Former Presidents Bakili Muluzi, Joyce Banda and Arthur Peter Mutharika have expressed gratitude after President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera conferred national honours by renaming major public infrastructure after them.
This a rare move that sees a sitting president recognizing his predecessors, including rivals who remain active in politics and are contesting in next month’s presidential election. APM has since described Chakwera as a rare statesman for this gesture.
Mutharika, who despite his frail health and advanced age has remained in active politics, emotionally welcomed this rare gesture.
“I did not believe it when I heard about the news. This is a sign that Chakwera is a great statesman. People often say opposition leaders never appreciate anything, but we are truly grateful. We acknowledge this gesture. This is no politics but a show of selfless leadership,” said Mutharika, in a brief interview with our reporter at his Page House in Mangochi.
A public notice signed by Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba dated August 18, 2025, announced that Chileka International Airport has been renamed Bakili Muluzi International Airport, the Lilongwe Western Bypass (M12 intersection to M1 Kamuzu Procession Road) is now Joyce Banda Highway, and the Area 18 Cloverleaf Interchange in Lilongwe has been named Arthur Peter Mutharika Interchange.
In the official notice, government stated that the move was in line with Section 89(1)(b) of the Constitution and Section 5 of the Regional and District Boundaries and Place Names Act (Cap. 18:04), which empowers the President to confer honours by renaming infrastructure after distinguished Malawians.
“This conferment of honours shall be published in the Government Gazette for all purposes and all written laws in Malawi,” reads the notice signed by Zamba.
The honours are effective from August 9.
Observers say it is unusual for a sitting president to honour immediate predecessors who remain political competitors. Both Mutharika, leading the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and Banda, leader of the People’s Party (PP), are on the presidential ballot alongside Chakwera in the September elections.
Political analysts view Chakwera’s move as an act of statesmanship aimed at promoting unity and recognising leadership legacies across political divides.
Former President Bakili Muluzi also said he was humbled by the recognition, stressing the importance of honouring leaders while they are still alive.
“It is very important to appreciate people while they are alive. I am delighted by this recognition from President Chakwera, and I feel honoured that Chileka Airport now carries my name,” Muluzi said.
Reacting briefly to the news, former President Joyce Banda described the gesture as a privilege.
“It’s an honour,” Banda said, recalling that during her presidency, she presided over groundbreaking works for the Lilongwe Western Bypass, which has now been named after her.
Banda laid the foundation for the road and launched the project alongside the late Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki.
The honours come at a politically sensitive moment, just weeks before Malawians go to the polls.
For the first time in the country’s history, three living former heads of state, including two active contenders, have had infrastructure named after them by the sitting president.
Analysts say this not only sets a new precedent in political magnanimity but also challenges the toxic culture of partisanship that has long characterised Malawi’s political space.
“This reflects President Chakwera’s relentless efforts to foster unity and continuity in Malawi’s democratic journey by recognizing contributions of all former leaders, regardless of political affiliation,” observed one political analyst.
