Nthanda Times

Blessings Tambala

  • Pres. Chakwera assures Malawians, int’l community that plane crash investigation will be transparent, independent

    President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has assured Malawians and foreign countries of his government’s commitment to ensure the investigation into the plane crash is transparent, independent and without any political interference.

    Chakwera made the assurance at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe during the state funeral of the departed Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima.

    President Chakwera (far left), widow Mary Chilima, Chilima's children and others at the funeral ceremony at Bingu National Stadium
    President Chakwera (far left), widow Mary Chilima, Chilima’s children and others at the funeral ceremony at Bingu National Stadium

    Chilima and eight other people died last Monday when the plane they boarded on their way to Ralph Kasambra’s funeral crashed in Chikangawa Forest.

    Chakwera said he knows that many people have doubts about how the accident happened, so his government will institute a transparent and independent investigation to establish the cause of the accident.

    “I am assuring all Malawians today that this accident will be investigated thoroughly and independently. I have already asked foreign countries to help us in this regard. I know that the Malawi Defense Force has its own ways of investigating what caused such an accident, but the most important investigation is to create some special people so that all Malawians can get honest answers, because it is not enough for the MDF to investigate alone,” he said.

    Chakwera stressed that just as many Malawians are asking about the cause of the accident, he, as a parent, also has the same questions.

    He said this is the reason why he has asked experts in foreign countries to help.

    But the leader has asked Malawians to give them time and space to do research to do a good job.

    “If we want this investigation to really answer our questions, please continue to maintain peace and comfort each other in a calm manner. But I can assure you that this special investigation will be done, and the results will be known and we will try to correct what was found to be wrong,” said Chakwera.

    He also pleaded with Malawians to be kind to each other as the world mourns Chilima’s funeral.

    Chakwera emphasized that funerals should not be a reason for creating hatred and offending each other.

    “In our upbringing, we do not fail to make mistakes in our thoughts, speech, and actions, but please let us not take it to heart because this happens because of the pain we have nothing to do with. I am the one who knows that this is the time to accept being insulted and mocked because the parent who should accept everyone’s crying is me, so please I don’t want anyone to return the pain to another because of those who choose to include words to find excuses for me in their crying. “We don’t shut up those who cry, because when you are crying, God is comforting us and our part is to comfort each other and not to avenge each other’s pain, because war does not build a village,” he said.

    Speaking about Chilima, Chakwera said Malawi has lost a very important person and the country will feel the pain of this death for a long time because of the good work he did that affected many people.

    “If there is one thing I learned from Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima in the four years that I have been working with him is the virtue of being a patient person, a person who gets along well with everyone, a person who does not take the mistakes of others to heart, a person who does not keep debts, a person who does not neglect his country, and a person who survives when things go wrong,” he said.

  • Gas supplier 265 Energy Limited joins Malawians in mourning VP Chilima

    Malawi’s premier energy company specializing in the supply of gas and solar solutions, 265 Energy Limited, has joined countrymen in mourning the tragic death of Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and the other eight.

    Chilima and others died on Monday after a military aircraft they were flying on to Mzuzu crashed in a mountainous hills in the Chikangawa Forest.

    Mbvundula: We-condole-the-bereaved-families-and-the-entire-nation
    Mbvundula: We-condole-the-bereaved-families-and-the-entire-nation

    In his condolence message shared with journalists on Friday, 265 Energy Limited Chief Executive Officer, Mfundo Mbvundula, said the company was saddened by the VP’s death and those of the passengers on board.

    “We, at 265 Energy, extend our deepest condolences to the people of Malawi following the tragic loss of Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others in the recent plane crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and the entire nation during this difficult time,” said Mbvundula.

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu, has disclosed that the body of the late Chilima will be buried at his home village in Ntcheu on Monday.

  • Citizen Alliance calls for youth engagement in preventing political violence ahead of 2025 General Elections

    Citizen Alliance (CA) – a non-profit, non-governmental organization with citizen engagement as its priority hence promoting proactive participation in Malawi – has stressed the need for the engagement of young people in fighting politically-driven violence.

    Speaking during a dialogue meeting between civil society organizations and citizens at Mponela Trading Centre in Dowa on Tuesday, CA Executive Director Baxton Nkhoma also called upon political parties to strengthen Multi-Party Liaison Committees (MPLC) ahead of the next General Elections in September 2025.

    Participants to the dialogue meeting posing for a photo
    Participants to the dialogue meeting posing for a photo

    “From the dialogue session, we have seen the need to revamp and strengthen the multi-party liaison committee here in Mponera so that they should actively discuss ways of coexisting from time to time,” said Nkhoma.

