Dr. Kondwani Nankhumwa, President of the People’s Development Party (PDP), is intensifying his voter registration campaign in Malawi’s Southern Region.

“This morning, I am visiting three constituencies in Mulanje District as a continuation of my interactions with our People’s Development Party grassroots leaders,” Dr. Nankhumwa announced on Facebook.

He emphasized the importance of voter registration, stating, “The voter registration exercise is a crucial process that prepares citizens for upcoming elections, specifically the tripartite elections scheduled for 2025.”

Dr. Nankhumwa urged all eligible citizens to register, saying, “Voting is a fundamental civic duty. It allows individuals to express their opinions on governance and influence decision-making processes at various levels. By registering to vote, you will be fulfilling your responsibility to engage in democratic processes.”

He also called on community leaders to join him in promoting voter registration, saying, “Let me request religious, traditional and other political leaders to join me in encouraging voter registration. Your advocacy can help raise awareness about the importance of voting and motivate citizens to act.”

Dr. Nankhumwa’s voter awareness campaign will continue in Chiradzulu, Mulanje, Neno, and other districts in the Southern Region before moving to the Northern Region.

Civil society organizations, individuals families of the victims, faith organizations among others continue to remember 20 July as a dark day in the history of multiparty democracy as 20 peaceful and unarmed protesters were mercilessly gunned down by DPP regime just for standing up against the repressive administration.

The death of these people were of the result of the order from the government to use excessive lethal force on poor masses. The people were demonstrating against poor economy, fuel shortages and autocracy.

Though many years have passed but still many Malawians remember this day in their hearts as a day of pain and darkness.

During the demonstration, police launched a crackdown on reporters who were beaming the situation from the ‘battlefield’ and MACRA switched off radio stations for several hours on that day which is the violation of free press.

Representative of the bereaved families, Mercy Mbesuma on many memorial services said that families of the deceased are in dire need of financial support.

“Currently, most of the widows and children of the deceased are struggling to make ends meet. We would like the government to assist the widows with soft loans to start various business ventures and put their children on bursary scheme,” she said.

During the event which takes place every year at Zolozolo Cemetery, it was learnt that most of the promises made by government authorities in previous commemorative events like fencing the deceased’s burial places and putting their children on bursary scheme have not been fulfilled.

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has called on citizens in the country to actively participate in the voter registration by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) which has commenced in some districts.

In his address to the nation, President Chakwera stressed the importance of voting as a fundamental right for all Malawians, especially those who have attained the age of 18 and possess a National Identity Card.

President Chakwera urged political, traditional and church leaders to sensitise their members on the significance of participating in the voter registration.

He further highlighted that the act of voting is essential for upholding democracy among the people of Malawi, particularly in preparation for the upcoming General Election.

President Chakwera commended MEC for ensuring that there is adequate supply of materials for the registration process.

If there is one thing that northern region will stand up for Chakwera and vote for him again is the abolishment of quota system that was being used by the previous regimes to select students into the public universities as the north regarded that as a tool of denying them a right to education as enshrined in Section 25(1) which says that; all persons are entitled to education.

The quota system, which is based on students’ district of origin, rather than merit alone, has been used for nearly a decade and acted as a form of affirmative action for students from the country’s central and southern regions due to their perceived regional underrepresentation at universities.

However, some academics, clergymen and political activists had described this discriminatory against northerners where the minority Tumbuka are based but the then ruling party could not take the advice. The Livingstiania Synod was the crusaders of urging Mtumbuka people and other northern folks to not vote for any party that was for quota system.

The opposition under the leadership of President Dr Lazarus Chakwera campaigned against this perceived discrimination and promised to end the quota system once voted into power and the people of the north overwhelmingly voted for repealing of the policy through their vote on the ballot box. At the end tumbuka people teamed up and purged DPP out of government.

“In secondary education, the president promised the removal of the quota system of selecting students. He said, “I want to assure all Malawians that while the previous administration made sure that its quota system was gone, my administration will make sure that it is dead, said Chakwera in one of his SONA speeches and that has been fulfilled.

“This system was discriminatory. Some students with 10 points were not taken because they came from North and yet someone from Mangochi with 21 points could be taken to study Agriculture Economics at LUANAR. This was total discrimination and tribalism and we thank Chakwera for ending the bad governance and blatant disregard of law of law, said Ceaser Kondowe an expert in social economics.

Peoples Development Party (PDP) President Kondwani Nankhumwa today joined the Catholic community in celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Child Jesus (Nankhunda) Minor Seminary in Zomba Diocese.

Nankhumwa praised the seminary’s role in shaping leaders and providing quality education, saying, “For the past 100 years, the Nankhunda Minor Seminary has played a vital role in nurturing individuals who have made significant contributions to Malawi’s social and economic development.”

“As a nation, we cherish the importance of education in shaping the future of our youth,” Nankhumwa emphasized.

“Today, we honor the legacy of this remarkable institution and celebrate the many people who have been part of its journey,” added Nankhumwa.

The PDP leader reiterated his commitment to education, recognizing its pivotal role in Malawi’s growth and progress.

The centenary celebration underscores Nankhumwa’s dedication to empowering Malawi’s youth through education, aligning with recommendations for youth-centric policies to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and economic diversification.

Nankhumwa’s presence at the event demonstrates his support for educational institutions that contribute to the nation’s development.

Nankhumwa was accompanied by high-ranking PDP officials including the Director of Elections Nanariwa Nanguwo, Director of Logistics Christian Piyo, Publicity Secretary Rhodes Msonkho, Director of Women Akuka Claire Kachapira, Administrative Secretary Bessie Chirambo, Director of Campaign Judith Masanda, Director of Social Services Margaret Mwase, Director of Youth Austin Nsopera, Regional Governor for Eastern Region Maxwell Chizimba, and Deputy Director of Campaign Dinnah Solomon, among others.

UTM aspiring President Dr. Mathews Mtumbuka and renowned academic Professor Francis Moto were among other prominent Malawians in attendance.

The Right Reverend Alfred Mateyu Chaima, Bishop of the Zomba Diocese was leading the Catholic clergy at the colourful event