Dear Judge Mbadwa,
The recent unveiling of running mates has laid bare one undeniable fact: within our political parties, you remain madeya—maize bran—until the appointing authority decides otherwise.
Let me jog the memories of those who lived through the Davite Car-pitol era and enlighten those born after 2000.
Back then, Car-pitol dismissed every would-be heir apparent in the Yellow Party as worthless madeya, simply to clear the path for Chairman’s open-term bid—an ambition that ultimately failed.
Though I didn’t agree that the voices that were muted by supporters of the open term bid belonged to the madeya category, I am inclined to believe that most of the party gurus recently sidelined in the choice of running mates, especially in Lazaro’s Cockerel Party and Mapuya’s People’s Demagogic Party, are actually madeya.
Lazaro’s Cockerel Party and Mapuya’s People’s Democratic Party have repeated the same script. Before nominations, the so-called “big names” were privately assuring supporters they’d clinch the running-mate slot—and publicly trashing any rivals in sight. Yet when the curtain lifted, none of them made the cut.
Mapuya surprised everyone by choosing Mai Madando—someone with zero party pedigree. Clearly, he gave the insiders a resounding vote of no confidence: they’re madeya.
Likewise, Lazaro bypassed every self-proclaimed “more cockerel than the rest” hopeful. Their pedigree counted for nothing once the boss shook his head.
Here’s the hard truth, my lord: no amount of personal fame, humility or leadership talent matters if you haven’t first won the favour of the appointing authority. You’re simply madeya—tossed aside at will.
So let’s stop this charade. If you truly believed you had influence, why didn’t you rein in the parachuting of outsiders into your own party? Why didn’t you openly disagree with the selection after the nominations?
This election season, these madeya should abandon their pretence of power. Save us the posturing, accept your place in the hierarchy—and maybe, just maybe, the boss will lift you from the bran heap.
Ndi nthawi ya zisankho ino.
Regards,
John Citizen
