Malawi Association UK (MAUK) an umbrella body for all diaspora Malawians and ‘friends of Malawi’ in UK will on August 1, 2015 hold an Extra-ordinary Annual General Meeting (EAGM) in Derby to take stock of the year and plan for next year’s activities.
Pofera: All roads leads to Derby August 1
MAUK said all Malawians in UK are invited to take part in the meeting.
Secretary general of MAUK Stepheson Mbewe said on the day Malawi Derby Association, a grouping of Malawians living in Derbyshire, will be officially launching their newly born association in conjunction with the mother body, Malawi Association UK, at Shaftesbury Conference Centre DE 23 8 LW.
Interim chairman for Malawi Derby Association, Pofera Msaya said Malawians in Derby are pleased to host the Malawi Association UK extra ordinary General meeting.
“We feel honoured as a newly formed association to host MAUK’s extra-ordinary annual general meeting. We appreciate the recognition that we have been given and we are up to the task,” said Msaya.
Added Msaya: “We promise Malawians in the UK that they will have a memorable time in Derby on this day because we have lined up lots of goodies to entertain the patrons to the very core.”
According to the programme released by MAUK, the launch will be marked by sporting activities and barbecue starting from 10:00 to 15:00 then MAUK Extra ordinary General meeting from 17:00 to 19:30 to be led by chairman Martin Guga and the evening will commence with a dinner dance at 8 pm.
The entry fee to the dinner dance is £15.00 per person and tickets are now on sale.
“This event will provide a platform for Malawians and people from all walks of life to meet and network. It will be a day full of pomp and a night to remember as the patrons are expected to dine and wine and dance the night away with grandeur and spectacle,” Msaya said.
“For us in Derby the celebration on this day will be three-fold. Celebrating Malawi’s 51 years of independence, launching our association and hosting MAUK for their extra-ordinary annual general meeting. It’s gonna be epic,” explained Msaya.
He said the population of Malawians in Derbyshire is growing and there is need for a platform to celebrate Malawian culture and heritage within a multi-diverse Derby community.
One of the organisers of the event, Amosi Phiri of Radio 247 Malawi said event will be broadcast live on their online streaming radio.
“Events of this nature provide the business community an opportunity to advertise their products and services effectively,” adding that those Malawians with businesses to showcase on the day should contact organisers.
Derby Malawi Association has been was established with an aim to solely help Malawians in Derby and surrounding areas fully integrate and participate in the social economic activities in Derbyshire is non – profit making organisation with a current membership of well over 80 families.
On the other hand, Malawi Association UK as an umbrella body for all Malawians and friends of Malawi in the UK offers a great sense of oneness, togetherness, community and network for Diaspora Malawian nationals as well as friends of Malawi living in the UK.
Malawi Association UK exist to benefit its members of the public who are Malawian or of Malawian descent customarily by offering a sense of community and promoting cohesion, cooperation and networking among Malawians and friends of Malawi living in the United Kingdom.
MAUK among other things facilitates access to information on personal development opportunities for the Malawian community in the United Kingdom and also provides advice, guidance and support to members where possible while at the same time fosters closer cooperation and collaboration with organisations and friends of Malawi working to promote the interests of Malawians.
“MAUK is a focal point of connection, inclusiveness, support and advancement in all spheres of life and MAUK works in partnership with several regional Malawian associations across the UK. We directly work coherently with the Malawi government and the Malawi High Commission in London for the betterment of the Malawian people both in diaspora and at home in Malawi,” said MAUK vice chairman-designate Thom Chiumia.
MAUK also organise or facilitate events, recreational or otherwise with a view to promoting a positive image of Malawi and oftentimes identify field experts who can offer advice on wide ranging matters providing guidance on general welfare issues affecting Malawians in the United Kingdom.-Additional reporting by Peter Makossah