4 days Ago By NyasaAuthor1
The political landscape of Malawi has been rocked by Dalitso Kabambe’s unexpected yet emphatic victory in the UTM (United Transformation Movement) primaries. For many, the outcome was surprising, but to those who have been watching the twists and turns of Malawian politics, it’s a clear testament to the poor leadership decisions made by former President Peter Mutharika (APM) and his inner circle. Kabambe’s victory in a party where he was relatively unknown and without any tribal or regional base is a powerful statement of his political appeal and the public’s growing frustration with established political elites.
It underscores the fact that leadership is not just about family connections or party loyalty, but about competence, foresight, and the ability to inspire a nation. The Undermining of Kabambe: A Leadership Blunder It has become increasingly clear that APM and his closest advisors grossly underestimated Dalitso Kabambe. As a former Reserve Bank Governor, Kabambe had a strong track record in economic management, and yet, in the eyes of APM and his circle, he was seen as a mere outsider who could not be trusted with the future of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Kabambe’s exclusion from the DPP succession plan was a monumental error in political judgment, and it’s one that is now being painfully exposed. Had APM been a leader with even a modicum of political intelligence, he would have recognized Kabambe’s potential and offered him a clear path to the party’s leadership. Instead, Kabambe was discarded, sidelined, and left with no option but to seek new political opportunities.
That Kabambe could rise to prominence in a completely new political environment, with no established tribal or regional stronghold, speaks volumes about his personal political acumen and appeal. This victory, while significant for Kabambe, is a stark reminder of APM’s inability to harness talent and nurture the political future of his own party. It also serves as a commentary on APM’s failure to build a cohesive, forward-thinking leadership that could have ensured a smooth political transition after his tenure.
The Kabambe Factor: A Leader for the Future? Kabambe’s triumph in the UTM primaries signals that he could potentially swing votes on a national level—something APM failed to do in his presidency. Unlike the DPP, which remains deeply entrenched in regional and tribal divisions, UTM has made considerable strides in unifying a diverse electorate. Kabambe’s candidacy, free from these regional constraints, could present a fresh opportunity to build a national political coalition that resonates with a wider cross-section of Malawian society.
Had APM been wise enough to elevate Kabambe within DPP, he might have been able to secure the future of the party in the same way that Kabambe has been able to capture the attention of a different political base. APM’s failure to recognize Kabambe’s potential could now haunt him as Kabambe gains momentum in UTM. What is even more telling is the fact that APM’s decision-making was consistently swayed by his inner circle, who seem to have a limited grasp of political realities.
APM’s Leadership Crisis: The Role of Advisors The events surrounding APM’s tenure as President are rife with instances of poor decision-making, many of which were driven by a circle of advisors who seemed more concerned with their own survival than with the future of the nation or the DPP. APM’s decision to select Everton Chimulirenji as his running mate—a man with little to no record of public service or political competence—was one of the most glaring examples of his leadership failures. The decision to place someone with no political experience or public credibility in such a high position, while ignoring someone like Kabambe, who had proven himself in a complex role as Governor of the Reserve Bank, was a massive blunder.
This misstep exposed APM’s lack of political vision and his vulnerability to manipulation by poorly informed advisors. The DPP under APM never seemed to move beyond the baggage of its past. While APM’s government was credited with maintaining economic stability, much of that stability was due to the sound monetary policies of the Reserve Bank—policies that Kabambe himself had implemented as Governor—rather than any decisive leadership from the President.
This distinction is important because it highlights the difference between managing a country’s finances and leading the country itself. APM’s Regret: Will He Learn the Lesson? If APM is truly reflecting on his political legacy, one thing is clear: he has made a series of leadership mistakes that have cost him the presidency and the future of his party. His failure to embrace and empower younger, more competent leaders like Kabambe will go down as one of the most damaging errors of his political career.
What makes this situation even more tragic is that these mistakes could have been avoided had APM simply listened to voices outside of his inner circle—voices that could have helped him identify and nurture new leadership within the DPP. Instead, he surrounded himself with advisors who lacked the foresight and intelligence to guide him in the right direction. The result was a lack of succession planning, internal conflict, and a fractured party that was unable to maintain the public’s trust.
At this point, APM must be regretting the decisions that led to his downfall. His presidency ended in failure, and his party is now struggling to maintain its relevance in the face of a growing and vibrant political opposition. If he has learned anything from this experience, it should be that leadership is not just about maintaining power—it’s about recognizing and developing the potential of others, and preparing for a future that transcends your own tenure.
Conclusion: A Leadership Style in Need of Recalibration Dalitso Kabambe’s rise to prominence in UTM is a powerful reminder that political leadership in Malawi is not determined solely by regional, tribal, or family loyalties. Kabambe’s victory is proof that competence, integrity, and the ability to unite people across diverse backgrounds can win hearts and minds at the national level. For APM, Kabambe’s success should serve as a moment of painful reflection.
The fact that he could have easily paved the way for such a leader within his own party and chose not to do so shows the depth of his political misjudgment. APM’s poor leadership decisions have not only cost him the presidency but have also left the DPP in a precarious position. If there is any hope for redemption, APM must publicly acknowledge these mistakes and begin a process of renewal that takes into account the evolving political landscape in Malawi.
In the end, Kabambe’s victory in UTM stands as a testament to the power of leadership that looks beyond short-term power struggles and recognizes the value of building a brighter, more inclusive future for the nation. Meanwhile, APM’s legacy remains one of missed opportunities, poor decisions, and a lack of vision—lessons that should not be forgotten. Sharing is caring!.
