On 19 October hundreds of people gathered at Kauma Village in Traditional Authority Santhe’s area, Kasungu to pay their last respects to a local hero, Mathews Tisatayane Sapemba.
Sapemba, a visionary man and renowned social entrepreneur died on 12 October after a vehicle he was travelling in was involved in a road accident at Nakuwawa along the Santhe-Lilongwe road.
The deceased was also a staunch nationalist who launched several developmental projects at his home district, Kasungu, including projects such as Umodzi poultry Farm and a solar plant which provides clean energy to local people.
In some circles, Sapemba was also an active member of “Amuna Group”, a group of like-minded Malawians based in the United States of America that was formed to help in preserving and promoting Malawian culture.
In his eulogy, Felix Lowole, a best friend of late Sapemba described him as a true patriot who wanted to see Malawi develop economically.
“As a friend, I will miss his positive contribution and zeal to see Malawi develop,” Lowole said.
In his home district, late Sapemba was well known for his desire to see women and youths uplifted economically.
Journalist and keen follower of late Sapemba’s exploits, Lydia Banda, described the late entrepreneur as someone who loved being around women and young people who were ready to be uplifted economically.
“Though he lived in California, United States for a long time, his love and hope for Malawi was intact, which I believe is the reason why he came back to Malawi around 2003 to start various investments including the poultry Farm,” said Banda.
Before his tragic passing, He was building one of the country’s largest quail kraals, fish ponds and solar plant in Kasungu.
In an interview, Lowole, former treasurer of Amuna Group has described his passing as a huge loss for Malawi.
“We are talking of a person who tried his best to change poultry farming by introducing innovations such as the use of bird insect and gardening integrated system, and that is a no mean achievement,” He added.
As Sapemba was being laid to rest, mourners acknowledged the loss of a dreamer, but also recognized that his dreams live on.
Mathews Tisatayane Sapemba is survived by a wife and four children.
