THE CELEBS OF THE DISPUTED MAY 19, 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS – Part 1

 In October, Malawi’s constitutional court judges won the 2020 Chatham House Prize for upholding the rule of law when handling the 2019 general elections case. Their professionalism was unprecedented and definitely set a standard to judicial systems on the African continent and beyond.

But, as we celebrate the judges’ accolade, it is important to revisit and highlight men and women who trended on social media in relation to the elections. These are men and women who gave people something to laugh or gossip about – on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp – as we approached May 19, 2019.

Without following a particular order, these distinguished individuals are as follows: 

Ras Chikomeni:

Rags to national celeb: the opportunistic Ras Chikomeni

His case started like a prank. “A filthy Mzuzu-based Rastafarian plans to revolutionize the Malawian political system,” was the talk of the town. “Did you see his creepy raven? He must be joking.” But as the saying goes, “mbuto ya kalulu inakula ndi tazaoneni.” With time, Ras Chikomeni’s anti-establishment philosophy began to resonate with some Malawians. His PanAfrican ideas and his promise to shift the country’s economy from tobacco-dependency to marijuana appealed to frustrated youth. Particularly, his ability to quote the constitution and the Bible to justify his convoluted ideas about Babylon’s scheme earned him numerous followers. Suddenly, truncated clips of his statements began to spread over social media like wildfire on a daily basis, as every media house flocked to interview him. Later, he trended because of his inability to garner 10 signatures in all the 28 districts, his failure to submit the MK 2 000 000 registration fee, and his controversial decision to ingratiate himself with the DPP administration.

Nyusensi:

 

“We want zis parte” – The one and only Dinosius Magombo

All individuals on this list went viral on social media platforms ahead of May 2019 elections. But one thing unique about Nyusensi is that his popularity was not confined within Malawi. The clip in which he appeared to brief the press on why Malawians were flocking to the “Chilima Movement” [before the movement had metamorphosed into UTM] trended on social media in Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and even Tanzania! What followed this overnight celebrity status is that he couldn’t make public appearances without being harassed for selfies and interviews – much to his chagrin. Other opportunists capitalized on his fame by printing merchandize of his image. Nyusensi’s image was on Tshirts, mugs, cups, and even music artwork. Talk of becoming a celebrity overnight. Later, Nyusensi disappointed UTM zealots when the paparazzi spotted him at a UDF rally. He left them asking themselves if UTM is also a comba….a combining of nyusensi.  

 Nyakayange:

The embodiment of a mother's love: Nyakayange and her beloved son.

It would be criminal to talk about Ras Chikomeni without honoring Mai Agness Nyakayange. Unlike most individuals on this elite list, she did not gain fame as a result of making despicable political statements. Rather, she came in the limelight for simply looking out for her beloved son. Here is a lady who impressed Malawians with her unwavering support of her son’s ambitious presidential aspirations. Through her presence at most of her son’s public appearances ahead of the elections, she really demonstrated that though retired from the civil service, she is far from tired to serve the nation. Later, Ras Chikomeni’s decision to reward her with the running mate position simply completed the romanticization of this short-lived journey of a son and his mother in pursuit of liberating Malawi from Babylon.

 Chimulirenji:

Bar man! Tandipatse Chimulirenji muwiri wotentha: The vice that never was.

Apart from bona fide cadets, few people knew Chimulirenji’s existence before President Mutharika appointed him as the Minister of Civic Education, Culture, and Community Development in November 2018. But even with this appointment, Chimulirenji continued to cultivate a low profile until Mutharika chose him to be his running mate ahead of the May 2019 elections. Malawians will never forget the crestfallen expressions that DPP top dogs cultivated at the Comesa Hall while coming to terms with the fact that Mutharika had overlooked them for the prized position for the unknown sasamba from Ntcheu. Suddenly, owing to this appointment and his alleged poor mastery of English, Chimulirenji became a household name on social media. That the name Chimulirenji would later become a code name for a bottle of Castel beer is a testament of the popularity that the disputed May 2019 elections bestowed on Everton.

 MacFarlane Mbewe:

“On a serious note, I started on a lighter note, my eyes are cute”: Mr. Mbewe.

Inquisitiveness is often heralded as one of the crucial characters of a journalist. However, what differentiates top journalists from wannabe journalists is the ability to detect situations where inquisitiveness is appropriate and where it is not. The same applies to the usage of unwarranted compliments as ice-breakers. Unfortunately, young Mr. Mbewe, who purportedly had had a drink or two ahead of a MEC press briefing, did not detect that this particular briefing was not the occasion to start on “a lighter note” by complimenting Jane Ansah’s looks and earrings. Eyes protruding, Mbewe tried to soften the tense atmosphere in the room by soliciting a smile on Jane Ansah’s face. Unfortunately, the longer he tried, the worse he dug himself in trouble. Madam Ansah was in serious mode and failed to entertain the young journalist’s misplaced compliments. What followed is that Mbewe gained a short-lived celebrity status on social media, having embarrassed the Malawian journalism fraternity.

 

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