Fredokiss to lead youth engagement conversations for 2025 polls

In a bid to amplify the voices of young people in Malawi and foster a more inclusive political landscape, renowned rapper Fredokiss has announced his intention to contest in the upcoming elections as a parliamentarian for Zingwangwa Soche Constituency in Blantyre.

To kickstart this movement towards enhanced youth engagement, Fredokiss whose real name is Penjani Kalua is scheduled to host an Honest Conversation slated for Saturday next week at Robins Park in the commercial city.

The Honest Conversation, primarily targeting youth organizations, women-centric groups and the broader youth demographic, aims to address critical national issues and provide a platform for individuals to express their thoughts, concerns and aspirations for the country’s future.

Speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, a spokesperson Charles Dokera highlighted the multifaceted objectives of the conversation.

“The primary goal is to bring national issues to the forefront and empower citizens, particularly young people and women, to actively participate in shaping the governance of our nation,” Dokera explained.

Emphasizing the significance of such dialogues, the spokesperson noted that these conversations transcend demographic categories and are pivotal in advancing the quality of governance.

He added; “This initiative marks a significant step towards a matured democracy, akin to practices observed elsewhere. By facilitating direct citizen engagement. We are laying the groundwork for effective participatory democracy and redefining the relationship between the government and its people.

Critically, the conversation aims to address the prevalent issue of youth and women marginalization in Malawian politics.

“Currently, a lot of youth and women find themselves on the sidelines of national political discourse, relegated to the role of mere spectators or cheerleaders for political leaders. Our initiative therefore seeks to dismantle barriers to political participation and amplify the voices of marginalized groups in policy formulation and decision-making processes,” Dokera added.

With the Honest Conversation poised to serve as a catalyst for change, there is growing optimism that it will galvanize a new wave of political activism and civic engagement in Malawi, ultimately shaping a more equitable and prosperous future for all citizens.

Malawi is going for polls next year where about 229 constituency tally centres are expected to be receiving and tabulating results from polling centres with 36 district tally centres and are expected to cost Malawi about $187 million (K220 billion).