Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera appointed Michael Usi as the new vice president on Thursday, following the tragic airplane crash last week that claimed the life of former Vice President Saulos Chilima and nine others.
Chilima, who was expected to challenge Chakwera in next year’s presidential election, was killed when the military plane they were traveling in crashed in a forest on June 10.
According to a government statement, Michael Usi will be sworn into office on Friday.
Previously, he held the position of Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change and was a close ally of Chilima, having served as his running mate.
Usi, in addition to his political career, is a movie actor, playwright, and musician. His notable role as “Dr. Manga” in the film ‘Dr. Manga’ has garnered him recognition. He also serves as the director of the MBC TV series ‘Tikuferanji’ (Why Are We Dying).
He is married to Ella, a retired nurse formerly employed at Blantyre Adventist Hospital. Before gaining national TV exposure in Malawi, Usi became popular through acting in radio plays on MBC Radio 1.
Subsequently, he transitioned to creating feature films that address current issues and reflect the social and political realities of Malawian life.
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