By Tawina Maluwa
Stakeholders in the mining sector have expressed grief over the death of George Harawa who until his demise was the Deputy Director of Planning in the Ministry of Trade.
Harawa, who spearheaded the establishment of the Malawi Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (MWEITI) as National Coordinator died last Saturday of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Principal secretary in the Ministry of Mining, Yanile Ntupanyama was among numerous people who mourned the MWEITI hero in Mining & Trade Review WhatsApp groups.
“George Harawa was a kind gentleman who was very passionate about transformation in all sectors. I worked with him in the environmental sector, very humble. May God be with his family and may his soul rest in peace,” said Ntupanyama.
Coordinator for Malawi Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (MWEITI) Catherine Chilima described the death of Harawa as shocking. “Our dear friend gone too soon, what a sad story and shocking death.”
Newly appointed Minister of Mining Abdul Rashid Gaffar and Director of Geological Survey Department Kondwani Dombola also mourned Harawa with the latter describing his death as very disturbing.
Chamber of Mines Coordinator Grain Malunga said he will remember Harawa for his dedication to duty which culminated in the establishment of the MWEITI secretariat.
“I will live to tell a good story of him in future. A kind reasonable and dedicated civil servant, May his soul rest in peace.”
Mining companies also joined other stakeholders in mourning the MWEITI hero with President of Mkango Resources Alexander Lemon expressing sadness over the departure of the technocrat.
“Very saddened and shocked to hear that George Harawa has passed away, a great loss to his family, MWEITI and the natural resources and finance sectors in Malawi. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Acting Country Manager for RAK GAS Martin Kansichi Banda joined other executives from mining companies in expressing heartfelt condolences to Harawa’s family and workmates.
“George was one in a million, hardworking, steadfast, helpful, modest, sincere but serious with his work. I learned a lot from his character. Rest in eternal peace George. This world is not our home,” said Kansichi Banda
Managing Director for Nyala Mines Abdul Mahommed described the demise of Harawa as a great loss to the finance and mining sectors and even to Malawi as a nation while MD for Mchenga Coal Mines Rafick Gaffar said it is sad for Malawi and the extractives sector in particular to lose such a great personality.
Other figures in the mining sector who expressed shock over the death of Harawa include Chairman for Cement Products Limited Aslam Gaffar, MD for Craton Resources James Chatupa, MD for Bwanje Cement Company Dean Lungu, MD for Ilomba Granite Faisal Hassan, MD for Crown Minerals Limited Tony Magecha and Operations Manager for Shayona Cement Prajeesh Padmanabhan.
A number of civil society leaders in the extractives sector including Board Chairperson for Natural Resources Justice Network Kossam Munthali , Extractives Coordinator for Oxfam Malawi Elyvin Chawinga Nkhonjera and Paul Mvula of Church and Society of the Livingstonia Synod also joined the mining sector in mourning Harawa.
Munthali said: “Huge loss when you look back, trace the first steps Malawi undertook to learn what EITI was all about with the likes of George and the initiators. Sad and painful indeed.”
Besides his work in government, Harawa was a pastor at Bwaila Living Waters Church in Lilongwe.
