Church, govt tug of war at Chikulamayembe funeral: Chilima, Chakwera blocked from giving eulogies
Livingstonia Synod of the CCAP and the government on Tuesday tussled and had a prolonged tug of war after the government single handedly removed vice president Saulos Chilima and leader of opposition Lazarus Chakwera from the list of people to make eulogies at the funeral ceremony of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe at Bolero in Rumphi.
Master of ceremony, an employee of State broadcaster in Mzuzu said President Peter Mutharika is too shocked to speak at the funeral and had delegated Minister of Local government Kondwani Nankhumwa to speak on his behalf.
After Nankhumwa’s speech, the Church moderator Reverend Levi Nyondo came to the microphone and told the people that the church had lined up Chilima and Chakwera to give their eulogies.
“Everyone must be given the chance to mourn our departed chief. The mourning is incomplete without the eulogies by Honourables Chilima and Chakwera because they represent another section of the society,” he said.
Added Nyondo: “This is a funeral and as CCAP Livingstonia (Synod) we do not want to go to hell after the end has come. As such, we are against denying other people an opportunity to give their eulogies.”
However, the government resisted, and before Nyondo could finish his remarks, one of the chiefs grabbed the microphone from the reverend, asking all to respect protocol that demands that nobody makes remarks after the President.
“Protocol demands that nobody speaks after the President has spoken and may I, therefore, ask that there be no more speeches from now and that we proceed to the sermon,” he said.
Acting paramount chief Mtima Gondwe, the grand son to the late chief, accused the government of deliberately sidelining the other speakers, the opposition politicians.
“You should accept that this is wrong. This should not happen again. Everyone must be allowed to mourn,” he said.
In his eulogy, grandson to the late chief, Lumbani Gondwe said the chief was against corruption, tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, cronyism and favouritism which has hit the Mutharika administration.
Earlier, church officials snatched the microphone from the master of ceremony when he only recognized the presence of Presudent Mutharika, government officials and party officials.
The church official recognized the presence of Chilima, Chakwera, Atupele Muluzi (UDF), Enoch Chihana (Aford president) and others.
In his sermon, the officiating clergy said: “Your Excellency, when your ministers are swearing for the office, they swear to abide to the law but after sometime, look at them.”
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Ndi khalidwe la kongilesi kusokoneza maliro amafumu. Atsogoleri akale a kongilesi amachita zomwezi. A Chakwera naonso akuchita zomwezi. Ndiye kuti zakupha zija atengeranso.
No need for someone to speak for opposition. So long as the opposition is made up of Malawians, Mutharika spoke for all Malawians. Even Chakwera himself, his president is Mutharika.
Ngati sakukhulupira bwanji samapita Ku UNGA kukaimilira otsutsa. In case others do not know, Chakwera ndi mtsogoleri wa otsutsa m’nyumba ya malamulo osati Ku maliro a Paramount Chikulamayembe. Zinazo ndiye ndi zachamba.
Anthu ndale afika nazo pa uchitsiru tsopano.
Its unfortunate that Chakwera was not given a slot to make his speech. He would have represented the opposition society. On the other had I don’t see the reason why Chilima was supposed to speak. He is in government hence represented by government. If Nankhumwa spoke on behalf of the President then he was covered since Nankhumwa represented APM and government. On both poles Chilima is represented by APM and Chakwera hence depriving him of a eulogy of is not an issue. Its only Chakwera i feel needed a speech. Government should learn to respect other people despite their political… Read more »
Hey young man, there are no opposition society at a funeral, they are mourners and comforters.
kkkkkkkkkk Napoleon muuze ada.
CCAP SINYENGELERA MUNTHU , KU CCAP FUNERAL PROGRAMMME IMAPANGIDWA NDI ATCHALICHI MOGWIRIZANA NDI A FAMILY NOT A DRUNKEN JAPPIE AND GEORGE MALEMIA NANKHUMWA
Dont forget that this was a burial with full military honors. In other words, this was a state event and not otherwise. Rev Nyondo should refrain from seeking cheap popularity otherwise one day he will regret. Kodi kumangidwa anamangidwa pa maliro a malemu Professor Mosess Chirambo kuja sikunamukwane eti ?
Putting politics aside. I do not see why Chilima wanted to speak. May be Chakwera yes, but why on earth would we want Chilima to speak especially with his boss around. No way! Please Malawians let’s be serious.
Agreed
NYONDO IS CONFUSED ONE PERSON TO HAVE EXISTED ON EARTH. HE IS ANGRY. THE PARTIES HE SUPPORTS ALWAYS LOSES ELECTIONS. EVEN IN 2019, THE PARTIES HE IS SUPPORTING WILL LOSE THE ELECTIONS AND I DONT KNOW WHAT KIND OF PERSON HE WILL BE BETWEEN 2019 AND 2024. ATUMBUKA YANKHANI kkk.
Nyondo has said it “Mungazakawelezgangaso cha!!!” don’t dare repeat this stupidity, period.
Tumbukas are tough people, they fear nobody, not even the useless high authorities. they are straight to point. we need such tribes for the world to be a better place.
DPP has zero social and emotional intelligence. APM is too rigid to take advantage of situations that arise, this was a great opportunity for him to firstly speak himself and secondly after finding out others were left out, he could have given permission to waive protocol and ensure everyone is heard. People would have clapped at such statesmanship, instead he went into default mode which is basically sitting Phwiii while events overtake him.
Big man, you couldn’t write any better. You have written exactly what was on my mind. Bravo!!
Just to take you back in time. During the funeral of Bingu, the program as drawn up by the Church in consultation with government was set well in advance. The Church took that as part of the liturgy and was never to be tempered with by anybody. There were no last minute changes. That’s the way things must be.
that was a funeral and remember it was not a debate panel!!1
Nyondo ndi amene alibe ulemu
When Daniel Phiri died Alamu Pumani Mwakalamba was not too shocked to speak. Now he is shocked with the death of a person 800 km from Ndata. Kukalambatu uku pumbwa wamkulu. This man wasn’t shocked with the death of his brother. We are yet to see where you buried your parents. Did you rebuild their tombstones to match that of Daniel Phiri?