UK opens Raphael Tenthani Centre for Media Excellence at Poly

The Government of the United Kingdom on Tuesday officially honoured late veteran journalist Raphael Tenthani by opening  a centre for excellence to be called Raphael Tenthani Centre for Media Excellence at the Polytechnic in Blantyre, a constituent college of the University of Malawi.

Tenthani, who died in a car crash on May 16 last year, worked as a journalist for various local and international news organisations, including British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Associated Press, Deutsche Welle and Nyasa Times.

Acting British High Commissioner to Malawi, Simon Mustard, opened the centre as reporters from local news organisations including Nyasa Times are attending a training course on investigative journalism at Poly funded by UK.

Mustard paid special tribute to Tenthani for his contributions to the nation through his professional journalism.

He expressed the hope that the Raphael Tenthani Centre for Media Excellence will help support, galvanise and act as a focal point for journalists to improve their skills.

Mustard challenged the media in the country to expose mal-practices in the fight against corruption, fraud and theft that is bedevilling the nation.

Simon Mustard advised media practitioners in Malawi to emulate Tenthani’s professionalism and integrity in order to disseminate true and honest information to the masses.

He said people depend on the media to make informed decisions with regards to social, economic and political development of the country.

“Tenthani was a professional journalist who was well respected in providing accurate political analyses on topical issues happening in and outside Malawi. This contributed a lot to all spheres of development. As such, it is time that media practitioners emulate the late Tenthani’s calibre,” Mustard advised.

Mustard replaced Michael Nervin on a temporary basis from September 2016 till Holly Tett takes over in January 2017.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Malawi Professor John Kalenga Saka hailed the UK government for inaugurating the centre saying it will offer opportunities for students to excel in their studies through research projects and other journalistic documents.

The media practitioners paid tribute to Tenthani, saying the center will motivate every journalist to be more professional and more dedicated to their work.