The Forum for Elders in Malawi has said the elderly are crucial for the preservation of cultural traditions in Malawi.
Speaking at its launch in Mzuzu on Saturday, chairperson of the forum, William Mvalo, said through public forums, the elderly will be given an opportunity to interact, share past experiences and ensure that important aspects of Malawi’s history are not forgotten.
“The forum has been formed with the desire to engage the elderly. We want them to be active to tell about Malawian culture so that it should be passed on to the younger generation,” said Mvalo.
He said so far, there are no text books in primary schools on how Malawians should live.
Said Mvalo: “The forum will document some of the elderly’s experiences for future generations.”
He said the publication will be in the form of proverbs, traditional beliefs and the elderly social and political experiences.
One of the elders present at the launch, former minister in Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s government, Robson Chirwa, said the launch of the forum is a symbol of hope to the elderly who are mostly suspected to be witches.
Mvalo said the forum is for the elderly and has a membership of over 100 elderly persons.
