Tributes pour in for CCAP cleric Chimkwezule

Tributes poured in yesterday for immediate-past moderator of the Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) the Reverend Rabson Chimkwezule who died Wednesday night in Mangochi.

In their tributes, clerics who interacted and worked with Chimkwezule, described him as a spiritual and father-figure.

Family member and former Blantyre Synod secretary general the Reverend Daniel Gunya (retired) said in an interview yesterday that Chimkwezule will be laid to rest at his home, Howe-Chimkwenzule Village, Sub-Traditional Authority (S-T/A) Nkapita on the border between Zomba and Machinga districts.

CCAP Livingstonia Synod SG the Reverend Levi Nyondo said he was saddened by the death of Chimkwezule who at the time of his death was serving as Moderator of Mangochi CCAP.

Chimkwezule’s son, Thomson, said his father had presided over a funeral service in Mangochi earlier on Wednesday and complained of chest pains later in the evening.

He said: “He vomitted blood and we took him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at around midnight.”

The Reverend Edna Navaya—who served as vice-moderator to Chimkwezule at synod level—and incumbent vice-moderator the Reverend Mercy Chipeta-Banda described him as a spiritual father who inspired their spiritual lives.

Blantyre City Presbytery moderator the Reverend Mattias Hauya, whom  in an earlier interview with Blantyre Synod Radio Chimkwezule said should lead the service during his funeral, said he knew Chimkwezule in Zimbabwe and that they were close friends.

Born in 1944, Chimkwezule became a reverend in 1988.