Robson Watayachanga Chirwa, a veteran politician who served as a long time cabinet minister in founding president Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s cabinet, died Tuesday, his family has confirmed.
Born on October 29, 1931, Chirwa’s highest position was when he was part of a triumvirate that ran the country when Kamuzu was taken ill in 1993. His counterparts were John Tembo and the late Gwanda Chakuamba.
He dies a humble veteran, who refused to continue practising politics in the multi-party era, allowing what he called new ideas and players to take over. He was a dedicated member of the Livingstonia Synod of the CCAP and a cultural pillar in the Zwangendaba (Mzimba) Ngonis as one of the founders and pillars of the Mzimba Heritage Association a grouping of all Ngonis under the Inkosi ya Makosi M’mbelwa.
Former president Bakili Muluzi, who said he was hearing the sad news from this reporter, expressed shock at the passing of Chirwa.
“He was such a humble, humble and loyal person. You could not question Robson’s loyalty. He was just above board. I will be contacting the family to convey my condolences,” Muluzi said.
He bemoaned the fact that the country is losing politicians who fought for independence.
“How many of us are now remaining? These were the pioneers of our independence and democracy. A country needs such people to draw wisdom and counsel from,” he said.
The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has described him as a principled politician.
“As you are aware, he served in senior positions in our party and government. He was loyal and peaceful throughout his life and even continued to be committed to the party after he retired. The late Chirwa could still give advice to the serving party president unlike others who ran away from the party when it came out of government,” MCP Secretary General Eisenhower Mkaka said in an interview yesterday.
DPP spokesperson, Francis Kasaila, said as a party, they were mourning with the family “at this trying moment where a revered figure had passed on”.
“He was somebody who contributed a lot for and to the country, a role model who was humble and patriotic to the country. As a party, we mourn together with the family as we remember him,” Kasaila said.
The demise of Chirwa, a devout CCAP faithful, has also sent shockwaves within the rank and file of the Livingstonia Synod.
“We have received the news with sadness. He was not an ordinary member, but a long time church elder of Katawa CCAP, who died in that portfolio. We used to go to him for advice and reference,” said Reverend Levi Nyondo, the Synod’s General Secretary.
A father of six and grandparent of many, Chirwa will be remembered as a community builder, according to his younger brother and family spokesperson, Mayor Chirwa.
“We have lost a ‘man, a real man’, very wise, and he has been teaching us that only unity can bind us in our family. It is a man we are mourning today, who has been a pillar of our family and area. We are full of sorrow,” he said, of the man who hailed from Yolamu Village, Inkosi Mabilabo, in Mzimba.
The younger brother, the last in their family, said the late Chirwa breathed his last at the Lilongwe Private Clinic, a medical institution belonging to his only son, Dr. Patrick Chirwa.
“He started his political journey in 1967, and prior to that he was a teacher and a civil servant. He served as a teacher and Inspector of Schools and later as a District Education Officer, before serving as a diplomat in London from 1965,” he said.
Apart from serving in different cabinet portfolios, Chirwa served on several occasions as MCP secretary general, regional minister, regional chairman and for long, as central executive committee member.
Former president, the late Bingu wa Mutharika, openly said that Chirwa was his long time friend from their Dedza Government Secondary School days and despite belonging to different parties, their friendship never dwindled.
According to Mayor Chirwa, burial arrangements are still being discussed, but stressed that Chirwa made a decision and left instructions that he should be buried at his Yolamu Village.
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