BY: Kassim Kajosolo
Stakeholders drawn from youth groups, media houses and civic organisations who participated in the 2025 General Election convened a meeting through the Ndale M’manja Chatbot Project, a civic technology initiative designed to strengthen youth participation in democratic processes.
The meeting, which also formed part of the Zisankho Conversation Series, provided a platform for reflection on the impact of the chatbot while also creating space for young political aspirants to share their experiences from the just-ended elections.
Executive Director for Malawi National Youth in Politics, Raymundo Chifundo Magangani, said the gathering was not only meant to evaluate the digital platform but also to openly discuss the realities young people face when entering politics.
“It was a moment of honest dialogue, one that exposed both the promise and the persistent barriers facing young people seeking leadership positions,” said Magangani.
Participants observed that the Ndale M’manja Chatbot, developed by Malawi National Youth in Politics with support from the Digital Democracy Initiative, Digital Action Lab, and CIVICUS World Alliance , played a significant role in simplifying political and civic information for young people.
The platform enabled youth to access timely, relevant and easy-to-understand electoral information, empowering both voters and aspiring candidates with knowledge about democratic processes.
Media practitioners who attended the meeting emphasized that digital innovations like the chatbot complement traditional media platforms by reaching younger audiences who are often excluded from formal civic education programmes.
However, discussions during the meeting also highlighted a number of challenges affecting youth participation in politics, with economic hardship emerging as a major concern.
Magangani noted that many young political aspirants struggled financially during the elections, making it difficult for them to compete effectively.
“From campaign materials to mobility and basic outreach, the cost of participating in electoral politics proved prohibitive for most youth,” he said.
Participants agreed that while young people possess the ideas, energy and grassroots support necessary for leadership, their limited financial capacity remains a major obstacle to meaningful political participation.
In a political environment where resources often determine visibility and influence, many young aspirants find themselves disadvantaged long before voters even cast their ballots.
Despite these challenges, the mood of the meeting remained optimistic, with organizers reaffirming their commitment to continuing the After Zisankho Conversations as an ongoing platform for engagement rather than a one-time post-election event.
One of the participants, Vitumbiko Phiri, emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue among stakeholders in order to develop long-term solutions that support youth leadership.
“We believe these conversations are necessary. If we keep talking, listening and engaging different stakeholders, we will eventually arrive at solutions that make political participation more inclusive for young people,” said Phiri.
The initiative is also set to expand its outreach to grassroots communities. Organizers announced that the next engagement meeting will be held in Kasungu and Lilongwe Districts, where young people at community level will be given an opportunity to interact with civic actors and share their perspectives on political participation.
Meanwhile, organizers encouraged young people across the country to actively utilize the Ndale M’manja Chatbot, which offers civic education lessons and interactive modules designed to equip youth with political knowledge and leadership skills.
How to Access and Use the Ndale M’manja Chatbot
Young people interested in using the chatbot can follow these simple steps:
1. Download Telegram from the Google Play Store if you do not already have it on your phone.
2. Register your phone number on Telegram, just like you would when creating a WhatsApp account.
3. Click on the following link: https://t.me/WandaleBot and follow the instructions provided.
4. Start learning through the interactive modules available on the platform.
5. Complete the lessons and receive a certificate.
6. For further assistance, users can also send an inbox message to the organizers.
As the initiative continues to grow, stakeholders say the Ndale M’manja Chatbot and the After Zisankho Conversation Series serve as a reminder that democracy goes beyond the ballot box.
For many young Malawians, the journey toward inclusive governance begins with knowledge, dialogue and sustained engagement.