Edward Chitsulo was a great, Selfless Professional worthy emulating writes CHRR and CEDEP in a press release made available to The Maravi Post.
We, the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (CEDEP), would like to join all Malawians, the media fraternity, the academia, the government, the civil society, the opposition and all relevant stakeholders locally and internationally in offering our heartfelt condolences to the family of Chitsulo, Nation Publications Limited and the entire media fraternity following the demise of one of Malawi’s great sons Edward Chitsulo, who until his death was serving as Managing Editor of one of Malawi’s leading print media Nation Publications Limited.
We have learnt with great shock at Chitsulo’s sudden death, reminded of his vital contribution not only in protection and promotion of media freedom but also, more broadly, in the nurturing and consolidation of our hard-earned democracy in Malawi especially through his popular democratic governancecentered weekly column “The Raw Stuffer” which accorded him the platform to respond, comment and provide policy alternatives or options to emerging governance, human rights issues affecting the nation.
The Nation Publications Limited (NPL) success story over the years cannot be said without recognizing the pivotal role Mr Edward Chitsulo played, alongside other NPL team, in ensuring that this media giant stay on course even in tough times- For instance, when government decided to no longer advertise with Nation Publications Limited following its perception that NPL was being too critical of the then government. However, this did not move NPL editorial team, led by Edward Chitsulo, to compromise on its editorial policy.
Nation Publications Limited remained professional and independent in its coverage of news throughout the storm to-date in the process winning several media accolades attesting to its high professionalism and confidence Malawians have in it. Chitsulo’s remarkable role in all this cannot be overlooked, and it is hence premised on such that we at CHRR and Cedep shall live to remember Mr Edward Chitsulo as a great, selfless uncompromising professional worth emulating.
Mr Edward Chitsulo’s death is therefore not only a big blow to the family and the media fraternity but also to the Civil Society especially those of us in the democratic governance realm who viewed him as a passionate activist who challenged the status quo by calling a spade a spade and advocating for accountability, justice from relevant governance players in the best interest of the nation and human rights for all.
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It can hence be said beyond reasonable doubt that Edward Chitsulo’s life truly provides a good practical standard not only for those in the media fraternity but also broadly all of us working in the realm of democratic governance and human rights on which we can soberly assess our efforts or actions if they are selflessly geared at standing for the rights of the oppressed, common man in the face of gross governance and human rights violations.
It’s our sincere prayer that the Almighty God will give hope and strength to Chitsulo family, NPL family, the entire media fraternity and all affected Malawians locally and globally.
Malawi has lost a great son!
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p align=”left”>May the soul of Edward Chitsulo rest in eternal peace.
