Tens of thousands of Malawians gathered at the national stadium to pay tribute to Vice-President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash last week. Chilima, 51, known for his eloquence and energetic campaigning, was particularly popular among the youth.
A devout Catholic, Chilima’s funeral service included a full mass. He will be buried in his home district of Ntcheu, 180km south of Lilongwe, on Monday, declared a public holiday.
The 41,000-capacity Bingu National Stadium was filled, with many more outside. Chilima’s coffin, draped in Malawi’s flag, was brought in by a guard of honor. His son, Sean, and brother, Ben, shared touching memories, highlighting his competitive spirit and dedication.
Some attendees booed government officials, including President Lazarus Chakwera, but calm was restored by Catholic priests. Chilima died while traveling to Nkhata Bay for a funeral. President Chakwera attributed the crash to poor visibility, while Chilima’s UTM party has called for an independent investigation.
Chilima, who entered politics at 40 after a successful business career, had been vice-president since 2014. His death leaves a significant void in Malawian politics.
