Malawi Pres. Banda elevates senior chief Chiwalo of Phalombe
President Joyce Banda on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 presided over the official elevation ceremony of Chief Chiwalo of Phalombe who is now Senior Chief Chiwalo.
The ceremony took place at Dindi Primary School Ground in the District.
The President said Senior Chief Chiwalo deserved the promotion because of his hardworking spirit in development activities. She said her administration has adopted a deliberate policy to recognize and incentivise all Chiefs who display exceptional leadership skills, particularly in development endeavours.
“Chiefs are crucial catalysts for development particularly in mobilizing their subjects; they need to be encouraged and motivated and one way to do that is to promote deserving traditional leaders. Above all, Chiefs are custodians of culture and tradition and a nation without these to important values is like a tree without roots,” said the Malawi leader.
The President advised the promoted Senior Chief to be impartial, humble and willing to listen to advice. She also advised the Senior Chief to respect the lower traditional chiefs.
Senior Chief Chiwalo was born ‘Lameck Muheya Phiri’ on March 15, 1934.
He became Group Village Headman Chiwalo in 1952; Sub T/A in 1997; T/A in 2004; and Senior T/A on October 30, 2013.10.30.
Chiwalo has been traditional chief for 61 years.
At the Dindi Primary School, other speakers included Ritchie Muheya, MP, who spoke on behalf of the Royal Family; Group Village Headman Nthambala, Chairperson of the main organizing committee of the event; Godfrey Kamanya, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development; and Home Affairs Minister Uladi Mussa.
Retired Road Traffic Commissioner D. C. Matupa narrated the history of the Chiwalo Chieftaincy.
