MALAWI’S PRESIDENT, PROF. MUTHALIKA LAID TO REST TODAY

                                   

 By: Qeko

The body of the late Malawi’s President, Prof. Bingu wa Muthalika has been laid to rest at his Ndata Farm in the southern region district of Thyolo. At exactly 4:32pm, the casket of the late President was lowered into the grave constructed inside the Mausoleum next to his Zimbabwean wife Ethel Muthalika who died in 2007. The late president prepared his grave in advance  inside the state of art Mpumulo wa Bata mausoleum which he buried his wife.

Reports from Thyolo say that thousands of people across Malawi and beyond flocked to Ndata farm to witness the burial ceremony of their leader. And in his eulogy representing the diseased family, Prof Peter Muthalika is reported to have made two outstanding remarks; firstly that the former first lady Madam Callista Muthalika will not walk alone and that the DPP will not die with the demise of his brother and emphasised that he will stay with the Party and also die in Malawi like his brother.

In her eulogy, the Malawi President, Her Excellency Mrs Joyce Banda assured Malawians that she will continue on the economic path left by the late president and also repeated the call for national unity and peace. This comes in the midst of call from some Malawians who are putting pressure on Her Excellency’s government to prosecute the former DPP Cabinet ministers who are alleged to have plotted to take over government soon after the former president collapsed and was being attended to by medical personnel at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe. However Her Excellency as a God fearing Christian has repeatedly reminded Malawians that her government will not revenge on anyone but shall promote unity and people in the country.

Attending the funeral today were some key African leaders which included Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Hifikenpunye Pohamba of Namibia. Zambia and South Africa were presented by their Vice Presidents, Dr. Guy Scott and Kgalema Montlanthe while Angola had their speaker of Angolan Parliament Paulo Kassoma. Also present at the funeral ceremony today was Zimbabwe’s Morgan Tsvangirai, Jean Ping the AU Chief and many dignitaries from across Africa.