Kamuzu Academy on Saturday launched what will become an annual tree-planting exercise. The exercise is a brainchild of Mama Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira, former official hostess to Malawi’s founding president and academy founder, the late Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda. “There were lots of trees but now the trees are depleted. There are farms, houses and business places around. There are also places which are bare. The founder, Dr Banda, would have just been happy to see trees everywhere; so, that is why we are here today. We want this place to be full of trees because there are many advantages of [having] trees. The air we breathe is from trees; roots of trees prevent soil erosion. Children in schools would be happier if there were trees around,” Kadzamira said.
The former president opened the academy in 1981. Chairperson of the academy’s board of governors, Francis Pelekamoyo, said the exercise is a way of encouraging students to plant trees. “One of the aspects we need to teach them is to take care of the environment. This exercise will be a practical way of showing our students that they have to continue planting trees, not only here at Kamuzu Academy, but even when they leave this institution. It is very important that we contribute to the improvement of the environment,” Pelekamoyo said. Kasungu District Forestry Officer, Henry Kagulo, said he was happy that various players are supporting this year’s national forestry season. “We are working with different players in planting trees. We are happy that Kamuzu Academy is taking part in this exercise. We want to restore trees. We are also promoting natural regeneration. We should also take care of the trees growing naturally, “ he said.
(Source: The Daily Times Malawi, Monday, 21 January 2019)