By Leonard Masauli & Maston Kaiya

Ntcheu, June 17, Mana: Scores of people from Malawi and other international dignitaries on Monday converged at Nsipe Primary School ground in Ntcheu to witness the burial of late Vice President, Dr. Saulos Chilima who died in a plane crash on Monday, June 11, 2024 along with eight others.

In eulogy, A represented the bereaved family, Elizabeth Mkandawire Mwanga said Late Vice President, Chilima was happy loving and charitable man, who was poised to come a global leader.

She thanked the international community, Malawi government and church community for honouring him.

“Allow me to thank United Transformation Movement (UTM) and for the support rendered during the mourning period and thanks to chiefs for the love. I would like to thank the people of Malawi for the gesture during the mourning period.

“I would like appeal to government to conduct the investigation to establish the truth and that such a tragedy should not happen again. Let me appeal to the Nation to keep the Chilima dream alive and not to give up hope so that his dreams become a reality. Osaopa, osatopa, osafooka,”Mwanga said.

In his in eulogy, Dr Ben Chilima thanked government and former Presidents and Chiefs for the support.

In paying his last respect, Inkosi Ya Makosi Gomani V said Late Vice President was the pride of the Ngoni people in Ntcheu.

He said Chilima was both a friend and advisor who was always there in times of need.

Gomani thanked the support from government and everyone else who have taken their hand to remember the late Vice President during the funeral.

“Chilima was peaceful, humble, and loving who always wanted to see Malawi developed and this is why he always put the country’s future first in his priorities. Let me ask the people of Malawi to continue wishing the country well just as he had hoped,”  he added.

Among others who attended the burial include Former President, Dr Bakili Muluzi, Former President, Peter Mutharika, Former Vice President, Khumbo Kachali, UTM Secretary General Patricial Kaliati,

In his sermon when he conducted a funeral mass, Archbishop, Thomas Luke Msusa of Blantyre Diocese said several Malawians are in mourning for the departed late Vice President and this was why all Roman Catholic faithfuls hold Mass in remembrance of him.

He encouraged the people to maintain peace just as how late Vice President had hoped for, and his death should not bring about confusion and disagreements among the people.

A devout Christian, the late Chilima was born on February 12, 1973, who together with his wife, Mary had two children.

The first to lay the wreaths was the wife of the late, Madame, Mary Chilima, President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera and Madame Monica Chakwera, Former President Dr Bakili Muluzi, Former President, Peter Mutharika and his wife, Gertrude Mutharika among others.

The late Chilima and eight others died in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba district.