Edward Chitsulo laid to rest
Veteran journalist Edward Chitsulo, who until his death on Sundaymorning was Nation Publications Limited (NPL) managing editor, has been laid to rest at his home, Ntepele Village, Traditional Authority Likoswe in Chiradzulu.
Chitsulo died after a short illness at Blantyre Adventist Hospital.
Hundreds of people from all walks of life flocked to Ntepele to bid farewell to an outstanding journalist, who worked hard for press freedom in Malawi.
Some of the notable faces at his burial today included former president Bakili Muluzi, former information minister Brown Mpinganjira and People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) president Mark Katsonga.
Veteran journalists and Chitsulo’s close allies Al Osman, Grey Mang’anda and Levi Zeleza Manda were also at Ntepele to say goodbye to their former colleague.
Speaking at the funeral today, Information Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa, who represented Malawi President Peter Mutharika, urged the media practitioners to emulate the late Chitsulo by being ethical and professional in their approach to issues.
“Chitsulo has worked with all governments, from that of Dr Bakili Muluzi, Prof Bingu wa Mutharika, Dr Joyce Banda and now Prof Peter Mutharika. When things were wrong, Chitsulo would criticize to bring change and when things have changed he would commend and encourage government.
“Chitsulo was professional and never wrote bad things against others. Although he knew that the pen was mightier than the sword, he never used it to destroy others,” said Nankhumwa, paying tribute to the fallen Chitsulo.
The minister also hailed Chitsulo for being in the forefront of the fight for the legislation of free access to information, saying government will do everything possible to ensure that the Bill goes to Parliament and eventually passed into law.
“Chitsulo’s spirit will only rest in peace if this comes to fruition,” Nankhumwa said, assuring the media fraternity of government’s commitment.
In his eulogy, Alfred Ntonga, NPL’s deputy chief executive officer, hailed the late Chitsulo for being a mentor to hundreds of journalists in the country.
Ntonga said apart from contributing to the country’s development, Chitsulo was an agent of change in the Sadc region in his role as Panos chairperson from 2009 to 2012.
Chitsulo was also one of the founding figures of Misa at regional level and contributed to the establishment of the Malawi Chapter in 1997.
He also played a leading role in the establishment of other key media institutions such as the Journalists Association of Malawi (Jama) now Journalists Union of Malawi (Juma); the Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ); and the Media Council of Malawi (MCM).
A holder of Bachelor of Arts Degree (credit) from the University of Malawi, Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication (India) and Post Graduate Diploma in Practical Journalism (Wales-United Kingdom), Chitsulo was born on April 16 1958 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Chitsulo, 56, is survived by a wife and four children.
Career Background in brief
Secondary school teacher between 1982 and 1985.
Joined Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL) as a news reporter in 1985 and rose through the ranks to the position of editor of the Daily Times.
Co-established the defunct Michiru Sun newspaper in 1992 with Grey Mang’anda.
Worked for Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ) as senior course manager between 1995 and 1998.
Worked as lecturer in language and communication studies at the Malawi Polytechnic between 1998 and 2003.
Worked as Public Relations Officer for Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) between 2003 and 2004.
Joined NPL in 2004 as Associate Editor and rose to the position of Managing Editor until his death.
He also held several professional responsibilities such as councillor for Media Council of Malawi, Trustee of the Malawi Writers Union and the Poverty Alleviation Trust Fund and Board Member of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra).
