RP president Masauli dies at 67, tributes paid
Veteran politician Stanley Edington Masauli has died after a short illness, his family said.
Masauli was the presidential candidate for the Republican Party (RP) in Malawi’s 2009 election. He came third after late President Bingu wa Mutharika and MCP-UDF alliance’s John Tembo.
Previously he served as treasurer general of Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Masauli, 67, died at Malamulo hospital in Thyolo in the early hours of Friday August 7, 2012.He had been hospitalized for more than 10 days.
Malamulo Hospital became famous when Dr. Jack Harvey, the flying doctor, worked there as a missionary from 1958 to 1972. Dr. Harvey had been a personal friend to Masauli and they were both members of the Luchenza Flying Club until Dr. Harvey’s tragic death in an airplane crash in 1972.
He once worked with Old Mutual as Marketing Manager before becoming full-fledged entrepreneur. His original job was pilot trainer and examiner.
Masauli was one of the country’s humble politician who took over the leadership of RP after its founder, Gwanda Chakuamba, quit the party and joined Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Tributes
Chakuamba has said the death of Masauli had left him “devastated”.
He paid tribute to a “a close and valued friend.”
Chakuamba said Masauli made a “massive contribution” to the democracy in the country.
“His life should be emulated. A man who loved his country,” said Chakuamba.
DPP official Hetherwick Ntaba who worked with Masauli in MCP said the veteran politician’s death had been a “terrible shock to everybody who knew Stanley Masauli”.
Said Ntaba: “Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time.”
DPP spokesman Nicholas Dausi described Masauli as “a very rational man.”
Dausi said Masauli “was the first person to congratulate the late president Bingu wa Mutharika when he won the 2009 elections. May his soul rest in peace.”
Ruling People’s Party deputy spokesman Ken Msonda said: “We convey our condolences to the RP and the family.
UDF deputy publicity secretary Ken Ndanga said Masauli was a man of “decency and integrity”.
Masauli is survived by a wife and three children.
Meanwhile, details of burial are yet to be released.
