President Lazarus Chakwera has described late Leader of opposition John Tembo as a statesman of all political times describing him as a man who sat on front row seat in all political spaces of Malawi from colonial, independence and multiparty era.
In his eulogy at the funeral ceremony of Tembo at Malawi Square in Lilongwe President Chakwera said Tembo”s life will forever be a library and an archive for all the generations to come saying he was a man who laid a foundation for democracy in the country,,
“Today we gather here to salute and see off a great man, a great statesman whose life has spanned through nine decades and a man who has sat on front row seat in the journey of Malawi politics.
President Chakwera said late Tembo was a man of humility and a generous man who dedicated his life to teaching young ones all that they wanted to learn from him.
“Late Tambo has left a nation which is grateful to his contributions to Malawi’s development and in the political arena, he was a dedicated man with principles who stood with the party despite other people changing coluors and joining other parties,” added Chakwera
Former president Dr. Joyce Banda described Tembo as a leader with love because he loved people from all walks of life, and a friend to everyone.
“The attributes of a good leader is the ability to mobilise good team who would bring development and Tembo was able to recruit, train and motivate his team, he built, trained and empowered leaders who are also serving Malawi long after his retirement,” said Banda
In his speech the late Tembo’s son John Tembo Junior described his late father as a man who taught them to work hard, be disciplined and to respect elders.
“Our father taught us moral values in which he insisted on his children being disciplined, my father was a mentor, leader who taught respect and good morals,” said Tembo Junior
John Zenus Ungapake Tembo was born on September 14, 1932 and he attended several primary schools before graduating to Blantyre Secondary School and later went to study at the University of Roma (also known as Pius XII College) in Lesotho where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political philosophy.
Tembo was elected to the legislative assembly of Nyasaland in 1961. He was the Deputy Minister of Finance in Malawi after independence, succeeding Henry Phillips.
Tembo also served as Malawi congress party President until his retirement in 2013.
He died on 26th September, 2023 at the age of 91 and he will be buried in his home village, Dedza on 4th October, 2023
Reported By Kumbukani Kondowe
