BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday, July 4, 2024 was in Balaka at Kaumphawi village where he attended the funeral of Lucius Banda, a Presidential Advisor on Youth a Youth and Arts, who passed away on June 30 this year in South Africa.
Banda, who was a senior member of the UTM was appointed to the advisory role by Chakwera in August 2020.
The UTM party, founded and led by the late Vice President Saulos Chilima, has expressed its gratitude to Chakwera for honoring Banda’s legacy and conferring a special status upon his funeral.
UTM Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati, praised the President’s “relentless support” for Banda throughout his tenure, and urged UTM members to mourn their party member in harmony.
Chakwera’s decision to honor the legacy of Banda has been lauded as a demonstration of his “statesmanship” and “legacy of championing dignity, respect, and unwavering ideals of justice and equality.”
“The President’s actions have transcended political divides, showcasing a profound unity within the nation”, Joseph Masina, a senior political commentator has told Shire Times.
“Lucius Banda was a respected figure in Malawi’s political and cultural landscape, known for his contributions to the arts and his advocacy for youth empowerment”, he added.