Category Archives: Obituaries

MaraviPost : most recent significant obituaries in Malawi and those affecting the Malawi Diaspora all over the world.

Malawi, Obituaries, Top News

Tragedy; three children died in a broken-down vehicle in Neno

Maravi Post Reporter

On Sunday, Somber mood engulfed the people of Chesesa village, Traditional Authority (T.A) Mlauli in Neno district following the death of three children

Raphael Kaliati, Neno police station’ Public relation officer told The Maravi Post that the three deceased children left their homes to play within the village.

In the course of playing they went to the house of Mr Matewele which is within the village near Neno turnoff trading center,

Kaliati said upon arrival at scene of the incident the kids found no body there and the went in to play in one of the broken down vehicles.

Unfortunately when they get into the vehicle they locked the only door which was open and the vehicle had all its windows closed.

The police publicist added that the trio failed to open the door to the extent that they fainted and died there without anyone knowing.

“As the time goes their parents started to look for them within the village but to know avail. Eventually, a t about 06:00hrs they were discovered by the head boy of Mr. Matewere as he was passing by the vehicle going to the kraal to take the cattle to the grazing land.

“He then reported to his boss who later reported to the group village headman Chasesa. Matter was then reported to police. Scene of incident visited by police and medical officials who certify death to be due to suffocation,” said Kaliati.

The deceased were Peter and paul Mithi, aged 8 and Lonjezo Chikopa 7 all from Chasesa village, T.A Mlauli in the district.

Obituaries, Top News

Zimbabwe soldier dies after being head-butted by colleague in beer brawl

Maravi Post Reporter

A soldier based at 5 Infantry Battalion in Kwekwe died on Monday evening after he was head-butted by a colleague when a beer brawl turned nasty.

According to My Zimbabwe online, Onias Moyo (26) was rushed to Kwekwe District Hospital where he was pronounced dead upon admission after he was head-butted by a workmate Bruce Dungeni while they were drinking at Linda Bar in Mbizo 4. Dungeni is reportedly employed by Airforce of Zimbabwe.

Acting Midlands provincial police spokesperson Ethel Mkwende said she was yet to get the report.

Zimbabwe National Army public relations officer Lieutenant-Colonel Alphios Makotore confirmed the incident but declined to comment saying doing so might jeopardise police investigations.

“I can only confirm that the culprits have been apprehended and are assisting police with investigations. I cannot comment further than that since doing so would be prejudicial,” he said.

However, a witness said the two, Moyo and Dungeni were drinking beer at Linda Bar when the dispute arose.

“The two had been drinking together since morning in the company of their friends. They, however, had a misunderstanding around 8pm over who would buy the next round,” said the witness. .

The source said while the two were exchanging blows, a friend Steven Samuel who had been drinking with the two for the better part of the day, tried to restrain them to no avail.

“The moment Samuel let Moyo free, Dungeni head-butted the now deceased on the face and he started bleeding profusely from the mouth and nose,” said the witness.

A police report was made and Moyo was rushed to Kwekwe District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on admission.

Dungeni and Samuel were reportedly picked up by police and are in police custody assisting with investigations.

Malawi, Obituaries, Top News

Thousands pay homage to fallen Malawi’s UN Ambassador Mhura: Laid to rest

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Thousands of people paid their last respects to the late Malawian Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations, Necton Mhura as he was being laid to rest on Thursday in Zomba City.

Speaking on behalf of the State President during the ceremony which took place at Old Naisi, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Emmanuel Fabiano described late Mhura was a hard worker as evidenced by his contribution to various development activities of the country.

He said that as a friendly person, Mhura was able to work with every person regardless of their position in society and could easily build a team working spirit towards national development.

The minister added government had lost a very intelligent person whom he entrusted to represent Malawi in the United Nations on various development issues.

United Nations Representative Clara Annan said she was shocked and saddened with Mhura’s death.
She described late Ambassador Mhura as a skilled diplomat who used to participate in key decision meetings aimed at developing the world.

