The Malawi king maker: How Chilima changed MCP’s political history
Despite its enviable history of rescuing Malawi from the jaws of colonialism in 1964, the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), since its fall from grace in 1994, has struggled to claim a fair share of the national vote and return into government.
Its greatest challenge, I argue, is that MCP has always been a predominantly central region party even after the much touted generational leadership change from the Gwanda Chakuamba to John Tembo of the old to Reverend Lazarus Chakwera of the new.
For the 19 years that MCP’s leadership was in the hands of Chakuamba and, then, Tembo; the party represented everything that many hated about its 31 years of ‘death and darkness’.
In those good 19 years, MCP was closed in the north, wasn’t welcome in the South and, sorry to say, wasn’t a darling to the youths. It was just a party for, mostly, the hardcore Chewa people from the central region—especially the rural areas.
The coming in of Chakwera in 2013 started a process of rebranding the party. However, that process failed to get MCP to power in 2014 and 2019 because Chakwera failed to get a person who can help MCP connect where it was failing to reach.
In 2014, for instance, Chakwera settled for Richard Msowoya, a politician who only spoke to his small constituency in Karonga. It wasn’t different in 2019 when he settled for Sidik Mia—a politician who only spoke to a small section in Chikwawa District.
Msowoya and Mia were never regional political giants, even worse; none of two could speak and influence the youths. MCP, as a result, was still on its own—entirely reliant on the central region vote which DPP was doing better in dismantling.
For MCP to return to government Chakwera needed a youthful and energetic figure who can speak, one, to the youths; and two, speak to the national without the regional mindset. In other words, with his tradition central region vote intact, all Chakwera needed was a master of pulling all swing voters to the fold.
Thank God, in the year of our Lord 2020, he found that person: Saulos Klaus Chilima.
When he partnered Peter Mutharika in 2014, Chilima wasn’t much of a political figure to reckon; even worse, he was riding on the back of DPP machinery which was already staunching and menacing.
The political grandeur of Chilima was felt in 2019 when, in not less than six months, he launched his own political party, shook the nation with radical campaign tactics and, eventually, winning over 1 million votes.
Chilima’s political branding revolves around two key variables: One, not being associated with politics of regions and tribe; and two, appealing mostly to the youths and urbanites.
Through that branding, Chilima, in 2019, managed to get much of the urban vote, the youths and a couple of swing voters across every corner of the country.
The only challenge with Chilima and UTM is that they don’t have strong political bedrock to base their winning formula. That is why, on his own, it is troubling to imagine him win the presidency.
But at the level he reached with the 2019 botched results, he had become more of a king maker than a king himself.
Whichever way he went, DPP or MCP, he was already poised to make a king. That is why, today, MCP, after 26 years in the opposition, can afford a smile—a giant one, for soaring into power. It would never have happened without Chilima.
Ladies and gentlemen, hail Chilima, Malawi’s political king maker for now; the gallant campaigner who has changed the history of MCP!
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I disagree, Laz won fair and square with or without skc. Just Laz v Peter, Laz would win every time.
Yes skc campaigned very well but how many additional votes did he really bring to Laz. Laz has been taking more than 1.5m votes on his own for 2014 and 2019, so skc brought just addition few and even those included some new votes for Laz as well. In fact many deserted Skc for joining mcp alliiance.
Ntcheu is the only district that we can say voted mcp probably because of skc but Other districts in the north or central, no.
In the south mcp as is usual didn’t fair well and no skc or Mia effect there.
My suggestion is that utm should disband and join mcp. People have at last accepted mcp and by 2025 it would have redeemed itself to command trust in the electorate.
Dpp insulted the north, so they would not vote for a party that insults them and with 50+1, dpp is doomed there unless they reservedly apologise. Dpp might even not exist by 2025.
Thoughts of a DPP cadet, utterly dull.
Are you mad? Ulibe nzeru olo imodzi.
I could not read through the wholesome nonsense above.Just looking at the topic is enough to judge it nonsense.With this nonsense,unity can easily break into pieces to the disadvantages of Malawians.Malawi king maker is a Malawian voter not the one voted for.Don’t make Chilima to be pompous.No evidence as of now that Chakwera won because of Chilima.There are many factors of which is that many voters were fed up with APM arongance and DPP as whole.
It is true and we should learn to give credit where it is due
I didn’t read all comments, may be I may say what someone has already said.
