Institute posthumously honours Tenthani, Ntaja
Free Expression Institute (FEI), an organisation that raises awareness on the right to freedom of expression in the country, has honoured departed journalist Raphael Tenthani and former mayor of Zomba City Council Joana Ntaja by naming some awards after them.
FEI national coordinator Peter Jegwa Kumwenda said the organisation is set to present five awards in Lilongwe this July 20 and has decided to name two of the awards after the individuals in recognition of the roles they played in relation to promotion of freedom of expression as a right and motivating young people to participate in the promotion of democracy.
He said: “The Freedom of Expression Award, which this year has been named ‘Raphael Tenthani Award’, is going to be given to an individual or institution that, in the view of FEI, has been outstanding in promoting freedom of expression while Young People for Democracy Award will this year be called ‘Joana Ntaja Award’ and shall be given to a young person who wins a writing competition based on a chosen theme for the year.”
Tenthani, who died in a car crash on May 16 this year, worked as a journalist for various local and international news organisations, including British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
Ntaja, on the other hand, was the first female mayor of Zomba City Council and the youngest at 31. She died in March this year. n
