Event coincides with announcement that the next round of the Scottish Government’s Malawi Development Programme will open to applicants in August
An award-winning Malawian band will perform in Scotland tomorrow at an event organised by Scottish charities to mark 50 years of Malawian independence.
The Scotland Malawi Partnership along with Malawi Association Scotland, Malawians in Aberdeen and Association of Malawians in Scotland have arranged for The Black Missionaries to play at an event at Whiteinch Centre in the West End of Glasgow.
Focusing the culture of Malawi through traditional music, games and food, the event will bring to a close the week-long celebrations of the Golden Jubilee, which were kicked off in London by the Malawian High Commissioner to the UK.
David Hope-Jones, principal officer for the Scotland Malawi Partnership, which promotes strong civil society links between Scotland and Malawi, said: “We’re hugely excited to welcome Malawi’s most popular band to Scotland to lead our national celebrations around 50 years of Malawian independence.
“With more than 85,000 Scots and 148,000 Malawians working in active two-way dignified partnerships each year, it’s no surprise we want to come together and celebrate this key anniversary.”
Black Missionaries lead singer Anjiru Fumulani said: “We look forward to performing in Scotland for the first time.
The relationship between Scotland and Malawi goes back a long way, so it’s great to finally have this opportunity to be here.
“The relationship between Scotland and Malawi goes back a long way, so it’s great to finally have this opportunity to be here.”
Scotland Malawi Partnership has also this week launched a website celebrating the unique friendship between the two nations.
50 Stories for 50 Years sees 50 inspiring Scots and Malawians share their stories of friendship, partnership and solidarity with Malawi, through either a 50 second video or a 50 word story.
Humza Yousaf, minister for external affairs and international development, who will be attending the event, said: “Scotland and Malawi have a historic relationship going back 150 years to the days of David Livingstone, and we are committed to working together to strengthen this friendship in the future.
“In that spirit, I’m delighted to be announcing at the event that the next round of the Malawi Development Programme will open to applicants in August. The programme is an excellent example of our commitment to working together with the people of Malawi to fight global poverty.”
After the event, the Black Missionaries will play a full-length headline gig at the Riverside Club in Glasgow.
