MBC Director General Brian Banda dies after short illness

Brian Banda, the Director General of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), has died. MBC has confirmed that he died at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre after a short illness.

MBC Public Relations and Customer Affairs Manager Chisomo Mwamadi confirmed the death, saying further details would be communicated later. Banda had led the public broadcaster for less than five months.

Banda was one of Malawi’s best-known broadcasters long before taking charge of the country’s public broadcaster.

He first rose to national prominence at Capital Radio, where he hosted the current affairs and phone-in programme Straight Talk. The programme made him a household name and established the direct interviewing style that defined much of his broadcasting career.

Following his years at Capital Radio, Banda moved into government communication, serving as press officer to then President Joyce Banda. After the 2014 general election, he returned to journalism and broadcasting.

He later joined Times Group, where he worked as a journalist and television presenter, co-hosting the popular current affairs programme Hot Current alongside George Kasakula, the same broadcaster he would later succeed as MBC Director General. During his time in private broadcasting, Banda was recognised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi as the country’s Best Talk Show Host during the 2015 World Press Freedom Day commemorations.

Banda subsequently returned to government communication under President Lazarus Chakwera, serving as State House Press Officer before later returning to private media.

The MBC Board appointed Banda as Director General on 12 March 2026, and he assumed office on 16 March, replacing George Kasakula.

Key facts

• MBC Director General Brian Banda has died.
• He died at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre after a short illness.
• MBC spokesperson Chisomo Mwamadi confirmed the death.
• The MBC Board appointed Banda on 12 March 2026 and he assumed office on 16 March.
• He replaced George Kasakula, who was dismissed over allegations of misconduct.
• He previously hosted Straight Talk on Capital Radio and co-hosted Hot Current on Times Television.
• He served as press officer to Presidents Joyce Banda and Lazarus Chakwera.
• MBC has not yet announced interim leadership arrangements.

His appointment attracted public attention after journalist Davie Mchinga challenged the recruitment process before the Office of the Ombudsman, arguing that the position had not been publicly advertised. Parliament’s Public Appointments Committee later cleared the appointment, concluding that the Communications Act gives the MBC Board the authority to appoint a Director General without prescribing a specific recruitment procedure.

Tributes are expected from journalists, broadcasters, public officials and others who worked with Banda throughout his career in broadcasting, journalism and public communication.

Malawi24 will continue updating this story as more verified information, including funeral arrangements and statements from MBC and the family, becomes available.