Online Reporter
The Rhodesia Herald, 29 January 1968
PRESIDENT BANDA’S proposals to move the Malawi capital from Zomba 200 miles north to Lilongwe are well behind schedule.
This is one fact to emerge from the continuing speculation about whether South African aid will be forthcoming for the project.
Another recent disclosure is that the move is going to cost a good deal more than was at first anticipated. There has been no official comment, but the figure frequently quoted now is £22m double the original estimate.
The decision to move the capital was announced in Parliament three years ago, when Dr Banda said that the existing capital on the slopes of Zomba Mountain could never be developed satisfactorily as the seat of government of a modern, independent State.
He was also anxious to spread development away from the south for economic and political reasons.
Consultants were appointed in January 1965 to assess the cost of the move to Lilongwe and to make preliminary studies.
A Government White Paper presented to Parliament in October of that year stated that “spread over a period of years, the total costs to the Government of establishing a new capital would be £118 million.
The report said that if the capital remained at Zomba, more than £3 million would have to be spent in any case on improving buildings and services both there and in Blantyre, 40 miles away.
A year Inter, in October 1966. President Banda announced that the designing of the new capital would begin immediately.
New consultants were appointed to draw up a master plan under an agreement between the Malawi Development Corporation and the South African concern, Imex.
No reference was made at that stage to the likely cost of the move.
Lessons for today:
Large national development projects require careful planning and realistic costing. His Governments must have conducted thorough feasibility studies before announcing this major project. Underestimating costs lead to delays, speculation, and public mistrust.
Political ambitions must be balanced with economic realities, President Banda wanted a new modern capital, and development spread beyond the southern region. However, the economic resources to achieve this were limited, and the project stalled.
Dependence on foreign aid can slow down national projects. The speculation around whether South Africa would provide financial assistance shows that the project’s progress depended on external funding. Relying heavily on foreign aid can delay or compromise national development plans.
Despite early delays, high costs, and reliance on foreign consultants, Banda’s capital relocation project did eventually succeed. Lilongwe became capital in 1975 while Government departments moved gradually until 2005. The city grew into Malawi’s largest and a major economic hub.
