Grace Chinga’s family seeks help for tombstone

The family of fallen gospel star Grace Chinga said Thursday they were in need of support to refurbish a tombstone of the renowned musician, which was vandalised recently at HHI Cemetery in Blantyre. The fallen musicians’ mother, flanked by relations Pastor Isaac Mpazula and the musician’ s brother Dave, said she was dismayed by the act of vandalism on her daughter’…

The family of fallen gospel star Grace Chinga said Thursday they were in need of support to refurbish a tombstone of the renowned musician, which was vandalised recently at HHI Cemetery in Blantyre.

The fallen musicians’ mother, flanked by relations Pastor Isaac Mpazula and the musician’s brother Dave, said she was dismayed by the act of vandalism on her daughter’s tombstone.

“Family members tried to hide the news about vandalism of the tombstone but I eventually knew. This is sad and we are not sure what the people who vandalised the tombstone were looking for. Losing my daughter was a painful thing and up to now I cannot get over it,” she said as she tried to hold back tears.

She said they had tried to engage authorities on what happened but nothing fruitful came out.

“I think my daughter has to be left alone, let her rest in peace. Now they have completely vandalised everything. The tombstone was built by well-wishers, who saw the contribution made by my daughter to the nation, a very expensive tombstone and we, as family, cannot replace it,” the musician’s mother said.

She said she does not work and that the family does not have enough to replace the tombstone, hence are looking for support.

Pastor Isaac Mpazula said Chinga was a pillar not for the family alone but the country and that the act of vandalism on her tombstone shows lack of respect for her.

“Our call to the authorities is that they need to put up proper security to avoid such things. Such incidents show lack of respect,” Mpazula said.

Chinga, who was no ordinary musician, died in March 2016 after a short illness.

Her songs continue to preach to souls today.

The singer, famed for the hit ‘Thandizo Langa,’ which was voted the Best Song during the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation Entertainers of the Year programme, was born on June 28 1978.

She came from Leza Village, Traditional Authority Makhuwira, in Chikwawa. She is survived by three children – Miracle, Steve Spesho and Israel and they are all continuing their mother’s musical mission.

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