Malawi@50: Independence celebration begins with prayers

Malawi today, Sunday 6 July 2014 is celebrating 50 years of independence (Golden Jubilee) years of peace and prosperity.
Among other things that have been lined up to mark the event are inter- denomination service of worship of prayers at Bingu International Conference Center (BICC) in Lilongwe and various performances from all the regions of the country.
The prayers attracted many Senior Government officials included the President of the country Prof. Peter Mutharika and his Vice Saulosi Chilima and other heads of international bodies.

During the inter denomination service of worship, many religious leaders took part in praising God for making it possible for the country to remain peaceful and democratic.
Speaking during the ceremony, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Rev. Bishop Brighton Vitta Malasa said Malawi has a valid reason to thank the almighty God for the gift of unity, tolerance and harmony amongst its people.
Said Malasa; “Malawi was blessed with peace loving people as evidenced by what we see from our fellow African countries who are at war.
“As we celebrate this Golden Jubilee, let us reflect on our past and see what we have failed to achieve as a nation so that we learn from the failures and attain more as the journey for the next 50 years has begun.”
According to Malasa, there is need for Malawi to put an extra gear and to be patriotic so that more is attained in the next 50 years.
Pastor Frackson Kuyama thanked the Lord for both political and independence transformation that Malawi as a country has attained for the past 50 years.
“As we celebrate our 50 years of our national independence, let us put God first as he is the one who has made it possible for us to reach this far,” he said.

The prayers were held under the theme, “Commemorating 50 years of independence: Trusting God in transforming our country into a prosperous nation with a shared vision.”
Malawi attained its independence from the colonial Britain in 1964 by its first leader, Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
Some of the notable faces present during the prayer ceremony were Dr Lazarus Chakwera President of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Atupele Muluzi President of United Democratic Party (UDF), Cabinet Ministers, Arch Bishop Tarcizius Ziyaye of Lilongwe Arch Dioces, among others.