Kamuzu Day unites politicians, Muluzi asks govt to take over event

This year’s commemoration of Kamuzu Day which falls on May 14 brought together a cross-section of politicians from the local scene who came together to celebrate the life of Malawi’s founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

The commemorations, held in Lilongwe for the first time after previously only being hosted in the late Kamuzu’s home district of Kasungu, had all the ingredients of a family event.

During the event held at Civo Stadium Bakili Muluzi, Malawi’s second president and Kamuzu’s successor, asked government to take over organisation of the event because Kamuzu was a national figure.

He said: “Let me ask government to take over arrangements for this day from the family because this is a very important day. Let us leave politics aside and look ahead. This year, the family has brought unity amongst Malawians.”

Besides Muluzi, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe, who represented President Peter Mutharika and was the guest of honour, former vice-presidents Khumbo Kachali (2012 to 2014) and Justin Malewezi (1994 to 1999), former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president John Tembo  and former Speaker of Parliament Louis Chimango were also in attendance.

MCP president and leader of opposition in Parliament Lazarus Chakwera, Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya, leader of People’s Party (PP) in Parliament Uladi Mussa and retired chief justice Lovemore Munlo were also present.

In his remarks, Gondwe hailed Kamuzu—who ruled under the one-party dictatorship from 1964 to 1994—and said working with Kamuzu was both challenging and exciting because the ‘statesman’ always wanted the best out of those who worked with him.

According to Gondwe, there are many lessons one could learn from Kamuzu such as discipline and decent dressing.

Said Gondwe: “We also learned the tenacity and determination to have things done. As an individual, each time I was with Kamuzu, regardless of how short [the period was], I learned something new.”

The Kamuzu family under the Chendawaka clan was represented by former minister of Defence Ken Kandodo, Rose Chilemba and Pastor Jane Dzanjalimodzi, among other family members.

Events on the day started with notable figures laying wreaths at the Kamuzu Mausoleum in City Centre before the gathering at Civo Stadium where speeches and dances took place and later in the evening a dinner and dance was scheduled for the Great Sapitwa Hall at Crossroads Hotel.