By Burnett Munthali
NTCHEU — Malawi’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Alfred Gangata has called for national unity and stronger protection of the country’s cultural heritage, using the Maseko Ngoni Umhlangano in Ntcheu to urge citizens to draw strength from their shared identity.
Gangata represented President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika at Saturday’s gathering, where he delivered a message focused on solidarity, cultural preservation and the responsibility of communities to pass their traditions to future generations.
“Unity is power. When we stand together, Malawi becomes stronger,” Gangata told the gathering.
The event was attended by Vice President Dr Jane Ansah, traditional leaders, government officials and members of the Maseko Ngoni community. Ansah’s presence was particularly significant in the cultural setting as she is of Ngoni heritage and is recognised as Impi to Ngwenyama Inkosi Gomani Maseko V, reflecting her traditional connection to the Maseko Ngoni institution.
Gangata congratulated Gomani V for convening the Umhlangano and said the annual gathering provides an important opportunity to celebrate Maseko Ngoni heritage while keeping traditional knowledge and customs alive.
He said Malawi’s cultural traditions should not be allowed to disappear as society changes, urging families and communities to take an active role in transmitting history, customs and values to younger generations.
For Gangata, preserving culture extends beyond the role of traditional authorities. He said communities themselves have a responsibility to ensure that the traditions inherited from previous generations remain relevant and accessible to young people.
The minister also presented cultural diversity as a potential source of national strength, arguing that Malawians can maintain their distinctive identities while remaining united around common national interests.
Ansah and Gangata were seated under the same shelter during the proceedings. After Gangata completed his address, the two senior government officials exchanged a handshake before the programme continued.
Gangata praised Gomani V for sustaining the Maseko Ngoni Umhlangano as a platform for cultural expression, community participation and the intergenerational transmission of heritage.
The gathering brought together members of the Maseko Ngoni community, traditional leaders, government representatives and invited guests in Ntcheu for a celebration centred on cultural identity and traditional leadership.
Gangata’s address gave the event a broader national significance, connecting the preservation of indigenous traditions with the need to strengthen social cohesion across Malawi’s diverse communities.
He said cultural differences should not become barriers to national unity, but could instead contribute to a stronger Malawi when communities respect one another and work towards shared objectives.
The minister concluded by congratulating Gomani V and the organisers of the Umhlangano and called on Malawians to safeguard their cultural heritage while building the unity he described as essential to the country’s future.
