Spokesperson for the ministry of local government, unity and culture, Anjoya Mwanza has told Zodiak Online on Friday that preparations for the event are still underway.

"The actual date for the celebration will be communicated in due course. Since the preparations are ongoing, it's too early to estimate the actual budget," she said.

For some time, cultural groupings have been going solo in holding their annual festivals and last year, President Lazarus Chakwera expressed the desire to have the cultural celebration day for all the groups to enhance unity.

Earlier, Mwanza indicated that the national celebration of this day does not mean that respective cultural heritage groups will not conduct their annual celebrations.

A social and political commentators lauded the government for the arrangement, arguing the cultural or tribal divisions have a bearing on politics and development of the country, while culture analysts suggest for a week's celebrations.