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Politicians, clergy, locals mourn Sam Mpasu

 

Dirges, gun salutes and eulogies marked the last mile of veteran politician Sam Mpasu, who died three days ago at his Blantyre residence.

The climax of the event came when the body was being lowered into the grave at Khuze Village, Traditional Authority Kwataine in Ntcheu District.

The ngoma dancers tried their best to comfort the hearts of family members with their music characterised by the thumping of feet on the somewhat soft ground owing to a thick layer of decomposing foliage from leaves and dead branches falling from the graveyard thicket this rainy season.

MDF pall-bearers carry Mpasu’s casket during the funeral

As Malawi Defence Force (MDF) pall-bearers walked into the graveyard through a path widened in an otherwise overgrown bush, the Ngoni warriors danced as they brandished their weaponry while the lead dancers produced an eerie animal-like sound signifying their mourning.

Before the body was lowered into the grave, the MDF Brass Band offered the fallen politician a gun salute which jolted the masses who were deep in sorrow following Mpasu’s death.

After the gun salute, the brass band performed the Post which was followed by Reveille, military songs played by wind instruments and the trombone.

The majority could not withhold tears when Chisomo Mpasu, the deceased’s last born child, voiced her eulogy on behalf of her siblings.

According to her, Mpasu was a loving father who took initiatives to unite the family despite their living in different localities.

The burial was attended by Vice-President Saulos Chilima, members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party such as secretary general Greselda Jeffrey, Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Samuel Tembenu and Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya.

Mangochi South legislator Lilian Patel represented the United Democratic Party (UDF), the party under which Mpasu served as Cabinet minister and Speaker of Parliament.

Leader of Opposition in Parliament, who is also Malawi Congtess Party (MCP) president, Lazarus Chakwera, was also in attendance.

In his statement, Chilima said he believed Mpasu was one statesman whose name will appear in every history book in the country because of the role he played.

He said: “If you find one history book that is going to be written about Malawi without the name Sam Mpasu, that book is incomplete because of the contributions he has made to this nation as he worked in different capacities.”

Before Chilima’s statement, Paramount Chief Gomani V urged the deceased family to let love lead and not allow this death be the beginning of disagreements. n

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