Shire Valley communities want monuments for flood victims

Nsanje and Chikwawa communities have said they want to erect pillars in memory of people who died in the Shire Valley due to floods.

The communities also say they intend to set up mini museums where local and international tourists can learn about the history of the area.

Chairperson of newly registered Mgumano wa a Sena na Mang’anja Trust, Eric Trinta, said it is high time Malawians started appreciating and preserving their cultural values and history.

He said: “The memorial pillars will be strategically placed in the areas where there were floods such as in Nsanje, Bangula, Chikwawa and at Thabwa. They will be constructed in such a way that there will also be a museum element. This will work to our advantage in the mind-set change agenda of the local people.”

Trinta also said Mgumano wa a Sena na a Mang’anja aims at economically empowering people of the Lower Shire by engaging them to work out on how best they can utilise the resources available there.

Commenting on the issue, director of culture in the Ministry of Civic Education, Culture and Community Development, Elizabeth Gomani Chindevu, said this is not a unique development as other groupings have developed structures aimed at promoting their history and cultural values.

She said: “I am not sure about their plans because I haven’t seen their document but as long as what they are doing is in line with the laws and regulations of the country, there should be no problem. I would, therefore, encourage them to seek guidance from our office so that things go on well from the word go.” n