Let us be innovative—APM
President Peter Mutharika yesterday asked Malawians to emulate Zambia’s example of implementing innovative development programmes to propel greater development.
The President was speaking at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe on his return from a three-day official visit to Zambia where, among other things, he opened the 89th Agricultural and Commercial Show under the theme Innovation Beyond the Golden Jubilee in the Zambian Capital of Lusaka.
Responding to a Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) reporter’s question on arrival, the President described the Zambian show—depicting innovative programmes in agriculture, science and construction, among other issues—as impressive, adding that Malawi needs to emulate its brotherly neighbour’s efforts.
Mutharika expressed happiness that just before he flew back home, he paid a courtesy call on Zambia’s founding president, 91-year-old Kenneth Kaunda, who had coined the rallying song Tiyende Pamodzi that had also been popularised in Malawi by Mutharika’s deceased elder brother, Bingu, during his presidency.
“We all sang it in front of his [Kaunda’s] house… So, we had a wonderful time… We enjoyed very much,” the President enthused.
During the visit, Mutharika also laid wreaths on the graves of former Zambian presidents Michael Sata, Levy Mwanawasa and Fredrick Chiluba in the National Heroes’ Memorial in Embassy Park, Lusaka. n
