Carrying the torch: Securing Joyce Chitsulo’s legacy and reinventing political oversight in Malawi

By Burnett Munthali

The passing of Joyce Chitsulo leaves a significant vacuum in Malawi’s democratic framework, particularly in the area of political oversight.

As a fearless legislator, Chitsulo championed transparency and accountability in a political climate where oversight is often treated as an afterthought.

Her leadership as Chairperson of the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) brought rare integrity and impartiality to one of the most crucial arms of parliamentary scrutiny.

She was not afraid to question powerful figures or institutions, even when it meant challenging the status quo or stepping on political toes.

Her approach reminded Malawians that effective oversight is not an act of opposition but a necessary pillar of functional democracy.

Now that she is no longer with us, the country must urgently ask: who will pick up the baton?

This question is not just about filling a vacancy, but about upholding a standard of ethical vigilance and principled leadership.

It is a call to both political parties and the wider civil society to ensure that future oversight roles are occupied by individuals with unwavering moral clarity.

Malawi cannot afford to replace Chitsulo with a figure driven by party loyalty or personal ambition.

Instead, Parliament must adopt systems that prioritize experience, independence, and commitment to public interest when appointing oversight leaders.

Furthermore, mentorship programs within Parliament should be developed to groom younger MPs in the principles that guided Chitsulo’s work.

The media and watchdog institutions must also play a more active role in supporting and protecting those who take up this challenging oversight mandate.

If Malawi fails to reinforce and institutionalize the values Chitsulo embodied, her legacy risks fading into history rather than shaping the future.

But if the nation rises to the challenge, it can transform her legacy into a roadmap for deepening democratic governance and restoring public trust.