Th e Rastafarian community yesterday mobilised members of various political parties, civil society groups and the public in a march for peace, tolerance and unity ahead of the September 16 2025 General Election.
Organised by One Love One Malawi, a group of Rastafari members, the march started from the Clock Tower in Blantyre to Nyambadwe Primary School Ground in Ndirande Township through the dual-carriage Magalasi Road.
Representatives of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), United Democratic Front (UDF), UTM Party, Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Liberation for Economic Freedom Party were among the participants.
One Love One Malawi chairperson Elijah Phekani said the Rastas were apolitical and value peace; hence, they want political parties to compete on policies and not violence.
He said their expectation is that during the campaign period,
politicians will not use their platforms to promote violence, but focus on providing solutions for the development of the country.
“Politics is a trade of ideas and not attacking personalities or hacking each other. What politicians say on podiums will determine what their followers do,” said Phekani.
He said they plan to conduct similar events in the Central and Northern regions of the country.
In a separate interview, Nyabhingi National Council of Malawi treasurer Empress Chisomo said people in the country should not allow politics to divide them.
Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu, Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire, DPP director of youth Norman Chisale and UTM director
of youth Penjani Kalua were among prominent politicians in attendance. The marchers were also joined by Blantyre City deputy mayor Isaac Jomo Osman and National Initiative for Civic Education Trust Blantyre programmes officer Glory Ngosi.
In his remarks, Chisale said DPP is committed to promoting peace and engaging other parties to resolve any differences.
“Our pledge is that going forward, you will not hear about any acts of violence,” he said.
On hi s pa r t, UDF representative Brushy Vomerani said no person should allow to
be used for political violence in the four months to the general election.
Speaking during the parade, Kunkuyu praised the Rastafarian community for organising the parade and encouraged them to conduct similar events in other parts of the country.
In her speech, Ngosi reminded the public that good leaders are those who promote tolerance, peace and issue-based politics.
At the end of the parade at Nyambadwe Primary School Ground, there were speeches and performances from the Black Missionaries Band.
On Monday this week parties under the Centre for Multiparty Democracy banner committed to refrain from political violence in the run up to the elections.
The parade comes as the country has been experiencing political violence in various places.
Some of the violence has been intraparty, inter party while other incidents have been against people planning demonstrations.
On May 11 this year, a minibus transporting DPP followers was set ablaze at Mponela in Dowa as the party members were returning from a political rally in Ntchisi.
In February, people in Machinga stoned a vehicle carrying Malawi Congress Party (MCP) members who were on their way to a political rally at Senior Chief Nyambi headquarters in the district.
