What is now being celebrated as President Peter Mutharika’s successful maize importation from Zambia actually began under the leadership of former President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, according to former Agriculture Minister Dalitso Kawale.
Writing on his Facebook page, Kawale clarified that the maize deal with Zambia was initiated by Chakwera himself, long before the September elections. He revealed that it was during the Kulamba ceremony that Chakwera met Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema and made a formal request for maize supplies to cushion Malawi’s food crisis.
“President Hichilema asked his Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Mtolo, to contact me as Malawi’s then Minister of Agriculture to work out the details,” said Kawale. “I met Ambassador Kaunda the following day to begin logistical arrangements, and soon after that, Minister Mtolo and his delegation came to Malawi on September 15 to finalise the deal.”
Kawale explained that the arrangement was already in motion weeks before the elections and that the current government under Mutharika has simply continued and concluded what Chakwera’s administration had already started.
“The bottom line,” Kawale emphasised, “is that APM has implemented what was initiated by Chakwera — for the sake of Malawians.”
Analysts say this revelation dismantles claims that Chakwera’s administration ignored Malawi’s looming hunger situation. On the contrary, it shows that the former president took proactive steps to secure maize imports before leaving office — a decision that is now helping to stabilise the country’s food supply.
In short, while President Mutharika may take credit for delivering the maize, the groundwork was laid by Chakwera, whose foresight ensured that Malawians would not go hungry.
