Victoria Nqabile Thole, celebrated locally for her hymn writing skills, was buried last week in Mzimba.
Coincidentally, Nyathole, as she was fondly called, was the mother of the late singer and composer Griffin Mhango, who founded Kalimba Band.
Nyathole was the daughter of Reverand PZ Thole, whose compositions appear in the Tumbuka Hymn Book. She composed numerous spiritual songs, some of which have made it into the newer edition of Tumbuka Hymns.
According to her grandson, current Kalimba Band leader Vita Chirwa, Nyathole was born in 1924.
“She initially worked for Malawi Young Pioneers (MYP) in Mzuzu, then was transferred to Nansawa Training Base where she worked as matron under former president Bakili Muluzi who was then principal of the base. She eventually went to Ghana and later, Germany for technical training and when she returned, she helped to shape various Malawi women into productive citizens,” he said.
According to Chirwa, Nyathole was later transferred to MYP Headquarters in Kanjedza where she continued with her noble work until her retirement in 1975.
“She later became one of president Kamuzu Banda’s nominated MPs for Mzimba and served two successive terms after which she quit politics and devoted her time to serving the Lord through singing and preaching,” he said.
She came from Elangeni Village in Mzimba where she was laid to rest.
