By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, April 25, Mana: Manuel Mwang'onga Mkandawire, who served as Minister of Education after his appointment in 1978, has been laid to rest Thursday at his home, Mwang'onga Village in the area of Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Chisovya in Rumphi.

In his eurology, Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandawire, who represented President Dr Lazarus Chakwera, said the President was saddened by the passing on of a very loyal Malawi Congress Party (MCP) member who contributed generously to the development of the country.

Speaker of Parliament, who is also MCP Deputy Secretary General, Catherine Gotani Hara, said Mkandawire, who was served as a Member of Parliament for Rumphi Central Constituency and Rumphi East Constituency respectively, lived a productive life worth learning from.

"He was very hardworking and made sure that he prioritised education and served his country with patriotism. He was a source of political wisdom,” said Gotani Hara.

Group Village Head Mwang'onga said Mkandawire was a patriotic Malawian and educated many in the country through his career as an educator.

Mwang’onga, who qualified as a teacher in 1947 and taught at many teacher training collages including Livingstonia in Rumphi and Loudon in Mzimba, died on Monday at Wezi Medical Centre in Mzuzu at the age of 97.

He is survived by two children.

President Chakwera condoled the bereaved family with K5 million besides providing a casket.