By Burnett Munthali
The launch of the Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) Foundation at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) was intended to be a solemn tribute to the late Vice President, celebrating his vision, values, and contributions to Malawi. However, the event has since been overshadowed by controversy, with the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) attempting to manipulate the narrative surrounding President Lazarus Chakwera’s attendance.
According to UTM insiders, Mary Chilima never extended a direct invitation to President Chakwera. From the outset, she was firm in her decision that the event would be non-political, and she wanted to avoid any political figures overshadowing the foundation’s purpose. Further supporting this claim, State House sources have indicated that Chakwera already had pre-scheduled commitments in the Southern Region, which was part of his usual travel itinerary. If this was the case, then why is MCP now attempting to distort the facts and portray Chakwera as having been unfairly excluded?
Contrary to the claims being circulated, it was not Mary Chilima who sought political involvement at the event. Instead, it was a group of golf players—who are also known MCP members—who strongly pushed for Chakwera’s invitation. These individuals, who were actively involved in the preparations for the SKC Foundation launch, insisted on the President’s attendance, arguing that he and other politicians could make significant financial contributions to the foundation.
Mary Chilima was reluctant and uneasy about this suggestion, as she wanted the event to remain free from political influence. However, under intense pressure from this group, she reluctantly agreed, but only under one strict condition:
No politician, regardless of their status or position, would be allowed to speak at the event.
On the day of the launch, President Chakwera and Vice President Dr. Michael Usi were present, in line with the agreement made. However, as per the condition set, neither of them was given an opportunity to speak. This decision was not meant to undermine or disrespect anyone but was instead intended to preserve the non-political nature of the event and prevent any attempts to hijack it for political mileage.
Despite this clear arrangement, MCP has since attempted to twist the story, portraying it as if President Chakwera was deliberately sidelined or disrespected. This deliberate distortion of facts raises serious questions about MCP’s true intentions and why they feel the need to push this misleading narrative.
In her address at the event, Mary Chilima delivered an emotional and powerful speech, reflecting on the tragic and unresolved circumstances surrounding her late husband’s passing. She did not shy away from expressing her dissatisfaction with the current state of investigations, stating:
“There are still many unanswered questions regarding those 24 hours, and so far, efforts to address these concerns have fallen short of being satisfactory.”
Her remarks echo the growing concerns among Malawians who continue to seek clarity on the real cause of Saulos Klaus Chilima’s death. Instead of using the SKC Foundation launch as a political battleground, MCP should be focusing on addressing these pressing concerns and ensuring that justice is served.
Despite the political distractions, the SKC Foundation has now been officially launched, ensuring that Saulos Klaus Chilima’s legacy remains strong and unshaken. As Mary Chilima declared with conviction:
“Through the SKC Foundation, the legacy of Saulos Klaus Chilima remains alive, unstoppable, and undefeated.”
The foundation will continue to uphold the values of integrity, service, and patriotism that Chilima embodied, offering Malawians an opportunity to carry forward the vision he left behind.
As the political dust settles, one undeniable truth remains: MCP’s attempts to twist the facts surrounding the invitation to the event only serve to distract from the real issue. Malawians deserve the truth—not political gamesmanship. The focus should not be on who was invited or given the podium, but rather on uncovering the full truth about Saulos Klaus Chilima’s untimely death.
