Govt import samples of proposed new Malawi flag
Malawi government is determined to change the national flag as a consignment of 630 sample flags imported from Turkey has arrived in the country.
According to a report monitored on Zodiak Broadcasting Services (ZBS) Tuesday evening news bulletin, an invoice from Bayrakci Textile Company of Turkey addressed to Government Central Stores and the Office of the President and Cabinet “suggests the arrival of the sample flags”.
ZBS reported that the invoice has official Malawi Revenue Authority stamps “authenticating the arrival of the consignment”.
Government officials including spokesperson and Information Minister, Leckford Thotho, Finance Minister Ken Kandodo, Secretary to the Treasury Joseph Mwanamvekha and MRA spokesperson Steve Kapoloma were coy to comment on the matter.
The consignment of the sample flags are believed to have arrived in the country on February 25 through Kamuzu International Airport from Istanbul.
“An invoice dated February 17 puts the cost of the sample flags at 6,045 Euros which is about 1.3 million Kwacha,” reported ZBS news.
According to details on the invoice, the consignment includes fifty sample car flags mainly used by cabinet Ministers.
There are also 300 samples of normal flags that are hoisted at government offices as well 30 desk flags.
A proposed new national flag (pictured) to replace the current features rising sun with a full sun and change some colours “symbolising the development that has taken place.”
Said the Information Minister: “The essence of changing the national flag is that times have changed since 1964 when Malawi adopted the flag on attaining its independence.
“The symbol of the rising sun that time made a lot of sense because it was dawn for freedom and hope. But there has been a lot of development that has taken place since and we cannot still be at dawn.”
However, a Blantyre based lawyer, who is also executive director of Justice Link Justin Dzonzi, has appealed to government of Bingu wa Mutharika to “simply resists the temptation” to change the features of the national flag.
“I think it’s a national issue and basically as a national issue it must have a national support for the change. The changes must be that the nation needs the change,” said Dzonzi.
“It’s not just a matter of preference for one individual. I don’t think the colours of our national flag have been subject of debate,” he pointed out.
The legal expert said any changes of features on the national flag should be based on solid and acceptable reasons.
