Chakwera apologises to Malawians forced into exile during MCP rule

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwera has unreservedly and unconditionally apologised to all Malawians who were forced into exile during the party’s 40 year autocratic grip to power.

Chakwera and his MCP deputy Richard Msowoya who is also Speaker of Parliament, reveive wreaths to lay at Chibambo grave
Chakwera and his MCP deputy Richard Msowoya who is also Speaker of Parliament, reveive wreaths to lay at Chibambo grave
Speaker Msowoya and Malewezi at the funeral
Speaker Msowoya and Malewezi at the funeral

Chakwera said this during the funeral ceremony of Rose Chibambo, the country’s heroine and historic figure who aggressively and fiercely fought the white rule and later Kamuzu Banda’s dictatorial rule that forced her into exile for over 30 years as the MCP one party rule officials were baying for her blood.

Chakwera was not on the official programme to speak at the burial ceremony but was slotted in to make the apology that those who went into exile waited for over 30 years although some of them received compensation from the government from 1994 at the dawn of multiparty democracy when the MCP was kicked out of power by the United Democratic Front (UDF).

In his eulogy, Chakwera said if Rose Chibambo was looking upon  Malawians now, nothing would displease her more than  seeing the nation  continue to take  the freedom she fought for, for granted.

“Fellow Malawians, I believe that nothing would displease her more than seeing  us refuse to rise out of the depths of the mediocrity, institutionalised corruption, and dependency on hand outs that we are wallowing in,” said Chakwera.

“Let us resolve that going forward, we will make the right choices, make  bold decisions; decisions that can  and will stand the test of time,” he added.

Vice president Saulos Chilima described Chibambo as a Malawi’s rare breed.

Other senior politicians who attended the burial ceremony include former vice presidents Khumbo Kachale and Justin Malewezi.

Chibambo was buried in Mzuzu at Heroes Acre as recognition for her fierce and aggressive freedom fighting against the white rule and later Kamuzu Banda’s autocratic rule.

Vice president Chilima led the nation in paying last respects to the gallant freedom fighter, the first female cabinet minister in Kamuzu Banda’s first cabinet meeting.

State House has not explained why President Peter Mutharika has not attended the burial ceremony despite family members rescheduling the ceremony from Friday to Saturday to meet the head of state’s busy schedule.

The President also missed another historic event, the John Chilembwe Day commemorations at Providence Industrial Mission in Chiradzulu. No reasons were given.

He also missed a funeral of his relation in Ntcheu last week.

Chibambo died aged 86 on Tuesday due to heart complications.

She is known to everyone in Malawi as her beautiful young face is on K200 bank note.

The ministry of information says the government accorded her military honours funeral ceremony, not the state funeral. The ministry says this is an honour which Chibambo deserves.

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HPB
HPB
8 years ago

It is said that charity begins at home. MCP must show robust internal democracy, demonising those who oppose certain actions by the leadership must stop; no regional nepotism. The MCP Consitution must have clearly defined decision-making structures and procedures; conflict resolution mechanism and procedures; checks and balances for abuse of office. To ensure that regionalism is wiped out, membership of the National Executive Committee and other Policy Implementation bodies must be equally represented by each region, regardless of number of MCP membership in each region. This is very important. Equally important; the Presidency must rotate every X number of years… Read more »

ibrahim makwati
ibrahim makwati
8 years ago

musamadikile pamaliro pepesani kwa onse amene akufunika kuwapepesa osati amwalire kaye

Chisomo
Chisomo
8 years ago

Thank you. This is good.

wowenga mafuta
wowenga mafuta
8 years ago

muzankhala ovota mupaka liti?

Jemusi
Jemusi
8 years ago

Kanchenga, your comments are just rubbish!

Z
Z
8 years ago

The apology is what Malawians have been waiting for for a long time. Malawians want to hear that such dictatorship will not be repeated in Malawi. This type of message, if it comes genuinely from MCP, will propel them to State House come 2019. The apology should also extend to the thousands of Malawians who were detained, maimed and injured unjustly in the name of protecting our hard-won freedom. Well done President Chakwera and VP Msowoya. Should you continue with this approach, you will become State House Material very soon. There are many Malawians, especially in the North and South… Read more »

komaziliko
komaziliko
8 years ago

Osamangopepesa zilizonse, mungalowetse mphepo mu chipani. Even German Chancellor, Merkel, has never apologised to Germans on the atrocities of Hitler.

mwayi Wa wina ndi tsoka la wina

Chakwera mukukwanatu kodi lamulira dzikolino. I think you were will bring a different style of leadership, and am will unite Malawi as one. I wish it were so by to day.

Imraan Sadick
8 years ago

Apology not accepted…atleast those people who were forced into exile their lives were spared,honestly people who really deserve apology here are those families whose their beloved ones were fed to crocodile alive,those who were hammered nails in their baldheads,those forcibly injected with poison,
those who were put in a morgue freezer while still alive

abel
abel
8 years ago

Rest in peace mayi olimba ntima

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