All roads in Blantyre are leading to Kamuzu Stadium, where the main activity marking Kamuzu Day is taking place.
The day is dedicated to Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who was the country’s prime minister when Nyasaland attained independence from Britain on July 6 1964 and became known as Malawi.
When the country adopted a Republican Constitution in 1966, he became Malawi’s first president.
He died on November 25 1997.
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Last week, the government indicated that it had set aside K90 million for this year’s Kamuzu Day celebrations.
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to free Malawians
Local Government, Unity and Culture Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda said the day is being commemorated under the theme ‘Kamuzu, the Legacy of Patriotism, Integrity and Hard Work’.
President Lazarus Chakwera is presiding over the activities.
Chimwendo Banda said government officials and members of Dr Banda’s family had resolved to rotate the celebration, 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,” Chimwendo Banda said.
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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 the contributions he made to the development of this country,” Chimwendo Banda said.
Some of the activities lined up for the day include traditional dances, live music performances by Piksy, the Black Missionaries, Zeze Kingston, Ethel Kamwendo Banda, Mibawa Band, Eli Njuchi, among others.
There will also be a football match between Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.
Prayers and speeches are also on the lineup.
A representative of Dr Banda’s family, Ken Kandodo, commended the government for the role it has been playing in the organisation of celebrations.
He also hailed Chakwera 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,” Kandodo said.
