By Burnett Munthali
They walked so we could run.
They sacrificed so we could thrive.
Today, Malawi stands on the shoulders of giants—men and women who gave their lives for the freedom we now enjoy.
Martyrs Day is not just a date on the calendar; it is a sacred reminder of the blood that was shed, the dreams that were silenced, and the unwavering resolve that shaped our nation’s destiny.
These heroes did not waver in the face of oppression.
They did not retreat when their voices were drowned in the echoes of tyranny.
They did not surrender when the cost of liberation became their very own lives.
Instead, they stood firm, defiant, and unshaken, knowing that the chains of colonial rule had to be broken for Malawi to rise.
Their bravery was not born out of mere resistance—it was a testament to their love for a land that deserved better.
They saw beyond their own suffering and envisioned a future where every Malawian would walk freely, speak boldly, and live without fear.
It is because of them that we now exercise our right to vote, express our opinions, and participate in shaping our nation’s path.
Their sacrifices were the price of our sovereignty, and their legacy is the foundation upon which our democracy stands.
But as we honor their memory, we must ask ourselves: are we truly living up to their vision?
Are we protecting the freedom they died for?
Are we building a nation that reflects the values they fought to uphold?
True remembrance is not just in words; it is in action.
It is in the choices we make as citizens, the leaders we choose, and the commitment we show to justice, unity, and national progress.
To truly honor our martyrs, we must ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain.
We must reject corruption, tribalism, and oppression in all their forms.
We must rise above self-interest and work toward a Malawi that offers opportunities, dignity, and equality for all.
Every generation has its own battles to fight.
Theirs was against colonial rule—ours is against poverty, injustice, and complacency.
If they could stand in the face of bullets and imprisonment, then surely, we can stand in the face of corruption and division.
If they could risk everything for our future, then surely, we can do our part to build a Malawi they would be proud of.
Let this Martyrs Day be more than a day of remembrance—let it be a call to action.
A call to honor their footsteps by forging new paths of hope, progress, and prosperity.
A call to never forget that our freedom was not given, but earned—at a great and painful cost.
Today, we celebrate them.
We mourn them.
We thank them.
Because they walked, so we could run.
Because they sacrificed, so we could thrive.
Happy Martyrs Day, Malawi.
