DUMFRIESSHIRE, Clydesdale & Tweeddale MP David Mundell is in Malawi this week helping forge closer links between the African country and the UK.
The local MP will also be publicising celebrations in Scotland and UK for the bi-centenary of David Livingstone’s birth.
Livingstone was born on 19 March, 1813 to a working-class family in Blantyre, and went on to become a pioneering medical missionary and African explorer.
While in Malawi Mr Mundell will meet President Joyce Banda, and will also have lunch with the Hon Henry Chimunthu Banda, Speaker of Parliament, with the aim of furthering links with the Scottish Parliament.
A range of other meetings are planned with Malawi ministers and senior officials to discuss political, economic and development matters. He will also meet business leaders.
The MP will take part in a number of visits including one to the country’s leading nursing colleges, and which has links with Scotland through its David Livingstone Scholarships. Visits to a Church of Scotland project and to Thawale Primary School, which is twinned with Lockerbie Academy, are also planned.
Before leaving for Africa the local MP said he was delighted to be making the trip and have the opportunity to further cement the long standing links Scotland and the UK have with Malawi. This was an important year in Malawi’s history, with the bi centenary of the birth of the Scot who did so much for the African country.
Mr Mundell added: “I have done voluntary work in Sierra Leone and Rwanda, but never been to Malawi before. I am particularly looking forward to the visit, given the strong links between Scotland and the country. Many local schools, churches and charitable organisations are involved in specific projects or support organisations like Mary's Meals, which feeds school children and which I will see in action for myself.
“I am particularly glad that I am able to visit Thawlale school which is twinned with my own old school of Lockerbie Academy and am taking some items from Lockerbie for them. David Livingstone is one of the most revered figures in Southern Africa and I hope this year's bicentenary celebrations will help increase knowledge here at home about his extraordinary life and legacy."