Malawi president invited to Blantyre to mark 200th anniversary of birth of David Livingstone

FORMER First Minister Lord Jack McConnell and Scottish Labour MP Tom Greatrex have invited the President of Malawi to Scotland to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the birth of explorer and missionary Dr David Livingstone.

Mr Greatrex, the co-chair of the All-Party Group on Malawi in Parliament, has sought the support of the Foreign Office, by writing to Foreign Secretary William Hague to ask him to support a visit by President Joyce Banda.

The Labour MP said that he wanted to highlight the importance of Blantyre in the story of Dr Livingstone, who was born and raised in the town.

Mr Greatrex, whose constituency includes the town of Blantyre, said: “It would be a great honour for President Banda to visit Blantyre to mark the bi-centenary of David Livingstone’s birth in 2013.

“There is a great bond between Blantyre in my constituency and the whole of Malawi, including Blantyre. A visit from President Banda would signal the strength of those ties.

“It is right that Blantyre in Lanarkshire is at the centre of events to celebrate the life of David Livingstone at this important anniversary. The town is at the heart of the Livingstone story, and Blantyre is rightly proud of the achievements of its most famous son.”