The Next President of Malawi

With the rather bold title The Next President of Malawi,” this 15 minute introduction to an unusually brave presidential candidate in that African country’s election process manages to avoid the sense of helplessness and hopeless which seems to be drifting through the air.

Standing tall in her accusations of theft and corruption that she levels against Malawi’s ruling elite, Helen Singh passionately lays out her dogged plan to help put the country back on its feet through strategies involving common sense, justice, and transparency.

With her loyal and idealistic son by her side, she embodies the sort of noble soul and courageous player that reminds one of a Nelson Mandela, admittedly on a smaller scale in an impoverished country plagued not by apartheid but by economic disparity.

The film’s quiet and dignified manner reflects Helen’s own character, and our journey from meeting her until the end of the film, is full of shocking revelations about the misdeeds of those who have forcibly taken the reins and led the country into near-ruin.

Equally astonishing is her grit and determination to take on a group of men who have in the past had no compunction about throwing their opponents into rivers infested with crocodiles. Now that’s courage.