Aspiring Member of Parliament for the newly demarcated Zomba City South, Dr. James Mpunga, has called on the people of Zomba City to prioritize candidates with fresh, development-oriented ideas in the upcoming 2025 general elections.
In an exclusive interview with The Truth Malawi, Dr. Mpunga stated that it’s time to move beyond voting for career politicians who have consistently failed to bring meaningful change.
“This is a time for people to place their trust in candidates who genuinely want to serve Zomba and are passionate about driving development,” he emphasized.
Dr. Mpunga’s decision to run for office follows his early retirement from a career as a medical doctor. He chose to step down before reaching 60 to dedicate himself to serving the new constituency established by the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC).
Explaining his alignment with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), he said it was a choice made after consulting local leaders, faith groups, youth, and women’s representatives. The discussions highlighted a need for new leadership to tackle the country’s current challenges and unmet promises.
Dr. Mpunga also encouraged voters to avoid candidates who only show up during election cycles, offering handouts without long-term solutions.
Since the 2020 presidential election, Dr. Mpunga has undertaken initiatives to benefit local youth. Using his own resources, he funded vocational training for 40 young people, with 20 boys in carpentry and 20 girls in cosmetology.
He also noted other pressing issues in the area, including poor road networks, limited access to water and electricity, and inadequate school resources. These, he pledged, would be his priorities in Parliament if elected.
Throughout his medical career, Dr. Mpunga served in district hospitals in Chiradzulu, Machinga, Karonga, and at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Lilongwe.