    Citizen Alliance organized the meeting to create a platform where CSO and community leaders could engage and brainstorm on how they can work together to achieve coexistence and peaceful conflict resolution.

    The meeting drew together representation from CSOs, citizen groups or associations, the police, religious and traditional leaders.

    Dowa CSO Network Chairperson, George Kaunda, observed that politicians take advantage of the plight of the youth to engage them in violent acts and aggression against contenders.

    But Kaunda warned that violence has serious repercussions in a society, including displacement and conflicts.

    “Our youth should be civic educated on the evils of admitting to cause violence simply because they have different values and affiliations with others in the community,” he said.

    During the meeting, participants brainstormed possible ways of ensuring that the area, which is a hot spot for political related violence, is violent free and that the community members coexist. 

    In his remarks, Sheikh Siraji Alifu pleaded with the parties to be accountable for violent acts and discipline their youth swiftly to avoid further violent acts.

    “If a party knows that it is directly responsible for any violent act, or indirectly responsible in that their youth have caused and ignited violence elsewhere, the political party has to be accountable, as we faith leaders do.  That is leadership,” he said.

    Alifu emphasized the need for the perpetrators of violence to be held accountable for their actions if the vice is to be eliminated.

  • NGOs excited with Chakwera’s appeal to int’l community for support in plane crash inquiry

    Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has heeded calls from the local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to have an independent investigation into circumstances that led to the plane crash that killed Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others on Monday.

    Chakwera has since appealed to foreign governments and international agencies to support the inquiry. He made the appeal when over 20 Heads of Missions and international agencies visited him at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Wednesday.

    Kondowe: Malawians want to know the truth behind the plane crash
    Kondowe: Malawians want to know the truth behind the cause of the plane crash

    On Wednesday, the National Advocacy Plaform (NAP) – a network of civil society organizations advancing good governance, transparency and accountability in Malawi’s public service – and the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) asked President Chakwera to order an independent probe into the crash.

    And barely hours after the calls, President Chakwera reached out to the international community, appealing to them to support the investigation.

    “As the Malawi Defence Force begins its investigation into the cause of the crash today, I am aware that some of your governments have expertise in this area, and so I ask you to render your support,” he said, adding his government appreciates the support the foreign governments made in the search and rescue operations immediately after it was reported that the aircraft carrying the Vice-President and eight other passengers was missing.

    Reacting to the development, both NAP Board Chairperson Benedicto Kondowe and HRDC National Chairperson Gift Trapence, commended President Chakwera for heeding their call, stressing that this will help in allaying fears of foul play in the crash.

    Kondwe said an independent inquiry will help to allay fears and doubts on the cause of the plane crash.

    “We’re happy that President Chakwera has listened to our call. And we expect the international community to play their role in this regard,” he said.

    In a separate interview, Trapence expressed gratitude to President Chakwera for heeding their calls for independent probe.

    “We commend President Chakwera for this appeal. HRDC call is for the government to institute an investigation that is independent, transparent and have expertise that is consistent with international standards and also responds to all the questions that citizens are asking around the cause of the tragedy,” he said in a brief interview on Thursday.

  • Undule says Chilima was man on God’s assignment in Malawi

    Malawi’s celebrated and renowned Governance and Human Rights Advocate, Undule Mwakasungula, has described the tragic loss of the country’s Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, as a huge loss of an asset to the nation, saying Chilima was a man on God’s assignment to develop the country.

    Mwakasungula made the sentiments in an interview on Wednesday in reaction to the death of Chilima who was killed together with eight others in a plane crash on Monday.

    Chilima was Godsend gift to Malawians

    “I join the State President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and nation in mourning the untimely death of our Vice President, Rt. Hon. Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, and eight others who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash. This devastating incident has left a void in our hearts as a nation. The late Vice President, Dr. Chilima, was a man on God’s assignment, to contribute to the development of Malawi. His vision, integrity, and hard work were instrumental in driving progress and positive change. As a nation, we were fortunate to have such an asset, and his contributions will be greatly missed,” he said.

    Mwakasungula stressed the need for Malawians to pursue peace and unity as they mourn the passing on of Chilima and the other eight citizens.

    He cautioned against spreading fake news and information about the tragic ending of the plane that carried the nine.

    “In honouring their memories, we must come together through this difficult time. This unity and solidarity will be the truest forms of respect we can offer to their souls. In the wake of this tragedy, it is important for the nation to refrain from unnecessary speculations and baseless accusations. Spreading unverified information and conspiracy theories only serves to deepen our collective wounds and hinder the healing process.  Our focus should be on promoting national healing and unity, regardless of our political or religious affiliations and personal differences,” he emphasized.

