Salmond welcomes Malawi president

Mar 17 2013

The First Minister is welcoming the president of Malawi to Scotland ahead of a week of celebrations marking 200 years since the birth of explorer Dr David Livingstone.

President Joyce Banda will join Alex Salmond on a visit to Livingstone's birthplace in Blantyre, South Lanarkshire, before attending a memorial service.

Her visit to Scotland will also include an official address to the Scottish Parliament honouring the life of the Scottish missionary and explorer.

Mr Salmond said: "I am delighted to be in Blantyre welcoming the president of Malawi and celebrating the bicentenary of Dr David Livingstone, who is undoubtedly one of our greatest Scots and who first established our special relationship with Malawi.

"Scotland and Malawi have an enduring friendship and the Scottish Government is committed to working with the people of Malawi and continuing the partnership of skills and expertise that currently benefits Scots and Malawians every year."

They will meet schoolchildren and representatives from the National Trust for Scotland at the David Livingstone centre.

They are also attending a memorial service being held at Blantyre Livingstone Memorial Parish Church led by the Rt Rev Albert Bogle, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

On arriving in Scotland, Ms Banda said: "This is a momentous occasion for both Malawi and Scotland. My visit to this historical country seeks to deepen the relationship that has existed between Malawi and Scotland since Dr Livingstone visited our country. I am looking forward to engaging the Scottish people on matters of trade, investment and development, which Dr David Livingstone aspired to achieve."

Livingstone was born on March 19, 1813, in a single-room tenement in Blantyre. It is now part of a museum and visitor centre charting his life and achievements.

Sir Kenneth Calman, chairman of the National Trust for Scotland, said: "We are honoured to welcome president Banda to the place where David Livingstone was born, and pleased that she has been able to join us for the celebrations marking the birth of a man whose achievements were significant not only for our nation, but for hers too."