The Chilima Family officially launched the Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) Foundation last night, a tribute intended to uphold the charitable legacy of the late Saulos Klaus Chilima. The event drew significant attention, with President Lazarus Chakwera in attendance as the guest of honor.
During the launch, Mary Chilima, widow of the late political leader, directed sharp criticism at the current leadership of the United Transformation Movement (UTM), the political party founded by her late husband. She voiced concern over the party’s recent fate which has resulted into it being taken over by individuals whose characters and actions, she said, do not align with the legacy that Dr. Chilima stood for: “We are aware that the party exists and that those leading it today pretend that their goal is to perpetuate SKC’s legacy while in essence they are those that SKC did not want to associate himself with because of their corrupt character,” Mary remarked, emphasizing a disconnection between the current UTM leadership led by Dalitso Kabambe and her husband’s values.
Dr. Dalitso Kabambe, who assumed leadership of UTM following Dr. Chilima’s passing, was specifically called out prior to the UTM convention late last year for allegedly lacking the motivation and goodwill to honor Chilima’s principles. Kabambe, a former Governor of the Reserve Bank and ex-Principal Secretary at the Treasury and at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, previously defected from the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) under contentious circumstances. According to Anne Makuta, former UTM Director of Women Affairs, Kabambe had played a key role in obstructing Dr. Chilima during his tenure as Vice President under Professor Peter Mutharika and DPP. Makuka disclosed that Kabambe even went so far as to deny Chilima ceremonial honors during official travels at Kamuzu International Airport.
Mary Chilima’s statement implies that the current UTM leadership does not reflect her husband’s personality or wishes until a significant change occurs. She opined that “the political arm or Dr. Chilima’s legacy will continue with the party that he founded”, a statement that analysts have interpreted as separating herself and the foundation in which he is said to be the chairperson from politics. The Chilima family emphasized their determination to promote Dr. Chilima’s values and legacy through the newly established foundation, urging the public to support their efforts rather than those aiming to exploit his name for political gain.
In the proceedings, the family made it clear that the SKC Foundation serves as a legitimate vehicle for honoring Chilima’s memory, without the diversions posed by current political dynamics within UTM.
