President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera says unity among different cultural groups both within and outside the country is critical in championing unity and development and improving people’s livelihoods.

Speaking at this year’s Kulamba Traditional Ceremony at Mkaika in Katete District, Zambia the Malawi leader said since he assumed office he has fostered cordial relationships among all cultural groups in the country.

Kulamba ceremony is an annual event that brings together Chewa chiefs and their subjects from Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia to pay homage to their king, His Royal Highness Kalonga Gawa Undi.

President Chakwera noted that his presidency will unite different cultural groups of Malawi around a common developmental vision for the country by pursuing specific areas.

“We are ensuring that infrastructural projects and socioeconomic programmes of my Government are equitably spread out across the country so that Malawians of all cultural groups have a stake in the developmental benefits we are implementing,” said Chakwera while reminding the gathering how his administration has initiated social infrastructural developments in all districts without discriminating against any cultural group.

President Chakwera pointed out that once all the projects are completed, there will be a sense in the country that Malawians of all cultural groups have a role to play in developing the country and have a stake in the enjoyment of that development.

The event was also attended by Zambian President, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, and the governor of Tete Province who represented President Fillipe Nyusi of Mozambique.

In his remarks, delivered by a senior member of Chewa Heritage Foundation, Kalonga Gawa Undi called upon all Chewas to put their emphasis on education by sending their children to school. He also called upon his subjects to live in peace with other tribes in their respective communities.

Among the highlights of the day was the gulewamkulu dance.