Journalist Charles Mkula burial today

The media fraternity in the country is mourning the death of seasoned freelance journalist and Journalists Union of Malawi (Juma) secretary general Charles Mkula who died last Sunday.

According to his brother, Joseph, the departed journalist succumbed to kidney failure and bowels obstruction while receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.

Scores of journalists yesterday flocked to Mthunzi Funeral Parlour, the family house at Chichiri and Limbe Cathedral of the Catholic Church where a requiem mass was celebrated to pay their last respect and escort Mkula to his final resting place in Zomba.

In their respective tributes, Juma, Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter and journalists have described the 56-year-old Mkula as a fearless unionist who was at the top of his field and served the industry and Juma in particular with passion.

Juma president Emmanuel Chibwana said the union was shocked and at a loss for words following Mkula’s passing, describing him as an ever smiling personality.

“He has mentored many upcoming journalists. We mourn the loss of a courageous leader who also played a vital role in championing the rights of journalists in the workplace,” he said.

In a press statement, Misa Malawi Chapter chairperson Golden Matonga said Mkula was dedicated to journalism and championed the welfare of journalists in many endeavours.

“He mentored many journalists and was a friend to many. We will miss Charles, his wisdom, friendship and experience which he so generously shared with colleagues for many years,” he said.

One of his close associates, Mtheto Lungu, who was also his president at Juma before stepping down, said Malawi has lost a committed and resourceful journalist in Mkula.

He said: “He was selfless and so committed to his work. He actually wrote a book on media and unionism [yet to be published] to help journalists understand unionism and issues of welfare better. He had connections across the world and even sat in the committee of Southern Africa Journalists Union.”

At the time of his death, Mkula was managing his consultancy firm Hyphen Media Institute. He served the media industry for nearly three decades,

Mkula, born on October 28 1967, will be laid to rest to today at his home village Chipande in Traditional Authority Malemia around Nayisi Trading Centre located between Chinamwali and Jokala in Zomba.