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PIVOTING THE ELECTIONEERING STRATEGIES IN POLITICS(ANALYZING THE JUST ENDED PRESENTATION OF NOMINATION PAPERS)With: Ben ...
03/08/2025

PIVOTING THE ELECTIONEERING STRATEGIES IN POLITICS
(ANALYZING THE JUST ENDED PRESENTATION OF NOMINATION PAPERS)
With: Ben S. Chazama; Wednesday, 03rd August, 2025

Coins have been tossed, dices rolled. It was a week full of aah aaah!, eeeeh! Iiiih! Until the exercise came to its very end. People keep demeaning and belittling others for their choices, trying to downplay and discredit their opponents pick while praising theirs. It had been a week of surprises and frustrations to others. At the end of it all; presentation of nomination papers for those seeking to become the next Head of State had come to an end.

From the twenty two presidential hopefuls who had collected their nomination papers, nineteen had presented theirs between the 24th to 30th July, showing a commitment that they will contest and become the next President.

Of all these aspirants, only one is female, representing a 5.26% of the presidential contestants. The central part of the exercise was on the selection of running mates, more especially DPP’s, UTM’s and MCP’s.

At the end of it all, it was Dr. Jane Ansah, Eng. Dr. Matthews Chinombo Mtumbuka and Eng. Vitumbiko A.Z. Mumba for Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika, Dr. Dalitso Kabambe and Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera of DPP, UTM and MCP respectively. These choices of presidential running mates consequently triggered public debate as to who will be voted the next President considering the running mate they have chosen. They are [for whoever knows why?] deemed; a yardstick ascertaining the outcome for the 2025 presidential election results.

Yes as the running mates were being unveiled to the public, mixed reaction from the terraces were all over. People were heavily pregnant to behold who their party’s or their opponent party’s presidential running mate could be. Some opinions from the public terraces accentuate that by assessing their choices, presidential aspirants were looking for a running mate who could pull votes, reinforce credibility, balance

CLARIFY &JUSTIFY; HONEYMOON FOR SWEET TALKS IS OVER!(CONTEXTUALIZING WHAT THE CITIZENRY NEEDS FROM MANIFESTOS)With: Ben ...
23/07/2025

CLARIFY &JUSTIFY; HONEYMOON FOR SWEET TALKS IS OVER!

(CONTEXTUALIZING WHAT THE CITIZENRY NEEDS FROM MANIFESTOS)

With: Ben S. Chazama; Wednesday, 23rd July, 2025

As Malawi is 56 days away to general elections, drama keeps unfolding as the political playground gets hotter each passing day. You dare blink, you miss a million things in that microsecond. The ruling Malawi Congress Party [MCP] has on the 19th July been the first political party to launch their electoral manifesto. The manifesto titled ‘Taking our development forward’, is facing great public backlash.

Critics are calling this manifesto; dreams of a barren person, qualifying it as unachievable and impracticable. Just like the last Sona, critics are naming this manifesto; a document full of lies. Others jokingly insinuate that the manifesto has been drafted by the very same persons who drafted the previous SONA.

This piece won’t go into depths pointing out the aspirations that have triggered public contention arguing how MCP administration will this time around be able to achieve these fresh aspirations. In general, a lot has been promised in this manifesto. Critics observe that the ruling administration made a lot of similar aspirations in the last 2019 manifesto which to date hang in the air unfulfilled. Basing on that record, they wonder as to where MCP could get the capacity and resources to achieve these fresh aspirations now when they have 2019 manifesto unmet?

Through this piece, Matters that matter for Humanity seeks to contextualize and dissect further this contentiously debated paradigm. The paper intends to analyse whether political parties are at liberty to write anything in the name of manifesto for public consumption and decision making in the choice of leaders. Is the public justified to critique electoral manifestos? Why are they?

In a book; Government and Politics in Malawi, (2007) Svåsand and Khembo (Eds) define electoral manifesto as a document that sets out a party’s intentio

LEST WE FORGET…(IS MW READY TO LEARN FROM THE 2011 JULY 20 DEMONSTRATIONS?)With: Ben S. Chazama; Sunday, 20th July, 2025...
20/07/2025

LEST WE FORGET…(IS MW READY TO LEARN FROM THE 2011 JULY 20 DEMONSTRATIONS?)

With: Ben S. Chazama; Sunday, 20th July, 2025

Looking back down the memory lane, Malawi glances at that fateful Wednesday; July 20, 2011. The atmosphere was chokingly fogged with teargas. Echoes of gun fires like horrendous thunder drummed all over, deafening the citizenry ears in the process. Cities were crimson red with streams of blood flowing down the streets of the country. It was a horrible experience nobody ever wished could happen.

