By Durell Namasani
2023 will go in the history of Malawi as one of the most tragic years where the country lost a number of household names including Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, music icon Soldier Lucius Banda, Lawyer Ralph Kasambara and Popular Actor and Broadcaster Hope Chisanu.
Today 31st December , 2024, 247 Malawi News take this time to pay homage to the greats we sadly lost in the year just ending.
The month of June was the most depressing month in the year 2024 as the country buried most of its prominent figures.
Apart from the death of these people, the month of June was also characterised with numerous road accidents claiming so many lives across the country.
Malawi’s Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima, former first Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri and seven other people died in a plane crash on June 10, in the Chikangawa mountain range in Mzimba district.
Chilima and the team, were on their way to attended funeral ceremony of another prominent figure, Lawyer Raphael Kasambala who was found dead on June 7 in his room at a Lodge in Area 47 in Lilongwe.
Before Chilima’s death, the country had already lost popular Broadcaster and one of Malawi’s finest Actors Hope Chisanu who died on June 1st in United States of America.
The month of June also saw the passing on of Reverend Killion Mgawi who died on June 23, 2024.
Reverend Mgawi was the first General Secretary for Nkhoma Synod and was also one of the pioneers of Students Christian Organisation of Malawi (SCOM).
On June 25 death showed its ugly face again; this time around taking the life of renowned graphics designer and hip-hop artist Kennedy Mwenya popularly know in music circles as “Spyral.”
Spyral died in Mzuzu following a road accident that occurred when he was coming from a funeral ceremony of one of his relatives.
Another notable figure we said goodbye to in the month of June, 2024 was Bishop Charles Watison Kapenga, farther to hip-hop artist Waxy Kay.
Kapenga who was the founder of Believers Assembly International Church, died on June 30 at Queen Elizabeth hospital after a long illness.
As if that was not enough, in the evening of June 30, news broke out that Malawi’s legendary musician Lucius Banda was no more.
In the year 2024, Malawi also lost one of the pioneers of MBC TV, Geoffrey Kapusa fondly known as ‘Mr Splash’.
Born on 14 September 1972, Kapusa breathed his last on 23 April, 2024 after a long illness.
In 2024, the Country also lost renowned disability rights campaigner Mussa Chiwaula who died in Gaborone, Botswana on October 8, 2024.
Musician Katelere Ching’oma of ‘Ndiri Nawo Mwayi’ fame and professional boxer, Alexander ‘Cage’ Likande also breathed their last on 18th January and 29th April respectively.
The Sports community was not spared as Sports Analyst who also happened to be the former cabinet Minister Moses Dosi as well as former junior Flames and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers defender, Kondwani Lufeyo died in April, 2024.
The year 2024, also saw the passing of some Traditional Leaders including Senior Chief Kapoloma and Traditional Authority (TA) Amidu of Machinga and Balaka districts respectively.
In the Just ended year, Malawi also lost its first Ombudsman James Makoza Chirwa, former Press Secretary and Writer Willie Zingani and former Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Second Vice President Othaniel Hara.
May the souls of all the people we have lost in 2024 continue resting in peace.
