Lazarus Chakwera for Malawi’s economic liberation
President Lazarus Chakwera has called on citizens to work hard in national development endeavours, describing it as key to economic liberation.
The Malawi leader said independence that the country attained was not only for the freedom to govern itself but also for prosperity.
Chakwera made the remarks in Lilongwe Tuesday at the National Service of Worship to commemorate Independence Day, which falls on July 6.
This year’s commemorations were under the theme ‘Building an Inclusive, Wealthy and Self-reliant Nation through Mindset Change and Servant Leadership’.
Chakwera said economic liberation inspires the vision of Malawi 2063 and the Tonse Alliance’s manifesto.
He, therefore, challenged Malawians to become productive, pointing out that there would be no prosperity without productivity.
“Productivity means doing more and more, or better and better useful things that make Malawi better,” Chakwera said.
Chakwera then frowned at some independence celebration decoration materials, an indirect reference to some of the things that could not make Malawi prosper.
“Mukuona wina akuti akuika zokongoletsera kuti tikukondwerera zaka 57, koma kuona ntchito yake, yosalozeka ndikulozeka komwe ngati uyang’ane kumbali [57th independence anniversary decoration materials leave a lot to be desired],” Chakwera said.
“When you see a [Cabinet] minister posting nonsense on Facebook, ask them: Is what you are doing making Malawi better?” Chakwera said.
In his sermon, Apostle Esau Banda of the Pentecost International Christian Church called on Malawians to embrace mindset change and start believing that a prosperous Malawi is possible
Chairperson of commemorations’ organising committee, Richard Chimwendo Banda, said plans to hold the celebrations in all the country’s three major regions were cancelled.
The event was also attended by Vice President Saulos Chilima, former president Joyce Banda, Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara and religious leaders.
Mathews Kasanda is a journalist who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Malawi (The Polytechnic).
In 2015, Media Institute of Southern Africa awarded him the Best Print Media Education Journalist of the Year accolade.
He joined Times Group Newsroom in September 2019.
