Covid-19 limits Kamuzu Day commemorations
The spread of Covid-19 has affected Kamuzu Day commemorations which are held every year on May 14. On the day, various stakeholders often come together in huge gatherings to honour Malawi’s father and founder, Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
But this year, according to the late leader’s family, Covid-19 preventive measures that the government has put in place, which include social distancing, mean extra caution must be exercised in commemorating Banda’s life.
One of Banda’s grandchildren, Khumbize Chiponda, said the commemoration will he done through prayers to be conducted at Banda’s mausoleum in Lilongwe today.
“We have limited ourselves on how we will conduct the prayers. We will make sure that we follow all precautionary measures against Covid-19 including observing social distancing. The set is such in a way that people are not exposed to the virus,” Chiponda said.
She also said that as Malawians remember Dr Banda’s life and his ideologies, they should be mindful of what they want to carry forward for the betterment of the country.
“We need to understand or strive to make sure that what he wanted for this country is being achieved. He laid a foundation and we have to think of what we want to build on,” Chiponda said.
Kamuzu Day is a public holiday in Malawi, observed on May 14. If May 14 falls on a weekend, the following Monday is be a public holiday.
Banda died in South Africa on November 25 1997, aged 98.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Jappie Mhango has warned that the coming months will be critical for Malawi in the fight against Covid-19.
Mhango was speaking in Lilongwe Wednesday when he announced that five new cases have been recorded in Malawi, bringing the total to 63.
According to Mhango, the month of June and July which are the coldest of the year in Malawi will provide a tough challenge for the country in the fight.
