Minister appeals for smooth succession
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Jean Kalilani on Monday appealed for a smooth succession of the Malenga chieftaincy in Ntchisi.
Speaking on behalf of President Peter Mutharika during the burial of the late Senior Chief Malenga, the minister urged the royal family to ensure that procedures are followed when identifying the heir.
“The Malenga chieftaincy is under the Chewa tribe and it is only proper that you go by what the Chewa culture says about succession issues,” she said.
the funeral ceremony
Kalilani described the deceased chief as one of the hard working chiefs the country has ever had. She encouraged other chiefs to emulate him.
The minister presented K350 000 condolence money from the President to the bereaved family.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Kiswell Dakamau said the late Chief Malenga was development-conscious.
In attendance at the funeral service were former Vice-President Justin Malewezi who represented the Chewa Heritage Foundation, leader of opposition in Parliament and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera and Senior Chief Lukwa of Kasungu who represented the Chewa King for Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, Kalonga Gawa Undi.
The late chief, born Lingisoni Makonokaya, died of high blood pressure on Friday at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe aged 59.
He is survived by two wives, nine children and nine grandchildren.
