By Martha Kachingwe Phiri–LILONGWE
When patriotic citizens gathered at the Bingu International Convention Center-BICC in Lilongwe for national prayers for Malawi, Mufti Shamuna Sosola of Islamic faith seized the opportunity to call a spade by its name in prayer.
The independent Malawi turns 59 on Thursday and Sosola was blunt; saying people leading in careless destruction of this country are not well educated and not ordinary villagers.
“There are some people here who look so innocent and just yet they are dangerous thieves,” said Sosola amid ululations.
He also said prayed to God to help President Lazarus Chakwera realize those destroying the nation.
Again, Mufti Sosola stressed on the need for Chakwera and his vice, Dr. Saulos Chilima to work together. This came amid reports of silent cracks between the two leaders whose political parties are key partners forming the governing Tonse Alliance.
During the service, other members of the clergy including Seventh Day Adventist of Malawi President, Tony Nyirenda, Blantyre CCAP Secretary General Reverend Billy Gama among others agreed on the need to exercise unity of purpose to develop Malawi.
Taking his turn, President Chakwera said there is no reason the despise or exploit our country but rather to love, defend, promote and pursue socioeconomic development for everyone
“We have been compelled to reorient our collective mindset towards rebuilding this beautiful nation with patriotic acts,” he said.
The prayers were held under the theme: ‘Celebrating Renewed Unity and Patriotism’.
The climax of the Independence Day Celebrations, pegged at K320 million, are scheduled for Bingu National Stadium on Thursday where the visiting Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suhulu Hassan will be the guest of honor.
However, both political and economic pundits think the country should have a serious soul searching on how to achieve genuine economic independence after 59 years of self-rule; observing there is lack of progressing policies and political will to deal mainly with corruption; widely regarded as a real threat in eliminating deep-rooted poverty among majority of Malawians.
