During their national elective conferences, political parties’ delegates had a moral duty of presenting to Malawians robust, ethical, capable, and passionate presidential candidates for the September 16 2025 General Elections.
However, it is debatable if this has been accomplished. Many leaders assumed unchallenged positions, which reflect dangerous political ideologies.
Despite its abundant natural resources and youthful population, Malawi faces numerous challenges that demand capable leaders and Malawians should rigorously analyse the leaders presented to contest in the forthcoming presidential election.
Voting is more than just casting a ballot. It is an opportunity for Malawians to re-assess their political leaders’ policies, foster effective change, redefine national values and ultimately shape the country’s future.
Politicians know that elections are less than a year away. This makes it crucial for political parties and candidates to connect or reconnect with the voters.
During the campaign period, Malawians should expect an increase in politicians giving out money, T-shirts, grain and other handouts to communities, churches, schools and charitable causes to cultivate goodwill despite their shortcomings and broken promises.
The election fever drives politicians to employ exaggerated or insincere claims to win votes. This is the time they often make unrealistic promises and feign a friendly face to build trust and rapport with voters.
This is where the electorate must consider or reconsider the type of leaders we wish to elect.
As Malawians, we must envision an ideal leader who embodies a blend of favourable qualities.
The country has tried various types of politicians, including learned medical doctors, shrewd businesspersons, professors, activists and pastors, but still stagnates.
Now is the time to combine the best attributes of past leaders.
We should seek candidates with strong educational backgrounds, religious values, passion for sustainable development and business management experience, rather than electing leaders because they distributed T-shirts or bought a coffin. A leader must be all-rounded.
Leaders without sound education pose numerous risks to governance and economic development. They may find it difficult to navigate complex policy issues and governance intricacies, leading to poorly informed decisions.
A leader with minimal education may be easily manipulated by schemers with selfish agendas, lacking the vision and long-term planning skills for national development.
Without a solid foundation in political governance ion and understanding of human dynamics, a leader may struggle in appointing relevant minds to add value to budgeting, resource management and decision-making.
A leader lacking corporate governance knowledge may mishandle public resources and fail to attracting foreign investment, resulting in waste of resources, corruption, economic mismanagement, missed opportunities and stifled job creation.
Moreover, electing a leader without passion, religious values or concern for the people can create apathy toward governance, stalling necessary reforms and progress in critical areas.
The absence of ethical grounding may lead to corrupt practices that prioritise personal gain over the public good.
Finding a politician who embodies all these attributes—education, strong business acumen, passion, and religious conviction—is not easy but achievable.
Yes, effective leadership requires a holistic approach.
The leaders must possess a blend of empathy, pragmatic problem-solving skills, transparency, integrity and willpower to be held accountable for his or her promises and principles.
An ideal leader for Malawi must inspire hope, demonstrates genuine concern for the well-being of the most vulnerable populations and forge strong partnerships with international donors, non-governmental organisations and local stakeholders.
The selection process should transcend politics, regional borders, gender, religion, hate, age limits, political experience, tribes, nepotism and cronyism.
It should value individual qualifications and allow capable and principled leaders to emerge.
The future of Malawi depends on electing leaders capable of driving sustainable development.
The party delegates have done their part, it now over to you, the electorate.
