Government has said that during this year’s independence Day celebrations only K25 million will be spent from the budgeted total of K400 million.
This means that almost K375 million has been saved for the 58th Independence Celebrations.
The Minister of Lands Sam Kawale, who is chairing the Ministerial Committee on July 6 Independence Celebrations, said trimming the budget to that record low is aimed at saving resources for other equally important programmes.
Addressing the press Friday morning in Lilongwe, Kawale said, unlike in previous celebrations, this year’s commemoration will not feature activities that traditionally go with the day such as dances, football matches and merrymaking.
The Lands Minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of Information and Digitalization, Gospel Kazako, stated that President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has directed that the day should be commemorated with National Service of Worship at Malawi Square, Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC).
Kawale said this low key celebration demonstrates Chakwera’s commitment to living by the set austerity measures, adding that the Tonse Alliance government is doing everything possible to put available resources to good use.
“The celebration will honour the people of Malawi who are striving to restore an inclusive path to prosperity for all and rising up and working for a better nation,” Kawale said.
In his remarks, Kazako said 6 July is a historical day for Malawians; hence, the government could not just let it go without commemorating it.
“But in keeping with the austerity measures that President Chakwera has put in place, we will not have the usual celebrations,” he said.
The 58th Independence Day Anniversary Celebrations will be commemorated under the theme “Rise For a Resilient and Prosperous Malawi.”