MDF museum project takes shape

As you start the ascent Sunbird Ku Chawe on Zomba Plateau, on Mangasanja there is a project which may turn out to be a cultural and tourism masterstroke.

The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) is constructing the first-ever MDF Museum. This will be housed in colonial residential building with additional purpose-built structures.

The museum will comprise a library, amphitheatre, children’s amusement corner and a commercial shop which will have a kiosk, café and bookshop. Outdoor exhibition stalls will also be constructed.

Project chairperson Brigadier Vincent Moyo, in an interview, said the idea to construct the MDF Museum was first hatched in 2019 following a series of meetings the MDF had with Zomba Tourism Office, Zomba Tourism Association and other interested stakeholders.

“For an institution to grow and appreciate the future, it derives lessons learnt from its past actions and deeds. The museum will serve several purposes. Primarily, it is intended to preserve the military history of Malawi dating back from as far as research can take us.

“The museum will have several sections highlighting military history before colonial period up to 1980, then the colonial period up to 1963, then the post-colonial period up to 1993 to the present,” he said.

According to Moyo, another section of the museum will include displays of exceptional honours/awards and materials by and for veterans and their families reflecting the daily lives of people who support the deployment of their loved ones.

He said: “We will also look at our forays on the global scene including the involvement in the UN Peacekeeping Missions, sporting disciplines, and social services undertaken by MDF including disaster response. We will also display large military equipment that is no longer in use.”

Moyo further said although the project will reflect the MDF as an establishment, it will also be set with long-term goals of contributing to the national economic growth due to the projected increase in the number of tourist attraction centres in Malawi.

The MDF is working with the ministries of Defence and Tourism, Culture and Wildlife who recently helped secure Siku Group of Companies, as a local donor partner for the project. The company has overseen the construction of a perimeter security fence and other ancillary works.

Siku Group managing director Abdul Munaf Rashid in an interview said they didn’t hesitate to be part of the project since they are active players in the tourism sector through the Sun ‘N’ Sand Holiday Resort, Hippo View Lodge and Shire Lodge.

“When the minister approached us that we should help in creating a place that will be recognised as a kind of an attraction centre for both local and international tourists, we felt it was an honour.

“The idea itself is great as they want to restore some things that are there just lying around and present them in a more dignified and productive manner to the society,” he said.

Rashid said the tourism industry has been supportive to their various business interests and supporting the MDF Museum project is one way of returning that favour. He said the project will also be educational.

He said Siku Group has so far invested over K52 million but the figure may rise depending on the additional work to be undertaken.

Minister of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife Michael Usi said the project responds perfectly to government’s reform agenda which seeks to elevate the tourism sector to one of the key contributors to the country’s GDP.

He said: “The museum will help in the continued growth of Zomba as a city by increasing its ability to woo tourists in the process attracting infrastructure development in the hospitality industry.

“The Army as an institution has long been held with so much mystery which in essence is not the case. The institution will offer details on how the Army as an establishment came into being and underline its inter-relationship with the society. In a way this will act as motivation to youths to join the service.”