Mackinley Qabaniso Yesaya Chibambo

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Mackinley Qabaniso Yesaya Chibambo born 1917 to Rev Yesaya Mlonyeni Chibambo and Mary Hara of Ekwendeni Mzimba Malawi. Educated at Livingstonia Mission. A missionary school founded by Dr Robert Laws a Scottish Missionary. Worked as a clerk with the Dustrict Commissioner in Mzimba. Entered politics under the leadership of Levi Ziliro Mumba after seeing the subhamn activities by the British colonial government. In 1953 when the British imposed the federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Mr Qabaniso Chibambo did not hide his feelings but opposed it vehemently and protested. As a result he was banished to Nsanje to be punished by mosquitoes and heat. He remained in Nsanje until theState of Emergency on 3rd March 1959 when Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda and his Lieutenants were detained. Mr Qabaniso was then moved from Nsanje to Northern Rhodesia with Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Upon Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda's release from Gweru, he promised to Mr Qabaniso Chibambo's mother that he would bring him back alive to her. Mr Qabaniso Chibambo was one of the fourteen detainees that were released last from Gweru, Northern Rhodesia. The other thirteen were Gwanda Chakuamba Phiri, Rose Chibambo, sister inlaw to Qabaniso Chibambo, Yatuta Chisiza, Dunduzu Chisiza, Henry Chipembere, Sydney Somanje, Augustine Bwanausi, Mikika Mkandawire, Horace Chikafa, Dinesi Mambo, Gomile Kuntumanje, Thamangani Mteketa and Inkosi Gomani 11. The last fourteen prison graduates formed the inner core of Dr Banda. They made no compromises with no any other person opposing Dr. Banda and his strategy to break the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland or anybody seen to be a Federal or colonial government stooge. They coordianted their political work with other heavy weights and steered the party to achieve its goals under the leadership of Dr Banda. Most people did not know Dr Banda very well. The last fourteen prison graduates acted as a platform for Dr. Banda to be known by the people of Malawi. They portrayed Dr. Banda to the population as the only mature and indisputable leader to guide Malawians in the fight against the federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, the colonial government and the white minority rule and to gain independence. These were Banda's powerhouse. Both the government and the police branded the last fourteen prison graduates as extremists. These people wieded the formidable political power and principally contributed to the success of Dr Banda in getting the British Government to dissolve the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland and grant independence to Malawi. Mr Qabaniso Chibambo was one of this fourteen and even though he was banished in Nsanje, He was in contact with Dr Banda and carried out his political work with his colleagues. The last fourteen prison graduates so called were the last fourteen detainees remaining in prison even after Dr. Banda was released from Detention in Gweru on 1st April 1960. Their release was under a special amnesty for the contingent of the fourteen to join the first and ever Malawi Congress Party convention which was held in Nkhotakota in April of 1960 where the Orton Chirwa ceded the Presidency of Malawi Congress Party to Dr. Banda. After the cabinet crisis of September 1964, Mr Qabaniso Chibambo, then member of Parliament strongly supported Dr. Banda and succeeded to establish Dr. Banda's authority in the northern region. He was the executive member of Malawi Congress Party (MCP). He served as Minister of Works and Regional Minister for the North and MCP regional Chairman and Executive Chairman of Malawi Housing Corporation. In the mid sevety's during a political turmoil that took the lives of Albert Muwalo Qumayo and Gwede, soon after Muwalo was executed, Mr Qabaniso Chibambo was offered the position of Secretary general of the Malawi congress Party which he declined. Thereafter he was given the office odf Minister without Portifolio. Later in late 1970's he left the post and returned to his farm where stayed quietly while being loyal to Dr. Banda. In the early 1980's after after serving the Malawi Housing Corporation, their was an assassination attempt on his life. After the attempt failed, Dr Banda asked him to vacate his seat as Executive Chairman of the Malawi Housing Corporation. Mr Qabaniso Chibambo humbly returned home to his village where all things begun. On June 2nd, 2005 after visiting his oldest son in Mocambique who was serving as an ambassador to Mocambique, Mr Qabaniso Chibambo died in Lilongwe as he was preparing to visit his last born son in London. Mr Mackinley Qabaniso Yesaya Chibambo, a true torch bearer that ushered independence and political freedom into Malawi and into the part of the world. He is a true Malawian hero. There are some songs that will never be sung but for those who know, this is a song to be sang proudly. May our new leaders learn from the old and the motivation they had to bring this country to where it was. Never forget where we came from and who contributed to what we once enjoyed. May their dream for Malawi never die.

Son Chatonda Chibambo.