Political leaders wish Malawians a Merry Christmas
President Peter Mutharika and other political leaders have sent messages of goodwill to Malawians as they join Christians worldwide in celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ today, Christmas Day.
In his message through the State House Press Office on Thursday, Mutharika asked Malawians to live peacefully with one another and resolve this Christmas to make the ideals of peace, harmony, tolerance, love and goodwill to all.
The President, who said Christmas is a season for celebration, also called it a time of reflection and urged Malawians to reflect seriously.
“Every time of reflection is a time of self-renewal. Dear Malawians, I hope we will use this season to renew our souls and energies as a nation, in particular as we are ending one year to begin a new year soon. It is in self-reflection that we internally grow. And it is in reflections of the past that we take the right path into the future,” said Mutharika.
But the President cautioned Malawians to celebrate, enjoy and reflect religiously as they are God-fearing people saying “it does not help to celebrate wildly, and with over-excitement, because this will only bring accidents, misery and mourning instead of peace and joy.”
In his message, Vice-President Saulos Chilima said he is wishing all Malawians a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year, emphasising that the festive period should be celebrated responsibly.
On his Christmas Day plans, the Vice-President said: “I will spend my Christmas home with family and friends and I will also be going to church this festive season.”
Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya urged people to drive carefully on the roads of the country as recently there has been a lot of carnage happening. He too wished Malawians a Happy Christmas.
He said he usually takes time off to celebrate with people in his home village in Karonga.
Former president Joyce Banda, who is spending her second Christmas abroad since losing the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections, said she will be spending Christmas with her family and friends, according to her spokesperson Andekuche Chanthunya.
Speaking in a telephone interview, another former president, Bakili Muluzi, said Christmas is a joyous occasion worldwide when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ; hence, he wishes all Christians well during the day.
Muluzi, a Muslim, asked those travelling long distances during the festive season to drive carefully as many lives are lost to road carnage during the period.
He added: “To those that drink, they should do so responsibly. This year’s Christmas is being celebrated a day after we [Muslims] have celebrated the birth of Prophet Muhammad and being a grandfather, I will spend it with my grandchildren. I have prepared some chocolates for them. I hope they will like them.”
Muluzi has also appealed to all Malawians to share the little they have with the poor during this day in order to make sure they celebrate together.
Efforts to talk to leader of opposition in Parliament Lazarus Chakwera, who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president, proved futile as his phone was either out of reach or went unanswered. His personal assistant promised to get back to The Nation, but as we went to press she was yet to give Chakwera’s response. n
