M'mbadwa Party

M'mbadwa Party

The robust opposition party to Dr Banda's MCP in 1963 which caused mayhem in Nyasaland on the eve of independence.

Early 60s in Nyasaland,there were two African opposition parties, TDT Banda's Congress Liberation Party and Chester Katsongas Christian Democratic Party.

TDT Banda formed his party because he was  removed from the Presidency of Nyasaland African Congress to pave way for Dr Banda.

And Chester Katsonga formed his because,,,   the financial sacrifices he made in chairing the reception to greet Dr Banda on his return in 1958 were not rewarded.

These parties united later to form the Christian Liberation Party.

Katsongas house and his bar Chester's Bar were set on fire by the followers of Dr Banda of the Malawi Congress Party.

The case was taken to court and Malawians were on top of their voices that Katsonga's premises were not the first to be set on fire.

TDT Banda did possess a degree of support not only in Nkhata Bay, his home district but also in Thyolo and Mulanje where he was admired for his work among tenants.

Katsongas frailties as a politician were shadowed by the steadfast commitment to democracy by  cofounder of CDP, Gilbert Pondeponde who was the Secretary General.

Gilbert Pondeponde employed as bookkeeper at Lever Brothers resigned from MCP in protest against Dr Banda's appointment for life as leader of MCP.

Pondeponde later published an article justifying the founding of CDP on the grounds that 

'One party is not enough for political discussion in a country' and that 'This party wants everyone to be free to speak his mind without being intimidated'.

Pondeponde warned Malawians of placing too much power in the hands of one man as a LION to scare the whiteman.

In April 1961 when the CDP almagamated with the CDP as Christian Liberation Party, Pondeponde became it's secretary general.

Pondeponde stuck to his principles after the 1961 electoral loss joined with L.M.Y Chirwa and formed the vibrant M'mbadwa Party which gave MCP problems in Nyasaland.

Dr Banda launched the Malawi Young Pioneers in February 1963 with Muwalo Nqumayo as the head.

Gilbert Pondeponde was murdered at the hands of MCP militants on the Christmas eve 1963 silencing a remarkably tenacious and independent minded individual.

The following elections ,,,1964 in Nyasaland were marred with violence against M'badwa .

Petrol bombs used to dismantle Mbadwa structures.

Events in Nyasaland: despatch no 23 from Sir Glyn Jones to Mr Sandys on violence during the registration of voters.

Sir Glyn Jones reports of the death of Pondeponde of Mbadwa Party who was found with a fractured skull.

The second death arose from the attack and the fight that followed between  a gang of League of Malawi Youth and the Congregation of the Providence Industrial Mission who resisted to acquire party cards.

Mbadwa was initially going to contest in all the seats but it's leader L.M.Y Chirwa later declared that Mbadwa would boycott the 1964 elections due to violence it suffered which included petrol bomb attacks, bodily attacks , murder ,arson of maize mills,houses and cars belonging to leading members of Mbadwa.

By 1964 all the leading members of  Mbadwa had fled to Lusaka or Salisbury.

Tonight ladies and gents, lets give a standing ovation to ...the legendary Gilbert Pondeponde who foresaw the trouble ahead of Malawi  and refused to tow along with every Nyasa native, but chose to follow his principles.🍷🍺

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