By Beatrice Bangula
The body of veteran journalist, Francis Tayanjah Phiri, was on Tuesday laid to rest at Stella Maris Cemetery in Blantyre where hundreds bade him farewell.
Phiri died Sunday at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre where he was admitted to because of high blood pressure.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr Shadric Namalomba, Deputy Regional Information Officer for the South, Brenda Nkosi, described Phiri’s death as a loss not only to the media fraternity but to the entire nation considering the role journalists play.
She said the government acknowledges the crucial role journalists play in disseminating information about policies and programs as well as raising citizens’voices on government development aspirations.
“When journalists share news and information, they help people to understand what their government is doing thereby enabling citizens to make informed and meaningful decisions.
And when we lose dedicated professionals like Phiri, it is truly painful,” she said.Nkosi said Phiri was a dedicated journalist who served with excellence and maintained good relations with other journalists, urging journalists in the country to emulate late Phiri’s dedication to duty and passion for journalism.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mabvuto Bamusi, said Phiri was taken ill on Saturday and was rushed to the hospital.
“Although it was a short illness, Francis had a history of blood pressure which led to his death,” Bamusi said.
Veteran journalist, Maganizo Mazeze, said Phiri will be remembered by journalists for being a friendly person.
“Many journalists who are known today have been assisted or supported in their profession by Phiri even after his retirement. He looked at people equally despite their age or status,” he said.
Phiri was among the first journalists to win the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter awards when they were first introduced in the country.
He worked for a number of media institutions in the country and finished his career with Times Group from 2006 until his retirement in 2018.
Born in 1967, Phiri is survived with two children.
