Minister of Lands Deus Gumba expressed his admiration for the contributions of former presidents Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda to the Cyclone Freddy recovery project. During an interview on Wednesday, coinciding with the handover of 30 houses to Cyclone Freddy victims in Zomba Chisi Constituency, Gumba conveyed his sincere appreciation for the efforts of Muluzi and Banda. The day before, 45 houses were handed over in Traditional Authority Phweremwe’s area in Phalombe District.
The construction of these houses was carried out by the Malawi Red Cross Society, funded by the Dozy Mmobuosi Foundation through Banda and Muluzi. Both former presidents serve as goodwill ambassadors for the Cyclone Freddy recovery initiative, actively mobilizing funds from well-wishers. They assumed these ambassadorial roles at the request of President Lazarus Chakwera in the aftermath of Cyclone Freddy in March 2023.
In his interview, Minister Gumba commended Muluzi and Banda for their pivotal roles in the recovery initiative, specifically citing the construction of the houses as a noteworthy example of their commendable work.
He said: “Their excellencies Joyce Banda and Bakili Muluzi have been going flat out reaching out to different donors sourcing resources to help in this initiative which is changing lives.”
Zomba Chisi Constituency legislator (Democratic Progressive Party), Mark Botoman, said in a separate interview that the houses have provided a huge relief to the cyclone victims in the constituency.
He said both Muluzi and Banda need to be recognised for their work as regards sourcing financial resources.
