Mutharika, Chakwera in tribute to the fallen: Remembrance Sunday marked across Malawi
President Peter Mutharika and his political foe Lazarus Chakwera Sunday stood side by side for a two minute silence to pay tribute to the country’s war dead at an annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in old capital Zomba.
A two-minute silence took place at 11am before wreaths were laid at the memorial near Cobbe Barracks and Zomba Maximum Prison to remember fallen heroes who fought in the two world wars, the wars that were started due to uncompromising political differences and power struggle.
Mutharika and Chakwera, the leader of opposition in parliament joined political, civic, religious and security leaders in commemorating Malawians -then Nyasas -who bravely fought in the mainly European First and Second World Wars.
At exactly 11 am, all the people, including Mutharika and Chakwera stood for two minutes for that was the exact time on November 11, 1918 when the guns fell silent and First World War was declared over.
President Mutharika sporting a red poppy then laid a wreath as the Malawi Defence Force band played spiritual instrumental music to capture the sombre mood.
He was followed by the commander of the army, General Ignasio Maulana, deputy inspector general of police Duncan Mwapasa, the chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and First deputy speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and opposition chief Chakwera then stepped forward, briefly bowing his head, followed by chief secretary to government George Mkondiwa and the British envoy to Malawi Michael Nevin, among top dignitaries that laid the wreaths.
Religious leaders prayed for peace in Malawi indirectly referring the political struggle between Mutharika and Chakwera, leader of the MCP.
It is said 10 million people were killed in the First World War and up to 85 million in World War II, two wars that never concerned Malawi, then Nyasaland. Late Rev John Chilembwe said it was senseless to force Malawians fight in wars they never understood.
Hundreds gathered along the memorial pillaR, joining veterans as they paid their respects to the fallen.
Elsewhere, Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima and Finance, Economic Planning and Development Minister Goodall Gondwe led the similar ceremonies in central and northern regions, respectively.
The Festival of Remembrance began in 1927 and was originally intended to honour the sacrifices of those who died in World War One.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Kuzolowera kutsutsa
Laying a wreath with one hand? Abomination
Kumamuuza wanuyo on how to lay a wreath, not just kungoponya
It is suprising to read here that the leader of opposition attended the Zomba function and yet MBC during the 8pm news never mentioned the leader of opposision. What type of news ethics are they using and yet this is a public broadcaster whose funding comes from taxes from all Malawians. Come on MBC you would have done much better.
Even Nyasatimes has failed to show Chakwera’s picture.
I noticed the president just laying the wreath with one hand, I feel that was not respectful to the fallen soldiers. Everywhere else in the world, a wreath is carried and laid by both hands and not the way APM did it. He seems to have no manners or else he despises everything malawian this man. I may be looking too much into it but if you see the rest of the deginitaries, they carried their wreaths in 2 hands, and went down with both knees bent to lay the wreath, but APM just used one hand!!!
Koma abale utchonawu…….Nanga mpakana a Mutharika NKHATA kuyika nkono umodzi?
Picture ya Chakwera ukuifuna kuti uyitani? Mbuziii.
Even the wreaths look malnourished.
This were senseless bloody wars by the greedy British.A Blackman from Nyasaland had nothing to do with their stupid wars.Malawi should be compensated for such wars to help looking after a few old remaining soldiers and compensate the families involved.British benefit from such wars but a Blackman do not benefit anything.
Owners of these battles were handsomely compensated some of them were given massive land in Africa and Malawi like on Tyolo and Mulamulanje estates. But grandparents fought for nothing. Shaaaaaa