Martyrs Day event unite Malawi political leaders: ‘If freedom fighters resurrected they would be mad’
Malawians on Sunday commemorated Martyrs Day at Nkhata Bay where many Malawian freedom fighters were killed during the uprising in 1959 with a theme Unity in Diversity is Paramount to Development in Malawi’.
The ceremony drew together different politicians from the political divide which included State Vice President Saulos Chilima who is also UTP Party leader, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Lazarus Chakwera and some cabinet ministers.
As usual government overlooked the presence of Chilima and made Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe as Guest of honour who was welcomed by Civic Education Minister and DPP presidential running mate Everton Chimulirenji.
Gondwe in his speech apparently refused to salute the political leaders for ‘fear of others complaining that I have not mentioned them’.
However, although the official program did not indicate that Chilima was going to lay a wreath, he was given the opportunity to do so including Chakwera and UDF president Atupele Muluzi who is also Minister of Health and Population.
Former President Joyce Banda was represented by lawmaker Beatrice Mwale.
All political parties were asked not to put on their political colors which most adhered to save for Chimulirenji who was putting on a DPP blue budge.
However, the supporters failed to hold it whenever the name of their leader was mentioned in salutations.
Many clapped hands when Chimulirenji recognized Chilima as Vice President of the Republic and MCP President Chakwera.
Representatives of some families of martyrs of the 1959 liberation struggle made during commemorations said if the freedom fighters resurrected they would be mad with the leaders for letting down Malawians due to nepotism and violence among others.
In his speech, legislator for NkhataBay South Emily Chinthu Phiri sent people into stitches when she told Finance Minister Gondwe to take concerns from people seriously and addressing them withon the “short time they have left” before the May 21 Tripartite Elections.
“Please, help the people. We cannot be talking about this now and then. I know maybe you have very little time left, but when you leave we will ask other people in government to help us,” said Phiri, a member of UTM Party.
Her remarks were made after earlier speakers accused government of neglecting families of Malawians massacred at Nkhata Bay Jetty by federal soldiers during the March 3 state of emergency.
Representative of the bereaved families James Thawe said government has shown unwillingness to truly honour the country’s martyrs, saying it shows they do not care about the concerns of those who put them in power and the killings of the martyrs who died for the freedom they are enjoying.
On his part, chairperson of the organising team of the event, Paul Nazombe said there was need for government of fund the March 3 event commemoration in Nkhatabay.
“We want Capital Hill to take over, but before that, we want recognition of the surviving families,” he said.
At the end of the ceremony while other leaders drove out quietly Chimulirenji addressed a handful of supporters near the memorial pillar blocking other motorists for about 30 minutes.
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DPP is a completely petty nuisance.
Mwambi walero “ Wakufs sadziwika”. The Mp should know that better. Sinjiro”” Mawu msamatha”
Pitala doesn’t recognize the martyrs of 1959 but little known Yohane Chilembwe yet he is enjoying the freedom which the martyrs of 1959. That was successful and led to independence. It’s a shame Pitala doesn’t go there.
mmafuna atani HE ? azilira ? mufuna ndalama zachipepeso munamenya nkhondo ndiinuyo kodi? mmesa adamenyera tonse a Malawi-fe
We have Chilembwe Day, Kamuzu Day, Martyrs Day and Independence Day; all these have one thing in common: to remember people who fought for our struggle to be an independent nation. Can’t we therefore have one day combining all these instead of having four different holidays for essentially the same thing? Let’s reduce the holidays and work hard to realise the dreams of our forefathers.
strong point and question buddy! powerful one.
No we can’t and we won’t. You can sit there fat to your cheeks with mandasi talking that shit because they fought for your freedom.
Nanu a DPP zinazi tazingozisiyani taonani akunyozani ndi akumpoto awa osayamika how many votes can they bring you?
hahaha ine ndinali konko ndinaona andale akupasana chanza nanga ife masapota tidanilananji
kkkkkk koma Patricia kaliyati pano waphwetsedwa baasi. Mpaka msonkhano wonse kutha ali chiimilire? Lili dzana lija atapatsidwa mpando ofewa kuti akhale. KKKKK kapenatu mwina ali mmodzi wa achitetezo a Chilima, ndaonela momwe waimila limodzi ndi asilikali achilimawo, kumbuyo kwa Chilima.
kkkkk koma
Unapitako iwe mwana wa njoka mayi wako sikidzi
kkkkkkkk Nklhawa dzakupwetekatu?
Kikkkkk bodza lalowa ndi mmaso momwetu ili! Help me guys, Kaliati alikumbuyo kwa Chilima apa? Sheeeee! Koma ndiye zativutadi ndithu. Tinene kuti you are even failing to recognize who a lady on that line behind sitting men? Out of jelousy nothing good come.
Ndiye simunati, ine ndi wa MCP malire nseru koma bodza ili landiopsa heavy!
kkkkk ayi m’bale wanga Kaitano sindinatanthauze kuti ali kumbuyombuyo kwa chilima. Koma line yomwe waima ndi asilikaliyo ili kumbuyo kwa line yomwe wakhala Chilima. Ndikanalemba zonsezi kuziika mu ndondomeko koma ma bundle anali ochepa. Kuteleku ndimaona ngati anthu onse ndi ozindikila oti atha kungolunikiza nkhani ndikuyimvetsetsa bwino lomwe. Koma ndaonanso kuti pali anthu ena ngati iwe kaitano ofuna spoon feeding kkkkk no wonder uli ku MCP.
Is she Kaliati?
Nanuso inu ndi Kaliati ameneyo?
Monga Kaliati wanu yemwe simukumudziwa kkkkkk inudi ndi masapota a pa facebook eti? Chifukwa mukanakhala oti muli pa ground mukanamudziwa mulembi wanu wankulu mukamapita mmisonkhano.