Malawi leaders pay tribute to Ruth Tembo: Burial Saturday

Tributes have poured in for the Mrs Ruth Tembo, much-respected wife for former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president John Tembo following news of her death on Monday.

Leading the growing tributes, Tembo’s successor in MCP, Rev Dr Lazarous Chakwera said he is deeply saddened with the death of Mrs Tembo, saying she would be mourned “by all Malawians”.

Said Chakwera: “I am  deeply saddened to announce on behalf of the Malawi Congress Party the passing of our dearly loved mother, Mrs Mamaria Ruth Tembo, wife to our former president Rt. Hon. J.Z.U. Tembo, who passed on to be with Lord in the late hours of 5th January 2015.”

Chakwera said Mrs Tembo was” a woman of great outstanding virtue” not only to JZU Tembo but to all in the MCP and the entire nation of Malawi.

“On behalf of the Malawi Congress Party family, and on my own behalf, I convey our heartfelt condolences to Rt. Hon J.Z.U. Tembo, the children and the entire family both here at home and in Lesotho,” Said Chakwera.

In honour of Mrs Tembo, Chakwera appealed to all members of MCP and the nation of Malawi to observe a period of mourning from until the day of her being laid to rest.

President Peter Mutharika also offered his “heartfelt condolences” to the Tembo family.

“In such times as this time when the dark cloud has engulfed the Tembo family, MCP family and indeed the Malawi nation, Gertrude [First Lady] and I pray for God’s comfort to Hon. JZU Tembo, the children and the entire Tembo family,” said Mutharika in his tribute.

Mutharika said “the beautiful soul of Ruth Tembo rest in God’s eternal peace”, adding that “To be absent with us, is to be present with the LORD.”

Former president Bakili Muluzi said he was “very saddened” with the death of Mrs Tembo, saying she was always immensely supportive to the former MCP president.

“I am deeply shocked to hear about the untimely passion on of Mrs Ruth Tembo,” said Muluzi.

“I have known and worked with Hon Tembo for over three decades. I convey deep condolences to Hon Tembo, children and the entire Tembo family.”

Malawi’s immediate former president Joyce Banda also paid tribute to Mrs Tembo as “woman of integrity”.

Banda said Mrs Tembo” will be remembered as a unique figure and sadly missed.”

Retired politician Gwanda Chakuamba also added his voice to the tributes, saying Mrs Tembo did not involve herself to petty politics though she supported her husband.

“She was above petty politicians and lived as a shining example of a wife to a leader,” said Chakuamba.

Meanwhile, family has said burial arrangements will be announced later but there is a tentative program of Saturday in Dedza.

The family said vigils will be held from 4pm to 6pm at residents of Tembo in Area 10/440, Lundu Street, Lilongwe.

According to the family, Mrs Tembo and JZU Tembo had four children together who are Dudu, John Tembo Jnr, Themba and Dalitso.

Ruth Tembo, originally from Lesotho, died at Medi-Clinic in Lilongwe after a short illness.

The family has given number of Shephered Tembo (0990544314 and Dalitso Kadzamila (0882002000) for contact on matters regarding the funeral.

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