Nkhoma Synod condemns oppression, raw deals

Nkhoma Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) says it will not tire to speak against oppression of citizens and offering them raw deals in the country to ensure a better Malawi.

The synod’s moderator the Reverend Bizwick Nkhoma said this in Lilongwe yesterday during

prayers commemorating Kamuzu Day— which falls on May 14—designated to celebrate the legacy of founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda.

In his address, he warned political leaders against dividing Malawians based on tribal lines, saying the tendency will bring more problems to the nation. Said Nkhoma: “In unity there is strength… We are the solution to the country’s problems, that is why we

have to come together. “Sometimes you don’t know the reason why we write pastoral letters. It is because we speak and you don’t listen… If you don’t listen what else can we do?

We will just come in the open and speak…” In an interview later, Nkhoma also spoke against social ills such as corruption, nepotism, tribalism and favouritism in the recruitment of people to

there is strength… We are the solution to the country’s problems, that is why we have to come together. “Sometimes you don’t know the reason why we write pastoral letters. It is because we speak and you don’t listen… If you don’t

listen what else can we do? We will just come in the open and speak…” In an interview later, Nkhoma also spoke against social ills such as corruption, nepotism, tribalism and favouritism in the recruitment of people to

the public sector. The synod alongside the Kamuzu family organised the prayers at Kamuzu Mausoleum in Lilongwe. In attendance were the country’s estranged Vice

 President Saulos Chilima who is president of UTM Party and is running mate to Malawi Congress Party

(MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera—who was also present—in the July 2 fresh presidential election through a nine-party Tonse Alliance.

Yet again, there was no official government representation at the function.

Kasungu Central legislator Ken Kandodo, a member of the Kamuzu family, said they extended an official invitation to government. Minister of Information, Civic Education and communications Technology Mark Botomani,

who is the official government spokesperson, advised the Kamuzu family to make a formal request that

government should take the lead in organising Kamuzu Day commemorations. In his remarks, Chilima hailed Kamuzu for accepting the outcomes of both the 1993 national referendum that ended the singleparty

dictatorship and the first post-independence multiparty elections in 1994. On his part, Chakwera

said Kamuzu—who died on November 25 1997— should be remembered for the developmental agenda he had and for his desire to unite Malawians.

He said his visionary leadership should be a pillar that leaders in the country should have if the country is to develop.