President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has asked all cultural groupings in the country to promote unity among themselves and with other tribes for this, he says, is a trigger of sustainable development.
He was speaking on Thursday in Phalombe when he installed Gogo Stellia Munyama as the new Paramount Chief of the Lhomwe tribe. Before her elevation, Gogo Munyama was known under the chieftaincy title of Senior Chief Kaduya.
She becomes the first ever woman Paramount Chief in Malawi.
The Lhomwe people are most domiciled in of Thyolo, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Mulanje and sparsely spread across all the Southern Region districts and part of the other regions.
Prior to the installation, Mr. Douglas Moffat, the District Commissioner of Phalombe District, invoked the Chief’s Act in a formal procedure.
Expressing gratitude to the President, Chief Kaduya conveyed her thanks by presenting several symbolic gifts.
Representing the Royal family, Jarneck Somanje extended appreciation to the President for appointing a Paramount Chief and ensuring diverse tribal representation in leadership, fostering unity among all Malawians.
Mulhako wa Alhomwe board chairperson, Muchanakhwaye Mpuluka, thanked the President for Paramount Chief Kaduya’s installation and appealed to the government to consider promoting more chiefs within the Lhomwe belt.
The President reiterated his commitment to support all cultural groups and tribes in the country, including the Lomwe tribe.
Emphasizing that politics should not erode this essential aspect of national unity, he extended his well-wishes for prosperity and good health to all Lomwes as they progress alongside other tribes.
President Chakwera assured his commitment to support the Lhomwes as a cultural group, vowing to do everything possible to uphold their heritage. He extended his appreciation to Mlakho wa Mlomwe and expressed readiness to collaborate with them at any time.
The President also urged the newly installed Paramount Chief to embody love, extending it not only to friends but also to enemies. He emphasized the importance of being developmental conscience, fostering growth and progress within the community.
Earlier in the day, President Chakwera visited Phalombe Hospital, now renamed the John Chilembwe Hospital to appreciate its operations and status since its opening in 2022 before launching the National Forest Season at Mpasa Hill in the same district.