To me and to my own version,the change you are talking about, first I see the coming in of Chakwera, because Chilima was picked by the DPP camp in fear of Lazarus Chakwera.
It’s a fact that he has added and or strengthen the MCP to come back onto power, but you need to understand that MCP was there before Chakwera and Chilima if indeed as we are saying, he would not do that much without the coming in of Lazarus, if I challenge you but not describe your opinion as if it’s useless but to make you feel the other way, Chilima if he didn’t join Chakwera,he would never be any where in Politics because there would be a re run between MCP and DPP which I believe, MCP would carry it because of frustrations which people would have after the failing of Chilima camp. Believe me MCP has sharpen Chilimas future in Politics.
Disclaimer:
The views here in are not of the Nyasatimes but of the person by his name.
Whatever you may say, only DPP has the unmatched record of butchering and nipping in the bud twenty-one(21) lives in a day for protesting against DPP’s misrule and mis-government!!!
Chilima has simply redefined politics and changed Malawi political landscape for good in my opinion.
Congrats to Malawi from Zimbabwe. All he best!!
Good article
President wa 2024/25
Mr John Zenaus Ungapake Tembo you could have just watched the ceremony at home
Makes nice reading. The two make a great pair. I like both of them because the values they stand for.Now the two are there, we are expecting positive trend in the way the state takes us forward.
Anybody who understands basic maths cannot disagree with the fact that Chilima helped to secure Chakwera’s win. And as usual he did it with passion and commitment, actually campaigning harder and wider than even Chakwera himself on behalf of the Tonse alliance torchbearer.
I also applaud Chakwera for seeing the value in SKC, that is what great leaders do, they find great minds and talents then allow their talent to flourish for the benefit of all, and they also appreciate and reward that talent. Chakwera has so far shown great leadership, and as a result he is President. On the other hand a poor leader like APM was threatened by the drive of SKC and instead decided to stifle it instead of making use of the young man and basking in his shine. A total contrast in leadership style.
My hope is that Chakwera will continue to make proper use of the huge passion of SKC and allow him to flourish while providing him with wisdom and guidance where necessary because the younger man can sometimes go too far with aggression and drive. Its a perfect combination!
SKC inspires and relates to all young people regardless of political brand, and that is someone that any wise leader can make use of.
Its unfortunate and shallow mindedness to think that giving someone a pat on the back for a job well done is wrong, give credit where its due. Now lets all get to work!!!
chilungamo kuwawa ndithu ena savomeleza izi.
Stupid Mwana wa Malawi just keep quite
This election victory is a win for all Malawians who wanted change, let us stop worshipping and creating godfathers, that is exactly what has ruined this country before…..
Because of this stupid mentality of worshiping our leaders instead of holding them to account, we created for ourselves, a Life President, Atcheya, Mose wa lero, Amayi, and Adadi, very stupid accolades that took Malawi nowhere.
Everybody who voted for Tonse alliance is a king maker because without your vote Chakwera or Chilima were nothing.
The real work starts now to redeem our country from the jaws of poverty, unemployment, tribalism, nepotism and corruption and this war needs all hands on deck from every nyalongwe, nabanda, nadzimbiri, dzonzi, mwale, Gondwe etc.
No matter how good our leaders are, they can not end the above mentioned vices without all of us doing our part…..it is time to move on and stop worshiping individuals.
And my advice to Tonse alliance is this, your strength lies in your togetherness, no single person was or is a hero, everyone of you played a vital role for the victory you are celebrating today, so as the saying goes…..together we stand divided we fall….do not let myopic journalists ruin your togetherness through their divisive articles like this one.
Malawians have huge expectations of the Tonse alliance leaders to deliver on their promises and as if you needed a reminder………
Enough medicines in our hospitals for everyone, 1 million jobs within a year, K4945 fertiliser bags for all starting this year, K50,000 minimum wage starting next month, Brick built and fully furnished classrooms for school children of all ages before end of this first term, free electricity and water connections starting as soon as possible, end to blackouts, immediate end to tribalism, nepotism, and corruption, passing of the following bills, electoral reform bill, access to information bill, decreased presidential powers bill and the removal of presidential immunity.
These and many more are what Malawians are anxiously waiting to see from the Tonse alliance leaders and not who is the king maker or the best campaigner….that is of absolutely no use to me as an ordinary Malawian struggling to make ends meet on daily basis.
