Malawi is witnessing a renaissance — a long-overdue resurrection of meaningful infrastructure, and it’s happening under the watch of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP). The ongoing rehabilitation of the M1 Road from Kamuzu International Airport to Kasungu, including the Dowa Turnoff–Mponela section, is not just a road project; it’s a statement. A reminder of what development used to look like in the golden days of Kamuzu Banda, whose legacy was defined by discipline, durability, and nation-first priorities. For over 50 years, this critical stretch of road stood as a symbol of foundational infrastructure. Yet for 25 years, successive governments — particularly under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) — turned a blind eye as potholes turned into craters and smooth rides became dangerous detours.
Now, under President Lazarus Chakwera’s leadership, the Kamuzu standard is back. No shortcuts. No cosmetic patchwork. Just solid, pothole-free roads that can stand the test of time — unlike the infamous DPP projects that crumbled in months, fooling no one but their architects.
Ask the residents of Chipasula—Area 23 or people of Senti in Area 25 in Lilongwe and you’ll hear a familiar, bitter tale—one of betrayal hidden beneath a thin layer of tarmac. In 2019, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), under former President Peter Mutharika, hurriedly plastered a poorly constructed road across these neighbourhoods. With handshakes and hollow smiles, they promised development — but what the people got was deception dressed as infrastructure. The road barely survived one rainy season. By the time the skies cleared, potholes large enough to plant bananas had opened up, endangering lives and mocking the intelligence of the very people they sought to impress.
For many locals, this wasn’t just a broken road — it was a broken promise. A symbol of what happens when political expediency trumps patriotism. There was no love for country in the way that road was laid, no sense of responsibility in its execution — just a cynical attempt to buy votes with asphalt that couldn’t even last a year. And for that, the people haven’t forgiven. Nor should they.
Today, as Malawi moves forward under new leadership, memories of that disaster still linger beneath the wheels of daily traffic. It’s a potent reminder that leadership is not about quick fixes and flashy ribbon-cuttings. It’s about integrity, durability, and serving people with honesty. The DPP failed that test, and Lilongwe won’t forget.
However, with President Chakwera, the story is different. President Chakwera is investing in the backbone of a nation, not the blindfolding of a frustrated electorate. Chakwera’s administration is not just paving roads — it’s paving the path to 2030, with trust and tangible results.
This isn’t politics as usual — this is nation-building on concrete foundations. And if anyone’s wondering why support for the MCP continues to rise, the answer lies right there on the tarmac. As the rumble of heavy machinery echoes across central Malawi, one thing is clear: the Kamuzu spirit lives on, and under Chakwera, it’s driving us forward.
