Kubwalo deserves ‘last post’ honour: Ex-minister championed multi-party democracy
Politicians have welcomed the decision by President Peter Mutharika that the funeral of late Joseph Kubwalo who once served as Minister of Defence under the reign of former president Bakili Muluzi be accorded a military honour, saying he was one of the frontline troops in the fight for plural politics.
Kubwalo passed away peacefully on Wednesday at Adventist Hospital in the commercial capital Blantyre after suffering a long illnes
He will be laid to rest on Saturday at Chirimba, Chirimba Industrial Site.
Kubwalo,a former photographer for founding president Kamuzu Banda at the Malawi News Agency of the Ministry of Information, was one of the founding members of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and together with Muluzi fought the one party dictatorship.
During Muluzi’s first term from 1994 to 1999, Kubwalo served as UDF legislator for Blantyre City West and Minister of Defence. He was later appointed High Commissioner to Tanzania.
Muluzi, who joined the mourners in Blantyre on Thursday, has paid tribute to Kubwalo, praising him as one of the pioneers of democrcay and a “man of great decency and principle”.
“His passing is a blow for his friends and family. At this sad time, I extend my deepest sympathy to his family,” said Muluzi.
Former Finance Minister Friday Jumbe said he was “saddened” to hear of Kubwalo’s death.
He described Kubwalo was a “distinguished politician”.
Political commentator Humphrey Mvula said he will remember him as a good man “who always did what he thought was right for his country.”
The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) in a statement signed by Chief Secretary to the President Lloyd Muhara seen by Nyasa Times said Kubwalo will be buried with full military honours and a cavalry trumpet call known as Last Post played by the military.
“The Office of the President and Cabinet wishes to announce that Honourable Joseph Kubwalo, a former Cabinet Minister, died on Wednesday November 21, 2018 in Blantyre. Vigil is at his residence in Chirimba, Blantyre,” reads the statement.
President Mutharika has since delegated Minister if Information and Communications Technology Henry Mussa to represent government at the burial ceremony near Chirimba Industrial Area in Blantyre.
Kubwalo was born on September 17 1938 and joined the civil service in 1958 before retiring in 1992 to join UDF. He is survived by a wife and six children, according to Kusali, one of the deceased’s daughters.
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With due respect to late Mr Kubwalo, BUT are heroes in Malawi only politicians? ??
Change started with Bishops of the Catholic Church then the Chancol students went to the streets. By the way, change was coming because of the fall of the Soviet Union or end of the Cold War. Zinazi musamane kuti uje ndi uje. The Bakilis are known for tough rule with MCP. He destroyed the country. Education system is still down. Corruption is rising. Political suffocation by dpp. Tribalism by dpp. Economic hardships with rising costs of things.
I had a privilege of knowing Mr Joseph Kubwalo personally. I remeber the time i was working for his late young brother’s company, as a minister back then, his brother thought he could get tenders in government easily just because Joseph was in government. But as a man of integrity and principles, Mr Joseph Kubwalo told his brother that there’s no short cuts or back door entry, so my brother go get tenders in merit just like anybody else. By the way our reporter forgot one ministerial position that Mr JK occupied, and that was the ministry of public works.… Read more »
There so many unsung heros who fought for change in Malawi, who will never be recognised. it seems honour goes to politicians.
You members of media need to fully comprehend government tradition and practice when a former Minister does. The requirement and accepted norm is that he/she be buried with full military honours. It is not a favour from the President or government as you people ignorantly portray.
Mr. Dan Liwimbi, former Minister of Tourism under Bingu and Joyce Banda was buried two months ago without any honours. There was not even a single govt rep.
Oooooh Sorry I didn’t know this man passed away MHSRIP
Are you sure?
Its prerogative of president for who gets military honors if they r not military personnel. So many former ministers have been buried without such. APM doing this for Bakili and UDF. Its election time. Aleke Banda during Bingus time did not get military honors.
Aleke got full military honors. Point of correction
Full military, anyway not sure ngati zimasintha anyway….. RIP