Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera confirmed on Tuesday, June 11, that Vice President Saulos Chilima died in a tragic plane crash along with nine other individuals.
“Despite the crew’s experience, something catastrophic occurred, causing the aircraft to crash and resulting in the loss of all lives on board,” President Chakwera stated.
Reflecting on the loss, President Chakwera added, “I share in this profound grief and understand the deep sorrow we all feel. It is crucial that we support one another in the coming weeks as we mourn together. He was an honorable man and a dedicated patriot. Serving with him as my deputy for the past four years was a true honor.”
The Malawi Defence Forces (MDF) aircraft carrying Chilima went off radar after departing Lilongwe on Monday, June 10, at 9:17 AM. The aircraft was scheduled to land at Mzuzu International Airport at 10:02 AM but failed to do so.
Who Was Dr. Saulos Chilima?
Dr. Saulos Chilima, born on February 12, 1973, was a prominent figure from the Ngoni tribe in Ntcheu District, Central Malawi. He was married to Mary, with whom he had two children. A devout Roman Catholic, Dr. Chilima held leadership positions within his church.
Dr. Chilima was first sworn in as Vice President of Malawi on May 30, 2014. He began his second term on June 28, 2020. He earned a PhD in Knowledge Management from the University of Bolton, a Master’s degree in Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Computer Science, and Economics from the University of Malawi.
Before his political career, Dr. Chilima made significant strides in the private sector. He was the first Malawian to lead Airtel Malawi, the country’s leading mobile telecommunications company. Prior to telecommunications, he held senior sales and marketing roles in the banking sector and fast-moving consumer goods sector, working with companies like Leasing and Finance Company, Unilever Malawi, Coca-Cola, and Carlsberg.
According to the Malawi government website, Dr. Chilima was described as “a performer, a workaholic, and an achiever everywhere he has been.”
Notable Achievements of Dr. Chilima
- Business Growth: He drove Airtel Malawi’s customer base from 357,000 in 2006 to 2,800,000 by December 2012, and increased employee satisfaction from 50% in 2006 to 80% in 2012.
- Rebranding Success: Coordinated the successful rebranding of Celtel to Zain in 2008, achieving a total market awareness of 52% by April 2010 and facilitating the smooth transition from Zain to Airtel in November, leaving a positive impression on all stakeholders.
- Performance Recognition: Contributed significantly to Airtel Malawi’s performance, leading to the company being awarded “OPCO of the Year 2008” and “Initiative of the Year” for the Quick Refill Centers (QRC) concept.
- Innovative Outsourcing: Successfully implemented a unique and innovative outsourcing model in telecoms for Airtel Malawi’s Network, Call Center, and IT departments, ensuring minimal or no disruption to business operations.
Dr. Saulos Chilima’s legacy is marked by his remarkable achievements and dedication to his nation and community. His untimely death is a significant loss for Malawi.
