Malawi President Peter Mutharika has expressed sadness at the death of a veteran unionist and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) leader Francis Antonio who died on December 31 in the capital Lilongwe.
Late Antonio was once general secretary of Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU).
In a condolence message through presidential advisor on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) Mabvuto Bamusi, Mutharika recognised Antonio as a constructive CSO leader who championed the promotion of workers’ rights.
Mutharika further urged CSO leaders to emulate the good example of Antonio who he said was patriotic.
The Malawi leader also contributed a sum of K100,000 to the deceased family to help in funeral arrangements.
58 year-old Antonio died in Kawale township after a long illness and was laid to rest in his home district, Nsanje.
ANTONIO munaigwira ntchito osati mbuzi zinazi kumangowalekerera abwampiniwa akuzunza iz zili phwiiiii…..RIP HERO!
Mmmmmm ine sindikuwadziwa koma inu Adad mwalongosola mbiri yonse
Antonio is a man who led the country wide strike 2nd to 9th August, in 1993. We actually had a man as General Secretary and President Ken Williams Mhango. From nowhere one called Gulung’unyung’u wrote and circulated an anonymous letter demanding salary increase for all civil servants to which government responded positively that time. It was following this strike that Civil Service Trade Union (CSTU) was established with interim president one Mr Chavula. These guys saw us organising many more strikes for which they mediated.: 1994 strike before the first multiparty election for example. The third strike was on Chatsika report in June, 1997,. This was about civil servants. But there were many strikes in other sectors of society where Mhango and Antonio were involved. May the soul of great Mbuya Francis Antonio rest in Peace.
RIP
Comrade Antonio, you fought a good fight for the rights of workers. You were a fighter, we admired you. May your soul rest in eternal peace. Nelson Weldon Banda~ Secr for Youths~ CSTU
RIP
R.I.P
aaaaa iyi ndi yosabeba koma ya dzulo ija yoti ambale anasanduka njoka..nkhani imene ija padakali pano ili pati? njokayo ili kuti? aprophetiwo thupi labwerera?
R…I….P…..