Nguru ya Nawambe to be opened to the public

As one way of turning Kasungu into a tourist haven, the Kamuzu family has turned Nguru ya Nawambe into a museum. Nguru ya Nawambe is a house of the first president of Malawi, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

One of the family members, Ken Kandodo, who is also Minister of National Defence, said that they are looking for investors to come and run the place as a museum as well as an upmarket entertainment spot.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Tourism because there is great potential to turn Kasungu into a tourist hub. If we open the place to the public, then tour operators can sell Kasungu as a tourist package because there is the National Park in Nkhotakota and Lifupa Game Reserve in Kasungu as well as places of interest such as the Kamuzu Academy,” said Kandodo.

According to Kandodo, Nguru ya Nawambe has tourism potential as it will incorporate a library and museum that would exhibit the lifestyle and history of Kamuzu.

“The place will also be offering luxury accommodation, entertainment and there are also plans to develop a golf course within the surroundings,” said Kandodo.

He added that efforts are underway to identify a suitable and experienced investment partners to run the place on a commercial basis for easy sustenance.

Minister of Tourism Daniel Liwimbi agreed with Kandodo that by opening Nguru ya Nawambe to the public, many people from within and abroad will have a chance of seeing what the first president of the country used to like.

“There are many artifacts, a big library and so many interesting things in the house which would compel one to visit. That place is beautiful and one can spend over five hours marveling at the beauty of the surroundings,” said Liwimbi.

He added that once the house is opened to the public, people will be able to learn more about our culture and Kasungu being centrally situated can afford tourists a chance to go to surrounding districts of Nkhotakota and Mchinji within a day.

According to Liwimbi, Kasungu is easily accessible because it is along the M1 Road from Lilongwe to Mzuzu. It is also along the road from the border district of Mchinji to Nkhotakota and there is an airstrip which is in a fairly good condition at the town.

“The town is close to Lake Malawi and one can move between NKhotakota, Mchinji and Kasungu within three hours,” he said.