Forty-eight-year-old Village Head Samson from ST/A Chiputula in Chikwawa District and his subjects have relocated to a safer place following effects of Tropical Storm ANA.
Samson (real name Stemison Benard), was fed up with perennial effects of flash floods and sold his livestock to the tune of K570,000, which he bought land in GVH Gambatula and relocated to, together with 64 families.
“Tropical Storm ANA washed away our houses, damaged household property and took away our livestock, leaving us almost empty handed. My subjects and I sought refuge at Gambatula Primary School on 25th January [2022]. After giving it a thorough thought, I advised my subjects not to return to Samson Village, around Mleza Area, which is closer to Shire River and prone to floods.
“Enough is enough, we had to embark on a journey to safety, hence our settling at this place. We are living in makeshift structures but we are not turning back, we are hopeful for the better and I advise my fellow village heads to stop clinging to disaster prone areas and relocate to safer places as a matter of urgency,” said Samson, a father of six.
The host ST/A Chiputula, said he had never heard of Samson’s gesture and pleaded with government and organisations to assist the village in settling at the new place.
Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Charles Kalemba commended Samson and described his gesture as a path in the right direction.
“This is the first time in the history of Malawi for a village head to sell what they have and buy land for his people. Deciding not to go back to where they have relocated from is promising. Government has been calling on people living in disaster prone areas to move to safer places but they have been reluctant to do so.
“As government, we will support Village Head Samson, not only with relief assistance and shelter; but also assist him in getting back what he has lost in his quest to protect his people,” said Kalemba.
Department of Disaster Management Affairs has since provided tents to the newly relocated village.
