By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
President Lazarus Chakwera on Wednesday, 17th May,2023 strongly condemned the behavior of intolerance among the youths of political parties within his Tonse Alliance which happened during the time he officially went to open the newly built Malawi Bureau of Standards Complex and commission this year’s Malawi International Trade Fair in the commercial city of Blantyre.
Speaking at Kamuzu Upper Stadium where he addressed a developmental rally after his official duties, Chakwera who is also Malawi Congress Party President and leader of the Tonse Alliance calle for political tolerance among all Malawians especially the youths, saying he will not allow the youths to be instruments of political intolerance and destruction of peace and unity in the country.
“I need all of us to move together in peace and have one vision. I don’t want to see again what we saw at COMESA in the morning when the youths displayed intolerance just because of their differences in politics. Such intolerance and fighting among the youths will not help developing our country, and I don’t want such behaviour anymore. Everyone must do things that we are rebuilding one nation, one Malawi.” Lamented President Chakwera while commending women from different political parties who were in their party colors during his developmental rally at the Upper Stadium, saying that is the spirit of love and unity that he want.
Turning to country’s development plans, Chakwera whose speech brought fresh memories of how devastating was Cyclone Freddy, said the country needs God’s intervention and spiritual counseling above every endeavor to bring to normal the livelihood of the victims as the trauma was too much.
He then urged Malawians to be steady-fast and strong enough to rebuild the nation after the Cyclone and other natural disasters as well as pandemics which have befallen the country in the recent years.
“We have been speaking even with our partners both local and international to assist us rebuilding Malawi and many of them came in with assistance which has been the first of its kind in history for our nation, and some have even asked for our plans in the rebuilding process so that they help with resources needed to rebuild our country.” Added President Chakwera.
Here President Chakwera commended former Heads of State, Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda for their tireless contribution to the nation as good will ambassadors towards the rebuilding process of Malawi.
“I am meeting them tomorrow (Thursday) to receive reports on how we are fairing and how best we can do, so that they continue helping us as good will ambassadors to rebuild our country from the losses of Cyclone Freddy. Said the President.
During the rally, Malawi leader assured the people of the Southern Region that his administration will continue developing the region as planned and promised.
Speaking before the President Minister of Trade and Industry, Simplex Chithyola Banda thanked President Chakwera for presiding over the two events of opening MBS Complex and this year’s MITF which he said are vital in development of the country.
On his part Senior Chief Kapeni of Blantyre requested government to consider grading some roads in Blantyre, saying they are in dilapidated state. However chief Kapeni has suggested that government reintroduces development projects similar to those of Youth Week during Kamuzu era, saying they were helpful as every community was doing developmental projects on its own which saw good road networks among others across the country.
In his speech, Veteran politician, Brown Mpinganjira requested government to consider counseling those who were affected by Cyclone Freddy whom he said have been traumatized by how the storm tormented them.
President Chakwera is in the Southern Region for government duties.
