Chilembwe’s legacy a foundation for youth leadership-UDF – Capital Radio Malawi
13 February, 2025

Chilembwe’s legacy a foundation for youth leadership-UDF

John Chilembwe and family

Opposition UDF party is urging the youth to emulate John Chilembwe’s patriotic heart as a means of furthering the national development agenda.

The comment came ahead of Chilembwe Day celebrations slated for tomorrow at Magomero in Chiradzulu District.

UDF Secretary General, Genarino Lemani has highlighted the important role that young men and women play in driving the national economy including areas such as agriculture and health among others.

Lemani said: “I urge them that they need to take part in leadership. They need to understand what leadership is because as the youth, we have recently been used to cause havoc in areas which is wrong to the beliefs of what I believe our forefathers would have wanted for the youth.”

“The youth are now taking leadership because if you see across the continent of Africa, the young leaders emerging, at least so Malawi as well, wants to take that mentorship from a gentleman but the youth of today have to rise,” Lemani added.

Speaking in an interview with Capital FM radio on Tuesday, Providence Industrial Mission (PIM) officials signaled that preparations for the celebrations were progressing well

According to PIM Deputy spokesperson Davies Kambewa, all arrangements are in place to ensure a successful celebration.

He revealed that they are expecting a high-profile attendance, including heads of state, clergy members, and representatives from various political parties.

“We are expecting the State President to preside over the function. Members of the State have also been invited, including the religious leaders. We cannot talk about Malawi’s history without talking about John Chilembwe.

“So, Chilembwe is the beginning of the independence. It is where our independence came from. It is also a good time to reflect as a nation on our history.”

Born around 1871 in the Chiradzulu district, Chilembwe was a Baptist minister, educator, and revolutionary.

He studied in the United States and returned to Nyasaland (now Malawi) in 1900 to establish the Providence Industrial Mission.

He is best known for leading an unsuccessful armed uprising against British colonial rule in 1915. This rebellion was sparked by grievances such as forced conscription of Africans into the British army, high taxes, and poor treatment of African workers by European settlers.

Although the uprising was quickly suppressed, Chilembwe’s actions are celebrated as a symbol of resistance against colonialism

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