Nyasa Times correspondent wins Chanco ‘writer of the year’ award

A correspondent for Nyasa Times online at Chancellor College in Zomba, Makhumbo R. Munthali has been named writer of the year for the University of Malawi’s constituent college at a ceremony held in the Great Hall.

Munthali, a final year education student said he was delighted to be named best writer in the Chancellor College Student Awards categories.

He was the first student at Chancellor College after the lecturers started boycotting classes to write in support of academic freedom on Nyasa Timesa story which was titled “Academic Freedom is for Students too”.

Munthali: Nyasa Times correspondent wins Chanco award

Then, he then proceeded to cover the Chanco students’ vigils. Some of the article he wrote were “Chanco Students turn campus into a resort,”  he also wrote a story  “Chanco Students defiant, vigil On” and also ‘Police block Chanco Vigil’. Munthali also wrote the story ‘Students fault Unima on hotel talks”.

When the Judiciary was on strike, Munthali covered law students’ procession on Nyasa Times.

He was also a victim of police brutality during the fight for academic freedom where six armed officers invaded his room by breaking the locked door and severely beating him and his roommate before arresting them.

Munthali was injured in the process, with bleeding in the right eye and was taken to Zomba Central Hospital in handcuffs where he received treatment before being transferred back to Police holding cell.

He has also had his articles published in The Nation newspaper.

In other categories, Chanco Storm was voted newsletter of the year.

“Thanks to Chanco students for recognizing my effort in such an intriguing manner. I dedicate this award to all Chancellor College and Polytechnic Students for their bold, gallant and determined stand for academic freedom in their own right.  Surely, you stood and sacrificed much for truth and justice and the principles of academic freedom,” Munthali said.

“Special thanks to Mr. Thom Chiumia and the entire Nyasa Times crew for according me the platform to express my views, and of course the views of Chancellor College Students, on the academic freedom saga and also to cover the Chanco students vigils on Nyasa Times as a Correspondent. No doubt, Nyasa Times contributed in the fight for academic freedom in its own right,” he added.

He also paid tribute to Chanco Storm newsletter, Chanco news bulletin, Ntchemo Times, The Nation publications, Times Group and Voice, for giving his a platform to publish his articles.

Munthali also hailed his roommate Innocent Masina Nkhonyo for his inspiration and Universal Industries for sponsoring the award.

“Thanks to all and God bless. I greatly appreciate”.

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