Dressed in anguish while chanting songs of dissatisfaction against poor governance and economic crumbling, some demonstrators allegedly went off mission. They allegedly started looting innocent people’s entities. All private and public business came to a standstill. One simple decision which was erroneously made resulted to the loss of 20 healthy human lives.

It is recorded that the deteriorating socioeconomic and political challenges coupled with poor governance style of the then Bingu administration triggered the demonstrations.

Among other notable fifteen petitions for which the demonstrations were organized included; fuel shortages, forex scarcity and incessant electricity outages.

The introduction of zero-deficit budget, fight for academic freedom that saw four university lecturers; Edge Kanyongolo, Jessie Kabwila Kapasula, Blessings Chinsinga and Garton Kamchedzera being fired were also among the fifteen petitions.

In addition to those, nepotism and government attempts to prevent people from obtaining injunction were also some of the fifteen petitions the demonstrations were organized.

In its effort to structurally prevent the public from conducting the demos, government imposed a requirement of a fee-to-protest of K2 million for mass demonstrations. In other words, this amount in 2011 was like barring the public from holding demonstrations. Indirectly this entails that government was stripping off the peoples’ constitutional right to hold de

*PEACE, PEACE, PEACE BE STILL*_(PROCLAMATION OF PEACE TO THE PUBLIC AS CAMPAIGN STARTS)__With: *Ben S. Chazama*_ 16.07.2...
16/07/2025

*PEACE, PEACE, PEACE BE STILL*
_(PROCLAMATION OF PEACE TO THE PUBLIC AS CAMPAIGN STARTS)_

_With: *Ben S. Chazama*_ 16.07.2025.

_*Matters that matter for humanity*_

*DISCLAIMER:*
_This essay has been written as a way of practising and augmenting the author’s (personal) writing skills. As such, any copying, citing, or reproduction of part thereof from this article for political, academic, whatsoever purpose; is entirely at owner’s risk._
_*© All rights reserved [email protected]*_

Gradually, Malawi is treading towards general elections day. On the 14th July, 2025, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) officially launched the 60-days long campaign period which will run till its closure at 06:00 hours on the 14th September, 2025.

Launching the campaign period, *MEC Chairperson; Justice Annabel Mtalimanja (SC)*, called upon all Malawians to exercise tolerance during this ride. She said the campaign period is for aspiring politicians to sell their ideas and ideologies to the voter population expressing how they intend to develop the country.

In her 54 minutes long speech, Mtalimanja called upon all aspirants to refrain from using abusive remarks that can incite violence but rather to emphasise on issues and facts aimed at persuading voters to vote for them come the elections day.

Mtalimanja further called upon the youths not to be used by politicians as agents of violence but rather to be responsible citizens who should be in the fore advocating for tolerance and peaceful campaign.

She further acknowledged the police and other state owned security agencies for the well job done during the voter registration and voter verification exercises. She further appealed to the Police to continue being professional in their work.

She said this coming election gives an opportunity to the Police and other security agencies to amplify the trust it has from the public. _*“The public expects that the police, task force and all other security agencies will carry out their duties

*HEAD OR TAIL?* _(ANTICIPATED POLITICAL GESTATION; RUNNING MATES & COALITIONS)_ _With: *Ben S. Chazama*_ 12.07.2025._Mat...
12/07/2025

*HEAD OR TAIL?*
_(ANTICIPATED POLITICAL GESTATION; RUNNING MATES & COALITIONS)_

_With: *Ben S. Chazama*_ 12.07.2025.

_Matters that matter for humanity_

*DISCLAIMER:*
_This essay has been written as a way of practising and augmenting the author’s (personal) writing skills. As such, any copying, citing, or reproduction of part thereof from this article for political, academic, whatsoever purpose; is entirely at owner’s risk._

_© All rights reserved *[email protected].* 12.07.2025_

Fast approaching is the D-Day, the great 16th September, 2025. It comes around the corner and its coming is so horrifying in a thunderous uproar.

There has been a series of political engagements and disengagements furthering the oiling, fueling and flaming of the political mood across both the electorates’ and politicians’ board.

I mean there has been all sorts of political exoduses, initiations, reunions and baptisms of various political party affiliates and supporters. Most importantly, political parties have been organizing rallies wooing electorates pending the elections.

Further, it must be brought to the attention of the public that by close of business on 11th July 2025, a total of seventeen ‘Presidential’ nomination papers had been collected at MEC. From these seventeen, five are independent and the rest are from political parties one of which is female.

It sounds ridiculous any ways that seventeen citizens could be aspiring to become the next president in a country where there is a leader governing the affairs of the state in his good health.

Yes it is a constitutional right for every citizen of Malawi who meets all necessary requirements for the position of the President to compete freely for the post.

However, 16 individuals casting their luck for the position is a red flag more especially to the incumbent. It is as if the ruling leadership is being rated; an underperformer.

