Government moves Independence Day celebrations to Lilongwe

The Malawi government has moved the 58th-independence anniversary celebration to Lilongwe from Blantyre where it was initially planned to take place.

The ministerial organizing committee of the event through it’s Chairperson, minister of Lands, Sam Dalitso Kawale has on Friday morning announced the development in a press briefing in Lilongwe.

Kawale attributed the change to saving resources and costs as the government is in economic hardships.

Kawali said the day will be marked with full of prayers. The National Service of Worship will be held on July 6 at the Malawi Square at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC).

Kawale said, “Independence is a time for celebration. However, we have chosen to take a different approach to save resources because the country is in a healing and recovery process hence the need to reflect. Time to celebrate will come.”

Some days ago, Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa exhorted Malawi Government to cancel the planned Independence Day celebrations, saying millions of taxpayers’ money should not be wasted on celebrations while Malawians are in agony.

Through his Facebook page, Nankhumwa said the only activity that should be held on the day should be the national prayer service because Malawians are not in celebratory complexion.

“Under these painful social and economic conditions, the Government should not be spending millions of taxpayers’ money on dining and wining in the name of independence celebrations when millions of Malawians cannot even afford a meal,” said Nankhumwa.

This year’s event was planned to be commemorated with devotions, musical performances and Blantyre Derby Football match between Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers.

With the alterations, the government is expected to recoup money amounting to K370 Million. Initially, the budget for the 58th Independence Day was pegged at K400 Million. According to Government, only K30 million is expected to be devoured on the day.