Malawi Heritage UK Recognizes Community Heroes

The United Kingdom (UK) based Malawi Heritage held its Gala night where deserving personalities were awarded for various contributions they are making in their respective communities.

The organization of this red carpet event was aimed at recognizing influential personalities in their respective communities who have been playing various significant roles towards adding value to lives.

In welcoming the audience, Director of the Malawi Heritage UK, Allan Mandindi said this year’s event, held at the Hough End Centre Charlton in the city of Manchester which is second since its inception last year has been more successful considering the patronage which was great and attracted international audiences .

“These awards now have become an annual event, great opportunity for us as Malawians to show to the world our values and sell Malawi as a great destination for business, tourism and trade, as we move forward we would like to partner with ministry of tourism and other partners that have Diaspora interest,” Mandindi said.

*We want partners with diaspora interests –* **Mandind**i

Presiding over this year’s glamorous event Lord Mayor of Manchester Cllr Donna Ludford, who was accompanied by Mayor Consort Sean McHale in a very special way thanked the Malawi community in the city for the role they are playing in making sure that Manchester continues to be a city that embraces diversity and gives opportunity to all regardless of their backgrounds.

In her maiden speech the Lord Mayor of Manchester Clr Donna Ludford recognized the contributions the Malawi community plays to the well being of all the citizens in Manchester and United Kingdom as a whole.

“On a very special occasion like this one let me thank the Malawi community in the city for the role they are playing in making sure that Manchester continues to be a city that embraces diversity and gives opportunity to all regardless of their backgrounds,” said the Mayor.

*Ijeoma the young volunteer went home smiling*

Reaching the climax of it all was finest moment when the whole auditorium stood in ovation when a young female volunteer, Tracy Ijeoma Odidika stood and walk to the podium when her name was called to be decorated with an award in a special young volunteer of the year category.

The event did not just go by without some fine moments considering an amazing performance by another finest young song bird, Gerald Chimpango whose voice is quite very amazing sending even some notable guests including Cllr Prof Erinma Bell MBE, representative of Malawi Embassy Dyson Banda, MCPDN Chairperson Chalo Mvula and Sherita Mandongwe of Dimobi Children Disability Trust into hand clapping.

Also speaking at the event was Prof Erinma Bell who spoke highly on the need to promote traditional values and Culture saying that is the only sure thing that recognizes a community.

“Let me point it out to families that it is necessary for the children born here, in the UK to be taught the culture and languages of countries they originally come from in order to help them have connection with the home countries,” Bell said.

The event was also spiced by performances of a dance group, Jet Black Dance who gave the stellar performance that was greatly appreciated by those in attendance and then musician, Hazel Mak of the liyaya fame also walk through the stage to give stunning performance clearing the path for another Malawi singer Queen Sheba to perform and receive her award.

The full list of those who received awards was as follows;

Young Volunteer of the year: Tracey Ijeoma Odidika
Group of the year; Daughters of Nyasa
Charity of the year; Family Unit Trust
Community Star; Patricia Chimangeni
Diaspora Personality of the year; Beulah Mlanjira
Musician of the year; Queen Sheba
Innovative Personality of the Year; Fatuma Sikwese
Sport Club of the Year; Manchester Socials