Annie Muluzi’s body jets in
The body of former first lady Annie Chidzira Muluzi arrived in the country Tuesday through Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.
The former first lady died at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday last week after a long battle with cancer.
According to the Office of President and Cabinet the vigil is taking place at her son Atupele Muluzi’s residence in Area 3, Lilongwe, with burial set to take place at Nsinja in the same district Thursday.
At the airport, Muluzi said his mother had left a legacy as someone who was very loving and held the family together.
“This [the death] is very difficult for us but one thing that is holding us together is her strong faith in God. She was very committed to serving God; as such, we know that she is in a better place,” he said.
Former presidents Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda, as well as First Lady Monica Chakwera, were present at the airport.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential aspirants Dalitso Kabambe and Joseph Mwanamvekha as well as some Cabinet ministers welcomed the body.
There were also several officials from DPP, United Democratic Front, Malawi Congress Party and UTM.
Muluzi will be accorded burial with military honours and President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to attend the funeral service.
Last week, Chakwera hailed the former first lady, saying she played a crucial role, alongside Bakili Muluzi, in sowing the seeds of democracy in the country.
His sentiments were echoed by Vice President Saulos Chilima, who indicated that the country had lost an icon.
Muluzi was born on June 18 1952 and became the first lady when Bakili ascended to power in 1994.
However, in March 1999, Bakili announced that they were parting ways after 30 years of marriage.
Mathews Kasanda is a journalist who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from University of Malawi (The Polytechnic).
In 2015, Media Institute of Southern Africa awarded him the Best Print Media Education Journalist of the Year accolade.
He joined Times Group Newsroom in September 2019.
