By Lloyd Chitsulo
Exactly 61 years today after Malawi attained its independence from colonial rule, youths continue being sidelined from decision-making processes, a situation Youth and Society (YAS) has condemned.
In its Independence Day statement yesterday, YAS executive director Charles Kajoloweka described as appalling the exclusion of youths from decision-making stages despite over half of at least 21 million people being under the age of 35.
He said it is only right for youths to lead the next chapter.
Kajoloweka said: 鈥淭he youth are not asking to be included as tokens. They are ready to lead. They are building businesses, shaping new ideas, standing up for justice and no longer content with waiting in the wings of a nation that should already be theirs.
鈥淭his Independence Day, YAS calls on young Malawians to step forward, to participate, to demand more, to hold their leaders accountable and to own the future of this Republic. Malawi will only rise when its youth rise with it, not in defiance, but in determination; not through protest alone, but through participation, innovation and principled leadership.鈥
Malawi today celebrates its 61st Independence Day, a day which Malawians commemorate independence from the Commonwealth, formerly the British Commonwealth.
The country became independent on July 6 1964 and subsequently transitioned from Nyasaland to Malawi. Two years later, Malawi became a Republic with former president the late Hastings Kamuzu Banda as its leader.
But Kajoloweka said, despite Malawi attaining independence six decades later, which was anticipated to liberate the country from colonial rule and empower citizens, youths have not been given a fair opportunity to lead amid high unemployment levels.
This is despite numerous policies that have promised youth employment as part of empowering them. As such, he said Malawi remains a nation-in- waiting for the promises of independence to be felt in the lives of ordinary Malawians, including youths.
鈥淭o our youth, do not let cynicism take root. This country needs your energy, your ideas, and your courage. We must fight for a better country.
We deserve better. Young people are demanding fair opportunity, not hand-outs. They do not wish to replace one elite with another, but a Malawi that works for everyone,鈥 he said.
Kajoloweka said it is disturbing that despite every election period bringing in fresh pledges and every new administration promising transformation, most of Malawi鈥檚 leaders have treated people as votes and not as citizens.
He said Malawi has never been short of ideas, talent or resources, but lack of leadership that puts people above politics and a political culture that sees governance as a service and not self-enrichment.
The activist, therefore, said Independence Day must be a turning point and a moment to reclaim the spirit of 1964鈥攏ot just in name, but in meaning.
He said Malawians must bear in mind that true freedom is not just political independence, but rather, it entails economic dignity, democratic accountability and power to shape destiny.
Meanwhile, Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko is today expected to be the guest of honour at the Independence Day celebrations to be held at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday said Duma will also hold bilateral discussions with President Lazarus Chakwera ahead of the celebrations.
Reads the statement: 鈥淒uring the visit, President Advocate Duma Boko, will be the guest of honour at Malawi鈥檚 61st Independence Anniversary celebrations to be held at the Bingu National Stadium, on Sunday 6th July 2025.鈥