Zimbabwe Vice President Joice Mujuru expressing condolences at the Malawi embassy in Harare. The Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika passed in early April 2012., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
VP Mujuru mourns Malawi president
Saturday, 14 April 2012 00:00
Zimbabwe Herald
Vice President Joice Mujuru signed a book of condolences for the late President Bingu wa Mutharika at the Malawi Embassy in Harare yesterday
Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
VICE President Joice Mujuru yesterday sent a message of condolences to the Malawi people following the death of President Bingu WaMutharika last week. VP Mujuru signed the book of condolences at the Malawi Embassy in Harare. In her message VP Mujuru described the late Malawian president as a person who was dedicated to the cause of Malawi and Africa at large.
“I want to express my grief and sorrow at the passing of my president Bingu wa Mutharika which came so untimely. It is really a shock.
“The nation of Zimbabwe has also joined their brothers and sisters in this depressing moment.
“He has been one of Africa’s sons who dedicated his life to its development and especially to the sons and daughters of Malawi. May his soul rest in peace,” she said.
VP Mujuru said she had last met President wa Mutharika at the African National Congress centenary celebrations in South Africa and he looked healthy.
She said Zimbabwe was ready to assist Malawians during these trying times and urged them to forge ahead with the empowerment programmes he pursued.
“It is important that these issues we are talking about should remind us of the responsibility he has left us. We have to move forward, to be a dignified people and to work for ourselves,” she said.
Added the VP: “We must keep our unity and must unite our people. Feel at home because we are together in this bereavement, you are not alone.”
Malawi Ambassador to Zimbabwe Professor Richard Phoya said Malawi was shocked by President wa Mutharika’s death.
“We were all taken by surprise because I last saw him at home two to three weeks ago and he was fine, he looked healthy and that morning (when he collapsed) he had his normal meetings with Members of Parliament,” he said.
Professor Phoya said President wa Mutharika had a vision for a self reliant Malawi.
“He had things he wanted to do, he never wanted to be dependant on any country, he moved us from being dependant on other countries for food and we are proud of that,” he said.
The body of the late president is expected to be flown to Malawi today ahead of his burial on April 23.
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