BLANTYRE CITY (MALAWI, AFRICA): IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE SCOTTISH MISSIONARY AND EXPLORER; LATE DR. DAVID LIVINGSTONE

“Blantyre” in Africa? Sure, the Malawian city was named in remembrance of the early Scottish missionary and explorer, Dr. David Livingstone. Facts are that the missionary was born in Blantyre, Scotland. Therefore, Malawi’s city was given a Scottish name in honour of the Scottish missionary for his impact in Malawi, then Nyasaland. Blantyre was formerly called the commercial city due to massive trade and business activities that took place before the rise of Lilongwe and Mzuzu cities. Factually, now trade and business have boomed in all the nation’s regions particularly Mzuzu and Lilongwe.

Blantyre city comprises two major towns: Limbe and Blantyre. These two major towns are connected by Chichiri area along Masauko Chipembere highway. When in Blantyre you can explore several places of interests. Visit the iconic Mandala where history says the whites who fought the native Rev. John Chilembwe used to operate from among other colonial facilities. Interestingly, today, the yard is where all races meet for a cup of local brew, be it Mzuzu coffee, tea from Mulanje mountain or charcoal roasted chicken with Kambuzi hot pepper. Mandala is another place to appreciate the country’s history through the artifacts outside and inside the facility. During my visit i had visited the resource centre housing an archive; and art gallery where souvenir can also be purchased.

A few minutes past Mandala house is a whitewash wall where murals depicting the city’s life and artistic prowess can be appreciated. Truly, Malawi produces some of the top fine artists who express the nation’s life in pencil and paint for entertainment, ornamental, gossip and historical intentions.