Tag Archives: Saulos Chilima dies in plane crash

Obituaries, Opinion, Politics

Avoidable tragedy: Poor weather decision blamed for Chilima Plane Crash

Burnett Munthali

The latest findings into the fatal plane crash that claimed the lives of Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others on June 10, 2024, have pointed to a deeply troubling conclusion.

Investigators have determined that the primary cause of the accident was the flight crew’s decision to proceed into weather conditions that severely limited visibility.

This revelation shifts the narrative from mechanical failure or sabotage theories to a human decision-making error under operational pressure or misjudgment.

Flying into adverse weather is a known risk factor in aviation, particularly when visual flight rules (VFR) are compromised by fog, low clouds, or other meteorological obstacles.

The fact that this flight was allowed to proceed despite such conditions raises serious questions about communication between air traffic control, meteorological services, and the flight crew.

Furthermore, the decision suggests either a lack of updated weather information or a miscalculation in assessing the severity of the conditions en route or at the destination.

For a flight carrying high-ranking government officials, including the Vice President of the Republic, the standards of caution should have been elevated, not compromised.

This report reignites concerns about safety protocols within Malawi’s air transport system, especially regarding flights involving state officials and other VIPs.

It also underscores the need for urgent reforms in aviation decision-making, particularly in how weather advisories are handled and acted upon by flight crews.

The tragic loss of Vice President Chilima and eight others must now become a turning point for policy makers to enforce stricter aviation safety standards and accountability.

Their deaths should not be in vain; instead, they should catalyze a systemic overhaul to prevent such disasters from ever occurring again.

The emotional impact of this tragedy continues to weigh heavily on the nation, but the findings now demand a parallel pursuit of justice, responsibility, and reform.

Ultimately, the nation must reckon not just with the loss of its leaders, but with the avoidable nature of their deaths.

Malawi, Obituaries

“SKC was a rare gem”-Dr Dalitso Kabambe

MaraviPost

NTCHEU-(MaraviPost)-UTM presidential aspirant Dr. Dalitso Kabambe has described the late Vice President Saulos Chilima as a rare gem who always wished the country and its citizens well.

The former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Dr Kabambe he was speaking on Saturday, November 2, 2024 during the memorial service for marking the end of the traditional mourning period of late Chilima and music-icon Lucius Banda at Nsipe in Ntcheu district.

“I will keep on remembering Chilima for his contribution to the nation regardless of peoples political, tribal or religious background.

“Chilima formed UTM party to unite the nation with collective ideas for enhancing development nationwide,” lauds Dr. Kabambe.

Late Dr. Chilima died in a plane crash on June 10 at Chikangawa while Banda died in a South African hospital on June 30 due to kidney failure.

Meanwhile, UTM Party is expected to go for elective convention on November 17, 2024 in Mzuzu which Dr Kabambe is vying for the presidency post.

Law and order, Malawi, Obituaries

Exposing UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati’s role in Chilima death

MaraviPost 7 Comments

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Months before former Vice President, Saulos Klaus Chilima, died in a plane crash, his close aide and UTM Secretary General, Patricia Kaliati, was busy running dark-world errands in Nigeria collecting charms meant to first clear him from a corruption case and later kill President Lazarus Chakwera.

We establish that the UTM SG was tasked by Chilima to fetch charms in Nigeria for different purposes between March and June this year.

The man they visited is known as God Papa, a spiritualist who possesses powers to change fortunes of people.

Kaliati was accompanied by Chilima’s concubine only identified as Angella by Police sources.

The two first went to Nigeria first to negotiate and collect charms that would help Chilima come out clean in a corruption case he was entangled in.

By that time Chilima was answering five corruption charges linking him to British citizen, Zuneth Sattar.

True to their expectation, Chilima’s case collapsed as it was discontinued by the Director of Public Prosecutions on May 6.

The errand ladies then undertook a second trip, this time around to have the Vice President integrated back into government business by having his delegated powers restored.

This too came to pass and Chilima was back in office and undertook local and few foreign trips to Tanzania and South Korea among others.

Temptations to continue using the charms for more intentions, evil ones inclusive, forced Kaliati agree with Chilima for a third errand.

Let’s go back to Nigeria to cook the death of the State President.

For a party leader desperate for state power, a politician with an eye for big post in the ‘new’ government and a girlfriend smelling more easy money, everything made sense from word go.

