LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawians from all walks of life on Saturday, April 24, 2024 joined President Lazarus Chakwera in laying to rest former Vice President Justin Malewezi at Likuni in the capital Lilongwe.
However, conspicuously missing at the state funeral was Malawi’s immediate past president, Peter Mutharika who opted for his step son Tadikira’s engagement ceremony at his resident in the lake district of Mangochi.
President Chakwera therefore gave a touching and glowing eulogy at Likuni Boys Secondary School grounds when he led Malawians to a solemn sendoff ceremony of Malawi’s first-ever vice President Malewezi.
In his hearty eulogy Chakwera described the death of Malewezi as a great loss to the nation.
“Malawi has lost an administrator, a great hero and a statesman. I knew Malewezi very well; he taught me a number of lessons in my life,” says Chakwera.
The President described Malewezi as a library of knowledge and wisdom, saying it is sad losing such monumental citizens.
Leader of opposition, Kondwani Nakhumwa described the late Malewezi as “a great man with unmatched humility and gentlemanship.”
The incumbent vice president Saulos Klaus Chilima along side former Presidents Joyce Banda and Bakili Muluzi attended the ceremony.
Dr Justin Chimera Malewezi was a seasoned politician who was born on 23 December, 1943 and was once a member of Parliament for Ntchisi North. He was Vice-President of Malawi from 1994 to 2004.
Also in attendance included King of Chewa people in Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, His Majesty Kalonga Gawa Undi.
Former Malawi Veep Malewezi died on 17 April, 2021 at Kamuzu International Airport when he was being airlifted to South Africa to access medical services.
The late Malewezi is survived by his wife, four children and grandchildren.
