Excitement swept through Mwanza on Thursday as President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera officially opened the newly constructed Joyce Chitsulo Stadium, a modern facility with a seating capacity of 7,000 to 10,000, expected to transform sporting, cultural, and social activities in the district.
The stadium, whose construction began in January 2024, has been named in honour of the late Joyce Chitsulo, who served as Mwanza West legislator and Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture. President Chakwera described Chitsulo as a “development-conscious leader who prioritized national progress over partisan politics.”
“Joyce Chitsulo was a pace-setter in development. I therefore name this facility Joyce Chitsulo Stadium,” the President declared during the opening ceremony.
Thousands of residents, government officials, MCP representatives, and members of the sports community attended the historic event, fulfilling a promise President Chakwera made when he laid the foundation stone in January last year.
In her remarks, Maureen Chitsulo, the late legislator’s daughter and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) candidate for Mwanza West, praised President Chakwera’s leadership for bringing tangible development to the district.
Traditional Authority Nthache, speaking on behalf of the people and chiefs of Mwanza, described the stadium as “a blessing for the community” and a symbol of the government’s commitment to uplifting rural districts. He further urged the government to address other pressing needs, including emergency food support due to three consecutive years of poor harvests, a modern market at Mwanza Boma, a bus depot, and upgrades to Thambani and Kunenekude roads, which become impassable during the rainy season.
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, emphasized that the stadium is part of the government’s broader vision for inclusive development. “This stadium is not just about football. It will be a centre for culture, youth empowerment, and economic activity. We call on the people of Mwanza to safeguard it and use it responsibly so that it serves generations to come,” he said.
In his keynote address, President Chakwera described the stadium as “a house of hope, unity, and opportunity” for Mwanza and Malawi at large. “When we laid the foundation stone last year, it was not just about construction. It was a declaration that Mwanza deserves development of the highest standard. Today, we celebrate a dream that has become reality,” he said.
The Joyce Chitsulo Stadium project forms part of a wider government agenda aimed at providing every district with modern facilities to boost social and economic life. With courts for football, netball, basketball, and volleyball now available, local sports associations, schools, and community groups are expected to use the facility to nurture talent and strengthen social cohesion across the district.
Residents interviewed during the ceremony hailed the stadium as a transformative development, with many saying they never imagined seeing such a facility in Mwanza and noting that young people now have new opportunities to develop their sporting talents.
