By Grace Chiumya

It was a gathering that has never been in Tukombo, people from various villages flocked to Tukombo to witness their son of Nkhatabay, Hon. Dr Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma changing the mindset of people from the area to support Dr Lazarus Chakwera.

Tukombo people, for the first time, in their magnitude, responded positively to Kwacha slogan with lots of smiles and chanted Chakwera, …..BOMA. Indeed it was a special occasion and those that went there to see what will happen, got answers that Chakwera’s government has come to stay.

Parameters have now shifted in Nkhatabay in favour of Chakwera and MCP.

Zikhale displayed his political skills, tactics and experience when all important chiefs attended this meeting. Some of the notable chiefs were Senior Chief Fukamapiri, TA Zilakoma, Senior Group Village Headman Dambanjoka and Group Village Headman Nkholozo.
As if that was not enough, other notable faces in Parliament drove all the way from Lilongwe to support their fellow legislator . We saw MP for Kasungu North West Hon Nkhoma, who was among those that came from other regions for this particular meeting and one of the ladies that attended the function said “this man is loved here.”

Senior Chief Fukamapiri, in his speech, asked people of Tukombo to rally behind Dr Lazarus Chakwera as the President and his son Dr Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma as an MP. He said and I quote, “Chakwera is the only visionary leader who is known worldwide. He represented Africa at United Nations General Assembly as he gave a sensible speech. He is a great leader who has recognised the people of Nkhatabay. He is the one who stood up and made history straight that MCP started here in Nkhatabay and that Aleke Banda was the first Secretary General of MCP.
He stated that Tukombo has history because that is where Aleke Banda came from, and he sent his minister here in Tukombo when it was hit by Cholera. Which president has ever done that?” end of quote.

It was indeed a great day for people of Tukombo, as the newly crowned T/A Zilakoma in his speech asked Hon Zikhale Ng’oma to assist them with a maternity wing because women travel a long way to Chinthetche to be attended to.

Zikhale in his speech thanked Dr Lazarus Chakwera for the support he gives to the people of Nkhatabay. He said the M5 pot holes will soon be a thing of the past, he also thanked Dr Lazarus Chakwera for accepting to bring to the people of Nkhatabay South clean portable water through the Northern Region Water Board. The area hardly has had running water since 1964 despite having prominent names that stood as MPs of the constituency in fhe past.

He informed the people that Malawi will soon change for the better with Chakwera, citing the massive road network rehabilitation projects happening in the country.

Zikhale asked the people of Tukombo to start practicing modern ways of managing, thrir lives well by having deep pit latrines in their villages to curb cholera because, Tulombo is historically known as a food basket area where fish and other crops are sourced from and feeds major cities of this country. As such, everyone must be clean.

Regional Chairman for the North South, Mr Chavula, said Zikhale and Dr Chakwera have come to stay and revealed to the people of Nkhatabay South that he has started campaigning in his home constituency so that he becomes an MP. He said he likes the way Zikhale is spreading development in his constituency, and felt good to hear people appreciating the works of their MP and that encourages him to stand as an MP as well and do what Zikhale is doing.

Regional Chair, talked highly of Chakwera’s administration and assured the people of Tukombo better on developments. He stated that Malawi is changing for the better now, and that corruption is coming to an end, developments are taking place everywhere and that this was what people were looking for.

During the meeting, there were traditional dances like Vimbuza, Chiwoda and Malipenga.

Two major football teams from the area played and the other team won on penalty shootout and went away with 200,000. The losing side went away with 100,000. Netball had their prices as well.

During the same meeting, 150 members joined MCP and among them, only four of Mrs Chinthu Banda’s( for UTM candidate as well as former MP ) strong members were dressed in public, MCP party cloth and these were:

1. Her Personal Assistant Mr Mauka Chirwa.
2. Mr Kadokana Saka
3. Mr Mgali
4. Mr Newton Banda

Chief Zilakoma was so happy that these energetic members will bring more developments to the area since they have joined the government on time and the chiefs work with the government of the day.