BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-As the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) unveiled its much-anticipated manifesto amid pomp and flair in Blantyre on Sunday, August 3, 2025 many Malawians left wondering whether the document is a serious blueprint for national development or just another glossy cover hiding empty promises.
At the centreof the controversy is a bold, eyebrow-raising promise made by DPP’s policy advisor, Collins Magalasi, who declared that every single one of Malawi’s 229 constituencies will receive a staggering MK5 billion every year for development projects.That translates to K1.145 trillion annually more than the country’s entire domestic revenue.
When asked where such money would come from, Magalasi, without flinching, said: “I am an economist. The money will be generated locally.”
His vague and evasive response has since drawn waves of criticism, with many branding it as intellectual arrogance masking economic fiction.
One prominent social media commentator, Onjezani Kenani, took to Facebook to lambast the claim.
“Don’t take Malawians for fools. With 229 constituencies, that is MK1.1 trillion you are talking about per year. Where will the money come from?,” questioned Kenani in a Facebook post.
Indeed, the DPP manifesto reads more like a script from a political fairytale than a practical roadmap for Malawi’s future.
But that is not all. The party also promises free secondary school education for all, another pledge that sounds sweet to the ear but falls flat under the weight of basic arithmetic.
Critics were quick to remind DPP of its past failures especially the Mombera University in Mzimba, a project that was loudly trumpeted under DPP’s rule but never materialized beyond a signpost and dry speeches.
“If DPP could not build one university when they were in power, how will they now fund free education for every secondary school learner across the country?” asked one concerned citizen in a comment circulating widely on WhatsApp groups.
Another education activist chimed in, “Let us be realistic. Our economy is already stretched thin. Free secondary education requires serious planning, infrastructure, and sustainable funding. If not handled properly, this promise will only result in overcrowded classrooms, unpaid teachers, and deteriorating education standards.”
Observers say DPP’s manifesto is a political sugarcoating exercise, designed to lure desperate voters with utopian dreams.
While it may dazzle the gullible, for many Malawians, it evokes a sense of déjà vu flowery words, extravagant promises, and ultimately, disillusionment.
As one voter put it:”We have seen this movie before. It starts with promises, continues with excuses, and ends with finger-pointing.”
With the 2025 elections looming, the electorate appears more discerning than ever, and the DPP may soon realize that this time, empty promises won’t be enough.
