President Chakwera Commits to Addressing Diaspora Concerns: Key Highlights from the Meeting with Malawians in Germany

President Chakwera Commits to Addressing Diaspora Concerns: Key Highlights from the Meeting with Malawians in Germany.

Berlin, Germany – President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing issues affecting Malawians in the diaspora during an audience held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on August 22, 2024. This event brought together members of the Malawian community in Germany. Discussions ranged from education access to voting rights.

The meeting was marked by an address from the former chairperson of Umodzi wa a Malawi, Alexander Kambili, who expressed gratitude for the opportunity to engage directly with the President. “Notwithstanding our regular interactions with the Malawian embassy, direct access to the Head of State is an important step in ensuring that our concerns are heard at the highest level,” Kambili stated.

Kambili —”Malawians in the diaspora must be able to vote without worrying about the costs of travelling to and from home”

Key issues raised during the session include:

Diaspora Voting Rights:  

President Chakwera assured attendees that mechanisms enabling Malawians abroad to vote during elections would be developed. “This is a fundamental right we are committed to actualising,” he said.

Vocational Training and Employment Opportunities

Umodzi wa a Malawi emphasised the untapped potential for Malawian youths to benefit from Germany’s vocational training system while promoting intergenerational and cultural exchange between the two countries. Collaborative efforts with German institutions were proposed to enhance these opportunities. 

Educational Access

• The current chairperson of the Umodzi diaspora community, Mr Alex Semba highlighted the successes of ongoing initiatives connecting Malawian students with German educational institutions, particularly through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Proposals were made to expand scholarship opportunities and introduce vocational training programs in Germany for Malawian students who might not qualify for university education.

Cultural Exchanges:  

Alex Semba further underscored the importance of fostering cultural ties between Malawi and Germany, citing longstanding initiatives such as the PASCH schools program and partnerships facilitated by the Goethe-Institut.

Logistical challenges faced by the diaspora, including lengthy and tedious visa application procedures and access to Malawian government services like passport renewals and national IDs, were also discussed. The participants called for established and working digital platforms as well as the reopening of local visa processing options in Malawi to reduce costs and logistical hurdles. Malawians travel to Lusaka, Zambia, each time long-term visa-related processes are needed.

With over 250 Malawian families residing in Germany, the meeting served as a pivotal moment towards strengthening ties between the diaspora and the Malawian government. “This dialogue is only the beginning,” Semba, the new chairperson, concluded as he showed optimism and readiness to raise the Malawi flag higher.

Semba —“We are optimistic”

The President’s commitments were noticed with optimism, as attendees praised his openness and willingness to engage with the diaspora community on critical matters.

Photos courtesy of the State House:

Attendees include Dr Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, and Her Excellence Monica Chakwera, Malawi Ambassador Joseph Mpinganjira, Deputy Ambassador Lakudzala together with a delegation from the Malawi Embassy in Berlin and selected members of the Umodzi community accompanied by former and current chairpersons of the community Mr Alexander Kambili and Mr Allex Semba respectively.