By Chisomo Kambandanga and Yamikani Sabola
President Lazarus Chakwera has asked people in the country to emulate selflessness and patriotism demonstrated by martyrs who sacrificed their lives in struggle for the country’s independence.
Chakwera was speaking in Nkhata Bay on Monday, when he led the nation in remembering fallen heroes who died on 3rd March 1959.
He said the best way to honour martyrs is not just to remember them but to continue their struggle, to live by the principles they fought for and to tirelessly work towards a country they envisioned.
“The country needs patriotic people who have the welfare of their country at heart and not sellouts who betray their country because of greed,” Chakwera said.
Chakwera said though every 3rd March is a somber day because lives were lost, it is also a celebration of the bravery and sacrifice made by the martyrs to secure the country’s independence.
“The men and women we honour on Martyrs Day were visionaries who believed in a Malawi where everyone, regardless of region or tribe, could live with dignity, respect and freedom.
“They fought for the freedom to shape our own destiny, to build a nation that truly belongs to all its citizens. And it is this dream of an inclusive and prosperous Malawi that we must continue to strive for,” he said.
He admonished the tendency by other politicians to engage the youth in violence and vandalism of property instead of encouraging them to contribute positively to national development.
Chakwera also criticised ADMARC officials who he said are conniving with vendors to buy its maize at cheaper prices and resell it at exorbitant prices.
The Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda said the government will give K15 million as compensation to each of the 61 families across the country, who lost their loved ones on 3rd March 1959 while fighting for independence.
He said the bereaved familes in the northern region had already received their compensations and disclosed that families in the southern and central region will get their compensations on Wednesday and Thursday.
Representative for the bereaved families, James Thawi said he was grateful to the government for paying the compensations and thanked Chakwera for availing himself every year to preside over the commemorations.
In his sermon Reverend Maxwell Mezuwa Banda of the CCAP Livingstonia Synod, called on Malawians to love another irrespective of their tribes, political or religious affiliations.
He said Malawians should emulate the love shown by martyrs for the country to attain freedom.
President Chakwera alongside First Lady Monica Chakwera laid wreaths at Kakumbi Cemetry in the district where some of the martyrs were buried.
Apart from the president and the first lady, others who laid wreaths included Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Gotani Hara; Chief Justice, Rezine Mzikamanda; Commander of Malawi Defence Force, Paul Valentino Phiri and Inspector General of Malawi Police, Merlyne Yolamu.
This year’s Martyrs’ Day was commemorated under the theme, ‘The martyrs: A great model of patriotism’.