Within few weeks the two flew to Nigeria again from where they brought back the dark cocktail.

What made this trip different was that the services were not paid in full.

An agreement was reached that the remaining payment would be sorted out later on.

The new concoction also had another tricky element. Chilima was supposed to have a face to face interaction with President Chakwera.

The covenant from the Nigerian magician had to involve physical touch in form of handshakes for it to be effective.

Chilima is said to have planned the meeting for soon after his return from Seoul, South Korea where he represented his boss.

The death of lawyer Ralph Kasambara twisted the plot somewhat and the meeting with the President, under the pretext of briefing him on the Korea trip, was postponed.

The Monday on which Chilima died in a plane crash was the same that had initially been planned for him to meet President Chakwera before the latter departed for the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland.

At last minute the Vice President saw it necessary to first rush to Nkhatabay to bury his long-time friend and return to Lilongwe in time for a send-off of his boss at Kamuzu International Airport.

The Payment Debacle
In between Chilima’s foreign trips and his death, the issue of payment was still hanging in the balance.

The God Papa was pushing for his payment from Angella and Kaliati.

The two however were finding it hard to remind Chilima as he was still tied up with office work.

Angella, from the message this publication has seen, kept calming the God Papa with assurances of payment at the earliest opportunity they were to speak with Chilima.

The girlfriend paid some of her money but hinted that the rest was going to be squared later.

The Nigerian man, however, had conditions set. In the absence of full payment Chilima was not supposed to travel as doing so would place him in the dark realms for misfortune.

It is not surprising that on June 10, when the MDF aircraft was reported missing, Angella texted Kaliati at 11:47am with a brief message reading

“Now you see, the plane carrying SKC is missing. You were supposed to listen to me when I told you to alert him not to travel”

Kaliati saw but ignored the message probably because she was busy collecting a brave face to offer direction to party supporters.

What broke the camel’s back
In the aftermath of Chilima’s death, the balance was still hanging two-fold, one between them and the Nigerian magician and two between Angella and Kaliati. The young lady wanted the money she paid from her pocket back.

Feeling bothered by an issue that seemed dead and buried just like the former Vice President, Kaliati approached some close contacts from Malawi Police Service.

They indeed reacted quickly and wanted to pick Angella only for her to end up revealing everything that had been taking place between March and June.

Malawi, Obituaries

Chikangawa plane crash report: Kabambe advices Chakwera to address “grave safety concerns”

MaraviPost

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Former Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor Dr. Dalitso Kabambe has advised President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration to prioritize a thorough investigation into grave safety concerns and address the shortcomings highlighted in the interim report regarding the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of the late former Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others.

Dr Kabambe observes that the report’s findings raise serious questions about the safety protocols and quality controls implemented by public servants.

“This is not merely an isolated incident and it is a stark reminder of the systemic issues that plague our civil service,” Kabambe said.

He indicated that there is need to confront these challenges head-on, for the safety of citizens and the integrity of our Institutions depend on it.

“It is time to shine a spotlight on the processes that govern our civil service and demand accountability from those in positions of power,” he added.

According to Kabambe, reform and public inquiry is necessary, and it is essential that we create a culture of transparency, responsibility, and excellence within our public service.

“The lives lost in this tragedy must not be in vain, they must serve as a catalyst for meaningful change,” Kabambe explained.

He further indicated that there is need to unite in our commitment to ensuring that our civil service operates with the utmost dedication to public safety and welfare.

“Together, we can forge a future where such preventable tragedies are behind us, where every citizen can trust that their government prioritizes their safety above all else,” he indicated.

The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation on August 30, 2024 released a report on the aircraft accident at Chikangawa Forest that killed former vice president, late Chilima and eight others.

The report, published by Germany Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation, vividly shows that the plane crash, which killed former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others, was “not survivable.”

The 19-page report, which is now viral on social media,shows that the aircraft was manufactured in 1987 and had many of its key equipment and machines archaic and not maintained to the expected standards for it to be airborne.

The interim report mentions poor weather, including low visibility, clouds, and fog near the destination airport in Mzuzu,adding that the flight crew had difficulty navigating through these conditions, which could have led to spatial disorientation or an inability to maintain a safe flight path.

It also says there was a delay in locating Veep’s plane due to Faulty Equipment used for searching.

