By Joel Phiri:
President Lazarus Chakwera has urged Malawians to embrace and respect their cultural heritage, saying it is key to fostering unity and achieving national development.
Speaking on Saturday at Hora Heritage Site in Mzimba during this year’s Umthetho Cultural Festival, Chakwera said cultural pride should not be undermined by education levels or exposure to foreign ways of life.
“But our culture is supreme. Don’t despise your culture because you have a Master’s Degree or because you have been to some foreign culture. Learn to respect your culture,” he said.
The President said culture must be a unifying force that transcends political differences.
“Culture unites and develops us all. We need to unite to develop,” he said.
Chakwera praised the growing number of heritage associations for preserving cultural traditions, commending groups such as Mdauko wa Atonga, Mulhakho wa Alhomwe, Umthetho, the Chewa Heritage, and others for safeguarding values that promote unity.
“It’s sad when you hear an individual saying ills of another culture. We have one culture that identifies us as Malawians and this is why all heritage associations deserve credit for ensuring the sustenance of various cultures,” said Chakwera.
“Humanity, love, respect and unity is what all these tribes must strive to keep to ensure we move in one direction as a nation,” he added.
He also appealed to companies to work with Mzimba Heritage Association to develop Hora Heritage Site into a top tourist attraction.
“Hora is a great place and I appeal to companies to join hands with Mzimba Heritage Association to develop the area. The road coming to Hora will be worked on and improved so that those coming here will have no problems travelling here,” Chakwera said.
Earlier, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V echoed the call for support, saying the association was doing its best to improve the site but needed more partners.
“On our own we are trying our best to develop this area but we need more partners to join our efforts and dreams to turn this site into a top-notch tourist attraction site,” said M’mbelwa.
