Top Comedian Sworn in as Malawi’s Vice-President

Micheal Usi, a 55-year-old comedian-turned-politician, has been sworn in as Malawi’s new vice-president.

The ceremony took place in Lilongwe following the tragic death of Saulos Chilima in a recent airplane accident. During his inauguration speech, Dr Usi received a standing ovation from the audience. He expressed a blend of sorrow and appreciation as he accepted the position, vowing to honour his predecessor’s legacy. The newly appointed vice-president thanked President Lazarus Chakwera for entrusting him with this senior government role within the power-sharing administration. Usi’s appointment has elicited mixed reactions among Malawians.

While some have questioned his suitability for such a high-ranking position by sharing clips of his acting career on social media, others have commended President Chakwera’s decision to appoint Chilima’s party deputy, viewing it as a move that upholds the spirit of the alliance between their two parties. Dr Usi’s background in entertainment has been a source of both fame and controversy. He is widely recognized for his portrayal of the mischievous character “Manganya” in the popular TV sitcom Tikuferanji. His involvement in the entertainment industry has been longstanding with his aide revealing that Usi was filming an episode for the show as recently as the previous week.

For over two decades, Dr. Usi has been a prominent figure on national radio and television, establishing himself as one of Malawi’s most recognizable local celebrities. He has also been a vocal advocate for the development and promotion of Malawi’s film industry, a sector where sustaining a livelihood can be challenging. Initially, Usi funded his acting career by working as a hospital clinician. He holds a qualification in clinical medicine which is particularly significant in Malawi where most patients are seen by clinicians due to a shortage of doctors. For many years, Usi worked at the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (Adra), a Christian non-governmental organization, serving in various capacities including as the country director.

Under his leadership, Adra funded various radio and TV programs aimed at educating people about HIV and other social issues. The new vice-president is married with two daughters and holds a PhD in youth development from the University of Bedfordshire in the UK. Despite his prominent role at Adra, he continued to prioritize his acting career, participating in various productions primarily in the local Chichewa language. Usi’s entry into politics began about seven years ago when he started a political group.

Initially dismissed by many as a joke due to his reputation as a prankster, his political ambitions proved to be genuine. His movement called ‘Odya zake alibe Mulandu’ eventually became part of the newly formed UTM party led by Dr Chilima.