Communications specialist Felix Washon has been elected chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter, succeeding Golden Matonga, who served a single term.
Washon secured the mandate to lead the institute’s national governing council for the next three years after polling 150 votes. Times Group journalist Innocent Mphongolo received 121 votes, Alex Banda of Zodiak Broadcasting Station got 78, and Janet Mtali of TWR trailed with 55, official results announced by the National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust at the national tally centre in Lilongwe showed yesterday.
journalist Catherine Tinto . I Andrew Mtupanyama
In the contest for vice‑chairperson, Nathan Majawa defeated Luciano Milala, polling 370 votes to Milala’s 20. Dorothy Kachitsa was elected an executive member with 277 votes, beating Edward Kuwacha, who received 77.
Reacting to his election, Washon , who is communications specialist at Red Cross Malawi, said he was humbled that colleagues had entrusted him with the role.
“I campaigned on a promise to serve the membership in a transparent manner,” he said.
“We have held a very fair and credible election. I thank all members regardless of how they voted. We will build on the work of the immediate past administration and work with those I competed against.”
Outgoing Misa Malawi chairperson Golden Matonga congratulated Washon and urged the new leadership to continue strengthening the institution and improving journalists’ welfare.
“We hope the new leadership will foster media freedom and uphold the welfare of journalists in the country,” he said.
Misa Malawi used Nation Publications Limited (NPL) head office in Blantyre as the polling centre for the Southern Region. Central Region members voted at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe while voting in the Northern Region took place at Nice offices in Mzuzu. Members in 14 districts voted online while others cast ballots at Nice offices.
Voting opened at 7am and closed at 3pm after being extended by an hour. Nice programmes officer Daniel Malango, who led the national elections, described the process as free and fair.
