Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V on Saturday took a swipe at companies that refuse to support Umthetho Cultural Festival on the premise that it is ‘political’.
M’mbelwa, speaking at this year’s festival at Hora in Mzimba, acknowledged and thanked companies such as Nico Group for always supporting the festival, citing two banking intuitions that refuse to do so.
He said: “Mr. President, sometimes I think about closing all bank accounts and remaining with one bank which supports us.
“If they don’t want to support us, they should also stop doing their business in Mzimba District. But we will not be asking for their support. Umthetho is not a political event.”
For the event this year, Nico group contributed K40 million, Nyasa Manufacturing K20 million while TNM gave K10 million.
The Ngoni leader also called for peaceful co-existence and a violence-free campaign, saying Malawi is known for peace.
He said: “Despite political differences, we come together to celebrate our shared humanity and cultural diversity. Let us use this opportunity to emphasize the importance of peace and unity in our development.
“As we prepare to go to the polls, let us remember that peaceful co-existence is the bedrock of development.”
“This year’s theme, “Cultural Diversity: Foundation for Peaceful Co-Existence and Development, underscores the importance of unity in our progress.”
On his part, President Lazarus Chakwera said festivals by various ethnic groups ensure Malawi’s culture is preserved.
He said there is only one culture in Malawi characterised by the spirit of Ubuntu, relationships, friendship, respect and unity.
“Many have tempted to abandon this culture. Some do so because they are now rich, or are educated, copying foreign stuff, but also because of politics where they simply throw away all values of culture.
“If we abandon our culture, instead of uniting to work towards ensuring food security, ensuring growing the economy and general development for the country, we will just be here sharing poverty as if being poor is a good thing,” he said.
Chakwera also thanked Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’mbelwa V for organising the event at this period of campaign, which he said united people.
In an interview after the event, organising committee chairperson Emma Kaliya emphasised the need to enhance tourism at Hora.
“I have been chairperson for three years now, but each year, the number of people coming here grows. Sadly, we do not have enough space to accommodate people. We, therefore, need to start investing by constructing a hotel or lodges.
“We also need partnerships or investors to join us and exploit this opportunity we have,” she said.
UTM leader Daitso Kabambe visited Hora on the first day of celebrations on Friday where he spent several hours, interacting with M’mbelwa, other chiefs and people.
Other activities included paying homage to Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa 1, who was buried at Mzalangwe, dances, beer drinking and roasting of meat.
The Hora Heritage Centre presents a unique site, as the Hora Mountain summit offers views of Chama in Zambia, Mzimba Boma, and the Kasitu Valley, which has been a location of sustained human occupation dating back to 16 000 years ago.
