By Jarson Malowa, Dave Gadama & Stevie Muliya
Songs, poetry and dances were the order of the day on Sunday as people celebrated the life of Vice President Saulos Chilima in Zomba and Blantyre in candle light memorial events.
Chilima, who was laid to rest at Nsipe in Ntcheu Monday, died last Monday in a tragic plane crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba District alongside eight others.
The candle light memorial events came barely a day after the same events which attracted huge audiences, took place in Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
It was the same at Gymkhana Club in Zomba and Blantyre, where people turned up in large numbers with several activities including candle lighting and music performances on the lineup.
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In Blantyre, artists such as Onesimus and Eli Njuchi performed, with the audience relishing their performances while celebrating Chilima.
At Gymkhana, people braved chilly weather to honour Chilima.
Zomba City Mayor Davie Maunde, in his opening remarks, said people have learnt a lot from Chilima, describing him as a tenderhearted man.
At the event, some of the remarks he made in different platforms were played.
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People were also reminded of the speech that Chilima made at the same venue during a UTM rally in 2020.
One of the organisers of the event, Madalitso Banda, said Chilima was visionary and that his death was a huge blow to the nation.
“He inspired many people and encouraged youths to take up leadership positions. He is gone but his legacy will live on,” Banda said.
Several creatives have released tributes for Chilima speaking volumes of his good works.
Legendary musician Soldier Lucius Banda, who is currently receiving medical treatment in South Africa, mourned Chilima on his Facebook page, saying he had lost a father figure, trusted leader and friend.
“Hamba kahle Biyeni,” he said.
Chilima, who was an impi and was passionate about culture, is survived by a wife and two children, Sean and Elizabeth.
