By Lydia Maganga

Chiradzulu, September 3, Mana:  Senior Chief Mpama real name Daniel Matewere who died on August, 30, 2023 at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe after suffering a heart attack was laid to rest Saturday at Mpama Headquarters in Mbulumbuzi, Chiradzulu District.

Cabinet ministers and hundreds of people paid their last respects to the fallen chief whom many described as loving and kind.

Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Owen Chomanika described the late Senior Chief as a great man who loved his people and felt good about his roots.

“I know you people of Chiradzulu are crying for this man because of his good deeds. As Government, we are also crying with you because we have lost our chief and advisor; a great man who loved his people and was dedicated to his work,” the deputy minister said.

He said the late Senior Chief served his subjects well throughout his 27-year chieftaincy and had no bad record with government.

“The mammoth crowd that has gathered here shows that this man was loved by many. He served his chieftaincy with dignity in all his 27 years of serving as a TA and Senior Chief such that my ministry has never experienced any problems with him, none whatsoever,” said Chomanika.

He added that President Lazarus Chakwera was equally saddened to learn of the loss of the Senior Chief who died in the line of duty in Lilongwe where he was attending meeting that required inputs from chiefs.

“The President is very saddened by the chief’s sudden death. He asked me to extend his heartfelt condolence and tasked me to condole with K1 million to help the family in this difficult time,” said Chomanika.

He, therefore, advised family members to choose a leader who has the love of his subjects as was the case with late Senior Chief Mpama.

“I urge all family members to choose your next leader wisely because if you chose anyhow, you will destroy the unity. Issues of chieftaincy are very crucial so you need to be patient to avoid unnecessary conflict which can delay development of the district,” said Chomanika.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Chiradzulu North, Patrick Matola described Senior Chief Mpama as a very good and who was approachable and treated everyone with kindness whether young or old, whether in government or opposition.

Matola said the late senior chief was developmental conscious such that he used to follow up development activities in his area.

MP for Chiradzulu South, Joseph Mwanamvekha who represented friends of Chiradzulu said Senior Chief Mpama was an ambassador of development in the district.

He expressed sadness saying the sudden death was painful and hard to believe.

Son to the deceased, Harvey Matewere described his father as a lovely person who always fulfilled his promises.

“My father was a happy man who would fulfill whatever he promised. He loved his people dearly and loved his family too. The gap he has left is too wide to be filled by anyone such that we will surely miss him,” he explained.

Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma, Paramount Chief Lundu, Paramount Chief Kawinga and senior chiefs from other districts, MPs from Chiradzulu, District Commissioner for Chiradzulu Francis Matewere and District Commissioner for Zomba Reginald Chavura also attended the funeral.

The late Senior Chief Mpama was born on May 5, 1950 and was installed TA Mpama in 1996 and elevated to Senior Chief in 2007.

He is survived by five children and 12 grandchildren.