Chakufwa Chihana remains to be reburied at heroes acre: Malawi pro-democracy hero
Remains of modern day fierce and aggressive freedom fighter Chakufwa Tom Chihana is likely to be exhumed from where it is buried and be reburied close to Rose Chibambo’s grave which is designated as heroes acre.
Mzuzu City Council officials have confided with Nyasa Times that Chihana will be reburied at the new heroes acre.
Chihana’s tiny grave in the city of Mzuzu behind Reserve Bank of Malawi remains a desolate, abandoned site despite earlier government promises to erect a mausoleum befitting the fallen trade union, human rights activist and served as the country’s second vice-president.
The grave has a faded Chihana portrait hanging under a falling roof, marked with untrimmed flowers, overgrown grass, and heavy dust settling on the unguarded grave, conjuring an eerie image, especially at night.
An official from the council who asked not to be named because the council has not yet consulted family members of late Chihana, a trade unionist turned politician, said the land where Chihana is buried is grossly encroached and can no longer bury another hero.
“Apart of the land has been sold to an Indian, the rest is encroached disqualifying it to be a heroes acre. “
He said the land where Chibambo was buried was identified just a few days before her burial on Saturday and government officials agreed that it should be the heroes acre for the north Malawi.
Livingstonia Synod general secretary Reverend Levi Nyondo gave the government an ultimatum of one year to develop fully the new heroes acre, saying heroes cannot be resting at a bushy abandoned looking place.
Former president Bakili Muluzi in 2014 donated K1 million (about $2 000) towards the upgrading of the grave site of Chihana.
The late Chihana, is also among 37 individuals and organisations from 24 countries that were awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award since 1984. He got his award in 1992.
On 6 April 1992, Chakufwa Tom Chihana walked into the den of lions when he landed at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) and openly did the unthinkable. He challenged the entrenched Kamuzu Banda’s 31-year-old autocratic rule under the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Effectively, he put into motion, with others, a movement that saw the feared MCP regime crumble; hence entered into the annals of history as one of the founding fathers of Malawi’s multipartyism.
Chihana died in June 2006.
This will be the second time that government will have a state funded reburial activity after mid 1990s when Aaron Gadama, Dick Matenje, Twaibu Sangala and Mr Chiwanga bodies were exhumed and reburied after the then president Bakili Muluzi ordered a decent burial for the three former senior cabinet ministers and a member of parliament.
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Wisdom dictates that there are somethings we cannot change, no matter ho much we try! The fact remains Chakufwa Chihana was a multiparty democracy icon in Malawi and deserves to be a true Malawian hero and one of the greatest sons of the North. Some people may be blinded by their malignant hatred of Northerners but no matter how the oppressor tries to oppress us, Northerners will never be broken. History will show, Kamuzu tried to control the North by among other things chasing teachers from the North back home but now Kamuzu is no more and the North still… Read more »
Mwa mmodzi mwa anthu ananamiza dziko la Malawi kuti multiparty ndi yabwino pano tikulakalaka kubwerera nthawi ya Kamuzu. Udangobweretsa corruption ndi mzako chair.
osapanga nkhwidzi nkhwidzi chihana anali munthu wa chikulile m’malawi muno,ine ndine wa chigawo chapakati koma chakufwa chihana sanali munthu wamba ai ndalama zamisonkhoyathu zigwire ntchito, kwa late chakufwa chihana {from nkhotakota}
Where was Chihana in the 70s and 80s before the lion lost some teeth? Chihana was just an opportunist who took advantage of the pastoral letter. If Chihana is a hero that means Lucius Banda is also a hero. Because he released the album Mabala and it helped to the spread the message to the masses despite being banned.Osamakokomeza chifukwa inafe tinalipo.
Osakangogula matumba atatu a kumanga cement bwanji kumangilanso? Ine zona kumagubuduzika ndi njala? Bwanji mutasamala kaye ine? 4 better future development
Pepani kuno kumpoto kwachuluka ufiti
Anthu amene mukupereka ma comments apa onyoza anthu akumpoto ndinu opusa ,zitsiru ,Mwayiwala kale kuti olo ndi gogo wanu panalibe modzi omuyamba kamuzu.lero muli mu timaudindo tanu mwayamba kunyoza.Zitsiru nonse mwamva,mfiti zodya njoka,Agalu odya masanzi awo.Ndikufunseni kuti kodi mpumulo wabata anamanga ndani?mesa ndi ndalama zakuba za mboma.lero mukuyikapo asilikali kuti azigadira mitembo iwiriyo chonsecho mukuwalipira ndalama za misonkho zanthu.Nde ife tikaynkhula kuti mboma limanga chiliza chabwino cha Chihana tikulakwisa?Asankhwi ozikonda inu koma azikangadira mpumulo wa bata asilikali ndi zomwe mukufuna ?Mukuwona ngati azuka?Athakati inu.mimburu,akhwiritoto,abwmpini,ndikumvenisoni apa.Ndikulodzani muwona,musandukapo Majoti apa..Fotseki,mwandikwiyisa,kungokhala ngati ndalamazo ndi za amanu bwanji?kapena mutenga mnthumba bwanji.Chipani chanu chovundachi tsiku… Read more »
zofuna moyo zoti sizingathekeso komwe ,its nonsense
Kikikikiki. Atumbuka woyyeeeeee!!!!!! kukonda za ulele. Mukundiwuza kuti Chihana alibe ana amene angalembe aganyu olo atatu ndikusamalira mandawa?No wonder athuwa kwawo kuli kosalila. Safuna kutukula kwawo kumangodalira boma basi.Ife kuno ku Mangochi timatukula tokha boma limatisatila chifukwa cha chidwi. Atumbuka woyyyyeeee. Mpoto woyeeeeee!!!!!!!Kikikikii
All who comment negatives are stupid . You want northerners when you are in problems . stupid all of you . Lets us alone . When we advocate for federation you always cry thieves , akapolo inu