The Maravi Post

It was heartening to see politicians of various hues, shapes and sizes mingling together during the national day of prayers that marked this year's Independence Day celebrations in Blantyre. Former president Bakili Muluzi was there, so was Friday Jumbe who leads a section of what is still left of the UDF.

The immediate past ruling party, the DPP, was also adequately represented by its new Treasurer General and leader in Parliament George Chaponda. John Tembo of the MCP was there, so were the two former vice-presidents Justin Malewezi and Cassim Chilumpha. I wish former First Lady Callista Mutharika completed the set flanked by Patricia Shanil Muluzi and Mama Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira.

This is how it is supposed to be. Independence Day is a national event. Our national political leaders need to leave the usual politics aside and unite for a national cause.

Perhaps what scares opposition politicians is the politicisation of these national events. We hope this is a new beginning. Such symbolic togetherness can go a long way in promoting co-existence among people of different political persuasions. Imagine such an array of leaders coming together just before an election campaign. Surely such polls will be violence-free.

Way to go, Abiti, just make sure speeches do not take an 'orange' tinge during such events. Some politicians may feel uncomfortable to clap for partisan statements of a party they are fighting to dislodge from power.