Govt requested to take over Nkhata Bay Martyrs’ Celebrations
Nkhata Bay District Martyrs Memorial Committee has called on government to take full charge of the memorial ceremony and grave site to ensure sustainability of the event and preservation of the graves
Nkhata Bay registered 31 deaths in the fight against colonial rule on March 3 1959. The fight was also aimed at pushing for the release of leaders of the Nyasaland African Congress (NAC) arrested during a state of emergency.
To appreciate the role the martyrs played in fighting for the country’s independence, Nkhata Bay District holds a memorial ceremony every year.
However, Nkhata Bay Martyrs Memorial Committee chairperson, Senior Chief Mkumbila, on Monday said it is high time government took over the ceremony and look into funding of the event.
He said the committee does not have the capacity to raise funds for the ceremony held every year.
This year the committee has only managed to raise K700 000 (US$1 556) but the budget was pegged at K1.5million (US$3 333).
Said Mkumbila “It is not on that we should be begging all the time. We want government to inherit this ceremony as part of its activities and be able to fund it”
The chief also said government has to look after the graves by clearing and maintaining the gravesite.
Nkhata Bay district commissioner Fred Movete said despite that the ceremony is being hosted by Nkhata Bay, there is need for all Malawians to support the event.
Said Movete: “If there is an event that led to independence of Malawi, it was this one. The biggest number of people killed was in Nkhata Bay. With that the whole country was mobilised,”
Minister of Information, Tourism and Culture KondwaniNankhumwa could not be reached for comment. However former president Joyce Banda during the 2013 celebrations said government needs to accord the March 3 martyrs and other fallen heroes a decent resting place if their souls are to rest in peace but this has yet to materialise.
This year’s function will be graced by Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe.
