By Clement Chinoko
Copyright mwnation
In the laid-back Lungwena Trading Centre in Mangochi District, hit music fills the air and voices rise as residents gather in the scorching sun to hear messages about the pending general election slated for September 16 across Malawi.
It is just days before Malawians go to polls to elect the president, 229 members of Parliament and 509 ward councillors to make big decisions for the next five years.
Yet, beyond the razzmatazz lighting up the mass awareness rally in the rural territory of Traditional Authority (T/A) Namabvi lay a collective commitment to safeguarding peace, oneness and democracy as the country edges closer to the decisive moment—the D-day for both contestants on the ballot and the electorate.
The gathering is part of a weeklong series of peace-building roadshows organised by the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) in the violence-prone district along the southern shoreline of Lake Malawi.
The change agents have camped in the district from September 2 to 6, reminding Malawians why the need to safeguard peace for credible, free and fair elections.
“Malawi is our only home; let’s love our country. The forthcoming election does not mark the end of the world. There is life after polling, so we must live peacefully regardless of political differences,” a message blares from the loudspeakers when the music stops.
Designed to foster unity and prevent political violence, the roadshow has evolved into a movement that brings together traditional leaders, the youth, campaigners and security agents to safeguard democracy.
“Peace is the bedrock of development,” Mbwazi Area Development Committee chairperson Labson Ishmael tells a crowd.
For him, the peacemaking initiative resonates strongly.
He praises the campaigners at Csat for their participatory approach to community engagement.
“Their collaboration with locals and duty bearers shows that they are not just observers, but true partners in the quest for elections everyone can trust.”
Building strong partnerships and coalitions is central to Csat’s inroads in communities where the election air represents a make-or-break moment, especially for jobless young people often recruited to cause violence by politicians.
The project, which promotes meaningful youth participation in democratic electoral processes, is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office .
It empowers local communities to own the peace-building process and leave no room for violence.
Among others, political parties, candidates, traditional leaders and clergy work closely with youth representatives to entrench a culture of tolerance and zero violence.
They have signed an accord committing to upholding peace throughout the high-stakes elections, even beyond the polling day.
The atmosphere around the roadshows was both lively and reflective.
Among the crowdpullers, youth groups staged drama performances portraying the dangers of political violence and traditional dances to light up the mood.
Yet, beneath the entertainment, conversations centred on unity, accountability and vigilance.
District Youth Office envoy Steven Chilambula challenges the citizenry not to remain silent in the face of looming threats.
“Let us break the culture of silence,” he says. “If you witness or hear anyone inciting violence, report them immediately. Collective inaction has far-reaching consequences for our nation.”
His call to action struck achord with the youthful audience.
The youth are both key participants in violent acts and potential targets during the electoral period.
Inspector Emily Sangweni, from Mangochi Police Station, says security agents stand ready to deal with pockets of violence during the election season.
“Maintaining peace remains a top priority because our role is to protect lives and property,” she says. “The police service is working closely with soldiers, prison officers, immigration staff and all electoral stakeholders to ensure that everyone exercises their democratic rights in a safe and secure environment.”
Throughout the week-long campaign, Csat head of programmes Albert Lulaka has been steadfast urging unity and tolerance.
He states: “Political violence is not just disruptive — it is deeply damaging.
“As we head to the polls, we must choose peaceful coexistence over division. Violence shouldn’t be underestimated. History and recent events have shown how it can destabilise communities and even entire nations.
The campaign covered several villages under T/A Chowe, Namabvi and Mponda as the electoral fever intensifies.
As the tripartite election draw closer, it has become clear that the success of the elections not only depends on politicians and institutions, but also how local communities respond to the call for peace.
“The conversation must continue when the roadshows fall silent. We need peace to safeguard democracy and ensure every registered voter steps out to vote,” says T/A Namavi.
