By Jameson Chauluka
President Lazarus Chakwera yesterday called for the spirit of shared responsibility in finding solutions to problems the country is facing.
Chakwera said this during the Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni at Nkolimbo in Ntcheu District.
He said he admires the spirit of shared responsibility which Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V has towards problems of early marriages and climate change, among others, saying this was the way to go for the country.
He said no matter the problems that are happening in the country, Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V has always taken an approach of making practical contributions to the solutions.
“To the problem of climate change impacts that are affecting our rain cycle and farmers, your response has never been to cry about it, but to contribute your ideas to climate-smart and climate-resilient approaches to managing our natural resources.
“To the problem of the loss of cultural and historical anchors and values among Malawi’s youth, your response has never been to finger point, but to contribute to the solution by establishing libraries and programs by which the values of Maseko Ngoni culture can be passed from one generation to the next.
“This approach is worth commending because it is so refreshing and rare,” Chakwera said.
The President said he is aware of these and many more challenges Malawians are facing but said government is looking for ways to find lasting solutions.
“I know of the village that is creating problems by illegally letting people from Mozambique cross the border and illegally giving them documents to get Malawian passports. I also know of police stations in some areas here that are refusing to help citizens unless they pay to be served.
“I also know of the problem of security lapses in the district as a whole, to the point that people are afraid to even walk around the trading centre in the evening.
“I know of the problem of access to government services, starting with Neef [National Economic Empowerment Fund] loans, which some people here are being unjustly denied access to based on the political party they support. The same applies to the anxiety you all feel about whether you will be able to access fertilizer at a subsidized price through the AIP programme this year,” he said.
Vice President Saulos Chilima who is Impi to Gomani hailed Chakwera for attending cultural gatherings of all tribes in the country.
Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V challenged the country’s leadership to put measures which can promote development of everyone including the poor and the youth.
“Politicians must be united to serve the country better. The country needs to have a strong and constructive opposition which practices constructive opposition providing solutions to problems facing the country.
“As leaders we should not exploit the youth for our selfish gains but strive to put in place measures that we can all develop,” he said.
Minister of Local Government Blessings Chinsinga announced during the celebrations that the Ministry of National Unity was coming up with National Cultural Day for the country to celebrate its diverse cultures.
During the celebrations, Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V commissioned 19 new Impis to help him run affairs of the kingdom. They include veteran politician John Tembo and Mama Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira, the Official Hostess of the country’s first and founding President Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who were honoured for their contributions towards the development of the country.