President Lazarus Chakwera Monday led thousands of Malawians in mourning former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president John Zenus Ungapake (JZU) Tembo.
At the event, the organising committee of the funeral ceremony announced that the veteran politician would have a private burial.
Just two hours after jetting into the country from New York, the United States, Monday, the President led Malawians in mourning the veteran politician, who died at a private clinic in Lilongwe last week.
In a brief interview at Kamuzu International Airport, Chakwera described Tembo’s death as an end of an era.
According to Chakwera, Tembo contributed immensely to the development of the country through various positions he served in government.
- Advertisement -
“This is one of those end-of-an-era type of events because the late Right Honourable John Tembo was not only there as a young man when we fought for independence; he was one of those young people that our founding president [Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda] had trusted with portfolios in Cabinet right from the word go.
“So, his illustrious career, in terms of Malawi’s development trajectory, is there for all to see. And we are saddened; at the same time we rejoice for his service to the nation,” Chakwera said.
Delivering a sermon at MCP headquarters where a funeral ceremony was held, former Nkhoma Synod of the CCAP general secretary Reverend Davidson Chifungo said Tembo fought a good fight and finished his race.
According to Chifungo, Tembo was an extraordinary politician who, despite holding top positions, was also a devoted Christian.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Notable people at the funeral service included Vice President Saulos Chilima, former president Joyce Banda, former vice president Khumbo Kachali, Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara, Cabinet ministers and MCP top officials.
Chairperson for the Funeral Committee Albert Mbawala said a church service will be held, and eulogies made, at the Malawi Square this morning before the body of Tembo is taken to his home, Nthulu Village in Dedza, where there will be a vigil.
According to Mbawala, Tembo will be buried at a private ceremony due to space limitations in the home village.
“On Wednesday, between 8am and 9am, we will take the body from Nthulu Village to Dedza Stadium, where we will give people a chance to pay their last respects and we will have eulogies and a church service.
“And then, afterwards, there will be a private burial ceremony because of the numbers. At Nthulu Village, the space is very small. We can’t have all the people going there. We will have at least all the VVIPs, Nec members of the party and family members,” Mbawala said.
MCP secretary general Eisenhower Mkaka described Tembo as a pillar of strength for the party, adding that he made sure that the party remained strong against all odds.
“He kept the party intact because he believed in the four cornerstones. He instilled discipline. He made sure there was unity of purpose in the party.
“He made sure that he, himself, was loyal to the party. There was a time it was fashionable for people to leave the party and join governing parties then, but he remained firm in support of the MCP. So, we have lost a very important person in the MCP,” Mkaka said.
