Malawi : Former Vocal Leader Of Opposition John Tembo Dies At 91

By Joseph Dumbula.

Malawi’s former versatile leader of opposition John Tembo has died at the age of 91 in the capital Lilongwe.

Tembo was also President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) before he left the mantle Lazarus Chakwera who is now the Southern African nation’s President.

Tembo who also served as Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor has been hospital in Lilongwe for a week but his hospitalization was only announced to the media by his family yesterday

He had during his hay days served as a cabinet minister in the Kamuzu Banda administration and as Member of Parliament for Dedza South Constituency.

After MCP became an opposition party, he led the party to elections as its presidential candidate in 2004 and 2009 before leaving politics in 2013.

Here is his crucial timeline.

-In 1992, he played a pivotal role in the negotiations that led to the end of one-party rule and the establishment of a multi-party system in Malawi.
Presidential Candidacy and Leadership:

-In 1999, following the transition to multi-party democracy, John Tembo ran as the presidential candidate for the MCP in Malawi’s first democratic elections. He was defeated by Bakili Muluzi. Tembo served as the leader of the opposition in the Malawian Parliament during this period.

-Throughout his political career, JZ Tembo remained a staunch advocate for democracy, human rights, and good governance in Malawi.

He continued to be an influential figure in Malawi’s political landscape, serving as a Member of Parliament and holding leadership positions within the MCP.
Retirement and Legacy:

-Tembo retired from active politics in the late 2010s, marking the end of an illustrious political career.