Malawi remembers fallen soldiers
A two-minute silence have been held and services took place across the country on Sunday to remember the country’s war dead during the annual Remembarance Sunday event.
The silence was followed by The Last Post, sounded by the Malawi Defence Force.
President Mrs Joyce Banda led the nation in paying homage to the fallen heroes of the two world wars by laying the first wreath at the Zomba War memorial cenotaph near Cobbe Barrack and Malawi ‘s Maximu Prison.
Malawian soldiers were killed in both World Wars when they joined Britain as Kings African Rifles.
Among the dignitaries that also laid wreaths of during the function were the Malawi leader of opposition, John Tembo and Chief Secretary to Cabinet, Bright Msaka.
Members of the diplomatic corps such as the British High commissioner, Michael Nevin, envoys from Zambia, Tanzania, and South Africa also laid their wreaths.
Reverend Daniel Gunya of the CCAP church led members of the clergy in offering prayers followed by Sheik Adima Yasin of the Muslim community and Father Dennis Kamalo of the Catholic Church in Zomba diocese who prayed for peace in Malawi as well as the world.
Other events were held in the capital Lilongwe and Mzuzu in memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Malawi asrmy spokesman said the commemorations this year were “as important as ever”.
In Lilongwe, Vice president Khumbo Kachal laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in the city centre where Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda, Deputy MDF Commander Lieutenant General John Nsonthi jr, Malawi Police Service Commissioner Nelson Bophani, two =War Veterans retired Brigadier Kadzuwa and retired Warrant Officer Suwedi Suleya, representatives for countries such as Ireland, China, Japan, the United States of America, France, Norway, India, Zimbabwe, Red Cross Society and St. John’salso laid his wreath.
In Mzuzu, Minister of Defence, Ken Kandodo led the event and laid wreath at the Stone of Remembrance.
Staff Sergeant Mohande, who fought in the Second World War of 1939-45 laid a wreath on behalf of all the old soldiers.
Currently, Malwi army has over 20 wounded soldiers in its memorial homes.
Remembenrace Sunday is also observed in other parts of the world and the Queen of Bratain led the event in London where Malawi High Commissioner Benard Sande also laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.
