Maureen Chirwa

She is the eldest of four children and the successor to her mother Joyce Chitsulo who died aged 47 in 2025,^[1] the same year that Maureen was elected. Joyce had been the member of parliament for Mwanza South and she had been buried with full military honours.^[1]

At the funeral the traditional Senior Chief Govati made it clear to those gathered and then President Lazarus Chakwera that negotiations were open with the family to have a successor to Joyce Chitsulo. Govati said this would allow her work to continue smoothly.^[2] Maureen took over her position to stand in the 2025 general election.^[3] Her courage was recognised as was the doubts over her ability to take over from her mother.^[4]

Chirwa gave her maiden speech in parliament in November 2025. She thanked the voters of Mzanza South and the leaders of the Malawi Congress Party including Lazarus Chakwera for their confidence in her. She acknowledged that she had been given the opportunity despite there being other worthy candidates.^[5]