United States Ambassador to Malawi, Virginia Palmer said Mhura was always showing commitment towards developmental issues of Malawi in particular and the world in general.

She said the late Mhura served his country with credibility as he was representing his country in the United States as well as the United Nations through promotion of higher education in Malawi.

Until his death, Mhura served in different positions which included Deputy Chief Secretary to the Government and served as a Law lecture under the Faculty of Law at Chancellor College.

Mhura who died on February 19, 2018 in the United States was born in 1957 and is survived by a wife and three children.

Lifestyle, Obituaries

Dowa granny commits suicide

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

An 89 year old man identified as Stenala Matiya from Mpanje village, Traditional Authority Chiwere in Dowa district was on Friday, February 23, 2018 committed suicide at Mpingu Trading Centre in Lilongwe.

According to Lilongwe Police Spokesperson Kingsly Dandaula, on February 21,2018 head teacher for Lowe LEA School at Mpingu reported the matter to Lilongwe police that his father the deceased hanged himself in his bedroom.

He said that on the said date the reporter and other family members were out of home and the deceased was alone at home and he commit suicide by hanging himself.

The Police Spokesperson pointed out that the grandson of the deceased went to the deceased’s room to give him his launch and he found his grandfather dead.

The scene was visited by police and medical personnel, the body was examined and they confirmed the death was due to suffocation.

Police is concerned with the increase suicide cases recently, therefore police is subsequently urging a person that if they have issues they should talk to the elders, if it is concerning marriages police have victim support unit where they can seek help.

He said that taking off life is not a solution because it brings a lot of problems because they leave the dependents helpless.

Malawi, Obituaries, Top News

Late Malawi’s ambassador Mhura body arrives; March 1 burial in Zomba

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The body of Malawi’s ambassador to the United Nations Necton Mhura who died following a long battle with cancer has arrived in the country through Chileka Airport in Blantyre on Tuesday.

Mhura body was flown in from New York, United States of America (USA) where the diplomat died at New Jersey hospital on February 19 2018 on Tuesday.

Hundreds of Malawians led by governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and government officials converged at Chileka International Airport to welcome the body Mhura, who once served as Deputy Chief Secretary to Government from 2010 to 2012.

At exactly, 3:30pm, Malawian Airlines jetted through Chileka International Airport with the remains of late Mhura.

There was a sombre mood as hundreds shed tears when a brown casket was moved slowly from the plane.

A short prayer from a Roman Catholic priest was made before the body left the airport to College of Medicine mortuary.

Notable faces that were present at the airport to welcome the body of late Mhura included DPP officials like Charles Mchacha, Louis Ngalande and State House chief of staff Peter Mukhito.

Also present was Blantyre City Mayor Councillor Wild Ndipo, private practice lawyer and former Blantyre mayor Noel Chalamanda.

Minister of Information and Communications Technology Nicholous Dausi said burial will take place at St Mary’s Cemetery in Zomba on March 1.

Prior to his appointment to the UN, Mhura served from 2015 as ambassador to USA, Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Bahamas and Puerto Rica.

He also worked as a research fellow at the University if Wdinburg in UK from 1985 to 1988.

Mhura has a background in law as a former dean of the Faculty of Law at Chancellor College School of Law in the University of Malawi, between 2004 and 2007.

He also served as acting dean from 1997 to 2000 and head of the law department from 1996 to 2002.

Malawi, Obituaries, Regional, Top News

Another Tanzanian Opposition Politician Killed with Machetes at his home

Maravi Post Reporter

(AP)- Less than a fortnight after a Tanzanian opposition leader was killed after being kidnapped; another politician for main opposition party has been killed with Machetes at his home.

Godfrey Luena who had been elected to represent Namwawala ward in central Morogoro on a ticket of the opposition party of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema) is reportedly to have been found with Machete cuts at his home on Thursday.

