By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
President Lazarus Chakwera has said the commissioned Officer Cadets need to be faithful in executing their service to gain people’s trust.
Chakwera made the call at Malawi Armed Forces College (MAFCo) in Salima on Friday, 9th June, 2023 when he presided over the commissioning of 81 Officer Cadets who have successfully undergone a 15 months training course at the College.
“The first qualification everyone who serves must have is faithfulness. It is possible to be highly educated and skilled, but not to be faithful, and if you are not faithful, then the people you serve lose their trust in you, and once trust is lost, so is your ability to lead, because what makes you a leader is the trust that others have in you.
So remember that as Officers, what you have received today is not just a commissioning, but a trust”. Said President Chakwera, who is also the Commander In-Chief of the Malawi Defence Force.
Chakwera further urged the commissioned Cadets to keep passion for the service and be example that will inspire others to give their best in serving the nation, adding that with various responsibilities they will be entrusted with, they need to prove themselves of their faithfulness.
In his remarks, Minister of Defence, Harry Mlekanjala Mkandawire expressed gratitude towards President Chakwera administration for its continuous support rendered to the Defence Force, adding that the inclusion of graduating cadets from other countries is a clear testimony of sister relationship Malawi maintains with her neighboring countries.
During the ceremony, a total of 81 Officer Cadets were commissioned, out of which 72 are from Malawi and the other 9 from countries of Tanzania, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, and Eswathini.
Established in 1978, Malawi Armed Forces College has trained a lot of defence soldiers, and this year out of 81 Cadets, 21 are female officers.
