By Leonard Masauli & Maston Kaiya
Scores of people from Malawi and other international dignitaries on Monday converged at Nsipe Primary School ground in Ntcheu to witness the burial of the late Vice President, Dr. Saulos Chilima who died in a plane crash on Monday, June 11, 2024 along with eight others.
In a eulogy, a representative from the bereaved family, Elizabeth Mkandawire Mwanga said Late Vice President, Chilima was a happy, loving and charitable man, who was poised to become a global leader.
She thanked the international community, Malawi government and church community for honouring him.
“Allow me to thank the United Transformation Movement (UTM) for the support rendered during the mourning period and thanks to the chiefs for the love. I would like to thank the people of Malawi for the gesture during the mourning period.
“I appeal to the government to conduct an investigation to establish the truth and that such a tragedy should not happen again. Let me appeal to the Nation to keep the Chilima dream alive and not to give up hope so that his dreams become a reality. Osaopa, osatopa, osafooka,” Mwanga said.
In his eulogy, Dr Ben Chilima thanked the government and former Presidents and Chiefs for their support.
In paying his last respect, Inkosi Ya Makosi Gomani V said the Late Vice President was the pride of the Ngoni people in Ntcheu.
He said Chilima was both a friend and advisor who was always there in times of need.
Gomani thanked the government and well wishers for the support rendered during the funeral ceremony.
“Chilima was peaceful, humble, and loving and always wanted to see Malawi develop and this is why he always put the country’s future first in his priorities. Let me ask the people of Malawi to continue wishing the country well just as he had hoped he added.
Notable people who attended the burial include Former President, Dr Bakili Muluzi, Former President, Peter Mutharika, Former Vice President, Khumbo Kachali and UTM Secretary General Patricial Kaliati, among others.
In his sermon when he conducted a funeral mass, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of Blantyre Diocese said several Malawians are in mourning for the departed late Vice President and this was why all Roman Catholic faithfuls held Mass in remembrance of him.
He encouraged people to maintain peace just as how late Vice President had hoped for, and that his death should not bring about confusion and disagreements among the people.
A devout Christian, the late Chilima was born on February 12, 1973, and together with his wife, Mary had two children.
The first to lay the wreaths was the wife of the late Vice President, Madame Mary Chilima, President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and Madame Monica Chakwera, Former President Dr Bakili Muluzi, Former President Peter Mutharika and his wife, Gertrude Mutharika among others.
The late Chilima and eight others died in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba district.
