Mzimba chiefs give thanks to JB for appointing VP Kachali from north
Chiefs from Mzimba in the northern region on Sunday paid a courtesy call on President Joyce Banda at the New State House in Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe, to thank her for appointing a person from their region as the country’s vice president.
Led by Inkosi ya Makosi Mmbelwa 1V, the chiefs gave President Banda eight cows, six goats and a sheep as a token of appreciation for appointing Khumbo Kachali as the country’s second-in command.
This is the first time a person from the north has held the position of Vice President since the country embraced political pluralism. The three previous vice presidents came from the central and southern regions.
JB calls for unity
Speaking during the function, President Banda called upon chiefs and Malawians to forget the past and move on as a nation.
“Let us move forward as a nation and forget the past if we are to develop our country,” she said.
She said it was not time for Malawians to hold grudges against each other, but time to work together and develop the country.
President Banda said she was in office bearing in mind the plight and future of Malawians, hence the need for everyone to support her as she ran the country.
Patriotism call
She urged Malawians to be patriotic and committed to work, saying patriotism and hard work were catalysts for development.
Banda thanked the Ngoni chiefs for the role they played in ensuring that the Constitution was respected when she assumed office after the death of her predecessor Bingu wa Mutharika.
She said: “Chiefs play an advisory role to leaders as well as their subjects. May I urge you to continue doing the same to me as I run this country because I know running a country is not a one man’s show.”
Total support
In his remarks Inkosi ya Makosi Mmbelwa 1V on behalf of the Ngoni chiefs pledged total support from the Ngoni chiefs and people of northern region to president Banda’s government.
Also present at the function was the Ambassador for the African Union Diaspora Forum, Erieka Bennett, who is in the country to discuss with the President on how the country can woo Malawians in Diaspora to come and invest in Malawi.
The African Union Diaspora Forum has its headquarters in Ghana. Among other things, the forum encourages Africans who are in Diaspora to come and invest in Africa.