    “May the Lord our God provide us with the strength to go through these trying times. Our earnest prayer therefore must be for us to emerge from this tragedy stronger and more united. Let us honor the memories of Dr. Chilima and the other victims by committing to truth, empathy, and collective progress.

    “In these moments of sorrow, let us be guided by the words of comfort from God seeking solace as we mourn and heal. May God help us to heal and move forward as a nation, united in our sorrow. May the souls of Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and all those who perished in this tragic accident rest in eternal peace,” he said.

  • Why Malawians are mourning Chilima’s tragic death: “He’s a selfless public servant, a democrat at heart”

    The nation is sobbing! The country is crying! Malawians are mourning! They are mourning the loss of their State Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, and eight other productive and patriotic citizens who lost their lives in a plane crash on Monday.

    And as President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera rightly put it, “words cannot describe how heartbreaking” and the amount of grief in the hearts of Malawians of goodwill.

    Chilima was a selfless public servant and a democrat at heart

    The ill-fated aircraft went missing after it failed to land at the Mzuzu International Airport, about 380 km (240 miles) to the north of the capital Lilongwe. On instructions from the airport commandant at the said airport, the pilot made a U-turn and flew the plane back to Lilongwe.

    But in the course of the flight back to Kamuzu International Airport, where it had departed a few minutes earlier, and due to the said bad weather, the plane hit a rock. And due to the impact, the plane was completely damaged, claiming lives of Chilima and all the eight other passengers aboard it.

    However, when news filtered in about the missing of the military aircraft, Malawians kept calm and remained glued to their faith and hoped for the best. They prayed for the safety of their beloved Vice President and the others.

    As Maggie Namizinga Kasambara, wife to late Ralph Kasambara whose funeral Chilima and others were going to attend before they met their fate, Malawians were in disbelief, and until yesterday, we were fervently praying and hoping that the news of the plane going missing were merely rumors.

    Yes! Every Malawian of goodwill wished this was a mere rumor. But this was never to be because the will of the evil one had won the battle. The nation had lost it, not even on penalties, but straight goal.

    “We wake up wishing it were all a dream, but it is a harsh reality we cannot escape,” reacted Kasambara’s widow, adding: “At this time, we ask our friends and families to keep us in their prayers, particularly Madame Mary Nkhamanyachi Chilima, wife of the late Vice President, and the two children. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the other eight passengers, as well as to those of the crew members who perished. This was the same plane we used to travel to Mzuzu from Blantyre on Sunday, June 9th, and as President Lazarus Chakwera noted in his speech, it had successfully completed numerous trips across the country until yesterday.”

    President Chakwera seemed to concur with her when he described Chilima’s tragic death as a terrible loss not only to his wife, Mary, his family, his friends, but also the nation at large.

    The Malawi leader said his loss was tragic because the departed Second Citizen was a patriotic citizen “who served his country with distinction”.

    Chilima was a selfless family man, humble servant at St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Area 18 and probably one of the most eloquent, straightforward-looking, democratic and approachable politician. He was a source of inspiration not only to the youths, but the entire nation, which looked up to him for solutions to the social and economic challenges facing the nation.

    President Chakwera was therefore on point when he said in his national address that he considered it one of the greatest honours of his life to have had him as his deputy and counsellor for the past four years.

    “And I know that even the others who were on that flight were men and women of honour who served their country with distinction and whose families are left with broken hearts today. I am profoundly sorry to all of you for this terrible loss, and I pray for God to comfort us all and bind up our wounds as we mourn together as one nation under one flag,” said Chakwera of the Chilima.

    In his condolence message, Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) National Chairperson, Gift Trapence, said Malawi had lost a Vice President whose legacy revolved around his passion to inspire and serve the country with unwavering loyalty, commitment, and patriotism.

    Trapence said Chilima was a dedicated public servant who devoted his life to the people of Malawi and was instrumental in advancing the rights of marginalized communities and promoting democratic values in our nation.

    But that is not all that the late Vice President was. According to Joyce Chitsulo, the Chairperson of the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) of Parliament, Chilima was accommodative. He never discriminated anyone based on political, religious or ethnic lines.

    Chitsulo admitted that Chilima was ‘good to even some of us, regardless of being of different political parties’. This shows how democratic he was.

    On the other hand, the National Advocacy Platform (NAP) Board Chairperson, Benedicto Kondowe, said Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima was a beacon of hope, a leader of remarkable vision and dedication.

