All set for Bingu’s burial

Malawi is at a standstill, paying homage and burying the country’s third post-colonial president, Bingu wa Mutharika, who died of cardiac arrest on April 5  2012.

Also joining the nation are foreign presidents and dignitaries, most of whom arrived on Sunday and some are expected Monday.

Chairperson of the funeral’s main organising committee Henry Mussa said the official burial programme is expected to begin at 9 am.

Mussa, who is also Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, said the ceremony will begin with the paying of last respects by the foreign dignitaries.

He said at about 10 am, speeches will follow and thereafter mass to be led by Archbishop Tarcizius Ziyaye of the Blantyre Archdiocese of the Catholic Church.

Said Mussa: “The visitors will all be welcomed at Ndata by President Joyce Banda. She and government officials are expected to be at Ndata by 8:45 am.”

Mussa said choirs from different denominations will sing dirges throughout the ceremony.

The foreign dignitaries include Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki, Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete, Namibia’s President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Zambia’s Vice-President Guy Scott—who all arrived on Sunday through Chileka Airport. Expected this Monday morning are Mozambique’s President Armando Guebuza, South Africa’s Vice-President Kgalema Montlante and Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

Also in Malawi are AU Commission chairperson Jean Ping, Sadc executive secretary Tomaz Salamao and Angola’s Speaker of Parliament Antonio Kasima, who also arrived on Sunday.

All these interacted with Mutharika at many international and regional fora before. They met him personally and made acquaintances.

They have now come to see this cherished friend walk his last mile to his Mpumulo wa Bata Mausoleum at Ndata Farm in Thyolo.

They were welcomed by Vice-President Khumbo Kachali, Mussa, some Cabinet ministers, government officials and members of President Joyce Banda’s People’s Party (PP).