In a powerful display of regional solidarity and political endorsement, the visiting President of Botswana His Excellency Advocate Duma Gideon Boko, has thrown his full weight behind Malawi’s President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, expressing confidence that the Malawian leader has the vision and capacity to lift the country out of its developmental stagnation.
Speaking on Sunday at the packed Bingu National Stadium as Guest of Honour during the country’s 61st Independence Anniversary celebrations, President Boko made remarks that went beyond the usual pleasantries of a state visit.
He told Malawians and the international community that Chakwera is the kind of leader Africa needs—principled, forward-looking, and capable of steering the country into an era of prosperity and accountability.
“Malawi may not be where it needs to be, but I have no doubt that under the leadership of President Dr. Chakwera, this country will rise. His clarity of purpose and commitment to reform gives me, and Africa at large, confidence,” said President Boko, drawing applause from thousands in attendance.
This direct and emphatic endorsement comes just two months before Malawians go to the polls on September 16 in what is shaping up to be one of the most consequential elections in recent history.
Advocate Boko’s endorsement, rare in its boldness, adds significant political weight to Dr. Chakwera’s re-election campaign, at a time when opposition figures are increasingly fractured and embroiled in controversies that distract from policy-based debate.
Analysts say that the support from a fellow Head of State, especially one with a legal and pan-Africanist background like Advocate Boko, resonates deeply with Malawians who are craving honest, steady leadership amid persistent economic, social, and governance challenges.
“This is not just a diplomatic courtesy. This is a strategic signal to the region and to development partners that Dr. Chakwera has a mandate not just from his people but from Africa’s progressive bloc,” said an international affairs analyst.
Earlier, President Dr. Chakwera used the commemorative platform to urge Malawians to reflect on the moral decay that is dragging the nation backward. He decried the theft of public funds, looting of medical supplies, destruction of public property, and dishonesty in public service, issues that continue to hamper development despite Malawi’s democratic advances.
“You cannot claim to love your country while stealing from its people. You cannot demand change and then destroy road signs. Integrity must be our national character,” said Dr. Chakwera in his keynote address.
He also reminded Malawians that freedom is not just a political condition but a civic responsibility that calls for patriotism, hard work, and self-restraint.
“Let us not speak ill of our own country. Let us protect its institutions and uplift its people,” the President urged.
With the September elections approaching, both leaders emphasized the need for peace and order. Advocate Boko appealed to all political actors and civil society organizations to demonstrate maturity, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and embrace non-violence in their quest for power.
“You must make this election a model of peace in Africa. The world is watching,” said the Botswana leader.
His remarks were seen as a veiled caution against recent anti-democratic tendencies observed in some quarters of the opposition, including planned protests marred by threats of violence.
Chairperson of the Independence Day Organizing Committee and Minister of Homeland Security Honourable Ezekiel Peter Ching’oma, praised President Dr. Chakwera’s role in “uplifting Malawi against all odds.”
“This day reminds us that the journey of independence is not a sprint but a marathon. Despite many challenges, our President has remained steadfast, driving progress with clarity and humility,” Ching’oma said.
He lauded Dr. Chakwera’s administration for reforms in public sector accountability, infrastructure development, and regional diplomacy, as evidenced by Advocate Boko’s historic three-day state visit.
THE PANGOLIN SAYS:
This Independence Celebration has been both festive and deeply reflective.
A military parade by the Malawi Defence Force, displays by the Malawi Police Service, performances by several cultural groups, and a highly anticipated friendly football match between Malawi’s Flames and Botswana’s Zebras provided a colorful backdrop to the day’s solemn reflections on independence, sovereignty, and national identity.
But the heart of the event was clearly the intersection between past struggles and present opportunities. As Malawi marks 61 years of self-rule, the call to define the next decade of development could not be louder.
Advocate Boko’s endorsement of Dr Chakwera was thus more than just support for a fellow leader; it was an appeal to Malawians to seize the opportunity to secure a future of purpose-led leadership rather than regress into cycles of disorder, deception, and populist anarchy.
Advocate Boko’s endorsement and praise for Dr. Chakwera contrast with the chaos that has come to characterize the conduct of some opposition actors in recent weeks.
As figures like Alfred Gangata and Norman “Pythius Hiwa” Chisale dominate headlines for organizing reckless demonstrations, often scheduled without regard for public safety and welfare of Malawians, Dr. Chakwera’s statesmanlike conduct stands in stark relief.
Leadership is not about noise or pettiness. Today, Dr. Chakwera stood on the world stage and spoke to unity, progress, and accountability. The others are busy hawking machetes and fake grievances.
Indeed, as DPP-aligned actors flounder under weight of infighting and ideological confusion, President Dr. Chakwera is projecting what many describe as calm competence, amplified now by the unequivocal endorsement of Botswana’s President.
As the sun set over Bingu National Stadium, it became clear that July 6th, 2025, was not just a celebration of independence, it was a referendum on leadership.
With regional allies voicing confidence in Dr. Chakwera’s capacity to lead and with Malawians preparing to vote, today’s event may prove to be a pivotal turning point, a call to embrace mature politics, shun demagoguery, and invest in leadership that is grounded in vision and integrity.
For once, the fireworks were not just in the sky, but in the hopes rekindled among Malawians seeking to move forward, not backward.
