April 5th — a date engraved in the heart of Malawi’s political history. It is the day the late President Bingu wa Mutharika, the architect of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), departed this world. One would expect that on such a solemn day, the DPP, particularly its current leader and Bingu’s own brother, Peter Mutharika, would clear the calendar, lead the nation in remembrance, and honour the man whose vision created the very vehicle that carried Peter into State House.
But alas, in what can only be described as a tone-deaf dereliction of duty, Peter Mutharika has postponed his brother’s memorial service. No compelling explanation has been given. Is he preoccupied with matters of greater importance than the legacy of the man who handed him power, party, and presidency on a silver platter? Or — dare we ask — is this simply institutional forgetfulness coated in political cowardice?
The whispers are getting louder: Is the DPP broke? That a party boasting scores of Members of Parliament, men and women who rode on the coattails of Bingu’s charisma and credibility, cannot raise a tambala to host a basic commemoration — on the exact day Bingu died — is not only baffling, it is borderline blasphemous. What happened to loyalty? What happened to dignity?
Even more scandalous is the pitiful state of Mpumulo wa Bata, Bingu’s final resting place. Once envisioned as a national symbol of legacy and respect, today it lies choked in weeds, ignored by the same violent cadets who once thundered with fists in Bingu’s name. Now they can’t even lift a machete to clear the bush. One wonders: Is the party too broke to employ a local to maintain the tomb of its founding father? Or is it just too indifferent?
Yet, let’s be fair — perhaps the neglect stems not from collective party poverty, but from Peter Mutharika’s own failing health. Sources close to the PAGE House in Mangochi confirm what the DPP would rather keep buried: the party leader is gravely ill, battling age-related complications common to men rapidly nearing their 90s. And while no one should be mocked for aging — indeed, longevity is a blessing — it is sheer political delusion to present a man in declining health as a viable presidential candidate.
Let’s pause and think: If Peter Mutharika can’t attend his own brother’s memorial, how, pray tell, will he campaign across Malawi’s rugged terrain, under the punishing tropical sun, delivering speeches, kissing babies, and managing a nation of 20 million diverse souls? Are we supposed to believe that a man who needs constant medical attention can also attend to the affairs of the state?
The DPP’s obsession with secrecy only worsens matters. In an era of Access to Information, they owe the public clarity — not only about their leader’s health, but about the party’s direction. Instead, they serve silence. But as the saying goes, you can hide illness today, just as you can try to hide a pregnancy — but one day, the truth will show.
In all this, we are reminded of the U.S. Democrats, who, after months of hesitance, pressured President Joe Biden to bow out due to age concerns. Why can’t the DPP take a page from that playbook? They still have time to sober up, rally around a fresh candidate, and reintroduce themselves to the electorate. If they fail to do so, they might as well prepare for a coronation rather than a contest — for President Lazarus Chakwera will cruise to re-election virtually unchallenged.
And when that happens — don’t say we didn’t warn you.
