BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-As the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government under Peter Mutharika navigates the complexities of governance, it’s worth examining one aspect of the former ruling Malawi Congress Party (MCP) government’s approach that could offer valuable insights – the management of public demonstrations.
While the MCP’s tenure was marked by controversy, its strategy to control demonstrations is a tactic the DPP could consider adopting to maintain stability and protect public property.
During Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s reign as MCP president, the government took a firm stance on public demonstrations, making it clear that they would not be tolerated.
The MCP ensured that the police were preoccupied with other issues, effectively limiting their availability to provide security for demonstrators.
As a result, opposition parties found themselves with little space to hold demonstrations, and their rights to protest were significantly curtailed.
While this approach may seem restrictive, it did have one notable benefit – it prevented the destruction of public property that often accompanies large-scale demonstrations.
In a country where public resources are scarce, protecting infrastructure and maintaining order is crucial for development.
The DPP government could learn from the MCP’s playbook on this issue. By implementing similar measures to control demonstrations, the DPP could minimize disruptions and safeguard public assets.
This is not to suggest that the MCP’s overall governance was exemplary, but rather that this specific tactic has merit in maintaining stability.
It’s essential to acknowledge that the MCP’s approach to demonstrations was not without controversy, and human rights advocates may argue that it infringed upon citizens’ rights to protest.
However, in the context of Malawi’s fragile infrastructure and limited resources, the DPP government might consider adopting a similar strategy to balance the right to demonstrate with the need to protect public property.
The MCP’s approach was straightforward: make it clear that demonstrations would not be tolerated, and ensure that the police were not available to provide security for such events.
This effectively squeezed the opposition’s ability to demonstrate, but it also maintained order and prevented destruction.
The DPP government should take note of this strategy and consider implementing similar measures.
By doing so, they may find that they can maintain stability and protect public assets, ultimately benefiting the country as a whole.
Not all that the MCP did was bad, and in this instance, the DPP can borrow a leaf from their book to ensure a more stable governance.
In conclusion, while the MCP’s governance had its flaws, their approach to controlling demonstrations is worth considering.
The DPP government should examine this tactic and adapt it to suit their needs, prioritizing stability and the protection of public property.
By doing so, they may find that they can navigate the complexities of governance more effectively, and Malawi can move forward with greater stability.
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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-President Peter Mutharika’s government of Malawi is set to connect 2,000 secondary schools in rural areas to the internet through the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority’s (MACRA) Connect A School project.
Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Shadric Namalomba has announced.
Speaking during a tour of Phalula Community Day Secondary School’s ICT lab in Balaka, Namalomba emphasized the government’s commitment to achieving the Malawi 2063 Agenda, which aims to transform the country into a wealthy and self-reliant nation through ICT knowledge.
MACRA Acting Director General, Mphatso Mpiri, reaffirmed the authority’s dedication to scaling up connectivity to rural secondary schools, stating that the main objective is to open students to the world.
The installation of ICT labs has already shown improvements in student performance, according to Nancy Winiko, Desk Officer for Secondary Schools in the South East Education Division.
Phalula CDSS Head Teacher, Francis Chimwaza, reported improved pass rates, with highest scores in MSCE exams ranging from 17 to 19 points since the lab’s installation in 2023.
The Connect A School project is part of MACRA’s efforts to promote digital inclusion and empower Malawi’s education sector through technology.
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By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-In line with Transforming the game Agenda, the Malawi Football governing body has increased subvention for its Member Associations (MAs) to MK40 million from MK30 million per year, representing a 33 percent hike.
This was agreed during the budget consultative meeting that the association held with its member associations at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on 29th November, 2025.
This was the second time FAM held the consultative meeting before the commencement of the Financial Year which runs from January to December. Last year, the meeting also took place at BNS.
Among other things, FAM President Fleetwood Haiya announced a MK11.8 billion revenue budget.
FAM is expected to spend MK14.6 billion, representing a 37 % increase from the current year’s MK10.6 billion, projected to December 2025.
FAM projected revenue budget will be funded by the Malawi Government, Sale of Merchandise, Television and Broadcasting Rights, Annual subvention from Confederations of African Football (CAF), sponsors partnership with the corporate world and FIFA.
The FAM Executive Committee which met the following day approved the budget which is expected to be approved by a FAM Extra Ordinary Annual General Meeting before the start of the year.
Haiya also highlighted that the seven key objectives for the year 2026.
The objectives include the Malawi National Football Team, the Flames participation in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers, WAFCON which will act as Women’s World Cup Qualifiers for the Malawi Women’s National Football Team, the Scorchers and the World Cup Qualifiers for Under-20 Women’s National Team.
Furthermore, Qualifiers for the CAF competition for Junior Teams, Grassroots and Youth Football Development Programs.
On behalf of all Member Associations, Central Region Football Association (CRFA) General Secretary Antonio Manda hailed FAM for promoting transparency in the formulation of the budget.
“The meeting was extremely important as it provided a platform for all members to engage with FAM on key financial priorities for upcoming season.
“0It allowed us as Member Associations to collectively asses resource allocation, identify areas requiring strategic investment and ensure that the budget aligns with it will improve competition management by ensuring quality officiation, logistics and match organisation,” said Manda.
The budget consultative meeting is an annual session where FAM meets the Member Associations to present the following year’s draft budget, solicit views and align with FAM’s plans with its members.