Details provided in the interim report show that the aircraft had been flying without Cockpick Voice Recorder or Flight Data Recorder, which it says were not required by relevant regulatory regulations.

The battery of its Emergency Transmission Locator is also said to have long expired in 2004 and according Malawi Defence Force, there were no spare parts or budget for replacement.

The report clearly shows that the plane did not reach Mzuzu Airport.

Briefly, the interim report does not explicitly state a definitive cause for the crash of the Dornier 228-202(K) aircraft. However, several factors likely contributed to the accident:

  1. Marginal Weather Conditions: The report mentions poor weather, including low visibility, clouds, and fog near the destination airport in Mzuzu. The flight crew had difficulty navigating through these conditions, which could have led to spatial disorientation or an inability to maintain a safe flight path.
  2. Lack of Functional Emergency Equipment: The aircraft’s Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) was non-functional because its battery had expired in 2004, hindering the ability to locate the crash site quickly. The lack of a Cockpit Voice Recorder or Flight Data Recorder also made it difficult to understand the crew’s actions and decisions leading up to the crash.
  3. Navigation Issues: The aircraft made several unexplained turns and altitude changes before the crash, suggesting possible confusion or difficulty in navigation. The report also notes outdated information on radio navigation aids, which could have affected the crew’s ability to navigate safely.
  4. Inadequate Radar Coverage: There was no radar contact with the aircraft at low altitudes, which may have prevented air traffic controllers from providing timely assistance or warnings.

The investigation is ongoing, and the final report would likely provide a more detailed analysis of the contributing factors.

Malawi, Obituaries

Traitor? Michael Usi accused of forsaking Chilima’s memorials

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Vice President Michael Usi, a comedian-turned-politician is under criticism for not participating in the nationwide candlelight memorial services honoring the late Saulos Chilima.

Instead, Usi presided over a meeting with players from the creative sector at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre, his first official function since assuming the Vice Presidency.

Usi, who is also the Vice President of the UTM party, has been accused of disrespecting the memory of Dr. Chilima, who died in a plane crash on June 10, 2024.

The candlelight memorials, organized by UTM, were held in various locations across the country, including Mulanje, Karonga, Rumphi, Mzimba, Ntcheu, and Balaka.

Social media pundits have expressed disappointment and outrage over Usi’s absence from the memorial services, questioning his commitment to honoring his predecessor’s legacy.

Despite being a prominent figure in the UTM party, Usi’s decision to skip the events has raised eyebrows and sparked debate.

Meanwhile, Malawians have also attacked Usi for presiding over a peripheral meeting at the expense of more pressing issues happening in the country.

“A very bad start by the Vice President. Really, a week has gone since becoming Vice President, and all what is his PREAMBLE is this meeting. Lacking seriousness. Malawians have high hopes in him as Vice President, not as Manganya.” wrote Che Langa.

“This is a priority disorder” Gideon Moucha concurred with Langa.

The meeting with the creative sector, a community Usi is familiar with as a comedian, has been perceived as a low-priority engagement amidst the country’s pressing issues, further fueling the criticism.

Usi’s absence from the candlelight memorials and his decision to prioritize a less crucial meeting have raised questions about his leadership priorities and commitment to honoring the legacy of his predecessor.

Source: Malawi Voice

Malawi, Obituaries, Regional

Angolan Parliament pays tribute to late Malawi’s VIP Saulos Chilima

Maravi Post Author

By Twink Jones Gadama

LUANDA-(MaraviPost)-The Angolan Parliament gathered in a solemn session to mourn the passing of Malawi’s Vice President, Saulos Klaus Chilima, who tragically died in a plane crash on June 10, 2024.

The legislature came together to pay their respects to the late leader, who was a prominent figure in African politics.

As the news of Chilima’s passing spread, shockwaves resonated throughout the continent.

His contributions to Malawi’s development and his tireless efforts in promoting regional unity and cooperation left an indelible mark on the region.

During the session, lawmakers and dignitaries eulogized Chilima, remembering his unwavering commitment to the people of Malawi and the African continent.

They highlighted his instrumental role in shaping Malawi’s history, from his early days as a politician to his rise as Vice President.

Speaker after speaker shared stories of Chilima’s selflessness, wisdom, and vision.

They praised his ability to bring people together, foster dialogue, and build consensus. His leadership and statesmanship inspired generations, and his legacy will continue to guide the nation.

