The 10th of June will be remembered as one of the most tragic events in Malawi's history. On this day, a plane crash claimed the lives of nine people. All nine individuals will forever be honored and be remembered for the contributions they made to their country and their noble professions. Malawian Girls Rock joins the nation in remembering and honoring the lives of Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima,the Vice President of Malawi, Major Flora Seleman Ngwirinji, the second Pilot in Command,Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri,Advisor on Women’s Affairs to the Vice President, Mr Lucas Kapheni, the Guard Commander, Chisomo Chimaneni, Aide de Camp, Mr Daniel Kanyemba, Medical Officer, Mr Adbdul Kingstone Lapukeni, Deputy Chief of Protocol, Colonel Owen Sambalopa, Pilot in Command, and Major Wales Aidini, Aircraft Engineer.
Major Flora Seleman Ngwirinji, a pilot in the Malawi Defence Force, was the first female pilot in Malawi. Major Flora joined the MDF in November 1999 and was commissioned in 2015 and rose from the rank of a Lieutenant to Major. Major Flora began her career as an air hostess but quickly moved on to a more challenging career, obtaining a private and commercial license at South Africa's Grand Central Airport. One of her aspirations was to open a flying academy in Malawi. For those who follow Entertainment news, you might also have known her from a famous Lucious Banda song “Fulora” a song dedicated to her on her wedding day. Major Flora was born on 5th January 1979 and was laid to rest on 14th of June,2024 in Thyolo.
Shanil Dzimbiri was a teacher, politician and Malawi’s first lady from 1999 to 2004. Shanil served as a member of parliament for Balaka West from 2014 to 2019. Shanil resuscitated her political career after a long break by joining UTM where she served as a director of women affairs in 2018; Shanil was until her death, a personal advisor on Women’s affairs to the Vice President. Shanil made very significant changes and placed her focus on women and other vulnerable groups. She championed the 50;50 campaign by requesting for deliberate efforts to be put in place during primary elections to level up the field, personally secured funding for a Health Centre in her constituency and solicited physiotherapy equipment worth K500, million from the United States. Shanil, as described by those close to her was humble and a devout Catholic who sometimes volunteered at Radio Maria. As per her wishes (as shared in the leaked email) let us celebrate the life she lived. Shanil was born on 25th September,1964 and was buried on 14th June,2024 at her home village in Balaka.
Mr. Lucas Kapheni was the Vice President's guard commander. He was a known committed professional who advanced fast through the Police Service to become Assistant Commissioner of Police. During the Democratic Progressive Party era, the late Assistant Commissioner held the position of Guard Commander for the Vice President in 2014. He continued to serve the Vice President in this capacity, from 2020 until his death. Kapheni was born in 1978, and on June 14, 2024, he was buried in Kasungu.
Please read the next article where we continue to honor and remember each one of them.
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