Major General Richard Chagonapanja making the announcement on Thursday at MDF Joint Headquarters in Lilongwe
* To provide a formal and sustainable framework for veterans’ welfare, including defined benefits, institutional coordination and access to essential services
* As the MDF, in partnership with NBS Bank, host the annual Military Veterans’ Thanksgiving Golf Tournament on October 31
* The fundraising efforts alone cannot adequately address the veterans’ long-term needs, particularly healthcare, housing, livelihoods and dignified care in old age
By Duncan Mlanjira
In recognition that fundraising efforts alone, that include the annual Military Veterans’ Thanksgiving Golf Tournament in partnership with NBS Bank, Malawi Defence Force (MDF) in the process towards enactment of a Veterans Act.
This was disclosed by Major General Richard Chagonapanja at MDF Joint Headquarters in Lilongwe when announcing the forthcoming Military Veterans’ Thanksgiving Golf Tournament to tee-off on Saturday, October 31 at Lilongwe Golf Club.
“Allow me to speak candidly on an issue of national importance,” said Major General Chagonapanja. “The Malawi Defence Force continues to support veterans through various initiatives, including this tournament.
“However, we recognise that these efforts alone cannot adequately address their long-term needs, particularly healthcare, housing, livelihoods and dignified care in old age.
“We are, therefore, pleased to note that processes are underway towards the enactment of a Veterans Act, that will provide a formal and sustainable framework for veterans’ welfare, including defined benefits, institutional coordination and access to essential services.”
Advertisement
Chagonapanja took cognizance that the Government cannot fully achieve sustainable veterans’ welfare alone as it “requires a whole-of-society partnership — involving the private sector, civil society and development partners”.
Thus he highlighted that the MDF greatly value the longstanding partnership with NBS Bank, “our Caring Bank, which has supported the Defence Force and our veterans for more than a decade”.
“Building on that record, I am proud to announce that the Malawi Defence Force and NBS Bank have now formalised this partnership through a Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) on supporting the Military Veterans’ Thanksgiving Golf Tournament.
The MoU that was signed in April this year
“This MoU gives the tournament a firm footing, so that support for our veterans is planned and lasting rather than dependent on goodwill from year to year.”
Major General Chagonapanja thus expressed the MDF’s profound appreciation to NBS Bank “for its timely intervention and continued commitment”.
“It demonstrates that the welfare of veterans is a shared national responsibility, in which the private sector has an important role to play.
He described the annual Military Veterans’ Thanksgiving Golf Tournament as more than a sporting event, saying: “It is a flagship initiative aimed at raising resources to support our military veterans — men and women who served the nation with courage, discipline and sacrifice.
“The tournament also carries special significance as it takes place shortly before Remembrance Day, when we honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the World Wars and subsequent conflicts.
“By supporting our veterans, we not only express gratitude for their service but also preserve the legacy of those who served before them.”
The MDF thus invites the corporate community and well-wishers to join the cause to make this year’s tournament a success and, “more importantly, in strengthening the nation’s collective commitment to the welfare and dignity of military veterans”.
The Major General encouraged companies, financial institutions, parastatals, development partners, associations and individuals to sponsor and enter golf teams in this year’s tournament.
“Let us remember that our veterans gave their best years in service to this country. Remembrance is not only about looking back; it is about how we treat those who served.
“We call upon every responsible corporate citizen to stand with us on 31st October and demonstrate that Malawi has not forgotten,” said Major General Chagonapanja.
Advertisement