Malawi Pres. JB to attend Senior Chief Chapananga’s burial: Sub TA Chalenga also dead
President Joyce Banda will Tuesday join the Chapananga family, Chikhwawa community and Malawians at large for the burial of Senior Chief Chapananga who died on Saturday at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre.
The burial will take place at the departed chief’s headquarters, Chibisa, some 50 kilometers West of Chikhwawa Boma.
State House Press Officer Tusekele Mwanyongo told Nyasa Times, President Banda was expected to arrive at the bereaved home at 10.00am on Tuesday.
“I can confirm that the State President will attend the funeral ceremony of the late Senior Chief Chapananga at his headquarters on Tuesday. He is expected to arrive there at 10am,” said Mwanyongo.
The press officer said President Banda has meanwhile expressed shock and sadness over the passing away of the senior chief, described by many as one of the few instrumental leaders in developmental issues not only in his area but the country as a whole.
In May last year, President Banda appointed the late chief into a steering committee on Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood which comprised 10 traditional authority leaders.
Chikhwawa District Commissioner Felix Mkandawire also told Nyasa Times, Senior Chief Chapananga’s demise was a major loss not only to Chikhwawa but the country as a whole.
“Late Senior Chief Chapananga was very instrumental in development matters. He was a very strong, faultless and capable chief with high respect from all chiefs in the district. As you know his area is where the railway line will be constructed by Vale, he was very central to that project. He advocated development in Chikhwawa and peaceful coexistence with other tribes and districts,” mourned Mkandawire.
In their tributes, Traditional Authorities Maseya and Kalilima said death has robbed Chikhwawa people their guide who inspired the masses with his leadership approach and was credited for bringing development and growth to the district.
“We are all dispirited with his death. He was a loving chief who displayed quality leadership at all times. He was a motivator and encouraged all his people to be development conscious. As Mang’anja people, we have lost our father and we can only wish his soul to rest in eternal peace,” regretted TA Mlilima in a phone interview.
And TA Maseya who had worked with the departed leader for three years, concurred with his counterpart saying late Senior Chief Chapananga will be greatly remembered for his objective judgments during disputes.
“He was a community-builder and a great servant of the Chikhwawa people, who always endevoured to bring his people together. He never sided with an individual but carried his duties with impartiality,” he lamented.
Born Lucius Kalima Chapananga, the late 53-year-old chief had been sick since November last year. He had been to Adventist Private Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital before being taken to Mwaiwathu Private Hospital some five days.
According to the District Commissioner, the late Senior Chief Chapananga who is survived by a wife and four children, was installed TA in 2000 before getting elevated to senior chief in 2006 by the former President late Bingu wa Mutharika.
The death of Chapananga comes barely two weeks after the country lost another senior traditional leader in Paramount Chief Mmbelwa 1V of Mzimba who also died at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital.
In another development, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has announced the death of Sub TA Kachenga of Balaka District.
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Spokesperson Maganizo Mazeze told Nyasa Times, the late Sub TA died Sunday morning at Balaka District Hospital after a short illness.
Mazeze said Sub TA Kachenga, born in 1941, has left three wives and two children and was installed Sub TA in 2000.
He will be buried on Monday at his headquarters, Chalenga village, in the district.
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