By: James Mwangalli
Some politicians, especially those currently in the Malawi opposition block, can be funny to think that what worked in 1994 can equally work now, but hey may be that is characteristic of politicians! From 1993 thru 1994 the UDF convinced Malawians by simply selling the message of change.
The electorate then was of the view that ‘change’ implied everything being positive and rosy, this coupled with the excitement of doing away with dictator Kamuzu Banda, that simple promise of change saw the United Democratic Front (UDF) carrying the day, a simple promise of change without explaining what should change and how the change will be affected. What happened thereafter is an issue for another day.
In 1999, the United Democratic Front (UDF) had to up the game and advanced further promises, free everything and handouts, remember the K50 notes that Bakili Muluzi used to distribute? Well it worked for the UDF then as Bakili Muluzi was christened wosaumira, woyenda mmaliro etc.
In 2004 however, the UDF faced a relatively well informed and inquisitive voter, who wouldn’t just go for fake promises. The electorate wanted to hear concrete measures on how the country will be transformed etc.
The UDF itself couldn’t use the ‘change’ slogan, the promises couldn’t hold anymore, the K50 notes were not a bait enough, hence the poor performance then.
The late Bingu WA Mutharika correctly read the situation and realised that Malawians were well informed and needed their politicians to deliver and not mere promises. President Bingu WA Mutharika therefore worked extremely hard and delivered in many fronts despite a hostile opposition then…he was handsomely rewarded as reflected in the 2009 presidential elections when he was unanimously voted across Malawi.
When Bingu WA Mutharika died, Joyce Banda came on the scene and within two years she was swept aside as the electorate opted for the mighty DPP courtesy of its impeccable past performance.
What this means is that Malawians are becoming more mature politically and that mere promises without clarity on how such promises will be implemented is not good enough.
Therefore my brothers and sisters in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and other opposition parties should never think that simply saying they will change things…simply saying they are a better alternative is not enough for the electorate to vote for them in 2019.
Malawians need to hear more, i.e. what it that they will do differently?, otherwise I can declare without fear of contradiction that MCP and the other opposition parties will lose the elections in 2019. Yes the DPP may have its challenges but as things are, MCP and its opposition fellows do not inspire the electorate, they are not a good enough alternative.