    Kondowe stated that his sudden departure is therefore not only a colossal loss to his beloved family, but also to the entire nation.

    “We call for unity and resilience as we navigate through this heartbreaking period. It is in such times of unimaginable sorrow that our strength as a nation is tested. Let us come together, offering the departed souls the dignified mourning they so rightfully deserve. We pray that God, in His infinite mercy, comforts the bereaved families, providing them with the strength to endure this great loss. May He also grant them the hope of reuniting with their loved ones in the resurrection,” he said.

    Kondowe underscored the need for the government to institute a commission of inquiry to investigate the crash and keep the nation informed, stressing that this will enhance the country’s emergency response and prevent future incidents.

    “As we mourn the significant contributions of the departed, let us honor their memory by continuing their legacy of service and dedication to our country,” he appealed.

  • Chakwera confirms VP Chilima, others have been killed in plane crash

    Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has announced that State Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, and all the passengers aboard the military aircraft that went missing yesterday have been found dead.

    President Chakwera said Chilima and eight others were killed immediately after the aircraft crashed into Nthungwa Hill within the Chikangawa Forest.

    The group was travelling to attend the funeral of a former government minister. Three of those onboard were the military crew flying the plane, the president said.

    In a national address monitored on the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation a short while ago, Chakwera said he had been informed by the Malawi Defence Force Commander about the perishing of Chilima and others in the crash.

    “Words cannot describe how heartbreaking this is, and I can only imagine how much pain and anguish you all must be feeling at this time, as well as how much pain and anguish you all will be feeling in the coming days and weeks as we mourn this terrible loss. I also know that going through a terrible loss like this makes us feel helpless and lost, as death has a way of reminding us that we do not have control over so many things that affect our lives and those we love. We feel helpless because we know that the people who perished in this tragic and terrible accident could have been any one of us, and we feel helpless because a day like today reminds us that one day and any day death will in fact come for each one of us and we will be powerless to stop it,” he said.

    Chilima, died in a plane crash

    The seemingly heartbroken Head of State hasasked Malawians to put politics aside and mourn the departed Vice President and others with dignity, respect and honour they deserved as nationalists and patriots.

    President Chakwera described Chilima as a good man, a devoted father and husband, a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction, and a formidable Vice President.

    The Malawi leader said he considered it one of the greatest honours of his life to have had Chilima as his deputy and counsellor for the past four years.

    Chakwera therefore described his passing as a terrible loss to his wife Mary, his family, his friends, his colleagues in Cabinet, and to all of us as a nation that found his leadership and courage a source of inspiration.

    “And I know that even the others who were on that flight were men and women of honour who served their country with distinction and whose families are left with broken hearts today. I am profoundly sorry to all of you for this terrible loss, and I pray for God to comfort us all and bind up our wounds as we mourn together as one nation under one flag,” said Chakwera.

    Chilima had been vice president since 2020. He was a candidate in the 2019 Malawian presidential election and finished third.

    That vote was won by incumbent Peter Mutharika but was annulled by Malawi’s Constitutional Court because of irregularities. Chakwera finished second in that election.

    Chilima then joined Chakwera’s campaign as his running mate in an historic election rerun in 2020, when Chakwera was elected president.

    It was the first time in Africa that an election result that was overturned by a court resulted in a defeat for the sitting president.

  • DPP accused of ignoring its principal campaigner Hope Chisanu in death

    Some Malawians are accusing the former governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for allegedly betraying the spirit of the fallen radio personality and apparently the party’s sympathizer Hope Chisanu.

    Late Chisanu while working for MBC TV
    Malawians feel DPP needed to give Chisanu a dignified send-off

    The concerned citizens say they expected the party to take a role in repatriation of the remains of Chisanu from the United States of America (USA) where he died a few days ago.

    The accusation follows a plea Vivian Chisale posted on her Facebook page asking for help from the people to bring Chisanu’s body to his village in Zomba for burial.

    Chisanu was a fierce campaigner of the DPP using the public broadcaster – the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) television and radio where he worked.

    But some people feel the party has demonstrated that it does not have any business Chisanu anymore now that he is dead.

    However, in an interview on Monday, DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba said it was not true that Chisanu campaigned for the party.

    Namalomba argued that the deceased was simply doing his duties as a public officer.

