The quest to unite people comes in many forms and facilitated though various dynamics. In realizing such, the Ministry of Civic Education and National Unity plans to have a set of defined transformative national values.
Additionally, the Ministry intends to establish the National Day of Unity and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife in a drive of enhancement of unity through cultural aspect.
To realize such dreams, the Ministry has commenced consultations to get the views of various sections of the Malawian society on the two initiatives. The consultations covered members of the academia, Civil Society Organization, government officials, traditional and faith leaders across the country.
Speaking at one of the consultation meeting at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Principal Secretary for MoCENU, Dr. Elizabeth Gomani-Chindebvu said the two initiatives are just one of the many strategies the Ministry will utilize in its mandate of uniting Malawians.
“National values give people a sense of identity and promote patriotism. They are one of the important tools in uniting people.
“In addition, though Malawians belong to various ethnic groups, bringing them to one place to celebrate their cultural practices, it will enable them to appreciate other cultures thereby help remove the silent tensions that exist between ethnic groups,” she said.
In making contributions to such proposals, Inkosi Mabilabo of Mzimba supported the concepts and asked the Ministry to take time in its consultation drive as these have a greater potential of solidifying peace and unity in the country.
When taking its turn in a different setting, the Chairperson of Episcopal Conference of Malawi, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa advised the Ministry to take everyone on board during the consultations to make the national values easily entrenched by all citizens.
“This is a great concepts for the nation and we applaud the Ministry to engage all societal sectors for their inputs as a nation is best united by the values that identify it,” recommends the Archibishop.
Whilst at Mzuzu University, Professor Wales Singini said the twin concepts have underlying benefits for the country such that the values will inform and motivate the actions of citizens while the NDUCH will provide an opportunity for Malawian creative industries to generate income.
