UTM Party president Dalitso Kabambe says the September 16 2025 General Election offers Malawians an opportunity for a fresh start to overcome a myriad of challenges they are grappling with.
The former Reserve Bank of Malawi governor said this yesterday at St. Michael and All Angels Multipurpose Hall in Blantyre where he attended special prayers for the elections organised by Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Blantyre Synod.
“This year’s elections have brought us together on a point of decision; whether we should progress or retrogress. The elections are very crucial and we need to hit the reset button,” he said.
Kabambe, who was the only one of the 15 presidential aspirants who have so far collected nomination papers, said it was sad that despite Malawi being endowed with resources, leaders have failed to transform the country and instead opted to loot taxes for self-enrichment.
secretary Reverend Silas Ncozana. | Lloyd chitsulo
He said this was one of the main reasons Malawians have struggled to access essential services.
Kabambe, an economist, said Malawi has become a highly-indebted country with a bloated public service wage bill; hence, taxes are being used for interest rates payment and public service salaries instead of investing in productive sectors.
“We are at a difficult juncture as a country. We need to get our country on the right path,” he said.
Kabambe asked the clergy to continue praying for the country as the election draws closer.
In an interview after the prayers, CCAP Blantyre Synod deputy general secretary the Reverend Baxton Maulidi said they organised the prayers to seek divine protection as the country moves towards the election. He also said the synod itself is heading to the polls this August.
On whether the invitation was extended to other politicians, he said: “We invited all stakeholders and fortunately or unfortunately, we only have the presence of Dr. Kabambe. We thank God for his presence. We pray that next time we are having prayers, other stakeholders should also come and join.”
During the prayers, the clergy also prayed for Kabambe, a gesture Maulidi said did not mean electoral endorsement.
He said: “We needed all stakeholders to come, including political parties so that we could pray for them. So, we were here to pray for each and every political party or presidential candidate, or whosever.”
Meanwhile, CCAP General Synod, which comprises Zambia, Zimbabwe and the three synods in Malawi, is tomorrow set to hold national prayers at St Andrew’s CCAP in Mzuzu City to pray for peaceful election.
CCAP Synod of Livingstonia general secretary the Reverend William Tembo said the General Synod wants to lead in bringing unity ahead of the polls and has invited all presidential candidates.
The prayers come amid a spate of violence ahead of the elections.
