In Defense of Rev. Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s Candidature for Presidency

By Michael Mkandawire (Communicologist and Practical Theologian)

There is a mixed reaction from a cross section of people towards the idea of Rev. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to compete in the forthcoming 2014 Tripartite General Elections in Malawi. The discomfort is not coming in because he is anticipating standing for the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), but rather because he is a pastor. There is growing tension, not only in the MCP, but also in other political parties and the public in general. But should a person’s being a clergyman restrict them from participating in frontline politics? Do the country’s laws allow him to stand as president? Is it a new phenomenon in Malawian, African, or world history? Is Malawi ready to be led by a clergyman? Does he have the requisite qualities and all what Malawians currently need in a leader on offer? It is apparent that a good number of Malawians across the country would love to hear more, as regards these questions.

To any biblical scholar and those that follow the dynamics of leadership this is no new phenomenon. Biblical history feeds us with so many people that were God fearing and led their nations. This should not come as a surprise to Malawians but a fulfillment of what already was being practiced in the ancient history. Suffice to say that every true leadership comes from God. If this is true then what can fail the same God to make “a man upon His heart” to lead the nation. There is no scripture or a clause in our (Malawi) constitution that bars one from standing for the presidency because of his religious acumen. Actually the religious accolades in the life of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera provide a good basis to offer the transformative leadership that Malawi needs in this day and age.

The people (especially Christians) that are not ‘comfortable’ with his stance are hypocritical in a sense. It is said in the Bible that righteousness exalts a nation. Having a righteous man at the helm of leadership for this country is biblical. Time has come for us to actuate our prayer. Malawians should open their eyes and read the times. Actually serving a nation in that capacity is also a ministry. In this scenario what matters is the context of ministry. Most practical theologians will not develop a ‘headache’ over this.

For a long time, immemorial, Malawi has been a religious country and religion has been so significant in the initiation of change. The clergy have played a very indispensable role in the country’s politics. The first notable martyr to fight against colonial rule, John Chilembwe, was an ordained priest. He fought till the last drop of his blood and brought about renewed action as regards the fight against colonial rule. Again in 1994, the passage to democracy was rekindled with a Pastoral Letter, written by Catholic Bishops during the year’s Easter period. It was called the ‘Lentern’ and it led to several events which later brought about the dawn of the new era of democracy. In this regard, we can see how the church, led by the clergy has brought about change in Malawi. These are facts that cannot be protested.

In other countries too, both ordained clergy and evangelists or theologians have participated in ‘Front-line Politics’. Jean-Bertrand Aristide, former President of Haiti is a former Catholic priest, Canaan Banana, a Methodist minister once served as president of Zimbabwe. Thomas François Burgers(a pastor), was President of the Republic of South Africa from  1871 to 1877, Walter Lini, Founding Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu (an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean),was an Anglican priest. He was succeeded by John Bani (as President and head of state) from 25 March 1999, until 24 March 2004 and was also an Anglican priest, the list is endless...

Apart from the above, some clergymen have also taken the role of civil rights activists. The most notable ones include Jesse Jackson (the first Blackman to make a serious bid for the US Presidency) and Martin Luther King, were both Baptist ministers. Desmond Tutu, Former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, a civil rights campaigner and Allan Boesak, Priest of the Dutch Reformed Church, contributed to the abolishing of apartheid and subsequent attainment of independence for that country.

From the above account, it is therefore likely that Chakwera may bring about the much needed transformational change. If clergymen have brought about positive change before, then why not today? In regard to the high public respect for the clergy, which Malawi as a nation do hold, citizens should therefore create room for people to advocate the need for the chosen few of the Lord to assist in finding answers to the social and economic problems confronting the nation and humanity in general. It is high time Malawians changed the misconception of ‘politics’ from being ‘ndale’ to a unifying element that is crucial for the socio-economic development of the country and not just fulfillment of selfish interests of a few individuals or political parties.

It is evident that this country has a leadership ‘challenge’ and that people are urgently in search of a staid leadership to drive this country to the safe waters. We cannot agree more with those that say this country is seeking credible and vibrant leadership that can ‘evacuate’ Malawi from the social economic challenges it is facing. Of course, I am not underrating the previous regimes or the current political leadership, but Malawians have not benefited enough from their leadership.

