By Deogratias Mmana:
The government has set aside K90 million for this year’s Kamuzu Day celebrations, which will take place at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Local Government, Unity and Culture Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda said the day will be celebrated under the theme ‘Kamuzu, the Legacy of Patriotism, Integrity and Hard Work’.
President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to preside over the activities.
Banda told a news conference in Lilongwe Thursday that the government and Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s family members resolved to rotate the activity, which used to take place in Lilongwe.
“But this year, it pleased government to bring the ceremony to Blantyre and appease Dr. Banda’s spirits because this is where he lived most [of the time] when he was president of this country,” Banda said.
He said Banda was not an ordinary person, adding that he led Malawians during the struggle for independence from colonial rule.
“His mission was to free Malawians from the yoke of colonial oppression. Therefore, this day was set aside to remember and celebrate his life and contributions he made to the development of this country,” Banda said.
According to Banda, some of the activities lined up for the day include traditional dances, live bands that include Piksy, Black Missionaries, Zeze Kingston, Ethel Kamwendo Banda, Mibawa Band, Eli Njuchi and a football match between Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.
The event will also include prayers and speeches.
A representative of Dr Banda’s family, Ken Kandodo, commended the government for the role it plays in the organisation of the celebration and for allowing that the event should rotate among the regions.
“We extend our appreciation to the government and His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera. We, as a family, are thankful. We also invite members of the general public to join us in celebrating Kamuzu’s life,” Kandodo said