    “Truth must be told that late Hope (may his soul rest in eternal peace) was a public officer working for a government entity, MBC. MBC, just as is the case, now covers functions of the seating Head of State. Late Hope was therefore not campaigning for DPP using MBC. He was just doing his work as an employee of MBC assigned to cover functions of Head of State then. So lecture to those sections of society that do not know the existence of separation of powers, the mandate of MBC etc,” he said.

    However, Namalomba said DPP is equally empathetic to the demise of Hope and the financial challenges the family has encountered to repatriate his remains.

    He disclosed that some DPP members have mobilized resources, which will be given to the family to bring back the remains of Hope back home.

    “Otherwise MBC and Chakwera leadership should be held responsible for the death of Hope. Why did they fire a person just because he served the previous regime? Everyone has the right and freedom to employment and economic opportunities. Late Hope was unfairly dismissed from MBC. A government that campaigned on rule of law, is at the forefront breaking the same laws it promised to protect. What a hypocrite government. It is apparent that this Tonse government is not a government of the people for the people. Come 2025, DPP is restoring this country to settings that all Malawians shall be guaranteed their rights and privileges in accordance with the Supreme law of the land, the Constitution,” said Namalomba.

    [END]

  • MHEN calls for amicable action to avert nurses, physicians’ strike

    Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) has called upon the Ministry of Health and disgruntled healthcare workers to consider taking amicable action to resolve their differences before 10th June in the interest of patients.

    Jobe: We need to consider the plight of poor and underprivileged Malawians in this saga

    The network, which is also the chair for the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), fears that the planned industrial action will affect the most underprivileged poor Malawians whose access to essential health services will be denied, stressing that poor Malawians cannot afford alternative means at private health facilities.

    MHEN Executive Director George Jobe and his Board Chairperson, Carolyn Kassam, have made the plea in a statement issued on Thursday in reaction to the planned nationwide strike by National Organization of Nurses and Midwives in Malawi (NONM) and the Physician Assistants Union of Malawi (PAUM).

    Jobe and Kassam requested that should the industrial action go ahead, managers of the public facilities to have cautious plans that safeguard and ensure the right to Life for everyone, in particular the vulnerable patients whose lives are most at risk with the action and cannot afford to access care elsewhere.

    “Nurse leaders and those in management should not participate in the sit-in action but attend to patients. NONM and PAUM should consider making sure that the critical areas like labour ward, theatre and intensive care wards are covered adequately to avoid the losses of lives,” reads the statement in part.

    MHEN is an independent, non-profit making alliance of over ninety Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the health sector interested in promoting equitable access to quality, affordable and responsive health care services in Malawi. It achieves this through influencing policy formulation, review, and practice.

  • Chakwera hosts farmers at Kamuzu Palace, assures them of his government’s commitment to the develop them

    President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Friday hosted the farmers at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, becoming the first Head of State to invite farmers to the royal palace.

    A representative of the farmers making a speech before President Chakwera at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe
    A representative of the farmers making a speech before President Chakwera at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe

    During the interface, Chakwera assured the farmers about the dedication of his administration in developing the farmers in all aspects, including identifying competitive markets so that farmers can earn deserving profits from their labour.

    He said his government appreciates the role that farmers are playing in developing the country’s economy through agriculture.

    Chakwera thanked Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) for allowing its members farmers from different districts in the country to visit him.

    “We usually sit together in government or political meetings, and the issues of agriculture are discussed, but the advantage of today’s meeting is that you, the farmers, are the ones who are given the opportunity to express your feelings. So I want to thank you for coming and for your message of encouragement. You have also encouraged me not to stop the work of promoting agriculture in this country,” he said.

    He also said that he is happy to see how the prices of various crops are doing in the markets.

    Chakwera said this will help farmers to do their jobs with motivation.

    “When I look at how tobacco farming has progressed this year, I see that it is possible. When I look at how we have started the wheat farming that we want to reach all the governments of this country, I see that it is possible. When I look at the progress of macadamia nut production, Malawi is currently number 3 in Africa, and I see that it is possible.

    “When I look at the progress of potato farming, that now Malawi is number 1 in Africa and number 2 in the world, I see that it is possible. When I look at the development of Mega Farms, that government agencies, as well as many farmers’ groups are starting their own Mega Farms, I see that it is possible,” he explained.

    But Chakwera emphasized the importance of taking care of the produce with the aim of not spoiling it.

    He said that it is regrettable that even though the harvest in this country is high, not everything is good for us because there is a lot of damage.

    “So I request that when the government says it is bringing modern farming using tractors, you farmers join hands with us so that our harvests increase and be safe. When we say that we are bringing irrigation, you farmers should join hands with us so that our harvest is abundant and safe,” emphasized Chakwera.