Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima has appealed for unity among tribal ethnic groups in the country as a powerful element in national development.
Chilima made these remarks at the annual Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni ceremony at Nkolimbo Village in Ntcheu district.
In his address, Chilima emphasized the need for Malawians to live in unity for a better Malawi by getting rid of envy, jealousy, and personal gains, allowing the country to progress through sustainable development.
He said that Maseko Ngoni Chiefs have a significant responsibility ahead of them, to ensure they are more active in addressing issues of population and climate change management for the betterment and progress in national development.
Minister of Local Government and Unity, Richard Chimwendo Banda, mentioned that this year's Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni has created a diverse platform for unity among the Maseko and the entire nation. He commended the good work that the Maseko Ngoni are doing in assisting the government with various developmental projects.
Speaking earlier, Inkosi Yamakosi Gomani V stated that this year's ceremony should serve as a wake-up call for the Maseko Ngoni to focus on education, language, and environmental issues related to climate change.
He urged the Maseko Ngoni to be positive pioneers in preserving their mother language and actively raising education standards while becoming good custodians of development in their communities.
Furthermore, Gomani mentioned that he is setting up a scholarship fund to assist those who are less privileged and plans to establish modern schools to create a conducive learning environment for all and reduce the school dropout rate among the Maseko Ngoni.
Gomani called upon Maseko Ngoni chiefs to prioritize environmental preservation in dealing with climate change issues by planting more trees and adopting modern farming methods. He also advised the Maseko Ngoni to address population growth concerns through family planning to avoid competition for available resources in the country.
This year's Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni was held under the theme: "Unity is Power".