NOTE: This is a contribution by MIJ Students:
He visited what he lovely called the party office. For the last time. The only difference being that this time around, it was not with pomp and jubilation. There were sorrowful faces everywhere, with some people shedding tears. This is the last visit of John Zenas Ungapake Tembo, JZU as he was fondly called, to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) headquarters. This time around, in a casket.
The former MCP President died at a private clinic in Lilongwe last week Tuesday, aged 91.
President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday led Malawians to pay JZU at the party’s headquarters in Lilongwe. Built during the one-party leadership by late Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda, the office’s vast space and ground failed to manage hundreds party supporters who went to pay their last respects to JZU.
Among other notable people at the ceremony included Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima, former President Dr Joyce Banda, former Vice President Khumbo Hastings Kachali, Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara and Secretary to the President and Cabinet Collen Zamba.
He was the man who managed the affairs of the party when its future was not clear, until he handed over power to Chakwera, whose leadership got it into power. A few years shy of three decades in wilderness.
Chakwera said Tembo’s death is one of those end of an era type events as his career as far as Malawi’s developmental trajectory stands out for everyone to see.
“We were saddened, but at the same time we rejoice for his service to the nation. Right Honorable John ZU Tembo had not only been there as young man when we fought for independence, he was one of those young people that founding President had trusted with portfolios in cabinet right from get go.” he said
Some senior party members who were there during Banda’s era changed party colors after Malawians voted for democracy in 1994 with the United Democratic Front led by Bakili Muluzi ousting the MCP. But Tembo remained put.
Muluzi who said he knew JZU from the early days of struggle against British rule, said he will live to remember him as a loyal citizen of Malawi and the MCP.
They once also served side by side as Secretary General and Treasurer General in the MCP under Kamuzu Banda.
“He was a very humble man. He started politics when he was young. He has helped the country in various ways like in agriculture, especially tobacco farming when he was Chairperson of the then Tobacco Control Commission (TCC) now Tobacco Commission (TC),” his son Morgan Tembo said
Tembo said the family will remember JZU as someone who worked hard to establish various companies such as Raiply (formerly VIPLY), Press Corporation, Tobacco Commission, construction of Chancellor College in Zomba, among others
Nkhoma Synod’s Rev Dr Davidson Chifungo said Malawians should celebrate the life of the late Dr John Tembo for his meaningful developmental contribution in the country.
“Dr Tembo was a man with focus and faith as he could not be easily shaken but worked hard to achieve greater things for the party as well as the nation,” said Dr Chifungo
One of the senior politicians, Longtime Malawi Congress Party lawmaker for Lilongwe Mapuyu South, Joseph Njovuyalema described Tembo as one of the very few leaders who were constructive in decision making
“JZU was very constructive in decision making. He would do his own investigation of the matter before making a decision. He was also an accessible leader,” says Joseph Njovuyalema, one of MCP’s bigwigs.
Late Tembo will be buried at his home in Traditional Authority (TA) Kaphuka in Dedza on Wednesday
