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Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, August 17, Mana: The Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, has urged citizens of the country to always work towards promoting peace so that the country can continue to develop.
Chimwendo Banda spoke as the chief guest at the 2024 Mdauku wa a Tonga (MWATO) celebrations held at Nsani village in Mkumbira area of Nkhata Bay on Saturday.
“What impressed me today is that the celebrations were also attended by non-Tongan chiefs from surrounding areas. Chiefs are the custodians of culture and this shows that they are tolerant and peaceful with each other, which is something we all must cherish,” Chimwendo said.
Chimwendo Banda said his ministry would always ensure that people overcome their differences and live in harmony and interact with each other so that the country can move forward in development.
The Minister further commended the MWATO Executive Committee for their innovative spirit in establishing Tonga’s own cultural heritage site called the MWATO Village which will serve as a learning centre for the youths.
“I heard that a school and museum among others will be built in MWATO village. This is very encouraging and as a government we will provide you with all the support you need to develop this palace as it is in line with the government’s agenda of promoting education and preserving culture”, he said.
He urged chiefs across the country to continue to include environmental themes in these cultural celebrations as a way of addressing the effects of climate change facing the country.
In his speech, Mdakuwa Tonga Chairman Professor John Karenga Saka said this year’s celebration was unique and a success as they fulfilled their dream of unveiling the MWATO Village.
“We had been holding this ceremony in different locations but this proved to be neither cost effective nor efficient. Therefore, with the support of the Tonga Council of Chiefs, we agreed to have the ceremony at one location and Nsani was chosen as the right place,” said Saka.
According to Saka, they will build a series of facilities in this center, such as a library, a museum, and small houses depicting the culture of the Tongan people.
He commended President Dr Lazarus MacArthur Chakwera for donating K5 million to support the 2024 MWATO celebrations.
The theme of this year’s MWATO celebrations is “Our Environment, Our Future”.
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