NKHATA BAY, Malawi — President Lazarus Chakwera announced he will rename Lilongwe’s Six Lane Road to Chilima Highway in honour of late Vice President Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash last year.
Speaking at a memorial ceremony in Nthungwa in Nkhata Bay district, Chakwera called June 10, 2024, “a devastating, heartbreaking, and unforgettable day for the nation.”
“The renaming of the road is a fitting tribute to Chilima’s legacy, recognising his contributions to Malawi’s development,” Chakwera said.
The president described Chilima as “a humble, hard-working leader for all Malawians” and emphasised that the eight others who died in the crash were “equally valuable to society.”
Chakwera urged national unity and warned against politicising the tragedy, thanking those who have avoided using the deaths for political gain.
“Such acts are not good for grieving families and the nation,” he said, asking Malawians to pray for each other instead.
The Lilongwe Six Lane Road is currently under construction.
The highway will honour Chilima’s “dedication, unity, and humility”, according to Chakwera.
Chilima served as vice president and was a prominent political figure in Malawi before he died in the aircraft accident.
