Malawi Activists submit petition calling for end to English-only rule in parliament

Activists submitted a formal petition to the Malawi Parliament seeking to amend its standing orders, demanding an end to the English-only rule and allowing members to use local languages.

Footage captured in Lilongwe on Thursday shows protesters holding placards such as 'Local languages for rich debate in the house' and 'Indigenous languages for inclusivity' and chanting slogans near the parliament. The video also features activists handing over the petition to parliamentarians.

“This petition represents our deep conviction that language is not merely a tool of communication, but a vessel of culture, memory and identity,” an activist said.

The petition was handed over on the initiative of the Lost History Foundation (LHF) and the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDED).

"After almost 61 years of independence, we need to be questioning why we should campaign in indigenous languages and we send those members, we claim they are our servants, they go into the house and begin transacting business in English,” stated Sylvester Namiwa, Director of the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives.

Another activist vowed that the protests would continue until their demands are met.

Malawi, a former British colony until it gained independence in 1964, still enforces English as the official and sole language for parliamentary business.

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