His Chadema party has since described the killing of Luena as political motivated and called for an immediate investigation into the matter.

Chadema deputy secretary-general John Mnyika claimed in Dar es Salaam on Friday that prior to his death, Mr Luena had had differences with the local government and ruling party officials over an alleged land-grabbing by the latter.

Mr Mnyika told local Tanzanian media that Mr Luena had left his house to look into a power cut that had affected his house alone when he was attacked by unknown assailants armed with machetes.

Chadema leader Freeman Mbowe holds a photo of Daniel John- another opposition politician who was killed on February 13 this year.

On February 13, opposition politician Daniel John was found dead with Machete wounds at a beach where he had been dumped.

John`s death was also described as political motivated with his Chadema party officials blaming the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party to have been behind the move.

Also In September 2017, a senior opposition lawmaker Tundu Lissu was shot several times at his home in Dodoma.

He was rushed to Nairobi where he was in intensive care for several months, before being transferred to a hospital in Brussels where he continues to receive treatment.

Last week, the United States raised concern over “politically-related confrontations and violence” in Tanzania and called for “a transparent investigation to hold all perpetrators of violence accountable.”

Malawi, Obituaries, Top News

Ambassador Necton Mhura’s remains to jet into Malawi on Tuesday

Special Absalom

The remains of Ambassador Necton Mhura, who until his demise early last week was the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Malawi to the United Nations, will arrive in Malawi through Chileka International Airport on Tuesday.

Mhura, who once served as Deputy Chief Secretray to Government from 2010 to 2012 died at New Jersey hospital on 19 February, 2018 in US.

In a statement made available to Maravi Post, the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) said burial ceremony will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Zomba on Thursday 1st March, 2018.

The OPC says more details of the funeral programme will be announced in due course.

Lifestyle, Obituaries

Malawians, diplomatic community and friends mourn Ambassador Mhura at wake and memorial service

Maravi Post Reporter
Mhuras wake
Saying Farewell to Mhura

Malawians in the US from all walks of life, the diplomatic community in New York and friends of the late Ambassador Necton Mhura, on Saturday attended a wake and memorial service, during which they also paid their last respects.

Ambassador Mhura, who was Malawi’s Permanent Representative for the Permanent Mission of Malawi to the United Nations passed away on Monday at a New Jersey Hospital.

The wake and service in New York was attended by a Malawians from as far away as Alabama, Washington D.C. and Connecticut, with many being late Ambassador Mhura’s colleagues from chancellor College; the diplomatic community with representatives from Angola, Zambia, Uganda amongst other Mission from the African Group.

During the service bible readings by Late Mhura’s sister and daughter from Ecclesiastics 3:1-8 and Philippians 3:20-4:1. Following the reading the Priest encouraged the mourners on the reason people die. While encouraging people to know that the LORD is our Shepherd and our hope. He said death is the end and the way to the Creator.

He then offered prayers for God to comfort the bereaved.

In the eulogy t her father, one of late Mhura’s daughter paid tribute to her father as a great teacher who never spoke much, but that when he did the teaching was powerful.

Continuing the accolades, the Malawi Mission Charge d ’Affairs Mr. Loti Dzonzi said he was privileged to have learned worked with the late Ambassador. He informed the mourners that the remains of the late Ambassador would leave for Malawi on Sunday and arrive in Malawi on Tuesday.

The service was followed by a time of fellowship with the Mhura family at the Malawi residence in Scarsdale.

Ambassador Mhura is survived by a wife and three children, and one grandchild.

Obituaries, Opinion

Memorial in honor of late Ambassador Necton D. Mhura, held at the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union

Janet Karim
Memorial services for Mhura at UN
Memorial in honor of late Ambassador Necton D. Mhura, held at the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union

NEW YORK-(MaraviPost)-Permanent Representatives from Petmanent Missions, led by chair of the Month of February of the African Union, on Friday held a memorial service in honor of late Ambassador Necton D. Mhura, who passed away on Monday.

