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 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.