United Democratic Front (UDF) has described the late Andrew George Nga Mtafu as a leader who served the party well from its formation in the early 90s until his death in 2015.
UDF president Atupele Muluzi said this on Sunday when the party unveiled Nga Mtafu’s tombstone at the fallen politician’s residence in Mpemba, Blantyre.
Mtafu, who died in a road accident in Blantyre on October 20 2015, was a prominent neurosurgeon before joining mainstream politics during the advent of multiparty democracy in the early 1990s.
Atupele said they decided to honour Mtafu for the contributions he made to the country.
He said: “Mtafu was an exceptional leader as he was one of the first neurosurgeons in this country. He was someone who was dedicated to his country. He fought for multiparty democracy and served in various roles under the UDF government.
“But above all, Mtafu was a man who loved his family and today, as we unveil his tombstone, we remember his life and his service.”
Atupele said it was important for the youth to continue learning from elders’ successes as well as failures to understand that life is a journey.
“As a party, we shall remember the life of Nga Mtafu as someone who was very loyal to UDF and Malawi, brave, a champion for the improvement of this country, humble and someone who lived a simple life,” he said.
Former Cabinet minister in UDF government Ziliro Chibambo said the tombstone, which cost about K11 million, was constructed with support from former president Bakili Muluzi, business mogul and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira and other well-wishers.
“I would like to ask the government to recognise people who contributed to the country. There are many who contributed a lot to this country and need recognition,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Nga Mtafu family, Jimmy Mbendela, while thanking the former president, Mpinganjira and other well-wishers for the contribution, said the initiative took more time due to financial problems.
