Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo in BLANTYRE, Malawi
Malawi was on Saturday buzzing with excitement as it welcomed its newly-elected President Peter Mutharika.
His inauguration took place at Kamuzu Stadium, where thousands of Malawians gathered to witness this historic moment.
This was the second time he was being inaugurated as President after having served as Head of State from 2014 to 2020.
The atmosphere was electric, filled with joy and hope as the crowd cheered loudly, chanting “yeeehhhh” in response to the President’s every word as he delivered his acceptance speech.
As President Mutharika stepped onto the stage, he confidently declared, “Like I said before, I will be back and now I am back . . . back with a new vision and agenda”.
His words resonated deeply with the people, who were eager for change and a brighter future.
The cheers that followed showed their unwavering support and excitement.
The stadium was a sea of blue, the signature colour of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Everywhere you looked, people wore blue shirts and waved blue flags, creating a vibrant and united front.
The DPP’s message during the election was clear: “A return to proven leadership”.
This theme was creatively represented by party vehicles that showcased models of silos filled with maize, as President Mutharika is credited for ensuring no one died of hunger in his previous tenure.
These silos symbolised the promise of food security under his leadership, and the crowd showed their approval with loud applause.
Another striking element of the celebration was the phrase “Ana Achepa” which, when loosely translated, means “other political parties could have never stood a chance (during the elections)”.
This slogan encapsulated the confidence and determination of the DPP supporters, who believe in their new President’s vision for the country.
Roads leading to the stadium were filled with people cheering the motorcades as they made their way and this was reflective of how happy Malawians were.
The jubilant crowd filled Kamuzu Stadium to the brim, showcasing the widespread enthusiasm for the new President.
To ensure that everyone could participate in this historic event, the government arranged public viewing points at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe, Katoto Freedom Park in Mzuzu, and Mangochi Stadium.
This thoughtful gesture allowed many more Malawians to share in the excitement and hope surrounding President Mutharika’s presidency.
The inauguration was not just a local event, it attracted dignitaries from across the region.
Among the notable guests were President Mnangagwa, President Daniel Chapo of Mozambique and Deputy Prime Ministers from Eswatini and Tanzania.
Their presence highlighted the importance of this moment not just for Malawi, but for the entire Southern African region.
Blantyre was alive with energy throughout the day and the mood was largely jovial and positive, as people celebrated the dawn of a new era in Malawian politics.
As the day came to a close, the air was filled with optimism.
President Mutharika’s inauguration marked not just a change in leadership, but a renewed commitment to improving the lives of all Malawians.
Crispen Banda, a Blantyre resident, said he was hopeful that Professor Mutharika’s presidency would be characterised by a positive economic shift.
“Today we are happy, as you can see we came out in our thousands because we are hopeful that things will go well in the next 5 years,” he said.
DPP supporter Mercy Maulana said this was the first time in many years that Malawians had come out in their droves celebrating a development.
“I do not remember the last time we united to celebrate something like this . . . it shows that we are hopeful for a new dawn because that is what we had been yearning for, for years now,” she said.
