Thousands mourn Potiphar Chidaya
A large crowd of people Monday turned up at Malawi Congress Party (MCP) headquarters in Lilongwe to pay their last tributes to the late Potiphar Chidaya, long-serving administrative secretary of the party, who died on Saturday at Kamuzu Central Hospital.
He succumbed to an asthma attack and was buried at Area 18 Cemetery.
Many people who delivered their eulogies at the MCP headquarters, where the ceremony was held, described the life of the 73-year-old Chidaya as worth living and remembering.
MCP President Lazarus Chakwera described Chidaya’s death as a blow to the party.
Chakwera said those left behind should emulate the life of Chidaya of being loyal and having integrity for the development of both the party and the country.
“He kept all the four cornerstones that [Dr Hastings] Kamuzu Banda taught to keep. He respected everyone despite their origin. His death should teach us how to serve and lead our fellow Malawians. He was such a great man,” he said
Former speaker of the National Assembly Louis Chimango praised Chidaya for his vigorous support to the country and MCP.
“He was a perfect gentlemen; very obedient servant of the government when he was in civil service. He lived an exemplary life, difficult to erase in our memories,” he said
President of the National Rainbow Coalition Loveness Gondwe, who represented other opposition political parties, said Chidaya’s death is a huge loss to the parties.
“He was a man of few words but full of wisdom. Parties were looking up to him oblivious of their political differences. He has died a very humble and loving person,” she said.
Meanwhile, former MCP president, John Tembo, sent his condolence message to the family and the party.
Among other people who came to condole and bid farewell to Chidaya were retired chief justice Lovemore Munlo and some Members of Parliament.
Chidaya is survived by seven children and five grandchildren.
He came from Mlenga Village, Traditional Authority Mazengera in Lilongwe.
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