By Mary Makhringa

Ballaka, July 4, Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda on Thursday described the departed musician 'Soldier' Lucius Banda as a patriotic citizen as thousands of Malawians gathered at Balaka Stadium to pay their last respects.

Musician Lucius Banda died on Sunday in South Africa after succumbing to a battle with kidney failure.

Speaking on behalf of President Lazarus Chakwera, Banda said the President was deeply touched and that so many questions were lingering in his mind that did not have answers.

Said Banda: “We have as a nation experienced a very difficult period, but since the president is a believer, let his will be done.

“The late Banda as a bonafide citizen of Malawi, who was friendly to everyone, the poor and rich, was never biased, that is why he was appointed as the Presidential Advisor on Youth and Arts.”

He added: "Let me reveal here that two years ago, the National Youth Service which the State President launched, is as a result of the works of the late Lucius Banda, lately he had plans that the National Economic Empowerment Fund Limited (NEEF) should benefit more youths in the country."

According to Banda, before his death Soldier has left on the presidential desk, National Arts and Heritage Council Bill that all musicians for a long time have been advocating for.

Meanwhile, Banda assured the family of late Soldier Lucius that the love that was there for Lucius Banda, will not end, committing that government will always be there for the family.

In her eulogy, UTM Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati quoted Revelations 21: 4, noting that God assures us that all tears will be wiped and that death shall be no more, nor shall there be mourning, nor crying.

Kaliati thanked President Chakwera for helping the departed son of Malawi when he was sick in a hospital in South Africa.

Said Kaliati: “He was an ardent activist, a voice for the poor, he used to tell different stories through his music. As a nation, we shall all miss him."

John Zembani Banda, son to the late Lucius Banda, described his father as a good friend, who always encouraged his children to regard him as a friend and not as a father. 

“He instilled love in me, he always told me to love my mum and love my siblings and everyone that I meet and he kept reminding me of this now and again.

"Let me assure all, that Zembani Music Company will not die, the legacy will live on, he already prepared me for the course,” he said.

A family representative, Eliyasi Kamoto disclosed that the late Banda was the pillar of the family through his unity, love and obedience.

“Let me thank the President for the love shown to our relation when he was sick. There have been different interventions from the President up until he was sent to South Africa for treatment.

"The President at some point took off his busy schedule to come and cheer him up at his home, for all this we say thank you,” Kamoto said.

Kamoto, therefore, asked President Chakwera to consider helping the late Lucius Banda’s brother Paul, who is also sick from the same kidney problem.

He also appealed to government to continue supporting the deceased family considering some children are still in school.