Free Express Institute (FEI), a local organisation that raises awareness on the rights to freedom in the Malawi has honoured the departed Journalist Raphael Tenthani and former Mayor of Zomba City Council Joana Ntanja by naming two awards including after them.
FEI awarded some individuals who contributed to the country’s promotion freedom of express of rights and women participation in politics, the event which took place on Monday, July 20, 2015 in the capital Lilongwe.
The institute decided to name the two awards including Raphael Tenthani and Joana Ntanja awards after these individuals were recognized for the role played in relation to promotion of freedom of expression as aright and motivating young people to participate in the promotion of democracy especially among young women.
There were five wards for 2015 namely Raphael Tenthani, Joana Ntanja, Newsmakers, moving time and whistle blower awards such that each category ward five individuals were nominated for them to compete with final selection from judges which included Malawi Human Right Commission (MHRC) and Malawi’s Media Houses.
In this yea’s Raphael Tenthani awards has gone to DD Phiri, a historian and Nation Publication Newspaper (NPL)’s columnist, Edger Makwenda scooped the Joana Ntanja award for writing outstanding essay on how young women can contribute perfectly in politic after beating 247 entries. The winner got MK200, 000 cash.
Mlenga Mvula, Judiciary Spokesperson won Newspaper Awards for ably provided public information to the local press. Moving Time awards went to Juliana Linguzi, Dedza East Member of Parliament for using productively social media in communicating with constituents while Zodiak Broadcasting station (ZBS) scooped the Whistle blower award for Ntcheu story in which a conduct of a certain individual who was keeping young girl for prostitute which led government intervening by closing the brothel where the practice was happening.
Speaking after gotten the recognition, the late Ntanja’s mother expressed gratitude for such motivating gesture from the institute saying young women will be motivated the role she played to the country’s democracy at tender age.
“It’s sad that the honour has come as the owner is gone. However, it’s a motivation to young women in the country to pursue politics in promotion of democracy. This will go a long way in our family history as we will continue remembering our daughter the role played to country’s democracy”, delighted Ntaja’s Mother.
Later, the Maravi Post caught up with Peter Jegwa Kumwenda, FEI’s National coordinator on the prospects of this year’s awards who said the event was organized concededly with the July 20, 2011’s Malawi’s doom day in recognizing those individuals’ freedom of expression made significant to country’s democracy.
“Freedom of expression is a right which must be natured such that once is suppressed by authorities promotion of injustices take its course. This is the reason will pursue this course that Malawi should remain a peaceful nation with free will for the development of this country”, said Kumwenda.
This is a third year for FEI organizing such an event. Tenthani who died in car crash on May 16, 2015 worked for various local and international media organization including the Maravi Post, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
While, Joana Ntaja was the first Female mayor of Zomba City Council and youngest at 31 and she passed away in March 2015.
