By Cathy Maulidi:
At exactly 14:57 Wednesday, the body of veteran politician John Zenus Ungapake (JZU) Tembo got lowered into his grave to rest side by side with wife Ruth, who died in January 2015.
The end of an era; a very illustrious era, mourners who eulogised the fallen former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader said.
JZU’s last mile on earth was escorted by Hymn 191—‘from dust we were formed and to the same dust we shall return’—as Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldiers lowered the casket into the grave in Kaphala Village, Traditional Authority Kaphuka, in Dedza, his home district.
At the burial ceremony, which was officiated by Nkhoma Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian and later coordinated by MDF officers, Tembo received full military honours comprising a three-gun salute.
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At 15:26, laying of wreaths commenced and first on the list was the fallen politician’s sister, Ivy Natembo, who was followed by niece Mama Cecilia Tamanda Kadzamira and, later, Tembo’s children.
President Lazarus Chakwera and First Lady Monica laid wreaths after family members followed by Vice-President Saulos Chilima and wife Mary.
Prior to the burial ceremony—which the family had decided would be private—there was a funeral ceremony at Dedza Stadium, where various individuals eulogised JZU.
At the stadium, Chakwera described Tembo as a politician who believed in clean politics.
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“The late Tembo was ridiculed by many but he never returned the insults. It is sad that even in his death, there are some who are still ridiculing him, labelling him a bad person,” Chakwera said.
The President also described Tembo as someone who did not oppose just for its sake during his time as Leader of the Opposition in Parliament.
He also praised JZU as a true leader of MCP during his time and even after he retired.
“If it was not for him, I would not be President. Sadakakamire udindo a Tembo. Itafika Nthawi yopuma, adapita kopuma (He never clung to the party’s leadership. When time for him to retire came, he retired),” Chakwera said.
Speaking on behalf of Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) publicity secretary Nicholas Dausi relived the time he spent with JZU and Malawi’s founding president Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
“They [Tembo and Banda] loved working with educated fellows and they never expelled anyone from the party on petty reasons.
“As I am speaking here at this funeral, I can be expelled from my party. Tembo was never like that,” Dausi said.
He was apparently referring to his recent dismissal from DPP, which came just days after he had been spotted dancing with MCP officials at an event the party held in Mwanza, where they launched stadium construction works.
Taking his turn to eulogise Tembo, former speaker of Parliament Louis Chimango said JZU was a powerful Leader of the Opposition during his time.
“Crossing the floor by members of Parliament is no longer prevalent today because Tembo was courageous enough to ensure enforcement of Section 65,” Chimango said.
The said section states that the Speaker shall declare vacant the seat of any member of the National Assembly who voluntarily ceases to be a member of his party or joins another political party in the National Assembly.
During his time, Tembo had put his foot down, insisting that the provision should be invoked on those who crossed the floor or the budget would not be passed.
Former president Bakili Muluzi said Tembo would “forever be remembered”.
“He contributed tremendously to the foundation and development of this country,” Muluzi said.
Tembo, who served in several portfolios including being Cabinet minister, Reserve Bank of Malawi governor and board chairperson of various State-owned enterprises, died on Wednesday last week.
