The Maravi Post

Very few Malawians have a life-long obsession with flying and planes than one Stanley Edingtone Masauli, who died on Friday at the tender ager age of 67. Well, 67 may be a ripe age for an average Malawian whose life expectancy oscillates between 40 and 50, according to the good lords at the United Nations. But people like Masauli needed a bit more time on earth for their expertise to benefit their country more.

In my line of duty I have had several interactions with Masauli, especially when he had dalliances with politics. But it is his love for flying and planes that has the indelible mark. In his autobiographical book, “My Life and My Aeroplanes”, you encounter a man with a passion for flying. Even when you talked politics with him, the subject would somehow involve planes.

I personally believe Masauli had no business to join active politics. His stint with the MCP went unappreciated while his taking over the Republican Party (RP) after Gwanda Chakuamba deserted it was disastrous. I remember him trying too hard to convince me that his party's policy of bringing wealth to households was a vote-getter. That was when he was a wannabe for State House in 2009 on the inconsequential RP ticket.

That notwithstanding Masauli's life needs celebrating. Malawi has this nauseating tendency of not appreciating its true sons and daughters. Politicians, most of whom are responsible for the country's sorry state, get more traction than professionals who gave their lives to the nation.

To me Masauli was an aeronautics supremo first than a politician. He told me the other day he wrote a proposal on how to resuscitate the still comatose Air Malawi. His blue-print - if we can call it thus - emphasised that while recapitalisation was a must, the whole system needed a complete overhaul. But, sadly, the powers-that-were never even accorded him an acknowledgement of receipt of his proposal.

Anyway, today we are burying Stanley Edingtone Masauli but his legend will still remain to inspire more Malawians. I wish Malawi had a way to honour such true legends.
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©2012 The Maravi Post