Consider in a classroom set up: A teacher poses a question to the class and you hold the

CRYING OVER SPILT MILK…(GEORGE PHIRI SUGGESTS; RECALL PROVISION BE RECALLED)With: Ben S. Chazama; Tuesday, 03rd December...
03/12/2024

CRYING OVER SPILT MILK…
(GEORGE PHIRI SUGGESTS; RECALL PROVISION BE RECALLED)

With: Ben S. Chazama; Tuesday, 03rd December, 2024

Surging across streets is a worry alleging that the ongoing 2024 Voter Registration Exercise is bringing out poor results contrary to what was anticipated. It has been observed that few numbers are turning out for the exercise while others are shunning it.

The public asserts that some people are frustrated and dissatisfied at what elected leaders have proven to weigh below expected average performance. It is feared that those shunning the registration exercise have lost trust in elected leaders who do not live to their promises they made during campaigns.

Elected leaders are bemoaned by this section of citizens saying they are behaving like hypocrites masquerading as innocent servants while defying their campaign promises in practice. Dissatisfied with that hypocrisy, the public resorts for shunning the exercise.

Via a program premiered on ZBS radio on 1st December 2024 from 20:00 hours, a seasoned political commentator George Phiri aired out his views. Phiri regretted the repeal of section 64 of the Constitution of the republic of Malawi the country did to itself in 1995.

He said it is this repeal that has refueled this anger by other citizens who feel voting is just a waste of effort. Section 64 read; ‘(1) Every member of the National Assembly shall be liable to be recalled by his or her constituency in accordance with this section’…. Phiri wishes this section be recalled.

Concurring with Dr Janet Chikaya Banda’s Duty of Care: Constitutional and Law Reform in Malawi (2012), Phiri observes that Section 64 was empowering constituents to remove their Member of Parliament if he or she failed to perform their duties satisfactorily.

The provision was making MPs more accountable to the electorate. Since 1995, no government has moved to reintroduce Section 64 despite considerable popular support for such a measure.

It was acti

THIS SEED WE ARE SOWING…(WE SHALL REAP OF THIS TOLERATED LAWLESSNESS...)With: Ben S. Chazama; Tuesday, 26th November, 20...
26/11/2024

THIS SEED WE ARE SOWING…
(WE SHALL REAP OF THIS TOLERATED LAWLESSNESS...)
With: Ben S. Chazama; Tuesday, 26th November, 2024

You think it shall not happen? You think we shall never reap from this? So you think this fun and acrobatic entertainment we are having in town shall never bring before our very own eyes the best profits in folds and in abundance in the near future? Hold on.

We shall remember; on that 25th day of November 2024, it had happened for the fourth time in a row that year alone and nothing happened to eliminate it. We shall all regret it but it shall have become too late to save Jerusalem from hell then.

They shall say; had we known…, but by then they will have realized what it had been all the while, though they will not have the opportunity to save the country from the flames that will be blazing all over the land.

We shall say; they ought to have proscribed that behaviour before it could land us into this calamity. With bloodlike tears flowing down our cheeks, we shall helplessly and hopelessly look back and remember everything that had happened to get us into the fiery hell we will have gotten ourselves into by then.

We shall all remember how irresponsible we had been by looking at that minor scratch growing into an enormous cancerous blister which will by then, have spread to all parts of the body leading us to nothing but fatality.

We shall remember how we allowed such a strange and animalistic behaviour grow amidst us without taking a decisive action to prune it off our midst.

We shall cry bitterly, punching ourselves on the chest, cursing ourselves for the recklessness we had been at a time we ought to have acted responsibly. Alas, that would be too late.

We shall remember how our fully-fledged ought-to-be responsible security agencies allowed criminality to vandalise the society at their watch.

May be by then we shall be human enough to understand why our agencies had mistaken such terrorist attacks for some kind of entertainment wh

SKIPPED ANNOUNCEMENTS TO THE CONGREGANTS(A CALL TO RESPONSIVENESS AGAINST VANDALISM)With: Ben S. Chazama; Thursday, 21st...
21/11/2024

SKIPPED ANNOUNCEMENTS TO THE CONGREGANTS
(A CALL TO RESPONSIVENESS AGAINST VANDALISM)

With: Ben S. Chazama; Thursday, 21st November, 2024

Amen Church!

Before I introduce our today’s preacher and members of the clergy for today’s service, I have a few announcements to communicate.

Brethren, we as the church are reminded that the youths led by the Chief Deacon shall have prison outreach to Byanzi. They want to cheer our dear brothers in prison there and to give them hope that God loves them too.

Let me take this opportunity to remind the church of the projects happening in this country. Fellows in the service to the Lord, amongst the many road construction projects underway in this country are some in the Capital City Lilongwe.

The ones taking place in our Capital City are taking a good shape. In fact, they are probably due completion shortly.

