Chilima signs off

During the campaign trail, departed Vice-President Saulos Chilima proclaimed: “Ngati titafeee! Tidzafa chifukwa cha mbendera imeneyi! [If we are to die, we will die for this flag].”

He emotionally uttered these words at Gymkhana Club ground in Zomba as he draped himself in the Malawi national flag, prompting some to shed tears and others watching him on television to nod in appreciation.

And during his send-off service at Nsipe Catholic Primary School ground in Ntcheu yesterday, Archbishop Thomas Luke Msusa of the Archdiocese of Blantyre in the Catholic Church reflected on Chilima’s vow, saying it was like he prophesied his own death.

In his homily as main celebrant of the final Holy mass on earth for Chilima, the cleric said: “In 2019, at Gymkhana Club ground in Zomba, Dr Chilima proclaimed that he would die for the national flag. On Monday last week, he along with eight other people, died in a crash involving a military aircraft that had the Malawi national flag.”

As the Archbishop quoted the late Chilima’s vow to die for the flag, the fallen charismatic politician lay in a brownish casket draped with the national banner he declared he would protect and die for.

Chilima alongside eight other people died in a military plane crash last week Monday in Viphya Highlands in Mzimba District in the Northern Region en route to Mzuzu Airport.

Msusa said while there are more questions than answers over the manner the accident happened and the reaction to the incident by those in authority, the nation should turn to God as He is the main Witness who “was in Chikangawa and saw all that happened”.

He said: “Let us turn to God and desist from violence. Dr Chilima loved peace. If you have stones in your hands or a panga, use them for household chores and not to hack or injure others.

“Dr Chilima preached and loved peace, as such, it will be a huge disrespect to his soul and legacy for people to be fighting.”

Msusa’s sentiments apparently came on the back of a road accident at Ntcheu Boma on Sunday evening where four people died and at least 12 others were treated for various degrees of injuries at the district hospital following a fracas after one of the vehicles that trailed the funeral cortege hit a person while escaping a barrage of stones.

At exactly 1.46pm, the body of the late Chilima was interred into a grave constructed with brick and mortar, which was later covered with a heavy-duty concrete block.

 It marked the end of Chilima’s journey on earth and the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) brass band befittingly sang the popular instrumental, The Last Post, signifying the last mile one has walked on.

Next, the MDF presented to Chilima’s widow, Mary, sone Sean and daughter Elizabeth the national flag that was used to cover the fallen Vice-President’s casket, saying it is “a symbol of his dedication and service to the nation” and “more than just a piece of fabric as it marks a lasting tribute to provide comfort to the family”.

Delivering his eulogy, clad in animal skin ngoni war regalia, Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V said the Maseko Ngonis were saddened with Chilima’s death as he was one of his trusted cultural advisers, traditionally known as Impi. Chilima was Impi Bhiyeni.

He said Impi Bhiyeni was the pride of the Maseko Ngonis who was reliable and a source of wisdom.

Gomani said Impi Bhiyeni worked with his father, Inkosi Gomani IV just like he did with him from the first day of his chieftaincy.

Gomani also commended the youth for organising Candlelight memorial services in honour of Chilima in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba cities. He also urged Malawians to maintain peace and continue with the agenda of development.

“His [Chilima’s] dream should not die with him. Let us come together for the sake of this country,” he said.

Before the chief, Chilima’s family representatives also delivered their eulogies, describing him as a humble, loving and kind person who adored his family and all around him.

Family representatives who spoke yesterday included Mary Chilima’s mother Margaret Kamoto, her uncle Zililo Chibambo and Elizabeth Mkandawire-Mwanga.

Mkandawire-Mwanga said Chilima’s death was heartbreaking as he was destined to become a global leader after losing his mother, Elizabeth at 13 and his father Henderson when he was 23.

The funeral service, attended by President Lazarus Chakwera and First Lady Monica Chakwera, former presidents Bakili Muluzi and Arthur Peter Muthrika as well as former vice-president Khumbo Kachali, Cabinet ministers and private sector executives, was a blend of religion, tradition and the military.

MDF and the Catholic Church seamlessly took turns to play their roles, including playing songs while the Maseko Ngonis also danced ingoma clad in their zibiya made from slain animal skins.

In line with the Maseko Ngoni funeral rites, Gomani V led the procession to the graveyard surrounded by his Impis. He was accompanied by Inkosi ya Makhosi M’Mbelwa V of the Jere Ngonis in Mzimba and together they laid wreaths on Chilima’s grave.

MDF gave Chilima a 19-gun salute with the last shot fired immediately the casket carrying his remains touched the ground six-feet under. And the journey of a charismatic private sector executive who joined frontline politics in 2014, becoming the country’s youngest Vice-President at 41, had come to an end.