Tears, emotions as thousands attend burial of Malawi’s former President

On Monday, at exactly 16:30hrs Malawi time, the body of Bingu wa Mutharika was interred into its final resting place, marking the end of his illustrious life that started with a humble beginning 78 years ago.

Until his death which resulted from a cardiac arrest 19 days ago, Mutharika was the second democratically elected President of southern African country Malawi, a nation he ruled for eight years.

His successor, Joyce Banda, led over 15 000 Malawians and hundreds of foreigners who included five African heads of state and government in burying one of not only Malawi’s but world’s gallant sons. 

People of all walks of life regardless of their political affiliations, tribe and religion gathered at the fallen leader’s home village to pay their homage. 

The foreign presidents included late Mutharika’s closest ally, Gabriel Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Kenya’s Mwai Kibaki, Jakaya Kiwete of Tanzania, Mozambique’s Armambo Guebuza and Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia.

Other distinguished delegates included former Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell, South Africa’s Vice President Kgalema Motlanthe, Zambia’s Vice President Guy Scot, Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Shangirai, Swaziland’s Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku, among others.

The day’s somber ceremony started with the viewing of the body by the foreign delegates at his mansion which was led by Malawi’s President Banda.

Late Mutharika, who was accorded a full state funeral, was buried on his expansive farm in southern tea growing district of Thyolo in a mausoleum next to his first wife, Ethel, who died in 2007 due to cancer.

A 21-gun salute roared as his body was being carried to the mausoleum on a two-gun artillery from his controversial multi-million mansion he dubbed Villa Casablanca to his final resting place where clergy from the Catholic Church conducted the final requiem mass.

Several speakers offered their eulogies in which they described late Malawian President as a great man who dedicated his life to making Malawi and Africa better places.

Before being taken to his final resting place, thousands more Malawians and people of other nationalities paid their respects for seven days as his body lied in state in the capital, Lilongwe, the northern city of Mzuzu and the commercial capital, Blantyre.

The departed President, born Ryson Webster Thom in 1934, was a schoolmaster's son and ruled Malawi from 2005 until April 5^th. 

Late Mutharika and was internationally recognized for his success in making the country a food secure nation.

However, things changed immediately after assuming office for his second term in 2009 when things started crumbling.

He was heavily criticised for mismanaging the economy and stifling political and press freedoms which resulted in several bilateral partners withdrawing their assistance.

A career economist, late Prof Mutharika has worked in various international institutions such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, African Union and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) where he was its first Executive Secretary.

Before becoming Malawi’s president, late Mutharika served the Malawi Government in various capacities including cabinet minister as well as deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi.

Malawi Government declared Monday, April 23, a public holiday in order to give Malawians an opportunity to honour their former leader.