By Chalo Mvula
Tributes have poured today after it was announced that the long serving member of Malawi Congress Party Roseby Dinala has died. Popularly known as Mai Dinala she is known to have served the party for over 57 years after being one of the people to welcome former head of state Kamuzu when he returned to Malawi back in 1958 . She was 82 years old
Mai Dinala passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a short illness. In paying his tribute , MCP Campaign Director Moses Kunkuyu confirmed the death and said the party was saddened by the death of such a remarkable woman. The remarks were echoed by the party secretary general and Minister of foreign affairs Hon Eisenhower Mkaka who wrote on his facebook page that “ Mai Dinala was an epitome of loyalty. While many moved to them parties in government she remained loyal to MCP. As if she was waiting to see MCP back in government, she had voted on 23rd June only to depart for good today”
Many Malawians used social media to express their shock and saddeness .Political activist and Diaspora member of MCP Allan Mandindi Banda shared his sadness at the loss of and described her long service as outstanding “ These are the people we should honour with statue at the party headquarters. One lesson I have learnt from theis great woman is loyalty. When you grab on something never let go until you have given your contribution and don’t be unstable chasing success”
Martha Chikuni , a media practitioner with MCP also wrote of Mai Dinala loyalty “ she stood strong and true . Loyal , a woman of substance”
Mai Dinala is survived by 14 children, 25 grand children and 16 great grand children. The burial ceremenoy is cheduled for Wednesday at Chitawira cemetery in Blantyre starting from 10:30am
