Picture:Malawians gather to welcome president’s remains

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines Saturday, April 14th, 2012

Thousands of Malawians waited as a South African military aircraft touched down at Kamuzu International Airport (AFP, Jacoline Prinsloo)

LILONGWE, Malawi — A sombre mood fell over Malawi as truckloads of people welcomed the remains of late president Bingu wa Mutharika, flown back from South Africa Saturday following a fatal heart attack.

Thousands of Malawians waited with new President Joyce Banda as a South African military aircraft touched down at Kamuzu International Airport shortly after 1415 local time (1215 GMT), bearing the body of a man known at the same time as “father of the nation” and oppressive “Mr know-it-all”.

A 21-gun salute sounded as South African military personnel handed Mutharika’s brown casket draped with the Malawi flag — a red sun rising over black, red and green horizontal bars — to Malawi Defence Force officers on the airport tarmac.

The armed forces mounted a guard of honour for Mutharika as a military brass band played solemn music.

Bishop Joseph Zuza, head of the Malawi Catholic Church, offered prayers invoking God to “forgive the sins” of Mutharika, and Malawians to “pray for his soul to rest in eternal peace.”

Zuza, an outspoken cleric who once criticised Mutharika for his “bad economic policies”, said the mourners had gathered to welcome the body with “sorrow and love because death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of a new life.”

The crowds were not left unmoved.

“The reality that we have a funeral has sunk in among residents of the capital city. We want to give our dear leader a hero’s welcome from South Africa,” said Richard Phiri, a supporter of Mutharika’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), as he climbed down from a truck in the airport car park.

Even supporters of Mutharika’s rival Banda showed up, wearing the colours of their People’s Party.

“For once, the nation should be united over this funeral. Despite his failings, Mutharika was our head of state,” Sheila Gamute told AFP.

The 78-year-old leader had been flown to South Africa after he suffered a fatal heart attack on April 5.

“His wish was that he be buried next to his first wife Ethel at their mausoleum,” Mussa said.Apwp_posts