By Blessings Makuwira:
Iconic musician Soldier Lucius Banda will be laid to rest on Thursday at Sosola Village in Balaka, family members confirmed Monday.
The family also said the remains of Lucius, who died on Sunday in South Africa where he was receiving medical attention, will arrive this afternoon through Chileka International Airport in Blantyre.
Uncle to the deceased, Eliyasi Kamoto, said the body of Lucius, who carved a successful music career spanning over 30 years, will be driven to Balaka from Chileka International Airport for a mass.
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Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu also confirmed in a statement that the remains of Lucius will be repatriated from South Africa to Malawi today.
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The statement further says the remains of Lucius will land at Chileka International Airport around 2pm and that, upon arrival, the body will be taken to Kamuzu University of Health Sciences for inspection.
It says following the inspection, the body will be taken to St Louis Montfort Parish in Balaka for a requiem mass in the evening.
The statement says the government will notify the public about burial arrangements in due course.
Meanwhile, Balaka is mourning Lucius, with many people describing his death as a big blow to the creative industry and political arena.
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Suzyo Kanjirawaya expressed sadness with the death of Lucius, saying he has left a big gap in the music industry.
“He was selfless when discharging his day-to-day duties,” Kanjirawaya said.
Deborah Sinclair said Lucius contributed a lot to the growth of the creative industry in the country and that he worked with up-and-coming musicians.
Lucius came from Sosola Village in Balaka.
Born on August 17 1970, he is survived by a wife and three children.
