Obama's Soft Power in Malawi: From Donuts to Aspiring Presidential Candidates

Much ado (okay, "some fuss") has been made of Obama's soft power abroad - that is, his ability to improve America's image and increase its popularity overseas through the power of his own brand...through his words and actions, and by what his popular image represents.

I've blogged previously about how Obama's soft power has manifested itself here in Malawi: primarily through delicious pastries. But now it seems at least one Malawian politician is hoping to benefit from Obama's soft power as well. "Dark horse" presidential candidate James Nyondo, running as an independent in Malawi's coming May elections, has adopted the Obama brand, as you can see from this banner, which is currently flying in Zomba's busiest intersection:



The Chichewa phrase at the end there - "OBAMA YEMWEYO" - is difficult to translate into English, but it's along the lines of "Obama, that's the one!" or "It's Obama - none other!"

(For those keeping track, Nyondo is 40 years old.)