Malawians in UK, Ireland, US, SA line-up independence day celebrations
As the Republic of Malawi clocks 48 years since attaining her independence on 6th July 1964, Malawians in Diaspora have organised a number of events to mark the day.
The Malawi government announced that it will not be holding official celebrations this year to cut on costs. Instead, there will be interdenominational prayers to commemorate the day. There will also be an international football match between Malawi and Zambia.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Ephraim Mganda Chiume, urged Malawians in Diaspora to organise their parties.
Malawians in UK
Malawians in Unite Kingdom will kick-start the Malawi Independence Celebrations on Friday, 6th July in Luton city with a dinner dance according to organisers.
Steve Chijota, one of the organisers said the event will start at 2:00 pm and will be held at Leagrave and Limbury situated along 114 Marsh road, Luton LU3 2 NL.
“There will be lots of goodies and fun which will include in the package such as comedy, drama, poetry and traditional dances,” said Chijota.
Malawi Association UK has also announced that the Independence Day Celebrations will be held at Kwacha House on July 7 organised in conjunction with the Malawi High Commission (UK).
“It will be a garden party, starting time will be 2pm and finishing 10pm,” organisers Felix Banda and Gertrude Chirambo said in a statement.
Kwacha House’s Address is 70 Winnington Road, Hampstead, London, N2 0TX.
“The Malawi High Commissioner’s representatives and other guests will be there. There will be food, poetry, games, songs, cultural dances, barbeque, heart tickling music etc. For a small fee of £10 people will have free drinks and food.”
“All Proceeds/Profits realised from this will be given to Malawi related Charitable Organisations,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that this year’s main event for the celebrations in UK will be held in Nottingham on July 14, 2012.
According to the organisers of the main event, Malawi Association Midlands (MAM) in conjunction with Malawi Association UK , the Nottingham event host a football bonanza, netball, children games and a showcase of Malawian dances.
MAM General Secretary Rowland Mahata said “there will be live performances from various Malawian music artists and various entertainment groups during the event adding that after a daylong family shindig at the Forest Fields open grounds and that they will be a dinner dance at in the evening at Boyz Club in Hyson Green where there will be Malawian musicians, DJs, poets and traditional dancers all for only a cover charge of £10. “
Mahata therefore said Malawi Association Midlands is appealing to all Malawians in the UK and in East Midlands in particular to come forward if they have anything they would want to showcase on the day by contacting him 07861389698, the chairperson Boniface Chimpango on 07876023605 or director of entertainment George Mlanga on 07887700875 to register their activity.
Malawians in Ireland
The Association of Malawians in Ireland [AMAI Ireland], says this year’s celebrations will take off on a spiritual note.
On Friday, 6 July 2012, the celebrations will start with inter-denominational prayers which will be led by various church leaders from a number of churches in and around Dublin area.
“Let us start our independence celebrations by thanking the Almighty for our nation’s independence. These prayers are for our nation and everybody is welcome to attend no matter which denomination you belong to’’ reads the statement released by the organisers of the event.
The prayers will be held at the Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1 starting from 7pm.
There will be a dance party at a local club in central Dublin, with music provided by Dublin-based Malawian DJ’s on rotation till the wee hours of Saturday morning.
On Saturday, the 7th of July, the celebrations move to Eastpoint Business Park, north of Dublin where there will be football and netball matches between Malawi and teams from other African countries.
There will be an open barbeque, bouncing castle and kids fun games as well. All the events on this day will start from 12pm.
Malawians in U.S
Malawians living in the Dallas-Fort worth Metroplex in Texas have organized a windfall of entertainment in celebration of Malawi’s 48th anniversary of independence.
The main events will takes place on Saturday, July 7 at Cravens Park in Arlington.
There will be games for all ages, music, food and drinks.
“We encourage all Malawians in the area to come with their families and friends to this special event,” said Henry Kamanga, chairman of the Malawi community in Arlington.
The event is expected to bring together over 100 Malawians living in and around Dallas and beyond.
“We hope to make this, and other important national festivities, an annual event. These get-togethers foster cordial relationships amongst our Malawian community. They also show pride in our country and culture,” Kamanga said.
The celebrations start at 4pm and will end by midnight at 400 Cravens Park Drive, Arlington, TX 76018.
The events will conclude with a Sunday afternoon service, joining the rest of the nation in commemorations.
Malawians in South Africa
Malawians living in South Africa will celebrate with the performance of musician Skefa Chimoto.
According to Samuel Mwale one of the organisers of the show, 6 July concert will take place at Safali Hotel in Hillbrow and the other show will take place at a Fricentic cafe a place owned by Malawian
Among the artist to perform during the celebrations are a South African based upcoming artist Clara Thom and Romeo Kanjunjunju.
Malawi previously known as Nyasaland, became independent on July 6th in 1964 from its colonial masters, Britain and two years later she became a self rule and a sovereign state.
Since Independence, Malawi has been ruled by four presidents, founding president, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who ruled the country until 1994. Bakili Muluzi, ruled for 10 years and Bingu wa Mutharika later was elected into office and ruled only seven years and some months of his ten year span following his sudden death from a cardiac arrest a few months ago.
After his death, Mutharika’s vice Joyce Banda, the first female to hold that position in the country and the second in the entire African continent ascended to power. –(Reporting by Thom Chiumia, Timothy Phiri, Peter Makossah, Alexious Mloza-Banda and Rabecca Chimjeka)
