BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust says the death of Impi Bhiyeni, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima is a big loss for Maseko Ngoni family in the country and beyond.
According to Chairperson of the Maseko Ngoni Heritage Trust, Senior Chief iNkosi Makwangwala,the late Dr. Chilima had passion for the Ngoni culture who was always dedicated to all Maseko Ngoni cultural functions and activities in the district.
Makwangwala observed that the late Impi Bhiyeni Chilima was a role model and an inspiration to both the youths and the elderly.
“Impi Bhiyeni Dr. Chilima was charismatic and an epitome of loyalty, diligence, conscientiousness, courageous and bravery of a Ngoni warrior in serving the King and his people and fighting for what believed was right and just,” Senior Chief iNkosi Makwangwala said.
The Traditional Leader disclosed that Dr. Chilima would be missed during the annual cultural Umhlangano wa Maseko Ngoni celebrations scheduled for September,2024.
“Impi Bhiyeni has always supported Umhlangano, in fact I can disclose that last year, he supported us with the magnificent stand and podium for the annual cultural event, his death is a big blow to us, we have lost a true son of the Maseko Ngoni,” Makwangwala added.
Senior Chief iNkosi Champiti said late Impi Dr. Chilima was a custodian of culture and a dedicated Roman Catholic Christian.
“Every year, Dr. Chilima would come to his home Village at Nsipe to pay respect to his loved ones who had passed on, he would come and lay wreaths on their tombstones and pray for their souls to rest in peace,” he said, adding that the practice is part of the Ngoni culture which must be practiced by every Maseko Ngoni.
Champiti highlighted that Chilima was an icon of Ntcheu and freedom fighter who fought not only for himself but for the cause of the general populace.
Senior Chief Kwataine said they would remember late Dr. Chilima for his passion of uplifting the welfare of the people in Ntcheu and the country at large.
“Late Dr. Chilima sent the late former First Lady, Shanil Dzimbiri to train the communities on Soap making and various other skills in his area and observed that the aircraft crash was a double blow for his area,” he recalled.
Secretary General for Mzimba Heritage Association, Kingsley Jere said that they would miss Dr. Chilima as a leader and as a fellow Ngoni.
“If we had a Ngoni leader in government it was Chilima, when he comes to Mzimba he does not show that he was from Ntcheu, Chilima was like a fellow Ngoni from Mzimba.
“Chilima has always supported our Umthetho Cultural Celebrations and in fact he was the first highly government official to confirm his availability on the forthcoming celebration slated for July 31 to August 3, 2024,” he said, adding that the Ngonis from Mzimba would greatly miss him.
Meanwhile, the Maseko Ngoni King, iNkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V has since extended condolences to the bereaved families who include late Chilima’s wife Mary, former President, Dr. Bakili Muluzi and President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and all families that have lost their loved ones in the plane accident.
The late Impi who was the State Vice President and eight others died in the Malawi Defence Force aircraft that crashed on Monday June 10, 2024 in Chikangawa Forest.
The late Impi Dr. Chilima hailed from Mbirimtengenji Village, TA Champiti in Ntcheu district.