Fellow congregants, I know some of you may wonder why must I make announcements of the general public’s projects as if they were for this church. Oh Beloved saints, yes, we are supposed to share these news in this church and let people of God act responsibly henceforth.

Dear church, I am greatly impressed at a speed at which these projects are happening. We should know that much as the resultant effect from these projects will be speedy mobility, our capital city will also wear a new and beautiful face befitting a Capital City. The roads being built are superb, with a ‘state-of-the-art’ outlook. They are of international class; Amen!

For those of you who have seen the construction of the M1 Dual Carriageway stretching from Lilongwe City Centre to Kamuzu International Airport can agree with me that the road under construction is great.

I am confidently sure fellow labourers in the house of the Lord that upon completion of this 9.5km stretch which is being upgraded from two to four lanes with independent bicycle lanes and sidewalks on both sides, Lilongwe will look amazing.

The road has been beautifully decorate

WILL EXORBITANT FEES IMPEDE FAIR COMPETETION?(YOU WANT THE PRESIDENCY, COUGH K20M; UTM DEMANDS!)With: Ben S. Chazama; Su...
21/10/2024

WILL EXORBITANT FEES IMPEDE FAIR COMPETETION?
(YOU WANT THE PRESIDENCY, COUGH K20M; UTM DEMANDS!)

With: Ben S. Chazama; Sunday, 20th October, 2024

All is set for United Transformation Movement [UTM] to hold its elective convention.

In a letter signed by the Party’s publicity secretary Honourable [Hon.] Felix Njawala a couple of days ago, the convention is scheduled for 17th November 2024 and will be hosted in Mzuzu.

UTM’s convention comes 7th after MCP, DPP, PP, Aford, PDP and UDF. It will be the first Party to hold its convention in the northern region as the other six parties have had theirs held in the Central and Southern regions. MCP, PP and Aford held their conventions in Lilongwe while DPP, PDP and UDF held theirs at Comesa Hall in Blantyre.

As per Njawala’s letter, those vying for the positions of the Party President, Vice President and Secretary General will have to present their nomination papers at a fee of K20m, K10m and K5m respectively. Other 45 of the 48 positions will be competed at a nomination fee of K2.5m and K1.5m depending on the position. Fair still, aspiring women and youths will have to pay half the amount, their men counterparts will pay on the position.

UTM’s news of its convention is receiving a diverse reaction from the public terraces.

Others hail UTM for having announced of its convention three weeks prior to the day. They believe that this will give aspirants enough time to sell their manifestos to delegates in time. They also believe that aspirants will have ample time to consolidate their financial strength and sources to sponsor their nomination interests.

Others applause UTM for the choice of venue made. They say that with the opinion that northern region has been sidelined to host such events for ages, UTM poses as a friend to Northerners hence the party to trust. This can successfully persuade more Malawians from this region to join the party, believing that it resonates with welfare of the northern Malawians. Oth

BE RECKLESS IN SPEECH; BRACE FOR YOUR FALL(A CALL FOR A VIOLENCE-FREE CAMPAIGN TOWARDS 2025 POLLS)With: Ben S. Chazama; ...
04/10/2024

BE RECKLESS IN SPEECH; BRACE FOR YOUR FALL
(A CALL FOR A VIOLENCE-FREE CAMPAIGN TOWARDS 2025 POLLS)

With: Ben S. Chazama; Friday, 4th October, 2024

Social psychologist Moyer; defines violence as a form of human aggression that involves inflicting physical damage on persons or property. Black’s Law Dictionary on the other hand, defines violence as an unjust or unwarranted use of force usually accompanied by fury, vehemence, or outrage, physical force unlawfully exercised with the intent to harm. On the other hand, Political violence is about the acquisition of power through violent acts. It is driven by desires for power that lead people to transgress others private.

Any form of violence is an enemy to national development. Section 87(1)(a) of the Penal Code in the laws of Malawi stipulates that; Any person who, without lawful excuse, at any assembly makes any statement or behaves in any manner which is calculated or is likely to incite or induce the persons assembled to kill or do physical injury to any person or to any class or community of persons, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to imprisonment for five years.

One thing parties and politicians should be careful with this time is to be mindful of their speeches. Parties should know that one mistake can be costly and cause a great deal of damage if haphazardly made. It is this time opponents do capitalize on foe’s small mistake to make scores.

While all was unsuspicious, Democratic Progressive Party [DPP’s] Legislator for Machinga South Central East who is also the Eastern Regional Governor; Hon. Daudi Chikwanje MP found himself dancing to the music after making derogatory remarks publicly. Chikwanje had in a couple of days ago at a political gathering in Machinga, proposed that people who are putting on Malawi Congress Party T-shirts be torched. He made these remarks as he was highlighting the hardships Malawians are allegedly passing through in the country.

Chikwanje’s remarks contin

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