By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, June 13, Mana: On a sunny, yet cold Thursday, Mazinga Community Ground in Senior Chief Santhe's area in Kasungu was full to capacity as hundreds of mourners came to bid farewell to the Late Lucas Kapheni who died in a plane crash at Chikangawa in Mzimba District on Monday.

Until his death, Kapheni was the Guard Commander for Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima who also died in the accident.

As the remains of the 46-year-old Assistant Commissioner of Police arrived at around 3pm for burial, what was being heard as a distant occurrence turned to become a sad reality, sending the mourners led by cabinet ministers into tears.

Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda, who is also a Member of Parliament for the area, said it was unfathomable to accept the reality that an energetic young man, they were together in Korea, a week ago is no more.

"Today Thursday we are burying a dedicated young man we had gone together on duty in Korea to discuss matters that will help improve our economy. Exactly one week Kapheni is no more and it's hard to believe.

"We cry for a young man that served his country well. However, we cry with hope that God is in control and we look up to him," Chithyola said.

Senior Chief Santhe said she has lost a productive son of the community who had a bright future.

She said: "It is a difficult time for us because as we are mourning the demise of the Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, here in my area we are also grieving the passing on of our son, Lucas.

"As parents in the village, we have hope in our children who are in town working and helping us. It is saddening that we have lost such a young and productive child whom we loved."

Minister of Health, Khumbize Chiponda, who represented President Lazarus Chakwera said the country is in a lake of tears following the plane crash which killed nine people including the Vice President.

"In several places this week, we are burying our loved ones. It's a difficult moment for us as a country. It's a desperate time where we have to look up to God for comfort," she said.

Chiponda described Kapheni as a dedicated man who was climbing up the ladder of his career as a manager in the Malawi Police Service.

Also in attendance were Minister of Transport Jacob Hara, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo, Members of Parliament, senior police officers, chiefs, government officials and representatives of various political parties.

Nine people, including the Vice President, died on Monday when a military aircraft they were traveling in to attend a funeral in Nkhata Bay crashed in suspected bad weather conditions in Mzimba.

Kapheni is survived by a wife and four children.

By Lesnat Kenan

Lilongwe, June 13, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera Wednesday afternoon presided over the send-off of late Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, former First Lady of the Republic of Malawi, at Sunset Funeral Private Mortuary at Kanengo in Lilongwe.

Speaking on behalf of the President, Minister of Local Government, a Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, said the President is in deep sorrow at the death of Dzimbiri.

"The late Dzimbiri was dedicated and hard working woman who had interest in the empowerment of women and children in the country. Her death is a big loss to Malawi; we have lost an important person as a nation,” he said.

Dzimbiri died in a plane crash that also claimed the life of Vice President, Saulos Chilima, and eight others at Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba.

Requiem mass and prayers were conducted by the Catholic Church in respect of fallen First Lady.

A large crowd gathered to pay their respect and witness the send-off of late Dzimbiri.

Other noticeable people who attended the ceremony include Former President, Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda, former Chief Justice Richard Banda, senior government officials, political representatives from various parties and religious leaders.

Born on September 25, 1964, Dzimbiri served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Balaka West from 2014 to 2019.

Her remains will be laid to rest at Senzani in Balaka on Friday.

By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe, June 13, Mana: People from different walks of life Wednesday morning gathered in large numbers at Sunset Private Mortuary in Lilongwe to carry bodies six of people who died in an aircraft crash on Monday.

Speaking during the send-off ceremony Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu, said their death is a great loss to the nation and encouraged people to accept the situation.

He said arrangements of the burial ceremonies for all bodies will take place Friday in their respective areas.

According to Inspector General of Malawi Police Service, Merlyn Yolam, the body of late Dan Kanyemba will be buried at Chiseka in Lilongwe,  Lukas Kapheni will be buried in Kasungu, Chisomo Chimaneni will be buried in Ntchisi, Col Owen Sambalopa will be buried in Zomba.

Others who lost their lives in the plane crash which also claimed the life of Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, are Wales Aidi, Major Flora Seleman Ngwirinji and former First Lady, Patricia Dzimbiri Muluzi.

It is expected that Chilima will be laid to rest at Nsipe in Ntcheu.

By Maranatha Chima, Janet Mkonongo and Regina Chalira

Mzuzu, June 13, Mana: Community and Mental Health Department of the Saint John of God Hospitaller Services has embarked on mental health awareness to students in universities and colleges.

Speaking, Thursday when she made a presentation at Livingstonia University(UNILIA) - Kaning’ina Campus in Mzuzu, mental health expert, Melissa Saji said many people including students in various education institutions face mental health challenges, hence the initiative.

Saji said most of the mental health problems in students are triggered by academic pressure, sexual abuse, poverty, lack of social support, cyber bullying, biased treatment towards one’s gender or sexuality, peer pressure and internet addiction, among others.

She said according to world statistics, there is one death in every 40 seconds between the ages of 10 to 34 resulting from suicide and the ratio in Malawi is one female to four males.

“Most young people especially students and some members of staff in education facilities spend most of their time on the internet hence instilling the spirit of loneliness. This tendency affects one’s mood and relationship with family members including friends.

“People who are addicted to the internet suffer from anxiety and are depressed and I hope that the institution will train lectures on mental health so that each academic facility have counselors,” Saji said.

Another mental health expert, Tionge Msachi said people commit suicide and indulge in drug and substance abuse, commit self-injury as a way of coping with depression, anxiety or expressing their pain and feelings.  

“These challenges can be dealt with provision of peer support, psychotherapy, addiction recovery programmes, hospitalization for brain stimulation therapy in critical conditions,” Msachi said.

