The Bankers Association of Malawi (BAM) a grouping of commercial bankers in the country Tuesday condoled with President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and commiserated the Malawi leader about the tragic and saddening demise of former Republican Vice President, late Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others who died in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest.
The newly elected BAM President Phillip Madinga, The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Standard Bank, who was accompanied by his vice, FDH Bank Managing Director Noel Mkulichi and the BAM executive committee, said as an association, they found it imperative to physically meet the President.
Madinga said: “We came to condole with the President on the tragic plane crash which claimed the life of Dr Saulos Chilima and eight others.
“We also used the opportunity to console him as you know this month of June, 17 other people also lost their lives in various accidents across the country so it’s a difficult time for the President hence our coming.”
Madinga said BAM used the opportunity to also introduce its new executive to President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera.
Presidential Press Secretary, Anthony Kasunda said Dr. Chilima’s death has had a very traumatising effect on the Malawi leader and that the coming of BAM to offer condolences has provided some relief.
“The President worked closely with Dr. Chilima. The President needs support, such as that which was offered by the financial institutions through Bankers Association of Malawi.
“The Bankers Association of Malawi took advantage of the interface to also assure the President of their commitment to supporting various government initiatives that the Chakwera administration is implementing,” said Kasunda.
Added Kasunda: “And, one example is the ATM strategy.”
Late Dr. Chilima and eight others died in a plane crash on 10 June 2024 in Chikangawa Forest. The country is currently observing 21 days of mourning.
The aircraft went missing after it failed to land at the Mzuzu International Airport, about 380 km (240 miles) to the north of the capital Lilongwe.
President Chakwera in his tribute to his fallen Vice, described Dr. Chilima as “a good man, a devoted father and husband, (and) a patriotic citizen who served his country with distinction.”
“His passing is a terrible loss to his wife, Mary, his family, his friends, his colleagues in the cabinet and to all of us as a nation,” Chakwera said in his address from the Malawian capital.
The president also mourned the loss of the other passengers onboard including former first lady, Patricia Shanil Muluzi a former wife to former president Dr. Bakili Muluzi, who was the vice president’s special aide and service person from the army and the police.
The country will observe a 21-day national mourning for Chilima and the other officials killed in the crash.
The mourning period will start on June 11 and last until July 1, according to a statement from the president’s office.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said he was “very saddened” to hear of the plane crash.
“We offer condolences to their families and we stand with the people of Malawi at this sad time,” he said.
Chilima, 51, had arrived back in Malawi on June 6 after attending the Korea-Africa Summit in Seoul last week.
He first served as deputy to former President Peter Mutharika between 2014 and 2019 before being sworn in as vice president for a second time in 2020.
An economist, Chilima, who was popularly known as SKC, previously headed Airtel Malawi, the first Malawian to lead the telecommunications company.
Chilima is survived by his wife Mary, and two children, Sean and Elizabeth.
“Dr. Chilima was a good man..”
Dr. Lazarus Chakwera
President of the Republic of Malawi
