By Innocent Chamtulo

Mulanje, July 13, Mana: Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture, Vera Kamtukule Saturday urged community members and other stakeholders surrounding Mulanje Mountain to conserve the environment in the mountain for it to maintain its magnificent beauty and as one way of promoting tourism in the district. 

She said this in Mulanje when she graced the 2024 Mount Mulanje porters race.

Kamtukule said the Ministry would continue selling the beauty of Malawi abroad for the benefit of this country’s economy, adding that she has for the first time appreciated the beauty of the mountain during the porter’s race.

“Government is committed to supporting the tourism sector through such events like this one in Mulanje. We will bring more tourists through our marketing strategies as a ministry. I am urging all community members in the district surrounding the mountain to conserve the environment for it to continue attracting more tourists domestically and abroad," the Minister said.

On the other hand, one of the main sponsors, Malawi Gaming Lotteries Authority, through the Director of Finance and Administration, Dumbo Muwalo said in progressing with the Mount Mulanje porter’s race, they would build a sports complex at Likhubula where all the activities involving porter’s race would be held after the completion of the arena.

“As one of the stakeholders, we believe that we have sponsored the event for quite a number of times. However, looking at the area where all the activities are being held is not impressive, so as a board we thought it wise to build a structure here where all the activities will be held after the race and this is one of the our corporate social responsibility. We want to make the event more visible abroad,” he said.

In the lady’s category, Gloria Adam, 18 carried the day after covering 25 kilometres in two hours and 40 minutes 18 seconds while Jafali Jossam, 27 came out on top in the male category after covering 25 kilometres in two hours and nine minutes 11 seconds.

Both winners received K1, 000,000 each.

Adam expressed joy after being declared the winner of the female category, saying the prize would be used towards supporting and managing her school expenses.

“It has taken a year for me to prepare for this event and being declared the winner has always been my dream. I should say my dream has come true. The prize that I’ve received will be used to settle other necessities at home and school as well,” she added.

Runners up and third positions in both categories went away with K800, 000 and K600, 000, respectively.

Communications Officer for the 2024 Mount Mulanje porters race, Jimmy Maloya said organisers of the event were satisfied with how the outcome of the event in terms of patronage and other things.