By Vincent Gunde
The body of the late Joyce Chitsulo-Mataka who until her death was Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) led government of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, was laid to rest at her home village Mpeni in the area of Traditional Authority Govati in Thambani-Mwanza district.
Hundreds of thousands of people who included President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his Vice President Dr. Michael Usi, cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, chiefs and other opposition party leaders attended the funeral service which was held at Malowa primary school ground.
Chitsulo’s untimely death announcement shocked many people right from relatives, friends and members of the Sevenths Day Adventist (SDA) church where she was a member of the Dorcas mothers and many associated Chitsulo with her interest of singing with fellow church women.
On Saturday, during the Sabbath hour, the message of Chitsulo’s death was made to all the congregants at Area 25A SDA Church, there was total silence and many were in disbelief that Joyce Chitsulo ws no more, she has closed her eyes bidding bye to the Earthly world.
Speaking in Thambani-Mwanza on behalf of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda said President Chakwera was deeply saddened with the death of one of her dedicated ministers in his government, Joyce Chitsulo.
Chimwendo Banda said the death of Chitsulo is not only painful to the people of Mwanza West constituency where she was there Member of Parliament (MP) but the whole country saying being Minister she was serving all the people in Malawi.
He described Chitsulo as an exemplary woman in decision-making policies and it was not surprising that she initiated a lot of development projects in her area which shall live for long and many people in her constituency and the country as a whole won’t forget her.
“Joyce Chitsulo was a gift come true to the people of Mwanza West constituency and the whole country as a Deputy Minister,” said Chimwendo Banda.
Speaking earlier, daughter to the departed Joyce Chitsulo, Maureen thanked President Dr. Chakwera and his Vice President Dr. Michael Usi for sparing their time to join them in mourning their beloved mother.
The late Joyce Chitsulo was elected as a Member of Parliament for Mwanza West in 2019 under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera appointed her into his cabinet as Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture.
She declared herself to the people of Mwanza West constituency that on the 16th September, 2025 elections she will stand independent after resigning from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in what many thought that she will fully join the mighty Malawi Congress Party (MCP) in prioritizing development over politics.
Born on 27th May, 1978 the late Joyce Chitsulo has died at the age of 47, is survived by a husband and four children.
May Her Soul Rest in eternal Peace (RIP- Joyce Chitsulo).
