“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” — Philippians 2:13
Since gaining independence from British colonial rule 61 years ago, Malawi has had six presidents and 10 vice presidents. Last week, an exploration of the first five VPs was made; this week, an exploration of the remaining five will be made. It is sufficient to say that in all a mere two out of the 10 VPs left office still on good terms with the president as well as the Malawi people; however, the fate of the eight was less pleasant. Of the eight, one was deposed upon death of his president, another put in prison, two created political parties in opposition to their respective presidents, and mournfully Malawians sorrowfully recall the tragic death of one VP last June 10, 2024.
This week on June 10, 2025, marked the first anniversary of the tragic death of Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and 9 others that included former First Lady Madam Shanil Dzimbiri Muluzi. Thousands of Malawians attended the Nsipe Memorial Service in honor of the late VP. “We will weep for a long time,” one mourner at the Memorial Service said.
Upon the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika, VP Joyce Banda ascended to the role of president of Malawi. She chose her running mate Honorable Khumbo Kachale. He is only one of two VPs to come into and leave office along with the principal; and is one of the two to have kept in good books with his president, Dr. Joyce Banda and the people of Malawi. Kachale’s vice presidency was a no drama term: the president and her vice worked together well.
The Banda/Kachale ticket lost the 2014 elections to Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika (popularly known as APM); his vice president was Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, so far, the youngest leader at the State House. Like Joyce Banda (the women vote), Dr. Chilima captured the love and energy of the young voter in Malawi. Like Joyce Banda, he is also another disgruntled vice president who started an opposing party while at State House.
Chilima’s energy, collaboration with the youth, and administrative prowess were good for the country, but he was not a Lomwe and the Mlakho crew preferred another should occupy his seat. The noise from this group grew so loud, delivering the severance blow was not hard to make. Other activities were brewing within the DPP among them the call for young blood to get into the ruling seat as Mutharika was thought to be old and not in control of the country. During this discussion, Chilima aligned with a group called United Transformation Movement (UTM); it soon gathered steam when Chilima ascended to be the leader of the group. Thus, Malawi had for the first time had two contenders for the presidential seat by people that were in the State House (a president running against his vice president).
During the 2019 elections Mutharika had as his vice president, Everton Chimulirenji. Like Kachale, he was in office for a short time. Despite Malawians ridiculing his manner of speaking, they had their eyes on something else – the case brought to court on irregularities of the voter sheets, now popularly known as TippexGate. The 2019 elections although declared a win for Mutharika, there were too many tally sheets that were presented with white correction fluid. This was a countrywide occurrence. Former Vice President Chilima took the matter to court, he was joined by Chakwera and court ordered Fresh Elections to take place in 2020.
The now infamous TippexGate led the removal of VP Chimulirenji and President Mutharika to exit the Mpando Onona (Posh Chair), their relationship was nonetheless still in good condition, they were still speaking to each other.
Dr. Lazarus Chakwera who had joined Dr. Saulos Chilima in the court case that challenged the 2019 presidential election results, and later entered into an alliance called “Tonse Alliance” (TA) with Chakwera as presidential candidate and Chilima as vice presidential candidate. Having campaigned in 2014 with Mutharika, Chilima knew the ropes and his engagement with the youth of the country was a charismatic non-stop show for Malawians, very reminiscent of the Joyce Banda effect on the Malawi voter – only this time it was the youth. The TA got more than the 50% plus one vote from Malawians.
Matters for the TA started to show cracks when MCP fanatics and officials would chant “Ayimanso! Ayimanso! Ayimanso!” This was the chant that members of the UDF had chanted in 1999 to show their support for a Muluzi Third Term; the irony was not missed: while we were not present at the talks between Chilima and Chakwera that led to the Tonse Alliance, many Malawians concluded that the agreement was that the elder statesman serves as president from 2020 to 2025, and the younger one would contest for the Onona Chair with support from Chakwera in 2025. But very soon, a corruption charge was leveled on the VP, this was followed by a short holding at Police to answer questions on the VP’s dealing with a UK-based Malawian (of Indian origin).
The situation got bad and very infuriating for Malawians, who’s living standards had continued to spiral downwards, the threat of COVID-19 looming large over the ordinary and high-level Malawians. Like the rift between Bingu wa Mutharika and Joyce Banda, the rift between Chakwera and Chilima was very visible to ordinary Malawians. The announcement of the VP’s plane missing was just like a big, very visible smoke screen; many knew with sunken hearts, to expect the worst.
Upon VP Chilima’s death, President Chakwera could have chosen anyone as his replacement, however he chose someone from the UTM political party by name Dr. Michael Usi. The difference with Dr. Usi, who has a PhD in Youth Development through Education (from the University of Bedfordshire), is that he appears to enjoy the support of not only the president, but also the MCP supporters and officials. For this and other known and unknown sins, the UTM kicked Dr. Usi out of the UTM; the new leader of the UTM for this election cycle is former DPP lad, Dr. Dalitso Kabambe. At the writing of this column, Dr. Usi could likely be as party-less as Janet Karim.
Definitely, whether from afar or from close up, the job of a Malawi vice president, is the least attractive, thankless, and a hard-to-get-respect position. aMalawi, now is a very good time for all of us to change our view about the position of the vice president.
May the souls of the departed Malawians rest in Jehovah God’s eternal loving peace (RIJGELP)