Malawi President Banda hails Kamuzu: Pictorial included
President Joyce Banda has said the history of Malawi will never be complete without the name of founding President Kamuzu Banda, whose rule, she observed, fashioned the mood that is still inspiring the country’s development and the character of its people.
Speaking in Kasungu on Tuesday when she led Malawians to commemorate Kamuzu Day and celebrate the legacy of the Father and Founder of the Malawi nation, President Banda said Kamuzu Banda is the fulcrum around which the country will always hold.
“My fellow Malawians, the fruits of Dr. Kamuzu Banda’s legacy are still being felt today and shall be felt for evermore. His work shall forever remain the foundation upon which the development and prosperity of this great nation is built,” said President Banda at Chilanga CCAP Church where the celebrations took place, with the main feature being a worship service.
President Banda said the mantra used by political parties in Malawi today of “power to the people” draws its spirit from the values that inspired Dr Banda’s leadership in the fight against imperialism.
“As we all know, the struggle for independence from colonial rule and the subsequent attainment of independence, reached its climax in 1958 when the Ngwazi arrived back home in Nyasaland.
His mission was twofold, “I have come to do two things: to destroy their stupid federation and give you my people your own Government”.
She said her Government seeks to advance the same hardworking spirit Late Ngwazi Dr. Kamuzu Banda [Alidzi] started.
According to the Malawi leader, for believing that Agriculture is the back bone of our economy, Kamuzu Banda inspired Malawians to attach value to the soils as the catalyst for the country’s development.
She said she was pleased that her government was not only ensuring that farmers get from the soils value for their sweat, but also motivating them to work even harder to contribute towards the prosperity of the country.
“We all know that tobacco is our main cash crop and you may recall two or three years ago tobacco buyers abandoned the floors leaving most farmers destitute and our economy in tatters.
“My Government recognized the input our hardworking farmers make to the country’s economy, so I managed to woo back the buyers,” President Banda said.
She explained that the reasonable prices on the floors this season are testimony to the potential that agriculture still holds in turning around the economy of the country.
Banda cited the improvements that have happened to the economy through her interventions like the Kwacha appreciating against the dollar. The President said she was optimistic that the general livelihood of Malawians is set to improve by the end of the year.
As a fitting tribute to Kamuzu Banda, President Banda encouraged Malawians “to advance the freedom and unity our Father and Founder left us.”
“Above all, we should work hard to ensure that our economy, which is now recovering, continues to grow for our country to prosper,” she emphasized, thanking the Church and all Malawians for “your moral support and prayers”.
The President donated K500, 000 to the Women’s Guild at Chilanga CCAP.
Other speakers at the event included Defence Minister Kandodo Banda, nephew to Kamuzu Banda and Senior Chief Kaomba.
Kamuzu Day falls on May 14, believed to be the birthday of Malawi’s founding Head of State.
He ruled Malawi for 31 years before losing power in 1994 to Bakili Muluzi following winds of change blowing at the time in this part of Africa.
He died in 1997 and hailed from Chiwengo village in the tobacco growing district of Kasungu.
