Party mood exploded across the country yesterday after President Lazarus Chakwera conceded defeat to former president Peter Mutharika in the September 16 2025 General Election presidential race.
Moments after Chakwera made his address at midday acknowledging that the results were not in his favour, hundreds of Malawians, particularly the youth, thronged into the streets in cities and towns in jubilation.
Mutharika’s win
In Limbe and parts of Blantyre, groups of jubilant young men and women went as far as climbing on billboards and street light poles to remove flags, posters and campaign materials associated with Chakwera and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Others were seen carrying the torn-down materials as trophies while some set them ablaze, declaring the “end of an era”.
Vendors also joined the wave of celebrations, though the mood quickly turned tense in some areas.
In Limbe, at Hardware, Okhai, Kapenga, Petroda and bus depot, some minibus callboys clashed over the “ownership” of bus and minibus terminals popularly known as migodi.
Callboys linked to Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) claimed that they were sidelined during Chakwera’s administration and were now “reclaiming space” in anticipation of a new political order.
In an interview yesterday, Kapenga minibus terminal chairperson Willard Mamiwa observed that since Chakwera has conceded defeat to Mutharika, it was their time to take control of migodi which were being controlled by people linked to MCP.
Despite the clashes, the larger atmosphere across the city was one of festivity. Makeshift street parties emerged in several neighbourhoods, with people blowing whistles, beating drums, and singing songs, praising Mutharika.
As at 1pm, most businesses in the city, including banks, supermarkets, and second-hand clothes went to bed. Some minibuses were also parked, forcing passengers to walk to their respective homes.
In Lilongwe, spot-checks around Lilongwe CBD (Old Town) showed many shops closed while bus stops were congested with commuters waiting to catch transport back home.
In Mangochi, crowds began flocking to Mangochi Town as early as 11am anticipating MEC’s scheduled 2pm announcement.
The excitement reached its peak shortly after Chakwera conceded defeat and sent a congratulatory message to the President-elect, fondly known as APM.
The streets of Mangochi, where Mutharika has lived at his beachside home since 2020, were filled with jubilation as hundreds of bicycle operators, traders and residents expressed their joy in song, dance, and various displays of celebration.
Spot checks at Katoto Primary and Secondary schools in Mzuzu City found that learning was continuing during morning hours.
Katoto Primary school head teacher Jonathan Lungani said they planned to suspend afternoon classes to protect learners from possible civil unrest.
