Late Malawi VP Chilima Hailed as Reformer, Business Leader
Aside from various delegated duties over the two terms, the married father of two spearheaded public sector reforms according to his profile.
NTCHEU, Malawi - The late Vice President Saulos Chilima was being remembered in Malawi not just as a reformist politician but as a trailblazing business leader before joining government, writes Winston Mwale.
According to his official profile, Chilima, 51, made history as the first Malawian to head multinational telecom firm Airtel Malawi before entering politics in 2014 as running mate to former president Peter Mutharika.
Born on Feb. 12, 1973, in Ntcheu district, the Ngoni Catholic left an accomplished private sector career where he was "well known and highly respected as a performer (and) workaholic," serving in senior marketing roles at banks, finance firms as well as Unilever, Coca-Cola and Carlsberg.
As Airtel Malawi managing director from 2010, Chilima drove customer growth from 357,000 to 2.8 million, a 64% market share, while improving employee satisfaction from 50% to 80%.
He also coordinated rebranding from Celtel to Zain and then Airtel.
"He successfully steered the implementation of a unique and innovative outsource model" without disruption, and "developed, executed and monitored the company's strategic plan," his profile stated.
The University of Bolton doctoral graduate in knowledge management held leadership roles all his working life.
At Chancellor College in Malawi he attained undergraduate degrees in social sciences and economics.
In frontline politics from age 41, Chilima was elected VP in 2014, serving his first term under Mutharika's presidency.
He secured another term in 2020 on the Tonse Alliance ticket led by incumbent Lazarus Chakwera.Â
Aside from various delegated duties over the two terms, the married father of two spearheaded public sector reforms according to his profile.
Chilima died June 10 in a plane crash in northern Mzimba district while traveling to a memorial event.
Eight others also perished in the still unexplained tragedy.
He was laid to rest Monday in his home village of Nsipe amid calls for an independent probe.
Chakwera vowed transparency, appealing for unity, while allies appealed for a "comprehensive" inquiry to "win Malawians' trust."