The parliamentarians observed a moment of silence, paying their respects to the late statesman.

They also approved a motion to send condolences to the Government and people of Malawi, expressing their deepest sympathies during this difficult time.

In attendance were government officials, diplomats, and representatives from various sectors, all united in their grief and appreciation for Chilima’s life and work.

The ceremony served as a testament to the impact of his life, which transcended national borders and political affiliations.

Angolan President, João Lourenço, in his message of condolence, described Chilima as a “true son of Africa” who worked tirelessly for the development and unity of the continent.

He praised Chilima’s commitment to the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and his role in promoting regional integration.

The Angolan Parliament’s gesture is a fitting tribute to a leader who dedicated his life to the service of his country and the continent.

Chilima’s legacy will continue to inspire generations, and his memory will live on as a symbol of hope and unity for the people of Africa.

In the words of one lawmaker, “Chilima may be gone, but his spirit and legacy will continue to inspire us. We will carry his torch forward, ensuring that his vision for a united and prosperous Africa becomes a reality.”

As the session drew to a close, the parliamentarians reaffirmed their commitment to upholding Chilima’s values and principles. They vowed to continue his work, striving for a united, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.

Obituaries, Opinion, Politics

Revealed! Chilima endorsed Chakwera’s 2025 Presidential bid

Maravi Post Author

……DAY 13 OF NATIONAL MOURNING: Remembering SKC’s Shrewdness

By Sean Kampondeni

This is probably the most difficult attribute of Saulos Klaus Chilima to talk about, partly because some people regard shrewdness as a vice rather than a virtue and also partly because this is an attritube that SKC preferred to operate in silence.

But my own conviction is that shrewdness is indispensable to leadership, if the messianic admonition for us to “be as shrewd as serpents and as harmless as doves” is anything to go by, signifying that whether any leader’s shrewdness is a virtue or vice depends on the causes and ends for which they use it.

So we cannot truly understand the depth of SKC’s leadership acumen without reflecting on the shrewdness he skillfully and silently used to navigate the competing and contradicting interests at play in the complicated political terrain of Malawi where religious, traditional, corporate, institutional, business, community, civil society, media, tribal, and diplomatic leaders all clandestinely push some political agenda that advances their parochial interests.

I reflected on this the last time I saw SKC, which was on Wednesday, May 22nd, a happy occasion by all measures.

We had just finished a meeting at Kamuzu Palace, and as we were walking out, he asked me to accompany him to Kumbali Lodge for a reception in honour of Prime Minister Benediktsson of Iceland.

He said, “Chief, I am representing the President at this reception, and I’d love for you to come. And if you don’t mind, you can add your car to my convoy so that we go together and enjoy a good meal after the difficult discussions you and I have been having.” I accepted this rare honour to join his motorcade, and off we went.

The difficult discussions he was referring to had taken place in his study at home just six days prior.

During that conversation, he had expressed his anxiety about the radicals in both MCP and UTM, whom he feared would oppose what he was planning to do in the 2025 elections, namely to be the person in charge of President Chakwera’s 2025 re-election campaign.

He made it clear to me that day that he knew which radical loyalists in both parties would not easily accept this proposition, but he said his mind was quite made up about it, though he wasn’t sure how to align those loyalists to his intentions, and so he asked me to advise on this aspect, for as he put it, “I need clear heads for this.”

I empathized with his predicament. After all, he was, in my estimation, the most viable presidential hopeful of my generation, and so it was understandable that he did not want to let his followers down by giving them the impression that he was giving up on the presidency, which he certainly wasn’t.

So he wanted to know my thoughts on how to stagger his own presidential bid in order to support the President’s bid for re-election in 2025 without altogether giving his followers the discouraging impression that he was giving up on the dream of a Chilima Presidency.

I asked him to give me time to develop a strategy for doing this shrewdly, and so he gave me one month to develop a skeletal road map and told me the name of the person in his office I’d work with to flesh it out upon his return from South Korea, not knowing that once back from Asia he would not live long enough to finalize that strategy or execute it.

I do not claim that I know whether he was going to go through with this idea, but from that final conversation, I could see that at best he was in two minds about the 2025 presidential elections, due to a complex web of factors, and that he felt that until he was ready to announce what he’d decided, the politically shrewd thing to do was to publicly remain silent about his ambivalence and to keep those who supported either side of his two minds from seeing the other side lest they lose interest in staying engaged in the political process.

