Kaliati dresses to thrill at Mulhakho dinner, wow patrons in ‘Chiguduli’ skirt

She was expectedly not listed on the programme as one of the speakers, and she did not speak. But the minister of Information Technology   and Civic Education, Patricia Kaliati, was stunning with her unusual attire, stealing the show.

Clad in a maroon top and a skirt made from typical Hessian “cloth” (Chiguduli), Kaliati elegantly stormed the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC)  between 7 and 7:30PM for the Mlhako wa Lhomwe fundraising dinner dance Friday evening.

At a passing glace, one thought it was an imported expensive material from which her skirt was made.

But on second look, one was left jaws down to note that the material was simply a Hessian cloth – the one farmers use to bale tobacco leaf.

Scores of eyes popped out in disbelief and followed the minister to her table where she cheered up some patrons before taking her seat.

Kaliati’s Hessian skirt is well tailored, with tucks and artwork of an earthen pot in front, and it is decorated with greenish spots around its hem.

“This is very interesting,” remarked one patron from one of the tables later as the minister, all smiles, moved with the queue to serve herself dinner.

“While we think it is expensive factory-made cloth material that would make us look hot in, the minister has just proved to us that it’s value addition to the simple and local things that does the trick.

“Perhaps it’s high time we seriously started adding value to such simple things we have and make a kill out of it and turn the economy around at household and community level.”

The Mlhako wa Lhomwe fundraising dinner dance, which was graced by President Prof. Peter Mutharika, had other interesting cultural things among them Lhomwe delicacies namely; well-prepared mice (mbewa), pegion peas (nandolo), kalongonda (giant beans), and makaka (dried peeled cassava).

Lhomwe charms such as, gondolosi, Mthubulo,  waist bead-strings and many other things believed to boost man’s sexual appetite and performance  also sold like hot cakes.

Mlhako wa Lhomwe branded caps, and Wilson hats were also sold at the fundraising dinner dance.

This year’s Mlhako wa Lhomwe cultural festival is scheduled to take place on October 30th at the usual Chonde Ground in Luchenza, Thyolo.