By Salome Mkanda
As the year 2022 comes to an end , it that time we reflect on the good and bad things that have happened in the year . its also that time we remember those that sadly didn’t make it into the new year . 247Malawi has put up a list of some of the notable names that went to be with the Lord in 202w and may their souls rest in peace
1: Martse
Arguably one of the best rappers to come from Malawi, Martin Nkhata commonly known as Martse died in the month of May after succumbing to the fire burns he sustained after a fire accident at a house he was sleeping in Mangochi. His death shocked the nation and his funeral in Lilongwe attracted the biggest audience ever
2: Emmie Chanika
Women’s rights and civil rights activist Emmie Chanika. The activist died in July of 2022 at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe after suffering a stroke. Born on May 26, 1956, Chanika founded the first human rights organisation in Malawi, Civil Liberties Committee (Cilic), and also organised the first march ever for women’s rights in the country
3: Chris Kele
Versatile music producer Christopher Chipwaila , famously called Chris Kele sadly passed away in April in South Africa. Kele had relocated to RSA to seek greener pastures. Kele was a veteran in music inudstry, and had released a number of albums in his own name. Kele burst onto the music scene in the late 90’s as a dancehall singer calling himself Palm C. He then reinvented himself as an RnB crooner releasing an album which contained hits like Uzibweza Ngongole which enjoyed a lot of airtime at the time. His later years saw him be a member of music groups like Acacius Band and the Zigzaggers. He the focused more on producing music working with a lot of Malawians big names such as Limbani Banda
4 Hon Reen Kachere
Former Malawi Minister of Gender, Child and Community Development Reen Kachere has died in August at Asamala Health Services in Area 18 in Lilongwe. The late Kachere was at the summit of her political career during late Bingu wa Mutharika’s regime. A mother to legislator Gladys Ganda and renowned musician cum lawyer Edgar Kachere of Edgar and Davis duo. Kachere also served as Neno West lawmaker and also Minister for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, among other political portfolios.
5: Judge Elton Singini
Judge Elton Singini died at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe on Tuesday July 6, 2022. He was appointed a Justice of the High Court on August 25, 1995 and took oath of office on December 9, 1995. He became the first Law Commissioner of the Law Commission in Malawi, through an appointment by the State President on January18, 1996
6: Professor Ben Kalua
Professor of Economics at the University of Malawi Ben Kalua died in July on 2022. Apart from nurturing young minds into fine economics experts that the country has today, Ben Kalua was ardent about developing the local economy, witnessed by contributions he made, every year, during pre-budget consultation meetings and also media commentary on issues economics
7: TearGas
Often described as one of the pioneers of Dancehall Music in Malawi, Leonard Chongwe, commonly known as TearGas died in March. Teargas made his big break during the days of Ragga Street on MBC radio 2 FM presented by Tailos Bakili – DJ Tai B. His Single “Oneness” together with San B, Annie Matumbi and Dr Lizad enjoyed massive airplay in the days when urban music was not very dominant. He died in March on 2022. He was laid to rest at his home village in Chiradzulu.
8: Alexious Nampota
Former Anti-Corruption Bureau Director Alexios Nampota died in December at SDA Adventist Hospital in Blantyre. Born on May 11, 1962 and hailed from Khumulike Village, Traditional Authority Ndalama in Thyolo District. As a private lawyer he handled many high profile cases including that of Banker Thom Mpinganjira
9: Walycris
The untimely death of promising musician Walycris Wanyengo shocked the nation. He died in a bus accident in December on his way from South Africa where he went to perform. WalyCris, is an artistic name for Wyson Laifoh, a first born in a family of four. WalyCris was born on the 25th of September, 1997, in Machinjiri, Blantyre at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital . It is his yao hit song ‘Achalume’ that catapulted him into a household name
