Kanyenda: Chibowa left legacy that ’empowers generations’ in football
Mighty Wanderers FC football director David Kanyenda has paid tribute to former Super League of Malawi (Sulom) secretary general and ex-Wanderers general secretary Henry “Kaka” Chibowa, saying his legacy continues to inspire and empower generations working in Malawian football.
Kanyenda spoke as the representative of Wanderers president Thomson Mpinganjira at a mass held at Anglican Church’s Soche Parish in Blantyre, following the unveiling of Chibowa’s tombstone at HHI Cemetery.
He described Chibowa as one of the most successful and flamboyant general secretaries in Wanderers’ history, presiding over a trophy-laden tenure at the club before extending his influence well beyond Lali Lubani Road.
“He became one of the most successful and flamboyant GS for Wanderers, presiding over an unprecedented trophy laden tenure,” Kanyenda said. “As a selfless patriot, having delivered at Lali Lubani road he cast his sight beyond his core club.”
Kanyenda credited Chibowa with playing a pioneering role in shaping the modern structure of Malawian football through his stewardship of Sulom, at a time when the domestic game remained comparatively underdeveloped.
“He pioneered and conceptualised Sulom at a time when our football was still largely backward,” he said.
“Kaka had the strategic foresight to envisage and create a viable vehicle to propel and elevate our game to greater heights. Many of us budding football administrators will consider ourselves successful if we can only achieve a fraction of what Kaka achieved.”
Chibowa oversaw the transition of the league from Sulam to Sulom and served as its president from 1992 to 2011. He died of kidney failure on 8 August 2023, aged 58, at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre.
A Doctor of Philosophy scholar, Chibowa also had a playing career as a central defender for both Wanderers and University FC, before moving into administration first as Wanderers general secretary and later as Sulom chief.
In an emotional address, Chibowa’s son Henry Jnr, who laid wreaths at the ceremony alongside his younger brother Goodwin, said the family continued to be blessed through the work and legacy their late father left behind.
Several dignitaries attended the ceremony, including former Wanderers chairperson Humphreys Mvula, FCB Nyasa Bullets vice-president Escort Chinula, and former Bullets general secretaries Gaston Mwenelupembe and Higger Mkandawire.
