Double elections for Malawi media fraternity

About five months after the country experienced some elections fever during Malawi’s 2014 My Tripartite Elections that saw president Peter Mutharika get into power, the media fraternity will have two elections, back to back, to elect new leadership.

State House spokesman Fredrick Ndala:   Outgoing Juma chair
State House spokesman Fredrick Ndala: Outgoing Juma chair

This weekend on 22nd November, Malawi’s journalists will be replacing their president and vice president for the Journalists Union of Malawi (Juma), a rights body which is mandated to look into the interests of journalists in terms of perks and labour matters in the work place.

The elections fever is high at the moment and only five people have shown interest to lead the union, with three vying for the first two top most national positions.

Radio journalist at MIJ Fm, Deitrich Frederich is up against journalist and long-time former Juma SecretaryGeneral, George Mhango, of The Nation newspaper for Presidency.

Veteran journalist and media consultant M’theto Lungu is unopposed for Vice Presidency and Mwai Mtumodzi of MIJ Fm is vying for post of Southern Region Chapter Chairperson, whilst  Nyasa Times  reporter Chancy Namazunda is vying for Central Region Chapter Secretary General position.

National Secretary General Charles Mkula confirmed the candidates and emphasized that the deadline for anyone else to indicate interest for candidature on any of the current vacant posts was Wednesday 19th November, 2014.

If they make it, they will replace Frederich Mdala who was President and Sylvester Namiwa who deputised him. Both are now at State House as Presidential Press Officer and press team member.

Malawi’s journalists are one of the least paid in the SADC region and are often not protected when their labour rights are violated by employers and others alike.

Juma itself has been unstable for the past seven years, and pundits indicate the new leadership will be expected to turn around the situation or the union may be forced to fold altogether due to lack of
seriousness and evidential impact in the labour aspects of journalists.

On 13 December 2014, again, the Malawi media fraternity ushers in new Misa (Media Institute of Southern Africa) Malawi Chapter leadership.

Heated debate has ensued on who will take the day, between George Kasakula (Weekend Nation editor ) and Thom Khanje  (Daily Times editor  -bsuiness) who are contesting the highest seat in
Misa-Malawi.

The winner will replace Anthony Kasunda who has since resigned his post at The Nation newspaper and is now public relations officer at the Blantyre City Council.

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Israel2013
Israel2013
9 years ago

Detrich Fredrich, mutundu wanji wa munthu?

Malunza
Malunza
9 years ago

If you let Thom Khanje win, you journalists will be roasted by DPP, this man is DPP to the bone.

jumujum
jumujum
9 years ago

vote wisely Mhango is better than………………………Mtheto Mhango woyeeeeeeeeeeeee
woyeeeeeeeeeeee chair

Ineyo
Ineyo
9 years ago

I feel M’theto Lungu, just like his uncle in Zambia Edgar Lungu, should contest for the position of Juma President. He is better than both Deitrich who is immature and Mhango who failed Juma for over two terms as secretary general!

#votemtheto

Wailing Soul
Wailing Soul
9 years ago
Reply to  Ineyo

I don’t see any correlation between Mtheto’s capabilities to those of his uncle, how? Yes he could be better than the rest but how does the issue of his uncle come in?

ANALYST
ANALYST
9 years ago

Comrade and classmate George Gorijo “Ajogi” Mhango woyeeee

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