All these Tonse alliance promises will need money which obviously in the middle of a pandemic will be had to come by. councils are not collecting enough, companies are laying off their workers and to make matters worse our development partners have their own battles of COVID-19 to contend with
But if none of these promises are fulfilled then I don’t care how good a campaigner Chilima or Chakwera is, you will lose my vote in the next general elections…..thanks.
I am a in strong support to this.If you are in Tonse Alliance with greed we will go no where as Malawi. We need a responsible Malawi. A Malawi that is transparent and accountable. Tax collection no evasion due to party inclinations. Expenditures reasonable in line with priorities. Education we need to restructure our education system from child education all through to university. I warn you politicians make sure you educate Malawi and do not take Malawians for granted they are learning everyday. Handle us maturely. Let no power take control of you. Beware of lies from those around you who are found of misleading .Even morealso when they eat your cake.
Ankolo ndayamika kuganiza kwanu
Wise words no time to praise leaders because everyone has contributed to this victory and as voters we are part of the team
Yes! And very much, Chakwera said it, it was you who did the good job because during this winter people would be home sleeping.
Matoga,you are genius! It’s the unity that has defeated the DPP.For Chilima on his own, he would be far as it was last year, Chakwera wouldn’t be there today, so it’s the UNITY THAT HAS WON!
Why not face reality?? Achewa chomwe mumaziwa ndi gule wankulu basi? Chilima is the game changer and here in the north we coudn’t think of the bloody MCP minus Chilima. Wake up man!!!!
Iwe nyondo dont write stupid articles when you have no clue of the damn facts. MCP since 2013 under the blessed leadership of Dr.Laz, has been in the position to win on it’s own and in 2014, MCP had won the election had it been free n fair, had it not been for SKC who, together with his ex mbavaa boss, rigged the elections using the airtel system. He stole what was a legitimate win for Dr Chakwera. It was this same king maker who after realizing that dpp bigwigs would not allow SKC to rule or be running mate again, he decides to nyoza them n dump dpp. So noone, and I repeat nobody has helped Dr CHAKWERA win this elections. He had won the 2019 election, on his own, but again that mbavaa stole his legitimate victory. So H.E. Dr CHAKWERA has been his own king maker since 2014. So don’t write nonsense.
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You are misinformed..and luck understanding of reality. You can deny all you want there was no chance mcp could have won on it’s own…so smell the coffee and acknowledge the immense contribution Chilima made.
Just do Basic Maths my dear fellow. You mean you actually have a problem with admitting that the Tonse alliance strategy is what secured the Win to get LC into the Presidency? Why is that a problem for you? It was clearly a strategy accepted by all including MCP in the Tonse alliance. Clearly a winning strategy that even gave MCP 142,000 votes in Blantyre.
Pakuvuta ndi pati?
Achewa simuyamika,,, Ife atumbuka takuvoterani chifukwa cha CHILIMA. Agalu a chabe chabe inu tionana 2024.
Musalimbane kuti Chakwera nChilima solo ndani? Dolo nChakwera because his party MCP led the coalition, was on the ballot and won. He’s now commander in Chief of the Armed forces therefore ndi BOMA. There is no deputy commander in chief of the armed forces.
Zipani zina zonse whether DPP, UDF, UTM, PP, AFORD, etc nzotsutsa boma because Chakwera/MCP akalakwitsa zizimzuzula (kutsutsa). They can only become ruling parties if they are swallowed/merged. Case closed
Ruling party? Koma umbuli uli ku Malawi penapake. Nanga akutani enawo mu cabinet?
This us solely to Malawi King Maker Dr. S.K. Chilima though not related. How can Maziko Matembo Chair of Covid 19bsay that he is asking the President not to dissolve the Covid 19 Committee set by APM Government? Zimenezi ndiye zokanikazo. Mukubisa chani?
Spot on article! I voted for Chakwera because of the strategic Chilima. Nde mumapangeso frustrate ku MCP kwanuko, basop!
Somewhat correct except 2014 amd 2019 MCP won and DPP rigged This is why we are here. This time around DPP was not given a chance to rig. Thanks to the intelligent and brave Justice Kachale
I agree with you Mbonga Matoga that Malawi has had a free, fair a d credible election in only 1994 and 2020 only. About the article, it is very true that Chilima is a asset and has helped to push MCP to power. E everybody knows about it. We should not lose him so that DPP should not bounce back to power.
