The Malawi Congress Party’s convention, now dramatically unfolding on its second day, is on the cusp of unveiling crucial results as vote counting continues. Insider whispers suggest that Dr. Jessie Kabwira has clinched the position of Publicity Secretary, delivering a crushing defeat to Ezikiel Ching’oma, though the Shire Times has yet to verify these claims independently.
A storm of concern is brewing among party loyalists, as there is growing fear that several of the party’s heavyweights vying for different positions might be ousted from the National Executive Committee (NEC), thereby weakening the party’s core.
The fiercely contested Secretary General race is a prime example, where only one victor will emerge, leaving the rest potentially sidelined from the NEC—an outcome seen as deeply troubling. The contenders, including Chris Chaima, Chatinkha Chidzanja Nkhoma, Simplex Chithyola, Richard Chimwendo, Dyson Kamphambe, Alex Meja, Albert Mbawala, and Eisenhower Mkaka, face a high-stakes battle that could reshape the party’s future.
Senior political analyst Joseph Masina warns that without a strategic plan to ensure all key figures remain within the NEC, the party’s strength could be significantly diminished.
“They should have strategized to secure positions for all heavyweights in the NEC to maintain the party’s power. As it stands, some will be reduced to mere ordinary members, effectively alienating them from NEC and weakening the party. We can only hope they will be co-opted into deputy roles,” Masina cautioned.
