By Kondanani Chilimunthaka

Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan has applauded Malawi’ President, Lazarus Chakwera for his leadership that has seen Malawi striving to develop amidst continued challenges including natural disasters.

Suluhu Hassan made the remarks at Bingu National Stadium on Thursday, 6th July, 2023, during Malawi’s 59th Independence Day Celebrations.

Hassan who was the guest during this year’s celebrations told the huge crowd that filled the stadium and the entire nation that she accepted the invitation by President Chakwera as the two countries share a lot in common including culture, and food.

“To us in Tanzania, the Independence of Malawi meant and continue to mean a lot as neighbors. Your Independence completed ours, and your progress imparts our progress, with your Independence we gained a friend, a dependable neighbor and an economic partner. Your Independence made us freer, safer and more prosperous”. Said Hassan.

The Tanzanian leader further commended the choice of the theme for this year’s celebrations, saying it is a timely opportunity not only for Malawi but entire African continent, as it remains Africa of its common shared values, strong cultural identity, and common heritage among others, adding that the theme “Celebrating Renewed Unity and Patriotism” reminds Africans that Independence comes with responsibilities to serve God and sustain the hard-won Independence.

However, President Hassan did not end her speech without remembering many Malawians who lost their lives and in solidarity with those who lost their beloved ones due to Cyclone Freddy by leading the nation in observing a minute of silence while delivering a condolence message from the people of Tanzania.

Additionally Hassan said; “My State visit will be incomplete if I don’t travel to Kapeni View Point to see with my own eyes the devastation caused by the Tropical Cyclone Freddy, and I will be there tomorrow.

Tanzania wants to assure you the people of Malawi that will always stand by you and with you during the needy time as we do during good times. Your joy is ours as well as your sorrow.”

In his speech, President Lazarus Chakwera who led the nation in celebrating 59th years of self rule lamented that as Malawi Celebrates her 59th birthday, he is geared to further empower hardworking Malawians and end the culture of rewarding the and lazy.

“But I do not mind making enemies with those who exploit and defraud Malawians because my only interest is to serve the Malawian people” Said the President while lamenting that those criticizing him are mostly the ones who used to make easy money through unscrupulous ways.