 Registrar for UNILIA- Kaning’ina Campus, Rev. Wisdom Mwale commended Saint John of God Hospitaller Services for the lecture which will contribute towards enhancement of good morals amongst students and members of staff.

 “As an institution we try to groom students and lecturers to be of good behavior with sober mental health so that they become productive citizens and contribute to the development of the country,” Mwale said.

One of the students, Lucy Kaisi, said she had acquired knowledge on how to handle stress and the importance for seeking counselling when one is depressed.

“We have also learnt how we can help each other as students in handling mental health related issues,” said Kaisi.

By Alex Banda Kachingwe

Blantyre, June 13, Mana: Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) has described the death of Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima as untimely and a heavy blow to different sporting codes in Malawi.

Chilima who died in a tragic plane crash on Monday, June 10, 2024 together with nine other officials on board in Chikangawa Forest Reserve in Mzimba District is viewed as a person who was dedicated to sports in Malawi.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana), MNCS Public Relations and Communications Officer, Edgar Ntulumbwa said the council is shocked with Chilima’s untimely death and that it will have a big impact on sports in the country.

“As you are aware, many of the sporting codes have difficulties acquiring support from the corporate world and the late Chilima did not just only take part in sporting activities, but was also involved in fundraising activities that assisted many sporting disciplines,” said Ntulumbwa.

“The late Chilima was a complete player in basketball, volleyball, golf and cycling, just to mention a few sporting disciplines,” Ntulumbwa said, adding that the council will always cherish the contributions he made to develop sports.

Concurring with Ntulumbwa, a Lilongwe based ardent UTM follower, Shakira Beni said the death of Chilima, who was the party’s president was very shocking, such that the party has lost a visionary leader.

“This is not the loss to the party only, but also to the nation. Our social and political landscape has been greatly affected,” said Beni.

Meanwhile, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has declared that the nation should observe a period of 21 days of mourning from June 11 to July 1, 2024 in honour of the late Chilima and nine others killed in the plane crash.

By Innocent Chunga

Nkhotakota, June 13, Mana: Nkhotakota District Programs Officer for National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE), Queen Mataya, on Wednesday encouraged media practitioners in the district to systematically use investigative journalism skills to uncover truths, expose corruption and hold those in power accountable.

She made the call during a media engagement meeting, aimed at enhancing understanding of governance principles and their role in promoting informed citizenship and democratic engagement by equipping them with knowledge and skills.

Mataya said media practitioners are very good at informing and educating people in various areas including, corruption, democracy, accountability and transparency.

"We believe that the media has the power to disseminate information. We have engaged them to have good relationships with the citizenry, the council members, and politicians, to report and investigate more issues better in the district,” stressed Mataya.

Nkhotakota District Information Officer (DIO), Wongani Mkandawire, who is also the Spokesperson for Nkhotakota District Council, said the council has committed to working together with the media practitioners, considering that they play a crucial role in promoting good governance and democratic values, ultimately contributing to a more informed and engaged citizenry in the district.

"They have raised some challenges they face, including Access to Information (ATI) and intimidation when it comes to deep stories. NICE has assured us that they will conduct sensitization meetings on such matters including ATI to both media practitioners and local authorities to assist them in producing their stories daily," said Mkandawire.

Winstone Kaimira, a Zodiac Broadcasting Station (ZBS) reporter said the meeting is an eye-opener to media practitioners in the district and has since asked other organizations to emulate the same and engage and empower the media especially as we head towards elections.

NICE, has been contributing to Malawi's democracy and good governance as well as various areas for 12 years, with financial support from the European Union (EU).

By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, June 12, Mana: Deputy Chief of Protocol for the Office of the Vice President, Adbdul Lapuken, who was one of the victims of the tragic plane crash which occurred on Monday in Chikangawa Forest Reserve in Mzimba District has been laid to rest at Chapola Village in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimwala in Mangochi District.

Lapuken was killed in a plane crash which also claimed lives of State Vice President, Dr. Saulos Chilima and eight other citizens on June 10, 2024.

Representing President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nancy Tembo said the President is in deep sorrow for the loss of nine great lives that government had invested in to help in transforming Malawi into a better nation.

“The President sends his heartfelt condolences to the Lapuken family and all traditional leaders in Mangochi. We are all sorry for the loss of Lapuken, the Vice President and all citizens who were on board a plane which tragically crashed on Monday,” Tembo said.

She described Lapuken as a patriotic citizen who served the nation wholeheartedly, noting that he was always available for government services whenever called to duty.

“We have lost an important person whom the late Vice President trusted; hence, a decorated citizen,” she said.

Member of parliament for Mangochi-Nkungulu, where the burial took place, who is also Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Aisha Adam, said she is saddened by the sudden death of a humble ‘brother’ who contributed to the development of the area.

“He was the one who was reminding me what our area was lacking and contributed to the electrification of the Chapola Village and surrounding areas. I am speechless,” she said.

Jiwayi Ladu, a representative of the bereaved family hailed government for the moral, physical as well as financial support to the family during the difficult moment.

Amongst the notable faces to the burial ceremony included Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, Deputy Minister of Health, Halima Daud; Vice President of Democratic Progress Party (DPP) in the Eastern Region, Bright Msaka; Muslim Association of Malawi (MAM) Secretary General, Twaibu Lawe; MAM Publicity Secretary, Sheikh Dinala Chabulika, Advisor to the President on Religious Affairs, Hashim Abbasi, senior chiefs Chowe and Chimwala.

Lapuken, born on March 8, I968 is survived by a wife and six children.