By Cathy Maulidi:
President Lazarus Chakwera has sent his condolences to the Chitsulo family, the people of Mwanza West Constituency, and all Malawians following the sudden passing of Joyce Chitsulo.
At the time of her death, she was Member of Parliament for the constituency and Deputy Minister of Local Government, Culture, and Unity.
Chitsulo died Friday at the age of 47 after a short illness, according to Minister of Local Government Richard Chimwendo Banda.
“I just received a call that she collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. I can’t really say what happened. Malawians will be informed once we have gathered what really happened,” Chimwendo Banda said.
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In a statement, Chakwera expressed grief over Chitsulo’s death, saying: “I knew her as a person whose personal motto and mission was ‘development over politics,’ as she would put it, ‘Sitidya ndale koma chitukuko.’”
According to Chakwera, Chitsulo lived every minute of her political life in pursuit of this “golden clarion call” that he believes every person needs to adopt.
“It is tragic that such a patriotic and courageous citizen has departed at such a crucial time for our national development. May her legacy ignite in us the desire to work for the good of our great country, regardless of our political, religious, regional, and tribal differences. May we be united as one people as we mourn the passing of this great daughter of Malawi,” Chakwera said.
Chitsulo was a Democratic Progressive Party MP and led the Public Appointments Committee (PAC) until her appointment as Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture late last year.
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Before that appointment, Chitsulo also served as Chairperson of the parliamentary committees’ chairpersons.
Last month, Chitsulo was involved in a road accident along the M1 Road while returning from Mzuzu on official duties.
At the time, Chitsulo told the media that she had suffered a minor fracture and was treated at Mzuzu Central Hospital before being discharged.
She stated that she was in good health.
On May 27, after the accident, Chitsulo posted on her Facebook page:
“If God did not send His Angels to keep watch over me, I would have been ‘celebrating my birthday in the grave’ today, and my kids, husband, and those dear to me would have been writing ‘happy birthday in Heaven Mum, sister, aunt, etc.’
“But I thank God for His faithfulness!! Thank you for giving me an opportunity to witness my 47th and more birthdays to come. May Your name God be praised.”
Friday, Chitsulo was also so lively posting on her social media pages how thankful she is to her church members who visited her at her home and encouraged her.
She also posted about how her campaign at the constituency was going and how optimistic she was that she would win again the seat.
She was voted MP in 2019.
Before becoming MP, she served in the civil society sector and led an organisation called Ndi Tsogolo Langa.
