Malawi Calls for Unity as it Celebrates 59 Years of Independence
Malawi calls for unity as it marks 59 years of independence.
Lilongwe, Malawi- As Malawi prepares to celebrate 59 years of independence on Wednesday, the government is calling for unity among the citizenry, writes Memory Phoso.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda said the celebrations will bring Malawians together regardless of their affiliations.
"We have gone through a lot, but we can't allow Malawi to be divided," said Chimwendo Banda.
"We need to be together, unite, and develop our country. We need to forget where we are coming from, forget our religions, and forget our regions, but to unite and focus as we move on. With all the challenges we have had, we need to celebrate and move on as a country."
The celebrations will have two major public events, starting with a National Day of Prayer on July 5 at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), with a climax on July 6 at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe, where a number of activities will take place, including a football match between FCB Nyasa Bullets and Yanga of Tanzania.
Minister of Homeland Security Kenneth Zikhale Ng'oma has asked Malawians not to panic, as there will be enough security during the celebration for their safety.
"There will be enough security, personnel from the Malawi Police Service and Malawi Defence Force will be deployed at the event and gates will be opened as early as 5 am to avoid a stampede," said Ng'oma.
Another member of the committee, Minister of Health Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, urged people to continue observing general hygiene practices to avoid Cholera despite the fact that it has been contained and no new cases have been registered for the past month.
The country failed to hold the celebrations in the previous two years due to COVID-19 and financial constraints.
Malawi holds celebrations every July 6 since it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964, and this year is being celebrated under the theme “Renewed Unity and Patriotism for Our Country.”