Late Ambassador Mhura, whose remains are expected to be repatriated to Malawi this Sunday, succumbed to cancer at a New Jersey hospital.

His colleagues from the five regions of Africa paid their tributes at the memorial. A statement by Ms Florence Mhura, daughter of the late Ambassador followed the statements. This culminated in a statement by the Charge d’Affairs of the Malawi Mission, Deputy Oermsnent Representative, Mr Loti Dzonzi.

Below is the statement by the African Group Chair of the Month, Ambassador Lewis G. Brown, II, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations:

African Group memorial service, Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations

New York, 23 February, 2018

Excellencies, Members of the Mhura Family, Staff of the Malawian Mission, Ladies & Gentlemen

Memorial at UN
Mhura Memorial service Program

The passing of our colleague, the Late Ambassador Necton D. Mhura is indeed a shock and a big loss to the African Group. It is a double blow to me professionally and personally.

According to information from the Permanent Mission, Ambassador Mhura succumbed to cancer after a short stay at a New Jersey Hospital.

It is evident that he bore the burden of his condition in silent dignity and strength.
Firstly, Ambassador Mhura, who came to the New York diplomatic community in the same year as I did (2016).

I got to know Ambassador Mhura earlier than most of the colleagues when we were neighbors at 866 UN Plaza, before the Liberian Mission moved to its current premises.

Late Ambassador Mhura was a lawyer by profession and came to the post of Ambassador/Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Malawi, after over twenty years as a lecturer at the University of Malawi.

Ambassador Mhura came into the role of facilitator to Malawian lawmakers when he engaged with them in accelerating Malawi’s achievement of the Millenium Development Goals, working in close collaboration with UNDP Malawi. Malawi has lost a dedicated and astute statesman.

He is survived by a wife and three children, we pray for God’s comfort for them.

Our condolences go to the family, his colleagues and staff at the Malawian Mission and all those who mourn his passing. May he rest in peace.

I thank You.

Malawi, Obituaries, Regional, Top News

UN Secretary General Guterres condoles Malawi on ambassador death: describes Mhura ‘a person of great learning’

Lloyd M’bwana

NEW YORK-(MaraviPost)- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on Tuesday this week mourned the death of Ambassador Necton Mhura of Malawi to the United Nations with condolence message.

UN Secretary General Guterres described Mhura as “a skilled diplomat and a person of great learning,” the country has lost.

Guterres offered condolences to the late ambassador’s family and loved ones as well as to the people and government of Malawi.

Mhura, 61, died of cancer on Monday in the U.S. state of New Jersey, a spokeswoman for the Malawi Mission to the United Nations, told Xinhua.

“Mhura will be remembered for working tirelessly for the universal goals of peace, human rights and sustainable development,” the UN chief said.

“He did so with inspiring dedication, as demonstrated by his active role as vice chair of the Group of Least Developed Countries. His loss will be keenly felt by peers and colleagues in New York.”

Meanwhile, Malawi, Charge d’Affairs to the Malawi Oermanent Mission, Deputy Ambassadir Loti Dzonzi announced yesterday that a Wake ceremony for late Ambassador Necton D. Mhura will take place on Saturday 24th February 2018 from 12 Noon. Thereafter, a memorial Service of Worship will follow at 2:00 P. M. to 3:00 P.M..

The venue of the Wake and Memorial Service is Flynn Memorial Funeral Home on 1652 Central Park , Yonkers. NY. These will be followed by refreshments served at 3 Castle Walk, in Scarsdale, NY, 10583 from 3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. TO 430PM.

Late Ambassadir Necton D. Mhura represented the Oermsnent Mission of Republic of Malawi at the United Nations since September 2016. This was his second posting. He was also Malawi’s envoy to the United States.

Malawi government spokesperson and Minister of Information Nicholas Dausi disclosed that all arrangements are being made to repatriate the remains of the late Mhura from USA to Malawi for burial.