Its now one year since the country lost popular gospel song star Grace Chinga branded as Malawi’s Rabecca Malope.

Chinga died suddenly on March 16, 2016 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in the commercial capital Blantyre after a short illness.

Her sudden death shocked many Malawians including President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika.

Mutharika described the death of Grace Chinga as great loss.

“The First Lady and I are deeply shocked with the death of gospel musician Grace Chinga, a very talented songwriter and singer whose gospel music has enriched me and many people across the country.”

“Grace was an extraordinary woman full of love, life and immense talent who has blessed all of our lives with her gospel melodies which were full of wisdom,” said Mutharika.

Writing on his official facebook page, Grace’s son Steve Spesho said: “Today marks a year without my mother on this earth.I did not just loose a mother this day, I lost my friend, my mentor, music teacher and so much more.

“May her soul keep resting in peace.

“Those of you who still have your mom’s alive please show them love everyday. Some of us would love to get even just one chance to hug our mom one more time.”

Proudly labeled as Malawi’s Rebecca Malope, Chinga shot in the limelight in 1998 with the first album, Uleke, of the defunct All Angels Choir.

Her first album which earned her awards had the popular song, Thandizo Langa.

Chinga was hit by divorce -with husband top photographer Rodger Moffart – which turned to be among the most publicized marriage dissolution cases in Malawi.

But Grace two years later in 2010, released probably her best ever album, Udzayimba Nyimbo.

Born on June 25, 1978, Chinga left three children; two boys and a girl.