By Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, 12 May, Mana: The Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust has embarked on resource mobilization for the 2025 Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni annual cultural festival scheduled for September 4-6 at Nkolimbo village in Ntcheu.

The festival is expected to cost 150 million Malawi Kwacha.

The Heritage's Secretary General, Impi Kandi Padambo, in a statement, said the Heritage has partnered with TNM and Airtel Malawi to mobilize funds using their mobile money services.

This means donations can be made through TNM Mpamba and Airtel Money, in addition to the existing FCB bank account.

"For Airtel Money, people must dial *211# and select payment, then choose other, where they are supposed to enter a nickname Abenguni and UM 2025 as a reference name," he said.

Impi Padambo said, for Mpamba, people must dial *444# and select make payments, then select goods and services to pay merchant 608009 with description UM 2025.

“The donations can also be made through the Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust FCB, account number 0004502000159, Capital City Branch”, said Padambo.

According to the Chairperson of the Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust, Inkosi Makwangwala, the ceremony forms part of the Maseko Ngoni rights of celebrating traditions.

In 2024, Paramount Chief Gomani V cancelled the umhlangano in honour of the late Impi Dr Saulos Chilima and the late legendary musician, Soldier Lucius Banda.