Malawi’s full sun flag cause uproar at Cross Roads Hotel
There was drama at Cross Roads hotel on Saturday in the Malawi’s capital Lilongwe at the launch of Malawi Cultural Festivals (Macfest) when participants quizzed the organizers demanding an explanation on the reason of putting the national flag which has full sun on a ceremonial cloth.
Recently Malawi parliament approved to revert to the 1964 national flag with a half rising sun sending to dustbin the flag with a full sun which was introduced by the late President Bingu wa Mutharika’s administration.
During the function Malawi’s artists and other participants did not hide their surprise when they saw the full sun flag on the tourism cloth and demanded an explanation from the organizers.
Minister of Tourism and Culture Daniel Liwimbi was at pain to convince the participants on why the cloth is bearing the ‘old flag’ who told the gathering that the cloths was designed during the reign of president Mutharika.
“Distingished ladies and gentlemen the cloth bears the old flag because the function was scheduled to take place some months ago before the death of the president,” he said.
However the patrons could not take that excuse.
Some wondered why they did not change the flag arguing that government has a lot of money to spend citing millions of kwachas which President Joyce Banda has used during her UN conference trip.
While others were so angry that they asked the organizers to proceed with the function without the cloth in sight saying the flag was reminding them their ‘bad old days.’
Several artists displayed their talent through displays and performances.
The festival aims to boost Malawi’s tourism industry which is one of five instruments that would help to boosting the country’s economy if well nurtured.
