Mangochi Monkey-Bay, long regarded as a DPP fortress, has fallen to Malawi Congress Party’s Gerald Kazembe in what analysts are calling a dramatic political upset. Kazembe, often described as a gladiator for his resilience, has defeated veteran politician Ralph Jooma in a contest that turned into a landslide victory for MCP.
From Cape Maclear to Nkope, unofficial results show Kazembe consistently outpacing Jooma, even in areas traditionally loyal to the opposition. For example, at Cape Maclear Primary, Kazembe polled 2,673 votes against Jooma’s 876. At Ntakataka, Kazembe widened the gap with 1,301 votes to Jooma’s 662, while at Nkope, Kazembe’s 1,156 comfortably overshadowed Jooma’s 829. Though Jooma managed to claim a handful of stations such as Mbwadzulu and Ulande, the overall trend left little doubt—Monkey-Bay has shifted colours, turning red for MCP.
For Kazembe, this victory is not just personal but historic. In 2019, he came close but fell short; this year, persistence and what locals describe as his “servant leadership” carried him over the line. “2019 inawawa, but God’s time is the best,” one supporter said, echoing the celebratory mood across Monkey-Bay.
Observers say this contest will be remembered as a classic case of how relentless grassroots mobilisation, resilience, and party momentum can overturn even the most entrenched strongholds. As one analyst put it, “Kazembe didn’t just win a seat—he tore down a wall in enemy territory.”
