Minister of information, Tourism and Culture, Kondwani Nankhumwa has commended the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church for being a true partner of Government in providing essential services to the nation.
He said one cannot talk of health and education institutions without mentioning the name Adventist noting there are many institutions in the country being run by the church.
“It is quite interesting to see that the church, after having a radio station, thought of now having a television station. This shows how the SDA church is committed in making positive contribution to the country.
“Government will continue to be a true partner to the Adventist Church and all faith communities in the country.
“We fully appreciate and commend efforts made by churches and other non-state actors in complementing government efforts in social economic development of the nation,” said Nankhumwa.
Nankhumwa was speaking in Blantyre on Sunday during the official launch of a K78 million Hope Channel Malawi Television for the SDA church.
The minister said government would continue guaranteeing and respecting freedom of worship for the Adventist church and other religions in the country.
He further appealed to the newly launched Television to continue with its good mission of spreading the gospel and imparting good Christian morals and values to the nation.
SDA’s Malawi Union President, Pastor Frackson Kuyama hailed the Malawi government for granting a broadcasting licence to the church saying it is a sign that government recognizes the roles being played by churches.
Pastor Kuyama said the Hope Television has come to bring hope to everybody adding churches also have the responsibility to teach the public on matters that affect them.
“The SDA church deliberately puts some structures in areas like health, education and broadcasting. All this is to complement government agenda in helping the public,” said Kuyama adding that besides evangelism, the television will roll out more health education programmes.
Pastor Dr Paul Ratsala, SDA’s president for Southern Africa Indian Ocean Division said Hope television will mend the broken relationships by among others bringing hope messages to the community.
Dr Ratsala said the SDA Television is geared to providing value added programmes to the society expressing gratitude to the Malawi government for the support rendered that led to the establishment of the Television.
The opening of Hope Channel Malawi Televison in the country brings the number of SDA television stations to 33 globally, according to Brad Thorp, President of Hope Channel International.
Other foreign visitors that attended the launch included Pastor Dr Solomon Maphosa and Elder Goodwill Nthani who are Executive Secretary and Chief Finance Officer respectively for Southern Africa Indian Ocean Division.
Hope Channel Malawi TV that is run and operated by the Adventist Church is using digital broadcasting equipment way ahead of the world wide 17 June 2015 deadline.
Pictures of the function by Malawi News Agency (Mana) Photojournalist Govati Nyirenda