Lazarus Chakwera brings with him a different flavor of leadership from what we have already experienced in this country. He is eloquent, an ethical and well disciplined person while at the same time remaining humble and amenable. His mediation and conflict resolution skills are a great assert to Malawi and the world at large. Tracking the entire democratic period in Malawi, some ‘men of God’ were known to have been bought by various political parties to support their petty issues but Chakwera remained non partisan. This is a mere trait of a true statesman.

A simple analysis from what he has been able to achieve in the faith community tells a lot in what he is capable of doing to turn around the fortunes of this land. It has also to be noted that he cannot transform this country alone. Experience has taught us that the few righteous people that ventured into main stream (if there is one) politics were swallowed with the ‘system.’ Therefore, there is a need of people of character that should surround him in pursuit of taking this country to the ‘territories’ it has never been.

Dr. Laz, as he is popularly known from his admirers, fits well into the equation of transforming Malawi. Here is a man that is capable of influencing the policies in tackling the unemployment levels (it’s sad that some ‘posts’ within the various government ministries and departments are vacant yet we have many equally trained young Malawians languishing without jobs). Being highly educated, he knows the need of raising the standards of our education that is going down each passing moment.  He will surely dream and implement practical programs to counteract the rising poverty levels among the citizenry.  His pastoral and theological experiences give him an urge in tackling corruption that has taken root since the UDF government. His practical experience serving as a Commissioner (one of the founding members for six years) at National AIDS Commission makes him well aware to deal with the soaring disease burden due to HIV/Aids. His life testifies that he has jealously guarded and upheld good governance. This man has the youth at heart.

Among other parastatal entities, Chakwera has served as Board Chairman in the Petroleum Control Commission (PCC), chairman of the Board in the Malawi National Council of Sports and Board of trustees member for Media Council of Malawi. He is chairman of the Evangelical Association of Malawi (a grouping of evangelicals and Pentecostals), president for Africa Assemblies of God Alliance (AAGA), president Southern Africa Assemblies of God Alliance (SAAGA) and General Secretary for the World Assemblies of God Fellowship (WAGF), executive member for World Assemblies of God Relief Agency (WAGRA) and World Missions Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship. He is also the founding president for Eleventh Hour Institute (EHI). Chakwera is also a member of the Empowered21 Global Council. This is a revered group of International Christian leaders.

Rev. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has been at the helm of the Malawi Assemblies of God since1989. He has been on this position after being democratically elected in a vote for seven consecutive times. This tells you how he has won the trust of the Malawi Assemblies of God Assembly which is the major Pentecostal church in Malawi.

In the academic circle, he is a renowned author, mentor and administrator. He is chairman of the Board for Pan African Theological Seminary (an Assembly of God institution that offers Post Graduate Studies in Africa), Chairman of All Nations Theological Seminary (ANTS), and has served as a board member for Global University (Springfield, Missouri in USA) from 1999 to 2005. He is also the Chairman for the Association for Pentecostal Theological Education in Africa (APTEA) since 2011 and a member for Public Universities Working Committee of Malawi.

It is a disgrace for some to start championing a cheap propaganda in attacking his Chakwera’s accent. An accent has nothing at all to do with his capabilities to run this great nation. After all, his Chichewa accent is down to earth. In essence, it is quite irrational for a well educated and matured person to rate a presidential candidate based on their accent. That which makes one deliver is not an accent but the will power and the grace of God upon somebody’s life to perform. Dr. Chakwera has proved to the world that he is a credible leader. Malawi is not in need of the same old recycled politicians, we need a people full of God’s character to liberate us from the immense social-economic woes. Come 2014, if Chakwera makes it at the MCP Convention, this party will be a force to reckon with.

Chakwera born on April 5, 1955 holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Chancellor College of the University of Malawi, a Bachelor of Theology (Hons) from University of the North in Sovenga, South Africa, a Masters of Theology degree from University of South Africa in Pretoria, South Africa and a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity International University in Deerfield in USA.