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By Dorica Mtenje
LILONGWE (MaraviPost) — Blantyre South East Member of Parliament Jeremiah Jumbe has called on the government to prioritize construction of a Blantyre bypass road, saying the project is essential for easing congestion and boosting the city’s long-term development.
Speaking in an interview with The MaraviPost on Wednesday, Jumbe said the proposed road would reduce traffic pressure in the city center and open new areas for investment, residential growth, and commercial expansion.
Jumbe argued that development efforts currently taking place in major cities particularly Lilongwe must be matched with similar infrastructure projects in Blantyre to ensure balanced national progress.
“Road infrastructure is a key driver of development,” he said. “I would love to see government continue the development agenda that President Peter Mutharika launched in 2019. Constructing a bypass road for Blantyre would significantly align the city with the improvements we are seeing elsewhere.”
The lawmaker noted that Blantyre’s rapid population growth and increasing vehicle traffic demand modern road networks to support economic productivity.
Jumbe also emphasized that opening new transport corridors would stimulate private sector activity, attract investors, and create job opportunities for local communities.
Residents and business owners have long expressed concerns over traffic congestion in Blantyre, especially during peak hours. A bypass road has been proposed several times over the past decade, but implementation has stalled due to funding limitations and shifting government priorities.
Jumbe said he intends to lobby both the Ministry of Transport and Parliament’s Public Works Committee to revive feasibility studies and push the project back onto the national agenda.
“The people of Blantyre deserve modern infrastructure and we cannot grow our economy if our roads remain outdated and overwhelmed.”he said.
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LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-In a rare show of legislative self-restraint, Anthony Masamba has called on Malawi’s Members of Parliament to reduce their own salaries and fuel allowances in support of President Peter Mutharika’s government’s austerity measures.
Masamba posed a pointed question in Parliament — “Is it right for us to enjoy full salaries and fuel benefits while imposing punitive measures on poor Malawians?”
His appeal underscores a growing recognition among some lawmakers that public servants should share the pain in times of national economic distress.
Masamba’s stance comes as the government rolls out a sweeping package of budget-cutting measures intended to rein in recurring expenditure and stabilise public finances.
Among the austerity steps recently announced are a freeze on new staff recruitment, a suspension of promotions without Treasury approval, and a prohibition on the purchase of new government vehicles.
Fuel entitlements for ministers and senior public officers — a traditional perk enjoyed by the political elite — have been cut by 30%.
These moves follow pressure from economic experts, who warn that growing public debt, inflation and fiscal imbalance demand urgent corrective action.
Against this backdrop, Masamba’s call resonates as both morally compelling and politically significant.
He argued that lawmakers cannot in good conscience retain full benefits when ordinary Malawians face rising hardship — a point that taps directly into questions of equity, legitimacy, and public trust.
His remarks triggered murmurs of disagreement in the chamber, showing that not all legislators are ready to embrace austerity in their own ranks.
The First Deputy Speaker responded by urging Masamba to formalise the proposal through a Private Member’s Bill if he wished to advance the idea.
Beyond the symbolism, the proposal has significant structural implications for governance in Malawi.
If implemented, a cut in MPs’ remuneration and perks could meaningfully reduce the wage burden on the exchequer — a burden which, according to recent budget data, has swollen alarmingly.
Statutory payments — including wages, pensions and debt servicing — now consume about 89 percent of domestic revenue, squeezing out resources for development, education, and health.
Indeed, debt-servicing costs have grown so large that they reportedly exceed combined allocations for education and health in the 2025/26 budget.
In such a context, even modest reductions in allowances and perks for high-income public officials could free up resources for critical sectors.
Masamba’s appeal also raises broader questions about political accountability and the social contract between representatives and the citizenry.
If MPs are willing to share the sacrifice — rather than merely demand more from taxpayers — it could strengthen public confidence in political leadership.
Conversely, failure to act might reinforce perceptions of privilege, disconnect, and hypocrisy among the political class — especially at a time when many Malawians struggle to cope with rising cost of living, inflation, and reduced public services.
The call for internal austerity among lawmakers also complements external pressure from economists and civil society groups demanding disciplined public spending and prudent fiscal management.
But for such a shift to materialize, structural reforms and political will are needed.
A Private Member’s Bill, as suggested by the First Deputy Speaker, would need to be drafted, debated, and passed — a process that could test political courage and unity, especially among those accustomed to generous allowances.
Moreover, any reduction must be transparent and legally binding, to avoid symbolic gestures that are reversed as soon as public attention wanes.
In a country where government debt is soaring, borrowing is increasing, and revenue mobilisation remains fragile, Masamba’s call signals a potential turning point.
It aligns with the logic of austerity but also injects a moral dimension: that those who benefit most when times are good should also share the burden when times are hard.
For Malawi, this could mark the beginning of a deeper paradigm shift — from public service as a pathway to personal enrichment, to public service as a genuine act of stewardship.
If the idea gains momentum, it could pave the way for more far-reaching reforms: a leaner legislature, reduced perks, and a stronger alignment between public interest and political remuneration.
Ultimately, the test will be whether words translate into action.
Will MPs be willing to lead by example, sacrificing their own perks for the greater good? Or will this remain a symbolic gesture, aborted by entrenched interests?
Only time — and the courage of the Legislature — will tell.
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