By Angella Salijeni

Mulanje, July 3, Mana: Youths in Mulanje held candle light service at Mulanje Park Stadium in honor of the late Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others that died in a plane clash at Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba on June 10.

Speaking during the candle light on Monday, President of the newly formed People’s Development Party (PDP), Kondwani Nankhumwa, advised youths to be fearless and strong as Chilima was and use his philosophy in politics.

“UTM members should safeguard their party by not moving to other parties just because Chilima is gone. You should come up with a leader who will continue where Chilima left,” he said.

UTM General Secretary, Patricia Kaliati, thanked the youth in Mulunje for organizing the candle light in honour of Chilima and assured them that UTM is still active though their founder is gone.

UTM Director of Youth, Penjani Kalua said: "I am very happy to see youths mourning and celebrating the life of Chilima. This is an encouragement that his ideas will grow into the youths and l am sure the youths will embrace the slogan; Osaopa! Osatopa!  Osafooka!"

One of the youths in Mulanje, Jones Mponda, was excited to be part of the candle light that celebrated the life of late Chilima whom he described as a model for the youths.

"I am excited that I have celebrated the life of Chilima. I envy his life as l learnt more from it,” he said.

Chilima will fondly be remembered with his Chichewa proverbs which he used to say during political rallies across the country.

“I will remember Chilima as someone who used to excite the youths with his proverbs," said one of the youths that attended the candle light, Pemphero Mkweu.

Chilima became Vice President in 2014 to former president Prof. Peter Mutharika in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government and to President Dr Lazarus Chakwera when he assumed office in 2020 under Tonse Alliance administration following fresh elections.