MISA MALAWI STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF MEDIA LEGEND TITO BANDA

12th March, 2014

For Immediate Release

The Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) and the entire media fraternity in the country is shocked with the untimely death of veteran writer and media trainer, Mr Tito Banda.


Banda, who hailed from Chigude Village, T.A. Kampingo Sibande, Mzimba, passed on at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre on Tuesday, March 11, 2014.


He was until his death a lecturer in language and literature at Mzuzu University.


Tito, as he is fondly called in the media fraternity, will be remembered as a man who trained and mentored many media practitioners in Malawi and a man who emphasised on the need for journalists to adhere to ethics and professionalism.


It is undisputable that Tito helped in shaping the media in Malawi through initiatives such as KZT school of Journalism and Pen Point School of Journalism.


MISA Malawi Chapter will miss Tito for his contribution towards the establishment of the chapter. The deceased will also be remembered as a great resource person who was until his death active in steering MISA Malawi as an organization that promotes media freedom and freedom of expression.


Tito's life remains a source of inspiration to many journalists. His death, only reminds us to carry on his good work in promoting media freedom.


His legacy in Malawian media development and literature will remain memorable as an ethno-writer; a lecturer; award winner; a founder of Pen Point School of Journalism; and a mentor.


MISA Malawi Chapter joins the media fraternity, Mzuzu University and the rest of Malawians in mourning the demise of this great son of Malawi and extends the most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends.


However, MISA Malawi and the entire media fraternity will continue to celebrate Tito's life through his achievements in media development in Malawi which include:

Authoring of many Malawian literature including his three novels:
Sekani's Solution in 1980, Bitter Disapproval in 1987 The Luke Charm in 2011;

Lecturing at Malawi School of Journalism (MIJ) and until his lecture at Mzuzu University - department of languages and literature;

2012 First Merchant Bank/ Malawi Writers Union Short story award winner;

Founder and lecture of Pen Point school of Journalism - One of the earliest journalism schools;

A mentor of many upcoming and excellent journalists in Malawi Tito also authored Overlooked and Sublime: An introductory poetic genre escapes political incorporation; and Old nyaviyuyu performance: Seven Tales from northern Malawi as told by master performer of oral narrative in 2008 later translated to Tumbuka as Vidokoni vya Nyaviyuyu in 2001.

May the soul of our beloved mentor, teacher and source of inspiration, Tito Banda, rest in eternal peace.


Signed
Anthony Kasunda
MISA MALAWI CHAIRPERSON