By Isaac Salima:

President Lazarus Chakwera has pledged to ensure that Chiradzulu District is developed in a way that reflects its historical significance.

Chakwera expressed his desire to transform the district into a ‘new Blantyre’.

The Malawi leader made these comments Wednesday while presiding over the Chilembwe Day commemorations at Providence Industrial Mission (PIM) in Chiradzulu.

The day honours missionary John Chilembwe for his fight against colonialism.

“This is why, three years ago, I launched a nationwide initiative to establish schools of excellence, aiming to equip Malawians in every district with the capacity to utilise the resources available to them for development and progress.

“One of these schools of excellence will be the Chilembwe School of Excellence, which will be built here in Chiradzulu.

“It will include a football academy for both boys and girls, with a state-of-the-art stadium featuring facilities for football, netball, basketball, volleyball, athletics and boxing,” Chakwera said.

He added that four months ago, he engaged a group of investors from Italy, who are now preparing to bring the necessary resources to develop the Chilembwe School of Excellence.

“This is because Reverend Chilembwe believed that the key to our development progress lies in using education to increase our capacity to utilise the resources we have been blessed with by God,” the President said.

Chakwera also encouraged the people to work hard and contribute to the development of both themselves and the country.

He said Chilembwe chose to name his church ‘industrial’ because he understood that success only comes from hard work and producing goods that can be exported to other countries.

“Over 100 years after Chilembwe’s death, no country has developed through foreign aid, politics or having the most educated president.

“What drives a country’s development is industrialisation and the production of our own goods for export, just as Reverend John Chilembwe understood over 100 years ago,” Chakwera said.

The event began with the laying of wreaths at the Chilembwe Memorial Pillar, where Chakwera and First Lady Monica led the wreath-laying ceremony, followed by other dignitaries.

Cabinet ministers and members of opposition parties, including UTM president Dalitso Kabambe, People’s Development Party leader Kondwani Nankhumwa and Democratic Progressive Party vice president for the south Joseph Mwanamvekha, were also present.

A worship service was held afterwards, during which members of the clergy took turns praying for the country.

Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda praised the President for apparently continuing to uphold Chilembwe’s vision.