Popular musician Patience Namadingo invoked biblical scripture on Thursday, challenging President Lazarus Chakwera to "show and not explain" his accomplishments during a presidential youth dialogue at Sanjika Palace, writes Winston Mwale.
"In the Bible, in the book of Luke chapter seven, verse 22, there's a story of John the Baptist sending disciples to ask Jesus, 'Are you the one or should we wait?'" Namadingo said.
"Jesus responded, saying, 'Go and tell John what you've seen. The dead have been raised, the lame can walk, the blind can see.' He did not say, 'I am the one.'"
The 34-year-old musician delivered an impassioned critique of government accountability, political corruption and youth emigration just months before Malawi's general elections.
"I'm a Malawian man who has no other home other than this one," Namadingo told the president during the National Youth Council of Malawi interface.
"I am confused. I'm disappointed. The third emotion: I have hope because if we don't have hope, then we are lost."
The frank exchange came during Chakwera's youth engagement initiative that brought together young Malawians from various sectors, including arts, business, academia and religion.
Namadingo cited the World Bank's elements of governance while questioning the transparency of Malawi's political leadership.
He directly challenged the disconnect between politicians' official salaries and their visible wealth.
"When we talk about our ministers, our members of parliament, these are people that it is public knowledge that their pay is anything less than 3 million. But their lifestyles, the houses they buy, the fleet of cars that they buy. How do they do this? Your guess is as good as mine," Namadingo said.
The musician's comments reflected growing frustration among young Malawians, with youth unemployment in Malawi at approximately 23%.
"Every time when I travel out of this country, be it going to America or going to the UK for my music endeavors, there's so many youths that want visas to run away from Malawi," he said.
"I cannot be proud to live in a country where every youth that I meet wants to run away."
Speaking to fellow youth attendees, Namadingo urged them to seize the rare opportunity to address the president directly.
"We have been given an opportunity to speak to this man. You will not get this opportunity again," he said.
"We cannot be in this room asking petty questions."
The musician also questioned the timing of the engagement.
"You've been in office for more than four years, and you've never invited us here to have this conversation," Namadingo said.
"You're just six months away from the general election. If you don't return, then this gathering is just another show."
The president, who faces criticism for Malawi's struggling economy amid rising inflation and food insecurity, listened attentively throughout the exchange.
Thursday's interface is part of a series of engagements following the president's State of the Nation Address.
A similar youth dialogue is scheduled for Mzuzu in the northern region next week.
"In the Bible, in the book of Luke chapter seven, verse 22, there's a story of John the Baptist sending disciples to ask Jesus, 'Are you the one or should we wait?'" Namadingo said.
"Jesus responded, saying, 'Go and tell John what you've seen. The dead have been raised, the lame can walk, the blind can see.' He did not say, 'I am the one.'"
The 34-year-old musician delivered an impassioned critique of government accountability, political corruption and youth emigration just months before Malawi's general elections.
"I'm a Malawian man who has no other home other than this one," Namadingo told the president during the National Youth Council of Malawi interface.
"I am confused. I'm disappointed. The third emotion: I have hope because if we don't have hope, then we are lost."
The frank exchange came during Chakwera's youth engagement initiative that brought together young Malawians from various sectors, including arts, business, academia and religion.
Namadingo cited the World Bank's elements of governance while questioning the transparency of Malawi's political leadership.
He directly challenged the disconnect between politicians' official salaries and their visible wealth.
"When we talk about our ministers, our members of parliament, these are people that it is public knowledge that their pay is anything less than 3 million. But their lifestyles, the houses they buy, the fleet of cars that they buy. How do they do this? Your guess is as good as mine," Namadingo said.
The musician's comments reflected growing frustration among young Malawians, with youth unemployment in Malawi at approximately 23%.
"Every time when I travel out of this country, be it going to America or going to the UK for my music endeavors, there's so many youths that want visas to run away from Malawi," he said.
"I cannot be proud to live in a country where every youth that I meet wants to run away."
Speaking to fellow youth attendees, Namadingo urged them to seize the rare opportunity to address the president directly.
"We have been given an opportunity to speak to this man. You will not get this opportunity again," he said.
"We cannot be in this room asking petty questions."
The musician also questioned the timing of the engagement.
"You've been in office for more than four years, and you've never invited us here to have this conversation," Namadingo said.
"You're just six months away from the general election. If you don't return, then this gathering is just another show."
The president, who faces criticism for Malawi's struggling economy amid rising inflation and food insecurity, listened attentively throughout the exchange.
Thursday's interface is part of a series of engagements following the president's State of the Nation Address.
A similar youth dialogue is scheduled for Mzuzu in the northern region next week.