In fact, how different people have perceived his death may be understood as being shaped by whichever of SKC’s two minds they were privy to or vested in.

As a result, some of the acrimony felt by some people in the wake of his death likely stems from the fact that he never had a chance to state publicly whether or not he was going to run for President in 2025.

But that last conversation with him taught me that he knew that whichever one of the two minds he was in ended up being pronounced by him to the public would cause controversies and disillusionment in the political landscape, hence the need for “clear heads” to develop shrewd strategies for minimizing the losses and fallout among the most radical MCP and UTM loyalists.

He was keen to be shrewd in his approach to this problem because he knew from the practical experience of running for office on three presidential tickets of three different political parties, of which two had succeeded and one had failed, that it is always the radical party loyalists, or “hot heads” as he called them, that make any nuanced political decisions and alliances in an election year hard to make, harder to explain, and harder still to rally support for.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author not necessarily of Th Maravi Post or Editor

Malawi, Obituaries, Opinion

Was Saulos Chilima plane crash an assassination plot and why?

Rick Dzida

As Malawians are grappling to find answers surrounding the sudden demise of Vice President Saulos Chilima, it is of paramount importance to analyse the causes that might have contributed to this tragic event.

This article therefore outlines 10 possible causes that might have played a significant role in the loss of the life of our beloved vice President Saulos Chilima.

1) Abandoning DPP to partner with MCP

There are sentiments from a litany of mourners that if Saulos chilima was patient enough to stay in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Peter Mutharika would have peacefully handed over power to him after finishing his second presidential term.

It is argued that it was easier for Chilima to be the torchbearer for DPP in 2024 presidential elections than fighting for power with President Chakwera in the 2025 presidential race. Patience is golden.

2) Unconstitutional Tonse Alliance agreement

It is well argued that Saulos Chilima lacked foresight when he expected President Chakwera to hand over power to him after serving his first presidential term when the Malawi Constitution is clear that President Chakwera is eligible for two presidential terms.

Realistically, many Chakwera’s supporters would want to continue benefiting from the current regime and therefore they would do their best to ensure that President Chakwera stays in power.

Furthermore, Saulos Chilima would have realised that any law or agreement that conflicted with the Malawi Constitution would be rendered invalid.

3) The blunder of making the Tonse Alliance pact secretive

Many Malawians concur with one another that it was a grave error to make the contents of the Tonse Alliance agreement confidential. If their agreement was open and transparent, I am of the view that some Malawians of good will would have provided the necessary advice.

What was interesting is that the Tonse Alliance Pact was publicised after President Chakwera had failed to honour it.

Many Malawians wondered why Saulos Chilima involved them at a later stage by mobilising them to go for early elections all along they had kept the alliance pact strictly confidential.

4) Chilima’s attempts to override Chakwera’s prerogatives

Many Malawians were flabbergasted to hear Saulos Chilima at Njamba Freedom Park rally that he would be the Minister of Finance in the new cabinet that time.

When President Chakwera was asked if such Chilima’s claims were true, the response was unfavourable. Upright reasoning demands that the appointing authority with the prerogative to form Cabinet was supposed to announce to the general public his intentions to rope in Saulos Chilima as his Minister of Finance.

It was therefore not surprising to note that President Chakwera appointed Saulos Chilima as the Minister of Economic development contrary to Chilima’s claims. Later, President Chakwera fired Chilima from this ministerial portfolio. One could easily read the Chakwera’s waning trust in his Vice President.

5) Biased and corrupt judiciary system

The nullification of 2019 presidential elections without concrete evidence of rigging has prompted some Malawians to think that the Malawian Judiciary is biased and corrupt. This entails that it is difficult to predict an objective verdict from our Malawian courts.

It is against this background that President Chakwera’s presidency was at risk if Saulos Chilima resolved to seek court intervention over their Tonse Alliance pact.

Ideally, the court was supposed to invalidate their Tonse alliance agreement on the basis that it violated President Chakwera’s constitutional right to contest for his second presidential term. However, with the rampant biased and corrupt judiciary, it was difficult to predict the court’s verdict on the case.

6) Using military plane without the approval of the Commander-in-Chief of MDF, President Chakwera

In military fraternity, ordinances, laws and procedures are strictly followed. Any forms of insubordination and disobedience are severely punished including the possibility of death.

