His death was sudden and tragic. A big loss not only to the Malawian people but also to Africa and the rest of the world for he was a great visionary.
The universe was robbed of a business connoisseur and a political strategist extraordinaire and a good head of state that never was and never will.
And as they say, heaven gained. The earth never lost, it kept the fondest of memories. The people learned.
His work ethic was unmatched and dedication and unquenchable love for his country was unsurpassed.
And as his brave son, Shaun Chilima eulogised at Bingu Stadium, which was filled to the brim, a man is dead if he is forgotten – true to his words, his father died but he is not dead – His irreplaceable and incomparable legacy will live forever through his beloved wife, who is keeping the legacy of a man who loved her and his country alive so dearly.
Mary Chilima, wife to late Vice President Saulos Chilima is set to launch the Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) Foundation, a non-partisan and non-political organisation aiming at fulfilling the vision and goals of the departed Veep.
In an exclusive interview in Lilongwe, Mrs. Chilima said that the Foundation will be launched on 12 February 2025, which would have been Chilima’s 52 birthday.
Chilima said the SKC Foundation, is a duly registered Trust which will be overseen by a Board of Trustees, whose mission is to support the fulfilment of the vision and goals of the late Chilima in a ‘non-partisan and non-political’ manner.
“The Saulos Klaus Chilima Foundation intends to serve as a beacon of hope, progress, and empowerment for Malawians.
“By promoting education, self-reliance, and leadership while maintaining a non-political stance, the Foundation will ensure Dr. Chilima’s vision for Malawi and Africa is realized for generations to come,” she said.
She said the launch will be a gala event which will take place at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC).
Chilima also said in line with its vision of continuing Dr Chilima’s legacy, the Foundation is guided by among other objectives which include supporting education for underprivileged students in Malawi, providing aid to those in need during unforeseen crises, encouraging self-sufficiency among Malawians, promoting youth leadership development and also promoting collective mindset change.
She said: “To achieve the objectives, the SKC Foundation plans to embark on various resource mobilisation initiatives such as corporate sponsorship, crowdfunding and charity events.
“This accords the Foundation the opportunity to pay tribute to him by simultaneously celebrating his life and raising funds to continue his initiatives,” added Mrs. Chilima.
She said tickets to the launch gala are being sold at a price of MK100,000 per person for the silver category, MK200,000 per person for the gold category and MK300,000 per person for the platinum category.
“The launch gala will be a black-tie event which will comprise dinner, speeches, and tributes to the late Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima,” said Chilima.
The late Vice President died in a plane crash together with eight others on 10 June 2024 in Chikangawa Forest on their way to a funeral in Nkhata-Bay.
SKC is now a thought, a mission and an ideology that many young Malawians are riding on his ideological philosophy and powerful mantra; Osaopa, Osatopa, Osafooka!
Legends never die. They just relocate.
SKC lives on!
“The Saulos Klaus Chilima Foundation intends to serve as a beacon of hope.”
Mrs. Mary Chilima
Former Vice President, the late Dr. Saulos Chilima’s widow
