Veteran politician and former Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President John Zenus Ungapake Tembo on Wednesday received honorary degree of Philosophy in Management and Leadership from University of Malawi (UNIMA) at a ceremony that was held at Chancellor College in Zomba.
The honorary degree brought together two rival Parties in the country MCP and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as the degree was officially conferred by President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.
The ceremony also saw the presence of MCP President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and other bigwigs in the party including Juliana Lunguzi MP.
There were cheers and ululations from his supporters and students who filled the Chancellor College Great Hall in Zomba as Tembo stepped up to get his honorary degree from Mutharika, the Chancellor of the University.
Tembo was among over 400 candidates who received degrees, diplomas and honorary degrees.
Tembo resigned from frontline politics before the May 20 2014 tripartite election which saw then then ruling People’s Party (PP) under Dr. Joyce Banda being kicked out of high office.
Tembo started his political career as Dedza south MP in 1965, leading him to several ministerial portfolios in the Kamuzu Banda one party regime.
According to autobiography read in the congregation hall, Tembo who was born in 1932 has been significant in the field of politics and public sector governance in the country.
Tembo a holder of BA in history and political philosophy obtained in Lesotho has served as Governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, Chairman of UNIMA and other companies, served as minister in MCP government and Malawi Congress Party president and leader of opposition until 2014.
