Emotional farewell for actor Eric Mabedi
In life, he was loved and adored and in death, actor Eric Mabedi was celebrated.
That was the overriding feeling when multitudes escorted the body of the seasoned actor to his final resting place at Catholic Institute (CI) Cemetery in Blantyre on Tuesday.
Mabedi lost the battle to Covid-19 on Monday morning at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre where he was admitted to on Saturday.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife Michael Usi and other political party representatives.
The send off ceremony started with mass at St Montfort Parish at CI celebrated by Father Francis Tambala, secretary for the Archdiocese of Blantyre of the Catholic Church.
In his eulogy, Usi said the late Mabedi was an exceptional talent.
He, therefore, challenged Kwathu Drama group to continue with the deceased’s legacy.
“The late Mabedi stood for the truth and always uttered the truth,” he said.
A member of Kwathu Drama Group Charles Mphoka, in his eulogy, described Eric as a fatherfigure of the group.
He said the vacuum left by the late Mabedi cannot be filled anyhow.
Mphoka stated that the late Mabedi sacrificed his time, resources and energy to make sure Kwathu Drama Group remains a force to reckon with.
“Eric was everything” he concluded before breaking into tears.
During the burial ceremony, actors led by Frank Yalu, Mafumu Matiki, Mr Jokes and Jeremiah Mwaungulu staged an impromptu comic performance.
A representative of Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP) Alex Dzimkambani said they are saddened with Mabedi’s death after he worked for the institution since 1991.
At the time of his death, Mabedi was working as MAP’s awareness manager.
He said Mabedi was diagnosed with diabetes and overcame it.
“He also suffered from gout in 2015 and managed to beat it,” said Dzimkambani asking why Mabedi would die now after being sick for a few days.
In 2017, Mabedi suffered a kidney problem before government intervened and referred him to India where he had a successful kidney transplant.
The late Mabedi was born on June 21 1963. He is survived by a wife Fanny and sons Mungo and Maziko.
