President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has extended his condolences to the late Chilima family and the whole nation, describing him as a great family man, a man of faith, a man who upheld his culture, a great leader and as well as role model to the youth.
He was speaking at the state funeral for the departed Vice President that was taking place at Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe
Chakwera
He has vowed that the accident will be investigated thoroughly, transparently and independently.
Chakwera said he has asked foreign support in the investigation.
He has also appealed for Malawians to continue upholding peace and togetherness as the nation continues to mourn.
Chakwera said in Chilima Malawi has lost a great leader who was very humble and patient even in times of turmoil.
Akubanja la Malemu Dr Saulos Chilima ati ndi okhudzidwa kwambiri ndi imfa ya m’bale wawo yemwe anali mzati wa banjali.
M’mau awo, a Ben Chilima omwe ndi mchimwene wa malemuwa, anayamika onse omwe anatengapo gawo pofufuza ndege yomwe idali itasowa mu nkhalango ya Chikangawa.
Iwo anayamika boma chifukwa chathandizo losiyanasiyana lomwe lapereka pa chipsyinjochi.
Iwo anati akubanja anali wokondwa kuona kuti anali ndi mwayi okhala nawo panthawi yomwe amapima thupi la malemu Dr Chilima.
Dr Ben Chilima
Mwa zina, iwo anati akadakondabe kuti pakhale kafukufuku okwanira kuti adziwe chomwe chidachititsa ngozi ya ndege pofuna kupewa ngozi za mtunduwu mtsogolo muno.
Iwo ati ndi wokondwa kuti zinthu zonse za malemu Dr. Chilima zomwe zidasowa pamalo angozi tsopano zili ndi akubanja.
A Ben Chilima ati Dr. Chilima anali mphunzitsi kwa anthu ambiri omwe anati anasintha miyoyo yawo ndipo amakonza zofuna kusintha mudzi wakwawo.
Iwo alimbikitsa anthu onse mdziko muno kuti asayipitse mbili ya malemu a Chilima, omwe anati anali okonda umodzi ndi mtendere.
FDH Bank Deputy Managing Director George Chitera says Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) banking continues to be a focal point for FDH Bank as a growth engine, evidenced by annual growth for the past years, Malawi Stock Exchange(MSE)-listed Bank has been operating.
He said this on Friday during a panel discussion titled “Unlocking the Opportunities to African Trade and Finance through Africa Trade Gateway (ATG) platform”at the end of the 31st African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) meeting in Nassau, Bahamas.
Haytham ElMaayergi
“As pioneers of ATG in Malawi, the service came as an opportunity for the bank that champions growth and took it as a great avenue for growth since it enables the Bank better deliver on its mandate by providing critical services to support and promote African trade and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
“The Bank aspires to stay committed by supporting SMEs and reaffirms its commitment to providing cutting-edge digital solutions in response to the growing importance of e-commerce in Malawi and beyond,” said Chitera.
In his contribution to the discussion, Executive Vice President for Global Trade Bank under Afrexim, Haytham ElMaayergi said the coming of ATG as digital evolution was part of its deliberate strategic response to address Africa’s key challenges to accelerate the pace of development and foster economic prosperity for Africans using and applying digital technologies and business models.
“Each one of our digital interventions is designed to address identified challenges and barriers for those seeking to engage in African trade and investment. I am pleased that each intervention has been successfully transformed from concept to reality and commend the hard work of our colleagues and partners in achieving these milestones.
“The Gateway is intended to quicken regional integration, extend and create new access markets and accelerate the digital economy in Africa.Customers will be able to complete all their transactions within the one window,” he said while urging all people in different countries to make use of the opportunity to complete their dreams.
The ATG is a portal that gives access to digital platforms such as customer due diligence platform, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), a scheme that enables payment for intra-African trade in national currencies; the Tradar Club, a network for international businesses aimed at fostering growth in Africa; e-commerce platform the Africa trade exchange and ATG Connect, which provides freight and logistics connectivity solutions.
The remarkable life of Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima came to an end on Monday June 10,2024 in a tragic plane crash in Chikangawa Forest in Mzimba District, leaving behind his legacy of dedication and service.
Born on February 12, 1973, Chilima was a devout Roman Catholic and loving husband to Mary, with whom he had two children, Sean and Elizabeth.
Saulos Chilima
The late VP, affectionately known as SKC (Saulos Klaus Chilima),took office as Malawi’s Vice-President on May 30, 2014, and was re-elected on June 28, 2020.
His political journey took a significant turn on June 6, 2018, when he parted ways with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and founded the United Transformation Movement (UTM) Party, which he launched on July 21, 2018, at Masintha Ground in Lilongwe.
In the May 21, 2019, Tripartite Elections, Chilima secured an impressive 1,018,369 votes, just 10 months after forming UTM Party.
His political party played a crucial role in the Tonse Alliance, which won the court-sanctioned Fresh Presidential Election on June 23, 2020, ousting Mutharika’s DPP from power.
Chilima’s academic achievements include a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Computer Science, and Economics from the University of Malawi (1990-1994), a Master’s Degree in Economics (2003-2005), and a PhD in Knowledge Management from the University of Bolton (2011-2015).
Before entering politics, he made a name for himself in the corporate world, serving as managing director for Airtel Malawi and working with various companies, including Leasing and Finance Company, Unilever Malawi, Coca Cola, Carlsberg, and Southern Bottlers Malawi Limited.
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has declared Monday June 17, 2024 a public holiday in order to allow people to pay their last respects to the departed Vice-President Saulos Chilima as he will be laid to rest at his home village in Ntcheu District.
Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu disclosed this on Saturday during a press briefing at Parliament Building in Lilongwe.
Said Kunkuyu: “Monday 17th June, is a holiday which has been declared in order to give everyone a chance to pay their respects to late Vice-President Chilima.”
The minister said President Chakwera will on Sunday lead Malawians in honouring the Vice President Saulos Chilima at a public memorial service to be held at Bingu National Stadium.
Kunkuyu also disclosed that nation is expected to receive delegates from around the world, including Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana, Tanzania, Ghana, and others.
He commended former President Joyce Banda and all Cabinet Ministers for representing President Chakwera at all eight funerals ceremonies.
He also further commended all stakeholders for lending their support towards the funeral ceremonies.
The late Chilima was expected to attend the burial ceremony of the former Minister of Justice and prominent lawyer Raphael Kasambara in Nkhata Bay on Monday June 10,2024.
But the military plane carrying him and eight others could not land at Mzuzu Airport due to bad weather.
On return to Lilongwe, the plane crashed near Chikangawa Forest where he and eight others perished .
The Roman Catholic Church Dedza Diocese will lead the burial ceremony for the late VP.
