Mkandawire
Mkandawire
Mjura Mkandawire who is the composer of the popular John Chilembwe song passed away in the early hours of today at Livingstonia Mission Hospital in Rumphi after succumbing to rectal cancer.
According to Mkandawire’s fifth born son Vitumbiko Mkandawire, Mjura passed away around 10 am, few hours after he complained of stomach pains.
Vitumbiko said his father was diagnosed of rectal cancer sometime back and in April this year was taken to University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia where he received cancer treatment before being referred to Livingstonia Mission Hospital in Rumphi for chemotherapy.
“He has been fine after receiving the two treatments. It was on Wednesday evening when he complained of stomach pains and we took him to Livingstonia Mission Hospital and he passed away hours later,” said Vitumbiko.
Mjura who has died at 85, and is survived by a wife Donas has left six children and 14 grandchildren. He comes from Choholo Village in Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe, Rumphi.
He will be remembered for his contribution to the arts industry and his time and work at MBC.
As his body will be lowered under the earth on a date to be communicated soon, on the minds of many will be the Chilembwe song which he composed in praise of the freedom fighter.
In 2011, his work in Malawi was recognised by the University of Jerusalem and he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in arts.
