Former President Joyce Banda has reignited her political campaign with a renewed pledge to implement free secondary education for all Malawians if elected in this year’s general elections.
Addressing a gathering of Muslim women in Lilongwe, Banda pointed to her long-standing Joyce Banda Foundation—which has provided scholarships to thousands of students over the past 15 years—as evidence of her commitment to expanding educational opportunities across the nation.
“Education transforms lives. I’ve walked this journey for over a decade… now, I want to extend that support to every child in Malawi,” she declared.
Staying true to her advocacy for women’s empowerment, Banda also promised to revive key programs from her 2012–2014 presidency, including initiatives that focused on rural housing and economic opportunities for women.
“We must support each other as women… I’ll continue to fight for your empowerment,” she affirmed.
However, Banda’s bid for a political comeback faces considerable scrutiny. Her legacy continues to be marred by the infamous 2013 Cashgate scandal—a multi-million-dollar public fund looting crisis that severely damaged Malawi’s economy and public trust. Though she has consistently denied any involvement, her name remains linked to one of the country’s most notorious corruption cases.
Despite this, Banda still commands a loyal following. Jane Mussa Omar of the Muslim Association of Malawi defended her record, saying, “She has been there for us before, and we believe she can do more.”
Now vying to return to power, Banda is leaning on grassroots goodwill, a familiar manifesto, and her philanthropic track record. Whether voters will once again rally behind her promises remains to be seen.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.