Senior Chief Mpama hailed, laid to rest

Senior Chief Mpama, who died on August 30 2023 at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe after suffering a heart attack, was laid to rest on Saturday at Mpama Headquarters in Mbulumbuzi, Chiradzulu District.

Cabinet ministers and hundreds of people paid their last respects to the fallen chief.

In his eulogy, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Owen Chomanika described the deceased as a man who loved his people and felt good about his roots.

“As government, we are also crying with you because we have lost our chief and adviser; a great man who loved his people and was dedicated to his work,” he said.

Chomanika said Mpama served his subjects well throughout his 27-year chieftaincy and had no bad record with government.

“He served his chieftaincy with dignity such that my ministry never experienced any problems with him,” he said.

Chomanika said President Lazarus Chakwera was equally saddened to learn about  the death of the Senior Chief in the line of duty in Lilongwe where he was attending a meeting.

“He [the President] asked me to extend his heartfelt condolences and tasked me to condole with K1 million to help the family in this difficult time,” he said.

Chiradzulu North legislator Patrick Matola described Senior Chief Mpama as a good person who was approachable and treated everyone with kindness.

He said the late senior chief was development-conscious such that he used to follow up projects in his area.

The late Senior Chief Mpama, real name Daniel Matewere, was born on May 5 1950 and was installed Traditional Authority Mpama in 1996 and elevated to Senior Chief in 2007.

He is survived by five children and 12 grandchildren.