Patrick Mbewe says public figures should get State funeral
One of the founders of United Democratic Front (UDF) and pioneers of multi-party democracy Patrick Mbewe has asked government to start recognizing public figures by according them state funeral, expressing sadness that retired politician and neurosurgeon Dr George Nga Ntafu, who was laid to rest on Friday was not given State recognition for his contributions to the nation.
Mtafu died on 20 October 2015 at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital a few hours after being involved in a road accident when the car he was driving collided with a truck in the Malawi’s commercial city of Blantyre.
The former minister in the Bakili Muluzi regime was buried like any other ordinary person at his Ntonda farm along the Blantyre- Chikwawa road in the presence of notable people like former president BMuluzi, former Vice President Khumbo Kachali, first deputy speaker Mcheka Chilenje, minister of health Peter Kumpalule, former speaker of parliament Chimunthu Banda.
In his eulogy, Mbewe gave an example of South Africa, when footballers die they are accorded a state funeral.
“What is wrong with us? In Zambia and Mozambique when former presidents and ministers die they are all accorded state funerals. We need to stop this jealousy tendency.
“Mtafu was not just a former minister or MP but the only neurosurgeon in Malawi,” said Mbewe, amid ululation from women.
“I have a simple message to those who are in authority. I was a minister, now l am an ex-minister. Today you are a minister and tomorrow you will no longer be a minister. It is high time we start recognizing our public figures like Mtafu,” he said.
Mbewe described Mtafu as a humble person who stood for justice when he was serving as a minister and MP.
“Nga Mtafu will never agree to anything. He was not a person who would yes when the answer is no,” said Mbewe.
In his interview with the media, former president Bakili Muluzi described the late Mtafu as a man with an open heart.
“He worked very hard in my cabinet and he was also very humble. He used to like jokes and l will greatly miss him,” said Muluzi.
Minister of health, Peter Kumpalule said the nation will miss mtafu’s services, especially at ministry of health where he was Chief technical advisor.
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Ambewe malo mopempha mavenda kuti asadulise chimanga kuti osauka akwanise kugula kuti azavote mu 2019 lero mukuti ayi koma muzilemekeza maliro wafa wafa basi
Ministers are not special people, it’s just a political appointment. There is nothing special that ministers do. The Principal Secretaries do all the technical job so how come a minister or an MP be a public figure. Don’t worry about glory at your funeral rather worry about where you will go after death. All you need is not state funeral but rather God by your side when you die.
Death knows no status.We are all the same in the eyes of God.Spending a fortune for the dead is not important.Buy drugs for the suffering Malawians in hospitals.
WE PAY FOR YOUR LUXURY LIFE, WE PAY FOR YOUR CHIDRENS EXPENSIVE EDUCATION WE PAY FOR YOUR ACCOMODATION, EXOTIC FOOD ,MEDICAL BILLS AND YOU FIND THIS NOT ENOUGH, MR MBEWE, THAT YOU HAVE THE LIBIDO TO BE ACCORDED A STATE FUNERAL. UNFORTUNATE YOU SOLD UDF SO YOUR SINISTER AGENDA CAN NOT HOLD NO NO WATER
Bwana Mbewe zitayeni mupusapo apa. Ndale munazisiya kale. Ulemu wanu.
Mmmmmmh isn’t this expensive bwana Mbewe? Poganizila ndi mmene chuma chathu chilili,sindikudziwa mwati nduna ili yonse? Kapenatu okhao omwe anadzipeleka ndi kutumikila dziko,ndi kuima pa chilungamo.
A question or two for P. Mbewe How do you define a public figure? The one who is famous, you say? Then Joe Gwaladi should be accorded a state funeral when he dies? Coz so famous is the guy, that even shoes are made after his name! How about Izeki n Jacob, Fischer Kondowe or Kasambara (the devil)? Cant you see that we cant even define a public figure? And don’t you think that the public figure’s (however you define them) wife or husband or daughter will eventually be accorded a state funeral by association? Shall this not lead to… Read more »
We are all created in same image of God
Why segregation .Public figures have got money and they can manage to buy a coffin.You don’t talk of poor ordinary citizen.
Why is it that you should keep enjoying throughout your life.To be honest be considerate when making decisions.You have money and you need free services why ? Go in villages and see how people bury their relative you its pathetic and you wouldnt put this decision openly
Let it us it is now.
Let’s the citizens debate
I think we now hv over 500 ex- ministers. U mean govt shud be spending tax payers’ money once each of these dies. Politicians are very greedy with govt resources. They want to use govt money until they die including funeral expenses
Amamuopa a dpp chifukwa chake pa malilo a george mtafu agalu inu ,malemuwa samaopa poyakhula R I P.