In the politics arena, trust is the major ingredient in vetting one’s allegiance to the necessary authorities.

If it is true that Saulos Chilima bypassed the normal procedures to use the military plane, then consequential penalties may come from both the political and military side.

7) Chilima’s failure to appreciate that no one can win all the time

Saulos Chilima was one of the most successful people in the world. He achieved a lot in many spheres of life such as education, professional career, religion, politics and many more.

However, nature has it that it is not possible for a person to be a victor all the time. There are times when one can concede defeat in readiness for another grand victory in future.

For instance, attempting to beat time by boarding an unauthorized military plane amid reports of bad weather was tragically risky. Pushing President Chakwera to honour their Tonse Alliance Pact that conflicted with the Malawi Constitution in an environment where Judiciary is deemed biased and corrupt is politically risky.

8) Chilima’s failure to read signs of Chakwera’s mistrust

Thanatologists agree that death is a slow process. People gradually exhibit signs of death before they actually die. The truth is the same with relationships. They eventually collapse after showing some vital signs.

Unfortunately, Saulos Chilima failed to read the signs that President Chakwera was losing trust in him.

When Saulos Chilima promised Malawians that he would become Chakwera’s Minister of Finance, President Chakwera appointed him to be the Minister of Economic development instead.

After Chilima had submitted a well-researched public service reforms report, President Chakwera chose to keep the report private and confidential without any political will to implement what was recommended therein.

While President Chakwera was busy pardoning convict Uladi Mussa and shielding MCP corruption suspects such as Eisenhower Mkaka and Prince Kapondamgaga, Saulos Chilima was subjected to arrests and was further charged with corruption offences. In addition, President Chakwera thereafter officially stopped delegating him.

9) Clueless and disorganised Tonse Alliance

Tonse Alliance’s agenda was to win elections by overpromising Malawians anything that could convince the electorate.

For instance, there was no consolidated alliance manifesto that guided Tonse Alliance government to fulfill its campaign promises.

Whenever members of the Tonse Alliance convened a national meeting, deliberations did not centre on national development but on how each party would benefit from the alliance.

This is why it is unfathomable how experienced leaders of 9 political parties in the Tonse Alliance including former President Joyce Banda failed to manage and resuscitate the Malawi’s ailing economy.

It is also mindboggling how Saulos Chilima expected President Chakwera to honour their agreement of a clueless and disorganised alliance

10) Chilima’s trust in Chakwera’s forgiveness

In his defence, Saulos Chilima insisted that some MDF documents should be made public. However, President Chakwera later dropped Chilima’s corruption case on allegations that the requested documents would implicate both President Chakwera and some MDF staff.

After an extended hand of forgiveness, Saulos Chilima trusted Chakwera for being delegated to represent Malawi in Tanzania and Korea.

However, was Chakwera’s forgiveness genuine considering that Saulos died mysteriously in the MDF plane crash? This is why an independent inquiry into tragic plane crash is urgently necessary.

In conclusion, it is highly likely that a combination of the outlined factors may have significantly contributed to the demise of our beloved Vice President, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima.

May his soul rest in eternal peace!!!

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of The author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or Editor

Malawi, Obituaries, Opinion

Ode to late Rt. Honorable Malawi Vice President Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima (12.02.1973-6.10.2024)

Janet Karim

I have come as far away as I possibly can from the first announcement, in the form of a question that an MDF plane had gone missing, and was carrying the Vice President, the Right Honorable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima on Monday June 10, 2024.

After a myriad of prayers to the heavenly Creator, death was announced of the VEEP and 9 others (including former First Lady Shanil Muluzi.

State President Dr.  Lazarus Chakwera made the announcement to Malawians Monday evening of this very tragic, troubling, hurtful long moment in our nation’s history.

It’s been three years since we lost former UDF VP Justin Malewezi, and 12 years since Bingu wa Mutharika passed away (long illness and cardiac arrest respectively); 25 years since first President Dr. H. Kamuzu Banda passed away in a South African hospital.

Of all these deaths, VP Saulos Chilima’s tragic, untimely, sudden passing, hurts so much. So very much.

Malawi O my Malawi, how I pray for you. As we continue to mourn (something I dare say, will last a long time) I remember him in so many ways, and truckloads of accolades and condolences are already filling the information platforms. I fill mine with 12 for this Special Tribute.

