By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, August 16, Mana: Executive Secretary for Mdauku wa a Tonga (MWATO) Levi Zeleza Manda says all is set for this year's Tonga cultural heritage populary known as Mdauku wa a Tonga celebrations.

The event will take place Saturday, August 17, 2024 at Msani in the area of Group Village Head Chilerawana under Senior Chief Mkumbira in NKhata Bay with the aim of uniting and preserving the culture of Tongas from across and outside the country.

In an interview, Manda said this year they will inaugurate their own cultural heritage site for the Tongas called Mwato Village at GVH Chilerawana in the area of Senior Chief Mkumbira.

"This will be our Tonga cultural ground which we will develop ourself. We will construct a school, museum and other structures to preserve the Tonga culture," Manda said.

According to Manda the event will be spiced up by several dances like Honala and Malipenga and there will be a display of food like batter fish locally known as batala, rice chigwada, nkhungu and Kondoole.

The theme for this year's MWATO celebration is ‘Our environment, our future’.

Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Honorable Richard Chimwendo Banda is expected to be the guest of honor at the event.