The Maravi Post

MZIMBA--Malawi president Dr. Joyce Banda on Saturday hailed opposition parties in the country for coming together to mourn Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa of Mzimba in unity and solidarity despite differences in their political affiliations.

 Banda made the sentiments during the burial ceremony of Inkosi ya Makosi  M’mbelwa at Edingeni in Mzimba District.

She said leaders of political parties had shown maturity by putting politics aside and converge together to mourn Inkosi M’mbelwa for the past five days.

“I would like to thank leaders of opposition parties for leaving politics aside to humbly come and join us to mourn our chief who  worked hard to preserve the Ngoni Culture,” said Banda.

She said chiefs are tools in the development of Malawi, hence her decision to accord the departed chief military honors and a state funeral.

The President said she will remember Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa as a father who always cared and loved his people.

Speaking on behalf of all the chiefs in Malawi, Inkosi Mtwalo of Mzimba said M’mbelwa’s departure had left other outstanding issues unresolved such as the delayed installation of some chiefs in the district, such as Inkosi Mzukuzuku.

He said Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa was a man who always strengthened their cultural ties between the Ngoni people of Mzimba, Zambia and even South Africa and Swaziland.

“I therefore would like to ask chiefs and all our relatives from Zambia, Swaziland, South Africa and Zambia to maintain the cordial relationship that existed when M’mbelwa was alive,” said Mtwalo.

Inkosi Mpezeni of Zambia also conveyed his message through his representative, saying the late Chief M’mbelwa IV was honest and a fighter who, in his leadership, dedicated his last days in ensuring that Ngonis from Zambia and Malawi should celebrate the Ngoni cultural occasions in harmony.

Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa IV was born in December 1954 at Edingeni as Zwangendaba Jere and attended primary school at Edingeni. He did his secondary school education at Mzuzu Government Secondary School. He was installed chief in February 1984 by chief Mpezeni of Zambia at Engalaweni.

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