By Mabvuto Kalawa, Malawi Freedom Network
As the country prepares for the September Tripartite Elections, it was another busy day for Shadow Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Councillor for Sanjiko Ward, Bruno Daka, who held a campaign rally at Takumana Primary School Ground in Group Village Headman Chiwowa Kumalawi, Traditional Authority Chadza, in Lilongwe Mpenu Constituency.
Addressing the gathering, Daka urged the community to vote for MCP candidates during the upcoming elections, stressing that this was the time to make the right choice for development.
He reminded the people that their area has lagged behind in growth because, in the past, they voted for the wrong candidates who lacked passion for development.
“Do not vote for someone simply because he is your relative or friend,” he told the crowd. “Vote for leaders who are development-conscious and who genuinely love this area.”
Daka criticized candidates who were distributing coffins during the campaign period, questioning why they had not previously helped in providing medicines for the sick.
“This is not the time to buy coffins,” he said. “This is the time to think about upgrading our roads and addressing the real needs of our people.”
He further warned the community not to repeat past mistakes, saying that poor leadership choices were the reason for the area’s underdevelopment.
Daka assured the crowd that if he were elected Councillor, alongside Hon. Eisenhower Mkaka as Member of Parliament and Dr. Lazarus Chakwera as President, Sanjiko Ward would be transformed into a thriving township.
He cited Mazengera Ward as an example of what MCP leadership could deliver, pointing to youth accessing NEEF loans, farmers buying AIP inputs nearby, communities receiving clean and safe water, and the newly constructed health centre built through Mkaka’s use of the Constituency Development Fund.
“We do not want a councillor who just sits in chambers without contributing, as has been the case in the past,” Daka stressed.
He urged the people not to vote for other candidates apart from himself, Mkaka, and Chakwera, warning that those seeking votes after years of neglect should be questioned on their failures.
Daka also cautioned the community against accepting handouts, saying: “Say a big NO to handouts. We want development. And remember, with the current MEC laws, handouts are illegal — report them to authorities.”
In his remarks, Group Village Headman Chiwowa Kumalawi welcomed the pledges but asked Daka and Mkaka to prioritize the area’s pressing needs.
He highlighted challenges such as severe water shortages, poor road infrastructure, hunger, rampant poverty, and the lack of a local health facility.
“Our people travel long distances to Bwaila Hospital just to get treatment, which is unfair,” he said. “We feel like we are not part of Malawi. Please tell President Chakwera to help us because we know he delivers.”
The chief also requested support for elderly members of the community, saying many were suffering in silence.
He pledged his community’s full support for Daka, Mkaka, and Chakwera in the September elections, vowing that they would not vote for anyone else.
During the rally, Daka promised to repair the broken borehole at Takumana Primary School as an immediate intervention.
He also praised traditional leaders for rallying behind MCP candidates and reminded zone executives to campaign vigorously for the party ahead of the polls.
Daka is expected to face stiff competition in Sanjiko Ward, with challengers from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD), and one independent candidate.
The campaign meeting was part of Daka and Mkaka’s grassroots strategy to directly engage communities, understand their challenges, and outline how MCP intends to address them if entrusted with power.
