JB hails Malawi opposition leaders for coming together to mourn M’mbelwa

President Joyce Banda on Saturday hailed opposition parties in the country for coming together to mourn Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa of Mzimba in unity and solidarity despite differences in their political affiliations.

Banda made the sentiments during the burial ceremony of Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa at Edingeni in Mzimba District.

Notably present at M’mbelwa burial ceremony from the political scene were presidents of three major opposition parties;  John Tembo of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Atupele Muluzi of United Democratic Front (UDF), and Peter Mutharika of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) among others.

President JBanda commended Malawians, including various politicians and other groups for mourning the departed chief in such a unified manner.

“This is what is required. This is not time for playing politics, but for mourning our chief,” said President Banda, wishing things always worked that way in the country.

Besides veteran politicians Dr Vera Chirwa and Rose Chibambo, other dignitaries at the ceremony were Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V of Ntcheu, Chewa Chief Gawa Undi from Zambia, Prince Thulani Zulu, a representative of King Goodwill Zwelethini of Kwazulu Natal South Africa, a representative of Inkosi ya Makhosi Mpezeni of Zambia and a representative of King Mswati of Swaziland, among others.

Speaking on behalf of all the chiefs in Malawi, Inkosi Mtwalo of Mzimba said M’mbelwa’s departure had left other outstanding issues unresolved such as the delayed installation of some chiefs in the district, such as Inkosi Mzukuzuku.

He said Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa was a man who always strengthened their cultural ties between the Ngoni people of Mzimba, Zambia and even South Africa and Swaziland.

“I therefore would like to ask chiefs and all our relatives from Zambia, Swaziland, South Africa and Zambia to maintain the cordial relationship that existed when M’mbelwa was alive,” said Mtwalo.

Inkosi Mpezeni of Zambia also conveyed his message through his representative, saying the late Chief M’mbelwa IV was honest and a fighter who, in his leadership, dedicated his last days in ensuring that Ngonis from Zambia and Malawi should celebrate the Ngoni cultural occasions in harmony.

Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa IV was born in December 1954 at Edingeni as Zwangendaba Jere and attended primary school at Edingeni. He did his secondary school education at Mzuzu Government Secondary School. He was installed chief in February 1984 by chief Mpezeni of Zambia at Engalaweni.

Chief M’mbelwa1V, who passed on Tuesday, is survived by a wife and four children. He took over the thrown as Chief M’mbelwa 1V in 1984.

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