20/12/2025
THE FUTURE SMILES FOR THOSE BOLD ENOUGH TO DREAM: A STORY OF ONE ALLAN CHIYEMBEKEZO
By Freelancer Emmanuel Mangulenje
When Allan made known his decision to contest in the just ended December 2025 Face to Face Students’ Association (FAFASA) elections at Mzuzu University, many doubted what that man had in mind. His decision came at a time when there was a stronger candidate who had shown interest, whose work had been the talk of the campus and beyond. Familiar but more grave insults and taunts were slurred his way as people boldly told him he would never be a leader at Mzuni, let alone a chairperson.
But Allan marched on.
Armed with voice notes and a dream, he went ahead and contested in what would become the most historic election in the last decade at Mzuzu University. Allan was a bruised soldier. He had faced many battles before these elections, dared to dream, and stepped on many people’s toes when he first stood to contest back in March. Many people were bitter. He was called uncensored, unorganised, and chaotic. He even made an enemy of the unpopular Dr Timothy Chikasirimobi, but despite the intimidation, Allan remained unfazed.
Back in March, the election results shocked the campus. Allan had lost, yet his followers vehemently believed he was the rightful winner, and the integrity of the elections was thrown into doubt. For the first time, I finally met Allan. We planned to contest the results and held several meetings where I witnessed the passion for leadership in the man, the myth, the legend, Allan. We planned to meet a lawyer after hosting a press briefing in the evening.
I was sick and vomited all the way from campus to Chisanga Complex, but I made sure not to miss the meeting. We hit the ground running, and many things happened, a story for another day.
The court case eventually went cold, and I will leave you to guess how that went. This only worsened things for Allan, increasing the insults thrown his way. But Allan did not falter; he marched on.
When he rose to start the Needy Apite initiative, the Warden, Dr Timothy, stated and I quote, “He just wants people to cheer for him; there is nothing he will achieve.” However, the letter Allan wrote to the then sitting president ignited a passionate drive. Together with Timothy Mwale of Orphans for Africa, they raised over K1,000,000 and helped many students get home. One can only wonder how the warden felt about that.
Allan did not stop there. He made noise when the Loans Board delayed stipends and dividends to students. He applied pressure, and some quarters called him mad. I, for one, called his noise unnecessary, but he never backed down. It reminded me of the tussle he had after failing in the previous elections when he challenged what he called a crooked official from the Loans Board. The official became bitter, attacked Allan online, and claimed Allan was simply bitter because he had lost the elections. Allan maintained that he did not lose.
On the road to FAFASA Decides December 2025 elections, much was done and much happened. Mr Blazio Msosa and Mr Rodgers M’Mbwana faced resistance from some powers within the University who held reservations about the manual voting system. However, they prevailed, and the Vice Chancellor heeded their plea. Allan now stood a better chance, though he still faced a strong and formidable candidate.
The day before the elections, I texted him: “Manual yatheka madala, mtima wanga mbeee, Ambuye alemekezeke. All the best madala.” He replied, “Dzulo amafuna aisinthe hahaha. You will remain a legend bro, as I already declared about this.” I smiled and went about my business.
As the voters’ verdict was read and Allan’s victory declared, I remembered something I always told people back at Mzuni: you can never fake influence, and you can never make people forget. The streets will always remember, and the streets showed us. Shekana could equally have made a great chairperson and president. The difference was that Allan had already won people’s hearts long ago.
The people wanted to give him what he deserved, a fearless leader whom I personally endorse for the MUSREC presidency. Protocols are important, but they sometimes hurt progress. Chaotic as Allan may appear, he gets things done. Ladies and gentlemen, the man, the myth, the legend. You may hate Allan, but you will surely love his story. If not, well, life has never been fair.
In the picture: Emmanuel
Esteemed Press 2025
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