Chakwera leads Malawians in mourning businessman, philanthropist Khondowe

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday led Malawians in mourning businessman and philanthropist Mathews Khondowe who died aged 93, on Tuesday in Lilongwe.

President Dr Chakwera, who was accompanied by First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera and Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, attended church send off prayers for Mr Khondowe at Lingadzi CCAP in Lilongwe before his remains of were taken to Dowa, his home for burial on Friday.

Mr Khondowe was the first Malawian to construct the tallest building, Kang’ombe House in Lilongwe and he also owned Kalikuti Hotel also in the Capital City.

He paid for school fees for needy students and constructed a number of churches.

Speaking at the church, President Dr Chakwera said the personality portrayed by the late Mathews Eliazere Khondowe is worth emulating by all Malawians if the country is to develop.

Dr Chakwera said the late Khondowe was visionary, development conscious, hardworking, humble and lived his life with total humility, all worth emulating.

He cited structures erected by the late Khondowe in Lilongwe which add beauty to the city to-date and those he constructed in all the farms he owned which service the surrounding communities with basic social needs such as medical and education.

Speaking on behalf of the CCAP Nkhoma Synod, Vice Moderator Reverend David Zembeni described the late Khondowe as a devoted servant who committed his life to the ministry and championed multiple developments within the synod.

Moza Zeleza, a representative of the bereaved family thanked the president for being with the Khondowe family throughout the mourning period saying the gesture has offered the much needed comfort to the bereaved family.