Malawi honours war heroes
President Peter Mutharika, Vice-President Saulos Chilima and Cabinet minister Anna Kachikho yesterday led Malawians in honouring war veterans who fought in two major wars, World War I and World War II.
In Mzuzu, venue for the main event attended by the President, hundreds gathered for the function despite prospects of rain at Mzuzu Stadium upper ground.
The President laid the first wreath followed Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander General Griffin Supuni Phiri and Inspector General of Malawi Police Service Lexten Kachama.
Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya, Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and others dignitaries also laid their wreaths.
MDF spokesperson Paul Chiphwanya said the Remembrance Sunday commemoration helps to honour the soldiers and the role that they played in the wars.
The day is commemorated on November 11 at 11am, the day and time when the Second World War officially ended. However, many nations, including Malawi, observe the day on the closest Sunday to November 11.
He said Malawian soldiers have also been engaged in various battles in Africa and other continents. The soldiers fought in Ivory Coast and the Democratic Republic f Congo (DRC) and helped in protecting of Nacala Corridor.
Over 19 000 soldiers from Malawi took part in the Second World War from 1939 to 1945. Some of the soldiers died, others sustained injuries, others went missing while some returned home. It is not clear as to how many Malawian soldiers died in the wars.
CCAP Synod of Livingstonia Church and Society Programme director Moses Mkandawire commended the soldiers for the role they took in the battles saying they helped bring stability.
He said Malawi soldiers still play a great role in promoting democracy in African countries. He said the war missions that the soldiers participate in other countries bring about peace in those countries.
In Lilongwe, Chilima presided over a similar function at Area 18 memorial tower whereas in Zomba, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Anna Kachikho led the commemoration at the War Memorial Tower at Cobbe Barracks where two maroons were sounded and interdenominational prayers held in honour of those that fought in the two world wars and subsequent wars.
Two maroons that were sounded during the sombre mood around 11am were another honour for the First World War (1914 to 1918) and Second World War (1939 to 1945) heroes. n
Additional reporting by Malawi News Agency
Where are they? They need to be honered koma amalawi we don’t care about those who are still alive.. its just aformality that every year we honours the those fallen..mumapangitsa usilikali ngati wosakoma … komaso wopanda phindu