By Burnett Munthali
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) family, along with the broader Malawian community, is today united in grief as it bids farewell to the late McFriday Mmadi, a beloved son, relative, and community member whose life has come to a sorrowful end.
The funeral, taking place this Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Khwisa in Balaka, will be graced by the presence of His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, former President of the Republic of Malawi and leader of the Democratic Progressive Party, alongside his wife, Madam Professor Gertrude Mutharika, former First Lady of the Republic.
This somber event bears deep personal significance to the Mutharika family, as the late McFriday Mmadi was the son of Mrs. Esther Mmadi, sister to Madam Professor Gertrude Mutharika.
In the face of this heartbreaking loss, the former First Couple’s presence is not only a gesture of familial solidarity but also one of respect, comfort, and honor for a young life cut short and a family left in mourning.
The funeral proceedings are scheduled to begin at 12:00 noon at Khwisa, Balaka, where friends, family, church members, and community representatives are expected to gather in large numbers to pay their last respects.
The event will include scripture readings, tributes from family members and community leaders, and words of encouragement from spiritual leaders tasked with offering solace in this time of pain.
Former President Mutharika is expected to deliver remarks that will reflect on the values of family, the pain of loss, and the importance of faith and togetherness in times of mourning.
The former First Lady, known for her compassion and strong family ties, is also expected to stand in support of her grieving sister, offering both spiritual and emotional strength.
The late McFriday Mmadi is remembered as a warm and kind-hearted young man whose life, though brief, left a mark on those who knew him.
The funeral is thus not just a moment of grieving, but also a celebration of his life—a reflection on the legacy he leaves behind and the memories cherished by his loved ones.
The gathering at Khwisa is also anticipated to draw a notable presence of Democratic Progressive Party officials, reflecting the bond between the political and personal lives of the Mutharika family.
As mourners converge under one tent of sorrow, they do so with the understanding that death, though painful, unites humanity in its shared vulnerability.
This funeral marks yet another chapter of loss in the life of Madam Professor Gertrude Mutharika, who, in her roles both private and public, has always carried herself with dignity, resilience, and faith.
As the nation watches the unfolding of today’s events, it will also reflect on the powerful imagery of unity in grief—from political figures to village neighbors, all coming together for one purpose: to remember, to console, and to bid farewell.
May the soul of McFriday Mmadi rest in eternal peace, and may the family find comfort in the embrace of a caring nation.
