President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Wednesday morning joined well-meaning Malawians in expressing shock and grief over the sudden death of former Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe.
Gondwe died on Tuesday night having collapsed at his house in Lilongwe before he was rushed to Adventist Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
The renowned economist-cum politician, who is highly revered and credited as the finest Minister of Finance Malawi has ever had, has died at the age of 87.
President Chakwera said he was saddened with the passing on of Gondwe.
“The First Lady and I are saddened to hear about the passing of the former Minister of Finance, Goodall Gonswe. His dedicated service and contributions to our nation will forever be remembered. Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. May his legacy continue to inspire us all,” said Chakwera in a statement released on Wednesday morning.
On the other hand, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leader Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika said the late Gondwe will remain an inspiration to the party.
“It is with great grief that I communicate, with great humility, the death of Honourable Goodall Gondwe. Late Goodall Gondwe will remain the scrolls of the history of the country as one of the most distinguished, decorated and accomplished economists and politicians. He has been instrumental in the stabilization of the Malawi economy during the DPP regimes,” he said.
Gondwe served as Minister of Finance in the two regimes Bingu wa Mutharika and APM from 2004 to 2009, and from 2014 to 2019.
He also served as Minister of Local Government from 2009 to 2010 and Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Environment Affairs from 2011 to 2012.
While at the Ministry of Finance, Gondwe left an indelible mark in government for stabilizing the Malawi economy and bringing down the inflation to a single digit.
Before joining Malawian politics, Goodall Gondwe was director of the Africa Division of the International Monetary Fund. In the period leading up to his election as Member of Parliament, he served as the Chief Economic Advisor to President Bakili Muluzi.
Good Gondwe hailed from Kayiwononga Village at Enukweni in Mzimba where he also served as Member of Parliament.
