By Apengie Apengire
Former President of Malawi and Malawi Congress Party leader, His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, together with Madam Monica Chakwera, on Monday joined hundreds of mourners in paying their last respects to Gogo Enita Kachipanda.
Gogo Kachipanda, who has been described by family and friends as a pillar of wisdom and love, was the beloved mother of Howard Kachipanda, the party’s Administrative Secretary.
Her passing has left a deep void not only in the Kachipanda family but also in the wider MCP community that regarded her as a mother figure.
Dr. Chakwera and Madam Monica Chakwera’s presence at the funeral was hailed by mourners as a powerful gesture of compassion and humility.
In a moment of national grief, the former First Couple stood shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved, offering comfort and solidarity. Their attendance underscored the values of unity and shared humanity that Dr. Chakwera has long championed.
Mourners praised the couple for putting people first, noting that their willingness to mourn with ordinary Malawians speaks to a leadership that is grounded in empathy and respect.
Speaking on behalf of the family, relatives thanked Dr. Chakwera and Madam Monica for making time to be with them during their darkest hour. “Their presence has given us strength. It shows that in times of sorrow, we are not alone,” one family member said.
Party officials also commended the gesture, saying it reflects the MCP’s tradition of standing with its members through all seasons of life. “Dr. Chakwera and Madam Monica have reminded us that true leadership is felt in both joy and pain,” an MCP senior member said.
As the Kachipanda family lays their beloved mother to rest, messages of condolence continue to pour in.
The nation joins Dr. Chakwera and Madam Monica Chakwera in praying that the soul of Gogo Enita Kachipanda rests in eternal peace.
