UK invites Malawi leader for David Livingstone anniversary in London

Malawi President  Joyce Banda has been invited to attend celebrations commemorating 200 years of the life of   Dr. David Livingstone and his contributions to the world to be held in London.

Under Secretary for Scottish Parliament David Mundell made the invitation at a meeting with the Malawi President held at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday.

Mundell told journalists that his country found it very necessary to have President Joyce Banda present at the anniversary slated for March 19, 2013 at Westminster Abbey in London.

“Dr. David Livingstone is a very great figure in Scotland, Great Britain and all over Malawi,” said Mundell, adding, “And more importantly, the Scottish missionary is highly remembered in Malawi for his contributions following his visits and missionary work in the mid 19th century.”Looking forward to see you in Scotland on comemoration of 200 years of David Livingstone, Mundell tells Banda. Pic By Lisa Vintulla

The Scottish Parliamentary Under Secretary said another reason he visited Malawi was to appreciate the country’s efforts towards Economic Recovery Program and to see how best trade between the two countries could be improved.

He said the UK Government would do everything to ensure that Malawi’s economy recovers through improved trade between the two countries, among other things.

Said Mundell, “The UK Government is very encouraged to see that President Joyce Banda is taking difficult, but positive decisions in her efforts to recover the country’s economy.

“We are sure that she is doing the right thing – in fact that was what Dr. Livingstone’s mission was all about: improving the welfare of the people.”

Mundel added that a team of Scottish parliamentarians would visit Malawi before the March 19 to appreciate Livingstone’s influence in the country, among other things.

He said before the main event on March 19, 2013, a series of events in respect of Dr. Livingstone’s anniversary would take place in various places of the United Kingdom such as Blantyre, Livingstone’s birth place, London and in Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish official presented a gift to President Banda in form of a book which he said is a compilation of Dr. Livingstone’s life, achievements and what other commentators said about the great Scottish missionary.

Born on March 19, 1813, Dr. David Livingstone was a Scottish missionary who explored many parts of Africa for geographical discoveries, among other things.

He made three voyages to Africa (between 1858 and 1866) during which he discovered the source of Nile River, discovered Zambezi River and Lake Malawi, among other features.

Dr. Livingstone was the first explorer to reach Lake Malawi, then Lake Nyasa, in January 1866 and in Malawi he is remembered for the introduction of Christianity, education, health services and he also contributed to the abolishing of slave trade.

The Scottish explorer died of malaria and dysentery on 1 May, 1873 in Zambia in Chief Chitambo’s Village at Illala, Southeast of Lake Bangweulu in present Zambia, according to available historical records.

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