MALAWI: Mary Chilima Launches SKC Foundation In Honor Of Late Husband

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi 

The SKC Foundation, established in memory of the late Vice President Saulos Chilima, was officially launched on Tuesday.

The event, which took place on what would have been Chilima’s 52nd birthday, was attended by a large crowd of dignitaries, family members, and supporters.

Mary Chilima, Chairperson of the SKC Foundation and widow of the late Vice President, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming turnout.

“I did not expect such a large crowd when I sent out invitations to all stakeholders associated with my late husband,” she said.

In her emotional address, Mary Chilima acknowledged the difficulties faced by the families who lost loved ones in the June 10, 2024, plane crash that claimed her husband’s life.

“The past eight months have been difficult for all of us, but we must continue to move forward,” she said.

Mary Chilima also reflected on the tragic circumstances of her husband’s death, saying, “I am still trying to come to terms with what happened 24 hours after the plane crash in Chikangawa, where my husband, Saulos Klaus Chilima, and eight others lost their lives.

Why did Saulos, a man of love and kindness, have to die in such a tragic manner?”

The UTM party has been critical of the government’s handling of the crash, stating that they have not received sufficient answers about the incident.

The government has since released a report on the crash, attributing it to bad weather conditions.

The SKC Foundation, a non-partisan and non-political organization, aims to preserve the legacy of the late Vice President by supporting education, disaster relief, and leadership development initiatives. President Lazarus Chakwera has accepted an invitation to attend the launch, along with First Lady Monica Chakwera.

Mary Chilima emphasized that the foundation will serve as a vehicle for development in Malawi and across Africa.

She said that the foundation will support education through scholarships, including assistance for children who lost a parent in the Chikangawa plane crash.

Chilima added that the foundation will establish a fund to help families affected by natural disasters or pandemics.

In addition to its development initiatives, the SKC Foundation will also work to promote the values and principles that guided the late Vice President’s life and work.

Mary Chilima said that her husband’s legacy will continue to inspire and motivate people to work towards a better future for Malawi and Africa.

The launch of the SKC Foundation marks an important milestone in the efforts to preserve the legacy of the late Vice President Saulos Chilima.

As the foundation begins its work, it is clear that the impact of Chilima’s life and work will continue to be felt for generations to come.