Ode to SKC – I remember Saulos

1.       The first time I met Saulos, he was an elementary school lad living with his Aunt Ann and Uncle Francis Sazuze. On occasion, he visited Uncle Jasper and Aunt Grace (Sazuze) Mbekeani. Every time my family (Chiza, Adam Sr., Adam Jr., Moses) and I visited Aunt Grace and Uncle Jas, it was the elder of the cousin in the house, Saulos, who opened the door for us.

2.       When I established my Now Publications publishing company, I needed adverts for my Woman Now magazine. My cousin Elizabeth Chulu introduced me to the marketing executives at Lever Brothers; there among the team were Maurice New and Saulos Chilima. He usually gave me adverts, but his quiet demeanor made me avoid him. One day he followed me to my car, to give me an advert. I was deeply touched. I had forgotten him as the young door opener at Uncle Jas’ house; although he remembered, he never said a word.

3.       From Lever Bros, the late Saulos moved to Southern Bottlers (producers of Coca-Cola) and then to a banking house on Victoria Avenue; I needed some stock buying advice, and he was glad to provide it.

4.       His move to Airtel made me meet up with him again. This time my cousin Chidze reminded me who Sau was, when I asked him why he referred to me as “auntie Janet.” At this time he was a big wig at Airtel (the first African CEO) and he helped me link my US cell phone with the Malawi airwaves. He even put $50.00 airtime.

5.       I was a diplomat when I heard that SKC was teaming up with Professor Peter Mutharika as his Vice President. I congratulated him (having found his number through the family network).

6.       At the expiry of my diplomatic contract at the Malawi Mission to the UN, I asked to meet with him to inform him that I was back. He gladly welcomed me to his office; we shared and exchanged advice. The room was packed with two people and their diverse skills.

7.       When trouble started brewing in the DPP, I had the privilege to share with him my historical perspective: the story of former VP Justin Malewezi of the UDF.

8.       He did not resign from the position of VP, but later, as former President Joyce Banda had done, formed her People’s Party; the late VP formed the United Transformation Party (UTM) while still sitting in his post as Vice President in the Democratic Progressive Party government.

9.       As he competed in the 2019 Tripartite (Presidential, Parliamentary, and Councilor) elections, I requested a meeting (just for 30 minutes). The meeting took place, he met me at his hotel’s lobby, again addressing me as Aunt aNamayombo. Again, relatives reminded me of our close relation. And despite my asking for only 30 minutes, the meeting took two hours. There was so much to discuss. I had brought a list of discussion points. At the end of the meeting, although he had taken notes, he asked for my list.

10.   After losing the 2019, taking the MEC to court over the irregularities, I conferred with the VP, thanks to WhatsApp. The victory in the ConCourt and the court’s directive for the fresh 2020 elections led to numerous interviews; while some were used for my articles, many others just recorded for family history.

11.   And SKC was still very much a quiet person. But he was a giant of a person in pulling crowds and wooing them with his mwambis. I remember the Ndirande to Njamba Park Big Trop for the last campaign stop after the successful countrywide whistle-stop rallies: the Ndix to Njamba pictures are an epic poem. The thought of having a very clever, industrious waKumangoni in the Presidency, warmed my mind always.

12.    These past two years, we have kept contact through WhatsApp, always proud that he was part of the presidency, a member of the steering team of this ship called Malawi. I will always remember the Right Honorable Biyeni, VP Dr. Saulos Chilima.

In its condolences to the Malawi nation and the Chilima family, the Africa Christian Professional Forum mourned the late Vice President Chilima passing as an unprecedented tragedy, which has left a significant void, calling it a monumental loss that will be felt deeply across all sectors of society. Expressing its profound grief and sorrow, the Forum prays that “the Almighty grant peace to the souls of the departed and provide solace to all who mourn.” The Forum asks all Malawians and people in Africa, to commit to continuing the legacy of service, dedication, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of Malawi and Africa shown by the late VP Chilima and the nine other persons that perished in the plane crash.

The government has decreed a mourning period from June 10 to July 1, 2024, during which time flags will fly at half-mast.

The beloved departed will be truly and sorely missed for many years to come. May God help and heal our wounds, only as He possibly can. Deepest condolences to Mrs. Mary Chilima, the children (Sean and Elizabeth), and family. Condolences to His Majesty, Ngwenyama Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani V and the Ngoni peoples everywhere.