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Mbewe leaves many hearts broken

Prominent businessperson Patrick Mbewe, one of the founders of the United Democratic Front (UDF), died on Saturday in Blantyre.

UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo, in a letter to the party’s national executive committee (NEC), said Mbewe died at Blantyre Adventist Hospital.

Was UDF co-patron: Mbewe

Former president Bakili Muluzi, a personal friend to Mbewe and his trusted colleague in politics, said in an interview on Saturday he received the news with shock and sadness.

“I was with Patrick [Mbewe] two days ago in hospital. I left for Cape Town and I am just arriving now at the airport, only to hear about this sad news.

“Apart from working together underground to fight for multiparty, and serving in Cabinet when the UDF governed from 1994 to 2004, Patrick was a close family friend. My thoughts and sympathies go to his family,” he mourned.

Muluzi described Mbewe as principled, skilled, patient, tolerant, generous and God-fearing.

“Patrick made sacrifices when we were fighting for multiparty and served this nation well when he diligently served in my Cabinet,” he said.

Vicar General in the Archdiocese of Blantyre, Father Boniface Tamani, said the church received the news of Mbewe’s death with great shock.

He said Mbewe was a staunch Catholic, and apart from sharing his faith, he supported the church financially in many aspects.

Father Tamani said Mbewe supported his home parish, Nguludi, and CI Parish as he resided in Sunnyside, Blantyre.

The Vicar General said wherever Mbewe went he made sure to encourage people to be self-reliant.

“It is sad to lose such dedicated and principled men. We assure the family we are with them. We will pray for them and we will give them all the needed support during this difficult time,” Tamani said.

Mbewe was until his death co-patron of the UDF with the former president Muluzi.

During his time in politics, he served as Chiradzulu Central Constituency legislator and Cabinet minister.

Tentative programme

Monday, February 18

Collecting body from College of Medicine at 3pm to Mbewe’s residence at Sunnyside where there will be mass from 6pm

Tuesday, February 19

Mass at CI Church from 12 Noon, and thereafter ttaking the body to Tawa Estate at Nguludi in Chiradzulu.

Wednesday, February 20

Burial at Tawa Estate; preceded by Mass

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