President Peter Mutharika on Saturday led thousands of Malawians from all walks of life in paying homage to late media personality, Brian Banda who until his death was the Director General of state owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).
Banda died on Saturday morning, 8 August 2026 while receiving treatment at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre.
In a statement released Saturday evening, Mutharika described Brian Banda as a patriot.
“Mr Banda was a patriot, a distinguished media icon, a dedicated public servant whose voice and vision resonated in homes across Malawi for decades,” Mutharika said.
He said the death of Banda was a huge loss for the country’s media.
“Our hearts go out to the family of late Banda and the entire media fraternity,” said Mutharika.
In an interview with ProjectM, renowned media personality Bayana Chunga, who worked with Banda at Times Group expressed shock over the loss of the veteran Media icon who he described as a “brother”.
Chunga said Banda was a hardworking and caring man.
“He always encouraged us to work like slaves and to never give up,” Chunga said.
He added that he will always remember “Brian” as a man who was patriotic and visionary.
Brian Banda, 45 died while receiving treatment for Malaria disease, according to his sister Naomi Banda.
Before joining MBC as a Director General, Banda worked for Times, Capital FM and at the State House as a spokesperson for former president Lazarus Chakwera and former president Joyce Banda.
