In a display of leadership marked by dignity, unity, and unmatched statesmanship, Malawi’s President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has once again affirmed his place as a unifying figure of remarkable moral authority. On the solemn occasion marking one year since the tragic plane crash that claimed Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others, President Chakwera stood tall—both in stature and spirit—leading the nation with reverence, grace, and presidential gravitas.
Speaking at Lunjika Turn-Off, just a few kilometres from the crash site in the northern district of Mzimba, the President called the events of June 10, 2024, “the most devastating, heartbreaking, and unforgettable tragedy in Malawi’s modern history.” Yet, in that pain, he called for peace—not politics; compassion—not conspiracies.
“There is a time for everything, and today is a time to come before God and pray for one another,” President Chakwera said solemnly. “The souls we lost deserve honour, not ridicule. Every one of them was precious.”
Far from simply mourning, the President used the memorial as a platform to uplift, heal, and inspire. In a resounding gesture that cemented Chilima’s legacy in the national memory, President Chakwera announced that the soon-to-be-completed six-lane expressway in Lilongwe will be named Chilima Highway—a lasting tribute to the man who once served as his deputy.
“No one can dispute that the late Vice President Chilima was a towering public servant,” Chakwera declared. “He was the most senior among those we lost, and his memory must be honoured in a way befitting his stature.”
The President also revealed that all bereaved families were personally invited to the event and that he has directed the Secretary to the President and Cabinet to work closely with them to address any lingering hardships they may face.
His approach—measured, inclusive, and deeply humane—has drawn praise even from opposition quarters. Instead of sowing division, President Chakwera has summoned the nation to a higher purpose: remembrance rooted in unity, not partisanship.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government has confirmed that a permanent memorial pillar will be erected at the crash site—another powerful symbol of national respect for the fallen.
At a time when leadership is often measured in soundbites, President Chakwera has reminded Malawi—and the world—what true statesmanship looks like: calm in crisis, humility in power, and humanity above all.
