable Inputs Programme-AIP. Malawians are crying day in and out for what was promised is not happening,” says Mbewe.

Lloyd Chimutu, a vendor at Nsika wa Njara within the township of Ndirande again trashed the administration. In fact, he regrets voting: “It’s meaningless now. The business sector is problematic. We still have the same development projects during the Mutharika administration.”

Joseph Banda, 39, thinks the administration has completely failed. He adds unemployment levels, forex shortage and rise in goods prices. “But I should commend government for at least trying to tighten security,” says Banda, a welder and a father of three.

But Amini Witness, 42, in Blantyre thinks corruption has worsened besides scarcity of money, jobs for youths and high cost of living.

Foster Matola, a businessman in Neno describes the Tonse Alliance as the worst administration.

And a shopkeeper, Florence Salima, 32, with 4 kids thinks the health sector is in shambles. She adds the administration should have just stepped down.

But for 53 year old Abdul M’bisa, who is also Liwonde Market Chairperson, Chakwera lacks control especially on corruption issues.

“He must emulate the spirit of former Tanzanian President, late John Magufuli. But he sees his juniors looting and stays quiet, failing to act fearing his family and party members. With this, we cannot end corruption,” stresses M’bisa.

Mercy Justin from Chiradzulu says: “I’m giving the Tonse Alliance 30 percent. There is a lot to fulfill. There is no indicator of the creation of the 1 million jobs. There is no hope.”

A lady, who opts for anonymity but works for Lands Ministry in Karonga, decries the AIP. She is not amused with its management. On other hand, Nidson Kayira from the same district laments high cost of living. But he hails the administration for increasing AIP beneficiaries.

Executive Director for Church and Society in the Blantyre CCAP Synod Reverend Master Jumbe rates the administration less than 40%.

He cites corruption, nepotism and high rate of unemployment as setbacks. “They have to go back to their manifestos and see how they will implement them,” he suggests.

However, social and political analyst, Wonderful Mkhutche sees leadership vacuum. He doesn’t see the transformative in Chakwera.

He argues: “There is need for the president to change his approach to leadership. He came with a claim that he is a transformative leader, but his actions are opposite of this. He needs to be hands-on, ready to make some difficult changes and stir our dormancy.”

He rates the administration 3 out 10. He justifies: “The 3 is for the goodwill we see in the president. He seems to be a man of good intentions and the 7 is for his failure to transform himself into a leader who can build the country.”

Earlier, Human Rights Defenders Coalition Chairperson, Gift Trapence observed the Tonse Alliance was entrenching itself with issues that sent the DPP packing.

“Public appointments are skewed towards Tonse Alliance’s political base of the central at the expense of those from southern and northern regions,” said Trapence.

But Information Minister, Moses Kunkuyu says the recovery journey has started despite the unforeseen challenges such cyclones and Covid-19.

He believes the administration has registered strong pillars of democracy consolidation including success on rule of law.

“Chakwera is the only president who has fired or suspended top ranking people suspected of having gone against the law.

He is the only president to appear before parliament to respond to questions. This is the only time we have had a well and timely funded Anti-Corruption Bureau to fight corruption spiritedly,” says Kunkuyu.

He adds there is clear separation of powers, unprecedented infrastructure development especially in road construction.