By Burnett Munthali
Former President Lazarus Chakwera yesterday joined family members, friends and other mourners at Kachezi Village in Linthipe 3, Dedza District, as they gathered to bid farewell to renowned academic and former University of Malawi(UNIMA ) Vice Chancellor Professor Zimani Kadzamira.
chakwera helping in carrying Kadzamira’s casket
Chakwera attended the funeral ceremony to pay his respects to the late professor and stand in solidarity with the Kadzamira family during their time of mourning.
Professor Kadzamira, who was a brother to Mama Cecilia Kadzamira, died on Friday, September 18,2026, prompting an outpouring of condolences from family members, friends, colleagues and the wider academic community.
The funeral at Kachezi Village brought together relatives, friends and members of the community who gathered to remember Professor Kadzamira’s life and honour his contribution to Malawi and those who knew him.
Professor Kadzamira was born in July 1941 in Salisbury, Rhodesia, now Harare, Zimbabwe.
He attended primary school there before returning to Malawi, for his secondary education.
He later travelled to the United States of America (USA), where he pursued higher education at Princeton University, graduating with a degree in Political Science.
Professor Kadzamira subsequently moved to the United Kingdom (UK) for postgraduate studies at the University of Manchester, where he obtained a Doctorate in Government in 1974.
Following his studies, Kadzamira joined UNIMA in 1966 as an assistant lecturer and developed a long academic career at the institution.
He rose through the academic ranks to become a professor and later took on senior administrative responsibilities, eventually serving as Principal of Chancellor College and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malawi.
Beyond academia, Professor Kadzamira also served Malawi in diplomacy, including as the country’s ambassador to Japan.