Interesting. Credible election because the ruling party lost in both cases
No…..credible because we could see all the votes from the polling centre to the national tally centre. No tippex brother was used. The MEC chair took no side. All matters brought to the table of MEC in form of grievances were solved before final announcements. The MDF was there to protect electorate from party hooligans.
It was free, fair and credible.
We should be grateful to the Central region for remaining loyal to the MCP 25 years after it lost power. This not only preserved the party, but importantly, it allowed MCP to provide strong opposition to UDF, DPP and even PP. Governments. Truth be said, MCP has remained a formidable party despite attempts to decimate it by successive governments. It is because Central region remained a solid party base that today, MCP is back in power.
The Southern Region was a solid base for UDF. We know what happened when it lost power even in the Eastern region stronghold. You can predict what is going to happen to the stranglehold of DPP of southern region even of the lomwe built now that they are out of power. Political parties need their bases. Democrats and Republicans in the USA have bases/states which the other party cannot dream of winning.
The same in UK.
I come from southern region but have voted for MCP since 1999. I am grateful that the Central region provided the backbone of the party and kept it alive and provided a counterweight and an alternative to successive Governments. It is largely because of this solid base that Chakwera, this time with the help of Chilima, has been elected President.
I believe that MCP was denied of winning by vote theft in 2019,2014 and 2004. So MCP has always been capable of winning in its own. I also believe that if Chilima had not formed UTM in 2018, most of those that voted for Chilima would have voted for MCP because the people were tired of DPP. I acknowledge however, that Chilima offered something fresh to the young mostly first time voters and voters in the North and urban areas who were gojng to struggle voting for DPP. His populist messages and his affable persona offered hope. His pairing with Chakwera therefore made victory a done deal.
What is most important now though, is that they are together in Government now. I hope they will govern us in sidality as they fought for the case and campaigned together.
Chilima played his part in the FPE as did others. To say that MCP won because of Chilima is an over statement. With or without Chilima MCP was capable of winning an election given even play field. In the nullified 2019 election Chakwera won without Chilima. The difference between Chakwera and Chilima was over 700,000 votes, which is a very wide margin. The plain truth is Chakwera and Chilima need each other to improve Malawian lives through provision of better services. Chilima on his own can not win the presidency, he can’t beat Adadi. In short Chakwera plus Chilima = synergy.
A Chamcha ali ziiii . Chipani cha anthu otukwana. SKC azamulura. He is a great thinker and planner. He does his things like a jew. He also leads a modest life. Yesterday he came driving a double cab
This is a painful truth which ardent supporters of mcp will hardly agree. Both Chilima and Chakwera needed each other to win the presidency. The so called mcp heavyweights, like Richard chimwendo Banda and Co, can not attract attract sizeable group of people out side their strongholds as a political novice Comrade Timothy Mtambo can attract in many areas of this country. In conclusion, both mcp and utm must have mutual respect for each other as either party could have not won this election without complementing each other. Other blind loyalists will not attest to this fact and will try to argue in a way that massage their untamed egos.
The numbers dont lie. Chilima won MCP the presidency. My prayer is that Chakwera should treat him as his equal and not his junior because they both campaigned on equal footing. Let Chilima have a big say on how this country should be governed.
Very correct story and he has made me vote for his cause twice. He will rule Malawi one day no doubt.
I totally disagree with you Nyondo. In 2014 it was Chakwera who won elections. Peter never won a single election since he started politics. In 2014 there was massive rigging, helped by Mbendera after accepting bribes from DPP. Mbendera cried in shame, last minute because he was remorseful with what he had done. He even contemplated coming clean by revealing everything and ask for forgiveness. But he got murdered just before doing it by the same DPP to silence him. In 2019 MCP won again but DPP, helped by Ansah brazenly tried to steal their victory again, only to be challenged and embarrassingly crushed by justice. So please write the truth because it will set you free, brother.
Much as I respect and credit SKC as a Man of the Podium, I never expected the writer of this article to plainly dodge from the truth that Chakwera and his MCP has been robbed of his victory twice – in 2014 and 2019 respectively.
Accept the truth a sikelo Gonani other wise you will be a dreamer
Absolutely, and these are the real facts on the ground. If u nyondo dont know this then you are biggest ignorant. U must stop journalism.
This is full of conspiracy theories… speaking as someone who would never have ever voted for MCP and is surrounded by thousands of people who feel the same way but voted because of Chilima….THIS IS AN INSULT….
