Politicians wish Malawians good health

President Peter Mutharika and other political leaders yesterday wished Malawians good health as they joined the Christian community in celebrating the birth of their Saviour Jesus Christ.

Several political leaders The Nation spoke to said they spent their Christmas Day with relations and friends while reflecting on the less fortunate.

This year, Mutharika and First Lady Gertrude Mutharika invited scores of children from various homes to Mzuzu State Lodge for an early treat.

In an interview yesterday, State House director of communications Bight Molande said besides making merry with the children, the President and the First Lady also spent part of Christmas with their family because “they value family life”.

He said: “The President urges us all to celebrate this festive season prudently.”

On his part, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera, who is also leader of Opposition in Parliament, said he had a double celebration following the birth of a grandson Caleb to his last-born daughter.

For former president Joyce Banda, she celebrated her third Christmas away from home with her husband retired Chief Justice Richard Banda, children and grandchildren in the coastal State of Florida in the United States of America.

Together, the Bandas attended a Church Service in Orlando before visiting a few places of interest relevant to Christmas, according to Banda’s media liaison officer Tusekelo Mwanyongo.

The former president is in USA as a distinguished visiting fellow at Woodrow Wilson Centre and Centre for Global Development (CGD) in Washington D.C. researching on women’s leadership and girls education.

Speaking from USA yesterday, Mwanyongo said the former president thanked her family, friends and members of her People’s Party (PP) for their continued support through the “extremely busy year.” n