Mutharika says Malawi moving towards ‘a better life for all’: Blasts lazy bones, cashgaters

Malawi President Peter Mutharika on Monday 6 July, Independence Day, called for “patriotism, integrity and hard work”, saying they are three pillars his government plans to utilize to ensure progress of the country’s development.

Speaking when the country celebrated 51 years of independence at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre Monday, Mutharika said Malawi has achieved a lot in the last 51 years of independence from Britain, but noted it has been “slow progress.”

President Mutharika said Malawi is now undergoing “exciting times”, saying the nation After 51 is “re-making history.”

He said: “The whole world can see that Malawi is on the road to transformation.”

Mutharika said the first ever Malawi Investment Forum last week, attracted hundreds of foreign investors from all over the world “because they can see hope and opportunities.”

The 76-year-old leader said: “All the international and local speakers at that meeting agreed that we have a better economic outlook ahead of us.”

Mutharika, however, said the economic transformation must benefit all Malawians and must mean inclusive development.

He outlined a route map to economic transformation by creating a local business environment and attracting foreign investors to bring their money to invest in Malawi.

“With Direct Investment, we will undoubtedly create wealth, create more businesses for Malawians, create jobs and create a better life for all,” said Mutharika.

The Malawi leader also touted a Skills Development Programme.

“This is a process of creating a skilled labour to support the industry. Wherever you go in the world, skilled labour is thrust of development. Within this programme, we are building community colleges. With this programme, we will create a skilled labour market to support the expanding Investment. We want this programme to help us create jobs for the youth and the rest of us,” he said.

He also talked of Public Service Reforms, the Green Belt Initiative to support farmers with inputs and the Malata Subsidy programmes will ensure that this country has sufficient food and Malawians must sleep in descent houses.

“All Malawians must rise together with the economic growth that is coming. We are all moving towards a better life for all,” said Mutharika.

The President pointed out “one immediate challenge” which he said is the human factor.

“We cannot do with people who are irresponsible; dishonest; lazy – wanting results for which you have not worked; wanting things to be done for us than us doing for others; we cannot develop Malawi if we don’t love our country! We need to be a nation of responsible and patient people. Rome was not built in a day,” said Mutharika.

“. We cannot change anything unless we change ourselves. We are the foundations of change, and the pillars of progress on which the future rests. We are now launching a mind-set change programme which must make us a responsible nation,” he added.

He stressed that his administration wants to promote three pillars of progress – Patriotism, Integrity and Hard work – that support reforms and national development.

“We must be patriotic!  We must love our country; be proud of her. Be proud to be Malawian. This is our only country,” said Mutharika, adding “We must be a people of high integrity. We must be a highly principled and honest in whatever we do. There wouldn’t have been cashgate if we were a people of integrity. Corruption would be history if were a people of integrity.”

He said government will organize a national conference to draw up a national plan of implementation.

“We must agree how best we should inculcate these values in every Malawian. I want these values to be collectively owned by all Malawians,” said Mutharika.

In his brief remarks, President Lungu hailed the bilateral relations between Lilongwe and Lusaka, ad encouraged people of the two countries to continue pursuing peace.

The celebrations held under the theme Towards Economic Transformation for Inclusive Development in Malawi, were spiced up by a number of activities, including military and police displays, traditional dances and performances by several artists and a football match between Malawi’s Flames and the Cranes of Uganda.

Apart from Lungu, who came with his wife Esther, Kenya’s Vice-President William Ruto, Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya were among notable officials at the celebrations which attracted thousands of Malawians from all walks of life.

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