BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The announcement of Engineer Dr. Matthews Mtumbuka as Dalitso Kabambe’s running mate for the 2025 presidential election has generated a wave of reactions, particularly from political analysts and members of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) media team.
Kabambe,52, named Mtumbuka as his running mate for the upcoming polls on Sunday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC ) where he was submitting his nomination papers to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC ), a decision many are describing as strategic and forward-thinking.
The pair is further being described as a fresh blend of technocratic leadership and youthful vision.
Among those weighing in is freelance journalist Madalitso Kateta, who encountered public reactions while visiting a local pharmacy.
“Ironically, I heard the news about Mtumbuka’s nomination while buying medicine that was unavailable at a public health facility.
“A woman in line shared that while many had lost hope in UTM following Vice President Saulos Chilima’s absence, Mtumbuka’s selection had reignited optimism,” said Kateta in an interview with Maravi Post.
The freelance journalist expressed optimism that the pairing is resonating with citizens eager for effective leadership.
“This duo represents a new generation of leaders with the capacity to address Malawi’s challenges through expertise and innovation,” he said.
THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME
Mtumbuka, 47, brings a strong track record in engineering, ICT, and corporate governance.
He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer(CEO ) of UbuntuNet Alliance for Research and education,a regional ICT organisation operating across 16 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.
He is also the founder and managing director of Weagle Holdings Ltd, a company employing over 80 people, 70% of whom are youth aged 18–30, with nearly 40% being women.
Mtumbuka has held senior roles at Airtel Malawi and NBS Bank and remains active on various corporate boards.
He made history as the youngest person to be elected president of the Malawi Institution of Engineers (MIE), a distinction he still holds.
KABAMBE’S TRACK RECORD
Kabambe boasts nearly two decades of experience in Malawi’s public service.
He has held key roles such as Principal Economist, Chief Economist, Deputy Director of Economic Planning, and Budget Director at the Ministry of Finance.
From 2013 to 2015, he served as Director of Planning and Policy Development at the Ministry of Health, overseeing the national health budget.
He also held the post of Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, before becoming the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi.
MIXED REACTIONS, GROWING INTEREST
While critics argue the Kabambe–Mtumbuka ticket may benefit the party more than the nation, others see the partnership as a symbol of generational change.
“This combination isn’t just good for the party.It is promising for the nation. It brings together governance experience, economic insight, and technological innovation,” said one of citizens who opted for anonymity.
Supporters of the UTM ticket argue that the duo symbolizes the long-awaited realization of the popular refrain: ‘Young people are the leaders of tomorrow.’
As Malawi gears up for the 2025 elections, the political landscape continues to evolve.
Whether Kabambe and Mtumbuka can turn public interest into electoral success remains to be seen,but for many, their partnership has already stirred new hope.