James Chipofya, Radio journalist

Malawi lost one of the finest radio journalists last week Friday after a three-year battle with cancer.

But, although he is gone, his legacy still lives.

Having worked at Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) from 1976 to 2010 in the news and current affairs department, his contribution to the country’s media industry cannot be taken lightly.

Born in a polygamous family setting in 1950 in Ruviri in Mwadandambi Village, T/A Chikulamayembe in Rumphi, Chipofya was from the second wife, hence he was a Chipofya while his half brothers were Chirambos.

He attended Ruviri Primary School in Rumphi until his brother, Winford Chirambo, who was a police officer, took him along as he was being stationed to Karonga. There, Chipofya continued his primary school at Chilumba Primary School.

In 1968, he was selected to pursue secondary education at Chilumba Secondary School where, in 1971, he obtained his Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE).

One year after obtaining the MSCE, he entered Lilongwe Teachers Training College where, after two years, he obtained a Diploma in Education in 1974 after which he was stationed in Salima where he taught at Salima Secondary School up until 1976.

During his time in Salima, Chipofya fell in love with a nurse, Elina Lupwayi, who would later become his wife until his death.

After the couple got married in 1976, Chipofya joined MBC as a sub editor. Since then, there was no looking back as he embarked on a career which would turn him into a household name as far as radio journalism is concerned.

After starting work at MBC Radio, Chipofya showed dedication, focus and prowess such that

ensued he was promoted at regular intervals.

At MBC, he rose in ranks from sub editor to senior reporter to principal reporter and finally, in 1999, to chief reporter.

In 2005, Chipofya opted for retirement, but being such a resource to the MBC newsroom, they could hardly afford to let him go such that he was offered employment on an open-ended contractual agreement as a Controller of News and Current Affairs.

Among his many duties on this position was mentoring and coaching young journalists.

Some notable names that are a product of his mentorship include, Chipiliro Mtumodzi, Sellina Khonje, Vincent Khonyongwa, Charles Vintulla and Dorothy Kachitsa.

In an interview with Chill on Wednesday, his son Louis confessed that although his father was a senior in age and professionally compared to most journalists he was working with, he was always sociable and would even assist them in their personal lives whenever they faced difficulties.

“People would relate to him as they would their father and although he was like that, he was never judgmental or too strict; he was liberal. He would present you all the alternatives and tell you the consequences of each decision,” he said.

Louis added that he could see his father receiving phone calls from MBC journalists on how to go about a story or even seek advice on their personal lives.

“He would act like ankhoswe even to people he is not related to. But apart from that, he was a family man who always made sure his family was well taken care of. He was also an outgoing person and approachable to people around,” he said.

Louis cited that his father was never a church-goer

until in 2000 when he was baptised and became a devout Christian at CI Roman Catholic Church where he always attended the six o’cock mass every Sunday.

His commitments extended to the time he renewed his vows with his wife in 2009.

Chipofya was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 after he felt numb in the legs.

“Five days later, he could

2014not walk so we went to see a doctor and after several test, they decided to run a cancer tests which revealed he had a high level of cancerous cells a man can barely survive on. The doctors were amazed that he was alive,” said Louis.

Chipofya embarked on a rigorous medical regime which helped him start walking again and return to his normal business.

“He was getting well such that he had a stint with Ufulu Radio for four months only to discover that the cancer had spread to his kidney, part of the brain and spine,” Louis explained.

In January, he was introduced to chemotherapy at Seventh Day Adventist Clinic in Blantyre.

However, the cancer had developed so much that his last public appearance was on May 10 2014.

After his condition deteriorated on June 13, Chipofya was rushed to Mwaiwathu Hospital, where, after a prayer, which he told his wife o help him with, he never opened his eyes again.