* The silence was the loudest thing this morning Mnthunzi Funeral Mortuary in Blantyre
* No cameras flashing for interviews; no press statement — just a hearse, and a line of mourners whose voices had gone quiet
* Malawi says goodbye to journalist extraordinaire, Brian Banda
By Arkangel Tembo
The silence was the loudest thing this morning. The body of veteran journalist and Director General of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), Brian Banda, was taken from Mnthunzi Funeral Mortuary in Blantyre.
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No cameras flashing for interviews; no press statement — just a hearse, and a line of mourners whose voices had gone quiet.
From Mnthunzi, the procession moved slowly to Chilombwe for a church service.
The same man who spent his life giving Malawi the news was now the headline. The same voice that guided us through elections, disasters, and national moments was now being prayed over in hymns.
Inside the church, there were no bulletins, no breaking news. Only family, colleagues, and a nation trying to understand how the mic could go dead so suddenly.
Journalists, who once sat under his red pen, stood with bowed heads. Young reporters he mentored kept looking to the front, expecting him to walk in, tap the table, and say, “Let’s get the facts right.”
He didn’t.
After the service, the journey continues. Tomorrow, the body will be taken to Chileka for burial — to the soil. To rest.
Brian Banda didn’t chase fame. He chased truth. In newsrooms he was ‘Boss’, but to many he was a teacher. He carried the weight of MBC so that Malawians could trust what they heard on radio and TV.
He believed journalism was service — and he served until his last breath. Now the newsroom he built will have to learn how to broadcast without him.
The country he informed will have to learn how to listen without his calm in the chaos.
From Mnthunzi, to Chilobwe, to Chileka — one last journey. One final sign-off.
Rest well, Director General, Brian Banda. The broadcast goes on… but it will never sound the same.
In his eulogy on his Facebook account, journalist Madalitso Musa wrote: “The transience of life can be stinging cruel. But then, we shall all unite in the intimate democracy of death.
“Rest, OBanda, rest. Even the clocks of Bandundu have frozen. We are one May 16 boys less.
“Rest, aBeeBee, rest. We pray your leap up there is in firm angels’ wings and God’s hands will welcome you and soften your landing.
“Rest, Chidzukulu cha Ananjaiko, rest. The nation has lost, heaven is blessed by your presence. We pray.
“Rest, Brian, rest.”
In response, Clever Ngwalo wrote: “Life is an account we never know the balance. Rest Ngozo.”
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Malawi’s media fraternity was plunged into mourning following the Brian Banda, who died on Saturday at Mwaiwathu Hospital in Blantyre. The family indicated that he suffered a short illness.
Born in 1981, Brian Banda was appointed to lead the national broadcaster in March this year, after a career spanning journalism, broadcasting and public communication.
Before joining MBC, Banda worked as a talk show host for Times Group, where he presented programmes including Hot Current, Times Exclusive and Times Talk.
He also worked for Capital Radio, hosting Straight Talk, Sunday Round Table and NewsTalk, among other programmes.
Brian Banda also served in government as State House Press Officer from 2012 to 2014 before returning to the State Residences as Presidential Press Secretary from August 2020 to July 2022.
His contribution to broadcasting earned him several accolades, including Talk Show Host of the Year awards under the MISA Malawi Annual Media Awards and Television Personality of the Year under the MBC Entertainers of the Year Awards.
MISA Malawi chairperson Felix Washon described Brian Banda as a broadcaster who was known for his fearless approach to interviewing and ability to engage interviewees and audiences.
“He will be remembered for his unique ability to engage with interviewees and the audience. The Malawi media and stakeholders in the broadcast sector will dearly miss him,” said Washon.
The Media Council of Malawi (MCM) also mourned Brian, describing his death as a loss to his family, colleagues at MBC and the wider media fraternity.
Executive Director Moses Kaufa said Brian Banda made notable contributions to independent journalism and broadcasting and was recognised for an interviewing style that combined courageous questioning, humour and an engaging personality.
“His contribution to Malawi’s media landscape will be remembered by audiences, colleagues, and the many people he interacted with throughout his career,” said Kaufa.—Additional reporting by Adson Nthenga, Malawi News Agency (MANA); editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
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