By Memory Chatonda

Blantyre, May 5, Mana: National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust has encouraged traditional leaders to raise awareness on mindset change among their subjects for the attainment of Malawi 2063.

NICE, Blantyre District Advisory Forum (DAF) Chairperson, Ken Mdala said this on Saturday at Traditional Authority (TA) Chigaru in Blantyre during community engagement meeting with community leaders and Citizen Forum members on transformative leadership.

He said apart from traditional leaders being the custodians of culture, they have a role to guide their subjects towards prosperity and self-reliance.

“We wanted to share with the traditional leaders what we call transformational leadership skills just to prepare them as they will be engaging their subjects. The issue about mindset change basically means that if the leadership is not vibrant, development fails.

“So we want chiefs to champion mindset change and, most importantly, to be in the forefront to demand transparency and accountability of development projects being implemented in their areas. As NICE, we will only guide them on the steps to take,” Mdala added.

Group Village Head (GVH) Kaphikamtama thanked NICE Trust for organizing the meeting, describing it as crucial in empowering and reminding the chiefs of their role in development.

He pledged to engage his subjects on the mindset change agenda and encouraged the youth, women, and disadvantaged groups to take up leadership positions in electoral processes.