Chakwera pays tribute to ‘extraordinary’ Watayachanga Chirwa: ‘ Malawi will never produce  selfless politician like him’

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president and Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera  has led in tributes from across the political spectrum paid to veteran   politician and former minister in one party state, Robson Watayachanga Chirwa  following his death at the age of 86.

In a warm tribute, Chakwera described Watayachanga Chirwa as a patriot who served the nation selflessly.

“This nation will never produce such a great and selfless politician. We mourn him deeply,” said Chakwera.

Chakwera said members of MCP were “deeply shocked” by the death of the Man from the North Watayachanga Chirwa.

“The gentle giant has fallen,” he said.

The former cabinet minister, who served under dictator Kamuzu Banda and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) , died at Lilongwe Private Clinic midday on Tuesday surrounded by family members.

He was born on 29 October, 1931.

Chirwa’s highs in his long political journey includes being in charge of the country in a presidential council alongside his counterparts the late Gwanda Chakuamba, and John Tembo when Dr. Kamuzu Banda was incapacitated and admitted before being flown out to South Africa’s Garden City Clinic.

He served in different portfolios in Kamuzu regime such Minister of Transport and Communication , Regional Minister for the North, Minister of Trade and Industry, Minister Without Portfolio (Minister of State in the President’s Office) and Administrative Secretary of the MCP.

After Malawi adopted multiparty democracy, Chirwa quite frontline politics.

Watachanga Chirwa was also one of the founders and pillars of the Mzimba Heritage Association; a grouping of all Ngoni’s under the Inkosi ya Makosi Mbelwa.