Malawi’s September election pits establishment giants against Michael Usi, an entertainer-turned-politician promising to root out corruption. His rise captures public frustration but also exposes his lack of a clear blueprint.
By Collins Mtika
A country on the brink of economic ruin, still mourning the sudden death of its vice president, now finds itself drawn to an unlikely political force.
Michael Bizwick Usi, once loved by Malawians as the comedian “Dr Manga,” is today the country’s vice president and a presidential candidate in the September 16, 2025, elections.
His rise from entertainer to the heart of political power is a remarkable story, though often overlooked in coverage of this election.
It raises a crucial question: can someone from outside the political elite shape the destiny of a nation desperate for change?
A Nation in deep Crisis
Malawi’s challenges are severe. After decades of failed development, poverty remains entrenched.
The figures are grim: more than 70% of Malawians live on less than $2.15 a day. The economy is staggering under inflation, a collapse of foreign currency reserves, and public debt of K12.4 trillion.
The situation has been made worse by an El Niño-induced drought, leaving a quarter of the population facing acute hunger.
It is in this atmosphere of despair and disillusionment that Usi has stepped forward, presenting himself as a voice of radical change. His campaign mixes grassroots appeal with sharp criticism of the very government he serves in.
The accidental Vice President
Usi’s path to the vice presidency began with tragedy.
When Vice President Saulos Chilima died in a plane crash in June 2024, President Lazarus Chakwera appointed Usi, Chilima’s running mate in the United Transformation Movement (UTM), to take his place.
Analysts saw the move as necessary to preserve the fragile Tonse Alliance. Boniface Dulani, a political scientist at the University of Malawi, described Usi as the “most natural leader” within UTM to succeed Chilima.
But the alliance soon fell apart. Feeling sidelined, UTM withdrew, then expelled Usi. In response, Usi revived his own civic movement, Odya Zake Alibe Mlandu (OZAM), meaning “One who eats their own produce has no case to answer.”
Originally promoting self-reliance, OZAM was formally registered as a political party on May 30, 2025. Its manifesto emphasizes job creation, education reform, and rural industrialisation.
At rallies, Usi vows to “remove and even arrest” corrupt leaders. He claims Malawi’s problem is not weak policies but “bad people” in government.
He has publicly accused his own administration of corruption, clashing directly with Chakwera’s Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
When MCP leaders demanded his resignation, Usi shot back: “When I say there are thieves in government, I know what I am talking about. I am the vice-president, and I am in government.”
Grassroots appeal in a Time of disgust
Usi’s strength lies in his ability to connect with ordinary people tired of traditional politics. His acting career and his work in community development with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) sharpened his communication skills.
Observers say his strategy of speaking directly to rural and semi-urban voters gives him an unusual edge. He focuses on everyday issues, which makes him relatable across many demographics.
His populist call for self-reliance and his anti-corruption stance have found strong support in a country where trust in institutions is collapsing.
Afrobarometer surveys show support for democracy in Malawi has fallen from 78% in 2011 to 58% in 2024, largely due to corruption.
His blunt, theatrical style divides opinion. Some doubt it fits the image of a head of state, while others argue it shows authenticity.
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) acknowledges his “charisma and grassroots connection,” though they question whether he has the gravitas to lead.
The fragmented political field, over 17 presidential candidates, could work in Usi’s favor. With the 50%+1 rule requiring coalitions, his role as a potential kingmaker is clear.
As he himself has said: “I can forgo the presidency for the sake of Malawians.”
The weakness of a lone candidate
For all his popularity, Usi faces major obstacles. Breaking with the UTM left him without the support of an established party structure.
Political analyst Wonderful Mkhutche notes: “Right now, he has none, and we are moving towards elections where MCP will be looking for a running mate, and they will want someone who brings in people.”
Doubts also linger about whether he can step into the space left by Chilima, who had inspired Malawi’s youth with reformist energy. Dulani warns that Usi may struggle to capture that same momentum.
Critics also fault his campaign for lacking substance. At the launch of his party, he said little about key issues such as foreign exchange shortages, education collapse, or stagnation in agriculture and mining.
While his promise to root out “bad people” excites his supporters, he has yet to outline a detailed plan for economic recovery. As the election approaches, this gap could become a serious weakness among voters who want concrete solutions.
A Nation at a Crossroads
The September 16 election is more than a vote, it is a test of Malawi’s ability to overcome its long cycle of broken promises.
The main contenders are well-known: incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, criticized for failing to deliver, and former president Peter Mutharika, remembered for corruption scandals.
Amid these figures, Michael Usi is the wildcard. His campaign tests whether outrage at corruption and the hunger for new leadership can overcome Malawi’s entrenched political machinery.
To his supporters, he is a genuine alternative, someone who speaks their language and shares their struggles. To his critics, he is a performer whose rhetoric lacks the weight of real governance.
Activist Bon Kalindo, thanking Usi for “joining the suffering Malawians,” captured the mood of a public desperate for change.
Whether Usi is the leader to deliver that change remains uncertain. But his unlikely journey from the stage to the centre of politics has already forced Malawians to reflect on what leadership means.
In a country brought low by poverty and corruption, that alone is a significant achievement.