Lets see how far this will take you. Your success as a cross over party depends on how well you treat Chilima, otherwise as a people you are tribalistic, regional, full of disgusting nyau. Devoid of intellect just ngodya zinai basi.
Nde pitirizani matama anuwo muone how well we will swing at you. Moreover mwalowa with a lot of trepidation its just that APM was an incompetent fool.
Ignore this at your own peril…..
Koma abale, with this Chilima made MCP win mentality Malawi can not develop. Come on people, he came out with 4 MPs in the 2019 election while MCP scooped 55 so what makes you say he made MCP win. Also most of UTM supporters voted for DPP in this year’s election, you are not bringing this into the equation. If you voted MCP it does not mean all UTM supporters voted MCP!! Also, the 2019 election MCP won clearly without UTM only if the tippex was not used. Malawians vote was influenced by want of change and not UTM. Get off your high horses and start thinking development already.
Also Savimbi, Malawi is bigger than you or UTM so speak for yourself. Or do you want to be reminded that he, Chilima, helped DPP steal the vote from MCP in 2014. He was the mastermind of the rigging scheme in 2014 in the hope that he will be made president in 2019. If he was made president by DPP in 2019 he could also have stolen the vote to emerge winner. How quickly you forget. Achewa omwewo kuti wa wa wa. Achewa omwewo kuti wa wa wa kkkkkkkkkkkkk
MCP team, stop dreaming. It is this attitude that made you lose previous elections. What is the problem in admitting that the Tonse alliance strategy helped MCP secure the win? Wasn’t the alliance part of MCP strategy to win? Now that it has worked and you have won, you say we didnt need that strategy to win? You are not true MCP supporters who wish the party well if you think like that, try dissolving the alliance and lets see if you will win alone in 5 years time.
A People, A Party, must have the capacity to grow and expand their thinking and their base by including and appreciating facts and others.
Chewa=MCP; DPP=Lhomwe; chilima=?! We will vote again in 2025 based on .
SKC amatha jealous down
Chilima a great leader with Chakwera they can transform Malawi to benefit everyone including DPP diehards.
The article is very true
Aliyense wapanga contribute kupanda vote ya ife kumpoto mykapanga chani.Achewa ndinu odzikonda kwambiri
Cadet uyu waku thyolo. ur not one of Northerners
Achewa ndi agalu kwambiri. Tionana 2024
I agree to that. 100%
very much true
That goes without saying, hate him or like him BUT Chilima indeed has changed the political landscape in Malawi. As we speak DPP is cursing the day they let Chilima go. The only way for Chakwera is just to work well as a team with him then success is guaranteed. Other than that it will be the downfall or the demise of Chakwera’s political career.
the 2 have VOWED to develop Malawi with the help of us all.
koma ndimadabwa nditavesera bwino bwino wats 9n the vows kuzifusa ndekha kuti koma ma plesdent ose takhala naowa amalumbila zomwe zikunenedwa apazi?? eh khayanga ndithu.
AMBUYE DALITSANI MALAWI
Atambala awiri saalira khola imodzi. It’s Chakwera s turn to shine.
ma Cadet mwati mubwerese kugawanikana. muziona
Chilima is the champion and Malawi is blessed to have someone who is brave.
God bless Chilima
It’s team sport. The team are all champions including the ball boys and supporters.
Brilliant article! you have really captured who and what SKC is. He has brought a new/refreshing dimension to Malawi politics, a furious campaigner, a great orator who has galvanized both the young and the old, a brilliant politician who knows how to connect with the masses…….. and the ice cream on the cake his drop dead beautiful wife Madame Mary Chilima!
One thing you are forgetting Mr Nyondo is that we have had no free and fair elections in this country since 1999, the only credible elections we have had in this country are the 1994 election and the 2020 election.
So it is completely wrong to suggest that MCP did not win because it was only a Chewa peoples party, I can personally tell you that we have robed MCP of a clear victory a few times since 1999.
I agree with you that Chilima has helped the Tonse alliance to win with a majority but do not forget that even in the rigged 2019 election, MCP was second with 55 MPs failing short of just 159000 votes only…..factoring in all the Tippex votes, it is obvious that using the first pass the post criteria MCP won the election in 2019.
Apa palibe za BUT. nkhwidzi bwanji kodi? Chilima is an asset.
Eti eti
am eargerly waiting to hear the cabinet and am double sure that Chilima will be given Mistry of Finance on top of vice presidency
kkkkkkk how sure is your sure kkkkk