Two separate memorial events, one message of love, unity and healing. That was the scenario yesterday as the nation paid tribute to nine people, including Vice-President Saulos Chilima who died in a military plane crash at Nthungwa in Viphya Plantation on June 10 2024.
President Lazarus Chakwera led the nation in a State event near the accident site which he visited for the first time since the sad event. The memorial was held at Lunjika Turn-off in Mzimba, about two kilometres from the crash site.
On the other hand, Chilima’s family held a memorial at Nsipe in Ntcheu where he was buried on June 17 2025.
Speaking during the first anniversary of the tragedy, the President said he has met all the bereaved families to appreciate their problems so that government provides help.
He said as the country seeks to heal from the tragic event, there was need to allow people to grieve, pray for one another, respect the deceased and draw lessons from the accident.
Said Chakwera: “Respecting the lives of the departed brings special comfort to bereaved families. I have met each of these families separately to appreciate their challenges and have instructed the Secretary to the President and Cabinet to look into their challenges.
“The late Chilima was a senior person and, as such, I have directed that the six-lane road being constructed [in Lilongwe] should be named after him in respect of the huge contributions he made towards development, not divisive politics.”
The President extended gratitude to those that attended the Lunjika Turn-off memorial as well as to those who held similar events in other places.
Chakwera called on authorities to implement recommendations made in the three reports on investigations published after the plane crash.
He said: “Now that we have these reports, we need to look into them so that we seal all the loopholes that have emerged. If we don’t deal with this, then we may not have learnt lessons.
“In the near future, we will be outlining what we will do to ensure that recommendations are recommended. After that incident, I know there has been a lot said, including lies, but I ask that you forgive each other.”
Besides Chilima, others in the plane were former first lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, Chilima’s guard commander Lukas Kapheni, aide-de-camp Chisomo Chimaneni, medical officer Dan Kanyemba, Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy chief of protocol Abdul Lapukeni, pilot in-charge Colonel Owen Sambalopa, second pilot Major Flora Selemani Ngwirinji and aircraft engineer Major Wales Aidin.
Before Chakwera took to the podium, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda described the June 10 2024 accident as the most tragic event Malawi has faced in the recent past.
He said his ministry was looking at the possibility of erecting a monument and memorial park at the site to honour the contributions of the deceased to Malawi’s development.
Said Chimwendo Banda: “This will create a landmark that reflects the tragic events of 10 June 2024. Secondly, it will honour Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others’ contributions to Malawi’s growth.
“The third reason is to inspire future leaders and citizens on good governance, patriotism and selflessness. This will also act as a reminder to duty bearers to put in place emergency and disaster response mechanisms.”
Mzuzu Catholic Diocese Bishop Yohane Nyirenda said while the death of any other person was saddening, the tragic death of high-profile people such as Chilima was shocking and hard to understand.
He said each of the nine deceased contributed a lot to the country; hence, the need to respect and honour their lives.
Said the cleric: “Chilima was a man of strong conviction, prayer, a beacon of youthful energy with unshakable patriotism and in him we did not just see a politician, but a servant leader,” he said.
The event’s prayer sermon was led by the Most Reverend Archbishop George Desmond Tambala, the metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe. It was from Hebrews 4:13-16 which the President read out.
In his sermon, Tambala said God empathises with bereaved families, adding that following the death of the nine, each Malawian should ask themselves why they are still alive today.
“I want to invite the nation to this stage where we rise with the Lord, embrace each other as brothers and sisters, and ask, what is our mission?” he said.
Events in Mzimba started with the President’s visit to the plane crash site where he was welcomed by Vice-President Michael Usi and Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V of the Maseko Ngoni under whom the late Chilima was an Impi (minister).
Next on the programme was the laying of wreaths by the President and family representatives from the Kapheni, Chimaneni and Kanyemba families as well as United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi, a step son to Dzimbiri.
In Ntcheu, sombre faces were prevalent at Nsipe Catholic Parish where grief met gratitude and tears with legacy.
Delivering her tribute, Tiwonge Phiri, the late Chilima’s sister, said the memorial mass meant to celebrate her brother’s life.
However, her plea was not enough to stop Chilima’s widow, Mary and son Sean from holding their tears soon after taking the sacrament of eucharist. It took Chilima’s daughter, Elizabeth, the youngest member of the family, to console them.
Phiri said if Malawians want Chilima’s soul to rest in eternal peace, they should do what he advocated for, including peace, unity and hard work.
She said: “Saulos was not that kind of person who liked arguing with people. Even when was provoked, you wouldn’t see him seeking revenge. Let’s continue doing what he was doing, including charity work.”
Representing Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V, Senior Chief Makwangwala echoed Phiri’s sentiments that Chilima’s death left a huge gap for Ngonis and the entire nation.
He said Chilima was a visionary leader and patriot who wanted Malawians to live a happy life.
Dedza Diocese Bishop Adrian Chifukwa described Chilima as a humble person who loved and served the Catholic Church and the entire country wholeheartedly.
The sermon during the mass was based on readings from Matthew 5: 2-12.
In an interview after the mass, former Attorney General Chikosa Silungwe, who was also Chilima’s close friend, said it was a sad moment but also a day to reflect how Malawians should do things.
He said: “If we are going to honour the legacy of SKC for the person he was, a professional he was and a public officer he was, attention to detail was his middle name. So, let’s do that individually, but also as a country.”
Notable dignitaries at the Nsipe ceremony included former president Joyce Banda, former vice-president Khumbo Kachali, UTM Party leadership led by its president Dalitso Kabambe as well as private practice lawyers Khumbo Soko and Bright Theu.
After the mass, UTM Party organised a candlelight memorial attended by representatives of opposition political parties, including Democratic Progressive Party, UDF, Alliance for Democracy, People’s Party and Freedom Party.
