By Allan Mandindi
Despite some bad publicity that was painted on Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Malawi’s first President. His contribution to Africa and Malawi is something we should all not underlook but be proud of. Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda is one of great African sons that pushed for independence of many African countries including Nyasaland and Rhodesia.
He is well appreciated within the Pan African circle and he appears in so many African Historical publications and even at the Headquarters of institutions like the African Union the portrait of Dr Banda appears in the lobby, this show how great his contribution to the Pan African movement was. As Malawi with the new Tonse administration under Dr Lazarus Chakwera is geared up to open up the economy.
There is a need to look at areas we can utilise to attract tourists some might be academic tourists that would love to understand and appreciate the history of people like Dr. Banda. We have historical land marks in Kasungu, the beautiful history of the Chiwengo village up to Nguluyanawambe. The Kamuzu Mausoleum and the Malawi Congress Party Headquarters. All these sites are part of the rich Malawi Heritage and need to get government support to help attract tourist to Malawi.
Chiwengo Village in Kasungu is where the first president of Malawi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda was born. This area is historical and needs serious rehabilitation work so it can attract tourists.
We applaud people like Hon Zikhale Ng’oma who have been lobbying for Chiwengo Village to be rehabilitated. Its a beautiful area with street lights. This is the souvenir Dr. Banda left us so we can pass on to future generations. He left a legacy that we cannot afford to let it die but rather candle it so that the future generation can appreciate.
