Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah has called on Malawians to embrace spiritual renewal and unity, saying the country needs citizens whose faith is reflected in their conduct and contribution to society.
Dr. Ansah was speaking on Sunday at the closing ceremony of the Upper and Lower Shire Joint Mega Conference of the Zambezi Evangelical Church at Mitsidi Synod Ground in Sigelege, Blantyre.
Speaking under the theme “A Season of Spiritual Awakening,” Dr. Ansah noted that a change in character is the ultimate metric of a true revival.
“Spiritual awakening should not be limited to church gatherings but should bring positive changes to people’s hearts, attitudes and actions,” Ansah stated.
She added that the spiritual transformation must extend into public duty and national progress.
“True spiritual renewal should produce honest, compassionate and responsible citizens who care for the vulnerable, promote peace, protect the environment and contribute to national development.”
Addressing the nation’s political and social institutions, the Vice President challenged the audience to work past traditional social divides to form a more collective front.
“Malawi needs greater cooperation among religious leaders, traditional authorities, political leaders, civil society, businesses and government.”
She further urged Malawians to “reject anything that seeks to divide [us], emphasizing that what unites the country is greater than what separates its people.”
Turning her attention to the future of the nation, Ansah emphasised the strategic role that the church must play in moulding the next generation.
“Young people should be encouraged to pursue success through hard work, discipline, respect for the law and integrity rather than seeking shortcuts,” she stressed.
She also urged Malawians to strengthen families, describing the family unit as the ultimate foundation of society. Parents, she remarked, must deliberately instil core social values like honesty, hard work, forgiveness, love, and unity into their households.
In her closing remarks, Ansah urged the congregation to carry the spirit of the conference back into their everyday environments, speaking in Chichewa to emphasize her point.
“Musalole moto wa uzimu umene wayatsidwa pano kuzima. Msonkhanowu ukutha, koma kutsitsimutsidwa kusathere pano. Kupitirize m’mipingo yosiyanasiyana, m’mabanja anu, kuntchito kwanu, komanso m’madera anu. [Do not allow the spiritual fire that has been lit here to die out. This conference is ending, but the revival should not end here. Let it continue in your various churches, in your homes, at your workplaces, and also in your communities].”
Meanwhile, Synod Chairman Reverend Robert Mambeya welcomed the Vice President’s address but seized the opportunity to lobby the government for direct assistance.
Mambeya asked the Vice President to “assist the church in addressing challenges including encroachment on its premises across the country” as well as managing the “rising costs of supporting needy people.”
Despite these structural hurdles, Mambeya thanked Ansah for honoring the church’s invitation and “encouraged her to remain vigilant in her duties.”
Senior Chief Kuntaja, speaking earlier, hailed a cordial relationship that exist between the church and the wider community.
The conference was also spiced up by energetic musical performances from local gospel icons including King James Phiri, Chikowa Foyi, and Namiyango Chiyanjano.
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