By Lauryn M’banga

The body of the late Vice President of the Republic of Malawi, Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima was laid to rest at Nsipe in Ntcheu, after a week-long celebration of his life.

Late SKC as he was popularly known, died alongside eight other esteemed Malawians who were on board an aircraft which crashed in the hills of Chikangawa forest in Mzimba district, due to bad weather on Monday 10th June 2024.

Born in Ntcheu district on 12th February 1973, Chilima was a devoted Christian, deep rooted in culture, a workaholic and a performer who changed the face of politics in the country, as described by many in their eulogies during his burial ceremony.

Before he joined politics, SKC held Senior Sales Marketing positions in various multi-national companies in the country including Airtel Malawi, Coca-Cola, Carlsberg and Unilever Malawi.

SKC first became the vice president of Malawi in 2014 through 2019, under the presidency of Prof. Peter Muntharika of the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), thereafter in 2020 under the Tonse Alliance led by Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, a position he held until his untimely death.

On 21st July 2018, Chilima launched a transformation movement called the United Transformation Movement (UTM) which brought tremendous change in the political landscape of Malawi, as he always encouraged the youth to take part in politics aiming towards the development of the country.

Late Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima has left behind his wife Mary Chilima and his two children, Sean and Elizabeth Chilima.