BLANTYRE--Malawian newspapers on Easter Sunday hailed the smooth transition in Malawi as a democratic triumph that has "helped to entrench and cement a democratic culture in the country and a fresh breath of air on our African continent where smooth transitions are rare", and offered advice to Joyce Banda on what needs to be done to revamp the economy.

The Sunday Times, in its editorial titled 'Democracy triumphs in Malawi!' said the country, with a young history of 18 years of democracy, had joined African countries such as Zambia and Senegal in West Africa who have recently had "peaceful, orderly and smooth transitions."

"For Malawi, it’s a record in southern Africa because this is the first time in our region that a female president has ascended to the highest political office of any country."

The newspaper, one of the four published by Times Group, privately owned by the family of late founder  president Dr. Kamuzu Banda, congratulated Joyce Banda, hoping that she would "lead the way to emancipate the country from the jaws of economic instability."

The Nation on Sunday, one of the three owned by the family of the late minister and veteran politician Aleke Banda, took the chance to remind the new President Joyce Banda that "key to her success, among other factors, would be to realise that hers is a privileged position and she will need the support of every Malawian to tackle the long list of problems that have beset this nation over the last few years."

It said the President "will need to remain grounded as she has appeared to be so far and surround herself with the right people, not those who may mislead her in pursuit of their own selfish interests."

The newspaper added that lessons from her predecessors "are many but she will have realised that Malawians know what they want of their leader and it is easy to win their trust when one delivers to their satisfaction."

It added: "Malawians have also shown over the years that they can make it clear in various ways when they feel short-changed by the political system."
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©2012 The Maravi Post. Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment