Malawi’s 2030 race has not officially started. No whistles have blown. No campaign songs are blaring. But make no mistake — the warm-up laps are underway.
On one side of the political highway, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) appears to be carefully adjusting the rear-view mirror and polishing Dr. George Chaponda as the possible heir after Peter Mutharika finally parks the vehicle. On the other side, within the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), the names Eisenhower Mkaka and McBride Nkhalamba are silently beginning to echo in corridors as a potential future torchbearers should President Lazarus Chakwera step aside.
Ladies and gentlemen, the succession chessboard is quietly being arranged.
Today, Let Us Begin Let US Begin Exclusively with Chaponda
Once politically bruised by the maize-gate scandal — a controversy that pushed him out of Cabinet and into the wilderness — Chaponda has staged what can only be described as a Lazarus-style resurrection. Not only is he back, he is firmly seated in the influential Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In politics, that is not a small chair. It is a revolving one — and it rotates towards visibility.
President Mutharika’s decision to delegate Chaponda to represent him at a high-level NEPAD Heads of State and Government meeting was not routine housekeeping. It was political theatre. Why Chaponda and not the Vice President? Because in politics, symbolism speaks louder than press statements.
Delegation is endorsement. Exposure is grooming. Visibility is preparation.
The DPP knows that succession is not an accident. It is rehearsed long before convention delegates lift their hands. The man who stands beside the President internationally today could be the man asking for votes nationally tomorrow.
But here is the uncomfortable punchline: has Chaponda’s image truly been cleansed, or merely dry-cleaned? Political comebacks are impressive, but public memory can be stubborn. Malawi forgives — sometimes. It forgets — rarely.
Still, one cannot ignore the pattern. Malawi has shown comfort with experienced, elder statesmen. Age has never been a disqualifier. In fact, it has often been marketed as wisdom. In that script, Chaponda fits perfectly: seasoned, loyal, internationally exposed, and trusted by the party’s patriarch.
If this is a trial balloon, it is flying rather steadily.
Now shift the spotlight to MCP
We promise to come back with full perspective of what appears to be brewing in the former governing party. Inside its corridors and in its satellite establishments , the 2030 question looms quietly: will Chakwera continue, or will a new face take the microphone? names of Eisenhower Mkaka and McBride Nkhalamba are increasingly whispered as a possible successors.
Unlike the DPP’s visible choreography, MCP’s succession dance is subtle. No dramatic spotlights. No obvious grooming. But political observers can sense movement beneath the surface.
For now, the stage lights are dim but warming. The actors are adjusting their scripts. The applause has not yet begun. But make no mistake — the road to 2030 is already under construction.
And it promises to be one thrilling ride.
