Tributes have started pouring in for one of Malawi’s finest columnists Ralph Tenthani who died on Saturday in a road accident.
Raphael Kasambara (Lawyer)
Ralph Tenthani……a nemu. Comrade in arms, journalist par excellence, great friend. Gone too soon. But a life well lived. Your legacy lives on. Go thee well till we meet again in God’s glory. Amen
Kondwani Bell Munthali (Reporter)
There should have been time for thereafter and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
Peter Mutharika (Malawi President)
I have learnt with deep sadness the untimely death of a celebrated columnist and journalist Raphael Tenthani who died in a road accident last evening.
His death is undoubtedly a huge loss to the media fraternity and the entire nation. I will remember him as a man of immense talent, who courageously sought ways of making a positive contribution to the discourse of national unity and development.
Through his Muckraking Column in the Sunday Times, Mr. Tenthani liked to argue with charm and delight. He will long be remembered for his eloquence, humor, warmth, progressive ideals, intellectual heft, toughness and concerns on issues of national interest. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the entire media fraternity.
May his soul rest in peace.
Wati Mkandawire
Shocking! You once survived, not this time. God had other ideas. Did it have to be now? Most of us never said how brilliant you were. We spent time looking at the way you dressed. Actually that was funny. And how you loved your white wine. Your plot in Kachere bar is empty now. Your presence Kwa Kamba – was it Kwa Abigael, the past. I feel blessed to have known you. It’s a feeling that will forever remain with me and my family. You more than deserve a place in the true sons of Malawi Honours List
Elwin Mandowa (The Maravi Post)
I was in awe when Patrick Mwanza convinced Raphael Tenthani to join the Maravi Post as a contributor. His presence brought immediate credibility to our start up publication. Raphael Tenthani was born to be a writer. He had a way with the queen’s language. He will solely be missed and May his soul rest in peace.
Felix Mponda (AFP)
Rafu was in a class of his own and I will miss both his column and journalism work
Pius Nyondo (Reporter)
Fare thee well, Raphael Tenthani. You were a friend and mentor. Another talking dictionary. A walking encyclopedia!
As a journalist for both local and international media, Tenthani received several awards, including a United Nations Media award in 2010 for his contribution to an AP series on the Millennium Development Goals, according to an AP newsletter
Tenthani is survived by his wife Josephine and their three sons. Former Malawian President Bakili Muluzi and Malawi’s Information Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa are expected to attend his funeral on Monday, his brother said.
