EX-HUSBAND RODGER MOFFAT MOURNS MALAWI GOSPEL SONGBIRD

Ex-husband to gospel diva, Grace Chinga has expressed shock at her sudden death on Wednesday.

Rodger Moffat said he had learnt with great shock about the death of his former wife.

Grace reportedly had complained of a headache and collapsed at her residence in Blantyre. She was taken to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in the city, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Moffat, who was married to Grace for 10 years before a Blantyre Magistrate Court dissolved the marriage in 2007 following matrimonial differences, said he learnt of her death Wednesday night.

Moffat, a freelance photographer, said the demise of his ex-wife and mother of his two children was a great loss to him and his family.

“We heard from Maggie Mangani that she complained of headache and later collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

“We never heard of any illness,” a grief-stricken Moffat told MANA at parliament building in Lilongwe on Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, musicians having have been paying tributes too for the departed colleague.

Barry One wrote on his facebook page, “Quite saddened by the death of Grace Chinga Moffat, I was and will always be a fan of her message, a very powerful woman she was musically. May her soul rest in eternal peace, God be with her family, my condolences.”

Singer Phallys Maliki Manganda said; “To say the legendary Grace was an influence on my life would be a vast understatement. One of the highlights of my career was to perform his classic song ‘Thandizo langa,’ as she helped me during one of the gospel shows — I’ll never forget it. We’ve lost a true pioneer who will be greatly missed.”

Also paying his tribute on facebook was Rev Chimwemwe Mhango who wrote, “She is gone but her music will still live. Death is so painful but in Christ we have our strength and hope of meeting again in His glory. Musicians are mourning Grace Chinga…Revelation 14:13. To God be the glory.”

Chinga will be laid to rest on Saturday at HHI cemetery in the commercial capital Blantyre.