BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday, June 9, 2025 joined multitudes of people at Mpeni Village in Thambani, Mwanza, to pay his last respects to former Deputy Minister of Local Government Unity and Culture, late Joyce Chitsulo.
Politicians, Chiefs, the Clergy, administrators, and business operators, among several others, were all present to witness the final send-off of a self styled political icon that firmly in her people’s welfare first over politics.
Upon arrival at Malowa Primary School Ground, where the ceremony took place, grief stricken President Chakwera accompanied by First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera, proceeded to pay his last respects to late Joyce Chitsulo.
Vice President Micheal Usi, Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara, Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) Colleen Zamba and several top government officials, were also in attendance.
In her speech, daughter to late Chitsulo, Maureen Mataka lauded Chakwera for the moral and financial support rendered to their family during the illness and subsequent passing of her mother.
Contrary to social media reports, said Mataka, the Chakwera led administration went a step further to ensure her mums speedy recovery.
“The president was there for our mum. He gave her a lot of support. The president was always checking on her. We thank you because you tried to take good care of our mum,” she said sobingly.
“You gave her both moral and financial support. There was a time you wanted to send her to South Africa for further treatment but our mum refused because she said she had already healed.”
In his speech, Senior Chief Govati hailed late Chitsulo for developing the area and also for prioritizing her people’s welfare over politics.
“She was a development conscious leader. She was a visionary leader who fought hard for her people,” he said.
“We have lost Joyce Chitsulo but as chiefs, we will continue looking up to you for support. We promise to continue working with your administration to continue developing this area.”
Echoeing the same, Member of Parliament (MP) for Mwanza Central Nicholas Dausi described late Joyce Chitsulo as a lady of etiquette.
She said the people of Mwanza will nonetheless pursue the vision that has been left by her untimely departure.
“She was a special gift to the people of Mwanza,” said Dausi.
Speaker of National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara said Chitsulo was a selfless lady who worked with everyone.
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda said late Joyce Chitsulo was not a gift to the people of Mwanza alone, but to Malawi as a whole.
