Matonga wins Misa chairperson’s race
Members of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter have elected investigative journalist Golden Matonga as the new chairperson to replace Teresa Ndanga whose tenure is expiring this weekend.
The media fraternity gave Matonga the mandate to lead the institution’s national governing council for the next three years with 251 votes against 112 for Times Group journalist Wonder Msiska, according to official results Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) announced yesterday.
In the race for vice-chairperson’s post, Chisomo Ngulube trounced three other candidates with 179 votes against 92 for her closest challenger Alick Ponje while Joseph Mwale and Blessings Kanache got 48 and 43 votes, respectively.
Nathan Majawa was elected executive member with 140 votes beating Steve Zimba who got 128, Cathy Maulidi recieved 92 votes while Lucius Milala secured three votes.
Reacting to his election, Matonga, who is director of investigations at the Platform for Investigative Journalism, said he was humbled that colleagues in the sector decided to entrust him with the position.
He said: “I am also honoured with the enormous support I received across the country during campaign and indeed during the polls. I hope to use this mandate to protect journalists and improve professionalism while achieving Misa Malawi goals.
“My election is an endorsement of critical, quality and professional journalism. As NGC we also hope to have cordial relationship with government and other stakeholders to ensure that going forward Misa Malawi and journalists play their meaningful role in the country’s development.”
Misa Malawi used Nation Publications Limited (NPL) head office in Blantyre as the polling centre for the Southern Region while journalists Central Region trooped to Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe to cast their votes and in the Northern Region voting took place at Times Group offices in Mzuzu.
Voting started as early as 8 am and closed at 4 pm after it was extended by an hour. About 363 ballots were cast.
While congratulating Matonga, journalist Elizabeth Mwapasa of Chanco Community Radio, who travelled from Zomba to vote in Blantyre, urged the incoming NGC to live up to their campaign promises.
“They made so many promises like establishment of a legal fund among others. I am personally looking forward to those promises and I hope they will not just be stories as usual that end after an election,” she said.
Meanwhile, Misa Malawi says the new office-bearers will be unveiled at the Misa Malawi Awards Gala Dinner at Crossroads Hotel on Saturday evening.
In a statement issued yesterday, Misa Malawi commended MEC for their professionalism and dedication in managing the elections.
“The support from MEC has greatly contributed to the credibility and successful conduct of the polls.
“The chapter would also like to express its gratitude to the monitors, candidates and the membership for the high level of professionalism and maturity shown to ensure the elections were a success,” reads the statement signed by the outgoing chairperson Ndanga, who has served two three-year terms.
