Dedza set to host the first ever out-of-chamber Parliament session on Thursday

* As Speaker Gotani Hara launches Parliament Week to strength democracy and public engagement

* We believe we cannot effectively represent the people if the people themselves are not engaging and understanding how their representatives works in Parliament

By Prisca Promise Mashushu & Zenak Matekenya, MANA

Dedza District is set to host the first ever out-of-chamber Parliament session on Thursday, November 21 at Dedza Stadium, as part of the Parliament Week that was officially launched yesterday in Lilongwe.

At the launch, Speaker of the august House, Catherine Gotani Hara, said the Parliament Week aims to highlight the vital role that the National Assembly plays in fostering democracy and enhancing the connection between citizens and their elected representatives.

She added that the special Parliament Week underlines MP’s dedication and constitutional commitment to represent the aspirations of the people of Malawi while also promoting democracy.

“We believe we cannot effectively represent the people if the people themselves are not engaging and understanding how their representatives works in parliament,” she said.

“The Parliament Week will also address misconceptions concerning members of parliament and the parliament at large by answering all questions people have concerning the parliament.”

Gotani Hara highlighted Parliament’s crucial role in democratic governance, lawmaking, and scrutinising the Executive, while also acknowledging public misconceptions about MPs’ duties.

Representing the Leader of the House, Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule said the Parliament Week will help people to be aware of significant issues that MPs discuss and implement on the ground.

“This will help people to observe, understand and gain knowledge on what members of parliament discuss and also help them to see how their leaders make laws, policies on different issues of the country,” she said.

Present was the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Malawi, Rebecca Adda Dontoh, who explained that the Parliament Week will offer a unique opportunity to inspire the next generation of leaders, thinkers and the change makers.

“We call on young people to become more politically engaged by actively seeking ways to shape the future and advocate for policies that reflect their values,” she said.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi stressed Parliament’s vital role in democratic governance, citing its constitutional responsibilities and alignment with Malawi’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1, aiming to end poverty.

Adda-Dontoh encouraged citizen engagement, saying: “Democracy thrives when citizens actively engage through voting, civic advocacy, and public discourse.”

She also commended Speaker Gotani Hara’s leadership and expressed gratitude to cooperating partners, including UNDP, Democracy International, and AFIDEP, for their financial and technical support.

The Parliament Week commenced with the parade from Area 18 Interchange and ended at National Assembly premises for the climax of the rest of the activities.

It is being held under the theme; ‘Know your Parliament’, and is aimed at enhancing public awareness of the functions and operations of the august House.

Meanwhile, director of administration in Dedza District Council, Chris Salaniponi says they are prepared to host the first ever out-of-chamber session, saying they have met all the requirements set by Parliament secretariat, including availability of running water and clean toilets at the event venue, Dedza Stadium.

He said the session presents a unique opportunity for citizens to gain insight into parliamentary procedures and engage with lawmakers, adding that the event fosters a collaborative environment that promotes economic growth and development.

“To come up with this event we have put great effort which has come from business enterprises themselves,” he said. “For the Council, we hope to get an opportunity to identify different investors because Dedza District is a food basket but markets haven’t been fully developed.”

Salaniponi, who is also the event’s task force chairperson, expressed gratitude that Dedza triumphed over Mchinjii, Dowa and Balaka districts to host Malawi’s inaugural parliament meeting outside the chamber.

Dedza District Civil Society Network chairperson, Osborne Nyirongo said the civil society in the district were engaged in the preparations for the event, adding that a cross-section of people including chiefs, the clergy, primary and secondary school learners, the business community and farmers will stand a chance to appreciate what parliament means to them.

“I hope that as the Members of Parliament will be coming, they will also see that our ring road is not completely up to date and that they will also have a chance to ask the relevant authorities to look into it,” he said.

A resident at Dedza Boma Elton Zitha hailed the initiative, saying by attending the session physically people will have a different understanding of parliamentary procedures.

He said during the event he intends to understand why some decisions made by Parliament take longer to be implemented.

The activity falls under the Bringing Parliament Closer to People concept and all 193 MPs are expected to attend the function, which will culminate into a donation of essential items to Malingunde School for the Blind.—Edited by Maravi Express