Unifying send-off for JZU

Former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president John Tembo was yesterday interred into the grave with a three-gun salute and soul-piercing trumpet, closing the chapter of a man eulogised as a legend, icon and a dignified leader.

His body was lowered into the grave at exactly 2:52pm in a mausoleum built in his compound in Kaphala Village, Traditional Authority Kaphuka in Dedza. The structure, fresh in both appearance and meaning, is engraved with arched windows and glass doors. In there, also lies the tomb of his wife, Ruth who died in 2015.

Tembo, who served in several Cabinet posts, including Finance and State as well as Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor during founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s administration, was the remaining member of the country’s inaugural Cabinet after attainment of independence. In the multiparty dispensation, JZU, as he was called after initials of his names John Zenus Ungapake, served as leader of opposition in Parliament.

He died last Wednesday in Lilongwe following a protracted battle with diabetes. He was 91.

As his body was placed on the grave, the national flag that was wrapped around his casket was removed, folded thrice and presented to his first born son, John Tembo Junior.

“We are presenting this flag to Mr John Tembo Junior as a remembrance of his loved one’s duty, honour as well as sacrifice to the nation,” pronounced director of ceremonies  Major Emmanuel Mlelemba.

The burial, under a guard of honour, followed a four-hour uplifting memorial service at Dedza Stadium attended by President Lazarus Chakwera, Vice-President Saulos Chilima and Chief Justice Rizine Mzikamanda, among other top government officials.

The State funeral was, more than anything, a cosmos of unification as politicians, divided by ideologies and principles, found common ground—a dignified send-off for one of their own.

Former president Bakili Muluzi Tembo’s long-time political comrade-cum-adversary was also in attendance while immediate-past president Peter Mutharika assigned his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) senior figure George Chaponda. United Democratic Front president Lilian Patel was also in attendance.

Tembo Junior acknowledged the unity that prevailed in mourning his father.

Chakwera, in his tribute, said the presence of people from all walks of life and regions was testimony that JZU associated well with people of all tribes.

Said the President: “Kupezeka kwa a Malawi osiyanasiyana pa maliro pano, si a MCP, okha koma a zipani zosiyanasiyana, ndi umboni woti a Tembo amatha kukhala ndi a Malawi, mzigawo zonse za mdziko lino mwa mtendere [The presence of all manner of Malawians at this ceremony, and they are not MCP members only, bears witness that Tembo lived peacefully with all Malawians.”

A trail of accusations were made that he was behind atrocities committed by the founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda, but Chakwera seemed to rally his defence, saying he was cleared by the courts.

He was apparently referring to the case in which JZU was prosecuted alongside former government official hostess and his niece Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira over the murder of former government officials in Mwanza District.

In his eulogy, Tembo’s relation and former aide, village head Mphezi said the accusations hurt the family, adding that Tembo’s burial meant the family had forgiven the accusers.

JZU’s brother-in-law Winston Phamola Ntsekhe from the family he married to in Lesotho described him as a kind and caring person.

Former Speaker of Parliament Louis Chimango observed that crossing of the floor by members of Parliament is no longer prevalent because former leader of Opposition in Parliament John Tembo was courageous enough to ensure enforcement of Section 65.

Taking his turn, he said: “Now we don’t hear about Section 65 anymore. Rested [and] sorted out because someone had the courage and the sincerity to raise it.”

Tembo made headlines during the late Bingu wa Mutharika regime when he demanded that the National Assembly prioritises a Section 65 debate over the national budget. It came after a section of opposition parliamentarians had dumped their parties to align with the government side.

Eulogies were also delivered by MCP secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka, Secretary to the President and Cabinet Colleen Zamba and DPP publicity secretary Nicholas Dausi, who represented Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa.

Others were his nephew Zimani Kadzamira, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malawi.

They all praised him for being a dignified, focused and disciplined leader who helped to shape the development of the country.