‘He could finish you’: Politicians remember Brian Banda

Malawi’s political class has remembered Brian Banda as a journalist who could unsettle even the most experienced politicians, with former leaders recalling his fearless questions, sharp wit and unmistakable personality.

For those who faced him behind the microphone, Banda was not an interviewer who simply asked questions. He pushed for answers, challenged his guests and refused to back down when the conversation became uncomfortable.

Former Minister of Information Nicholas Dausi says the news of Banda’s death left him struggling to make sense of the loss.

Dausi said he learnt of the death while at church on Saturday, describing Banda as a top-tier and fearless journalist.

“When Banda interviews you, you must be super prepared. If you are a minister, some of his questions could make you lose your job,” said Dausi.

He recalled one particularly tense encounter when Banda stormed into his office while he was serving as Minister of Security for an interview.

Dausi said the journalist’s relentless questioning pushed him to the point of considering calling the police to have him arrested.

But Banda would not be intimidated.

“When I tried to warn him, Banda remained undaunted, saying, ‘Malawians want to know,’” Dausi recalled. “However, he was asking questions with a sense of humour.”

Dausi was speaking on Times TV’s special programme, Remembering Brian Banda, on Saturday.

Former President Joyce Banda also remembered Banda as a rare media professional whose career earned him the confidence of successive political administrations.

She said she first knew him during his days at Capital Radio, where he hosted the popular Straight Talk programme.

“I knew him when he was at Capital Radio where he introduced his programme, Straight Talk. I think that should be around 2009 to 2012. I was the first guest of the programme,” she said.

Joyce Banda said his personality made him impossible to ignore.

“He was a very flamboyant journalist, full of personality. He could stand out, he could draw attention and he was not afraid. He was very expressive, charismatic and very lively,” she said.

She further recalled that after becoming president, she assigned Banda to her office after he moved from Capital Radio.

“Apart from me, every other president after me employed Banda in government duties, signifying how distinguished he was,” said the People’s Party leader.

“Whether you like it or not, we need to agree that Banda was a distinguished and unique broadcaster,” she added, describing him as a God-fearing man.

MCP deputy publicity secretary Ken Msonda also remembers Banda for his ability to catch guests off guard.

Msonda recalled an interview conducted in 2016 after he moved from the People’s Party to the Democratic Progressive Party.

He said Banda contacted him while he was on his way home after the scheduled guest failed to turn up and asked him to step in.

The interview, Msonda said, remains vivid because of Banda’s questioning style.

“That interview we did in 2016, but it stands as if it has been done yesterday and that was how Brian was. When asking questions, if you are not clever enough, he could finish you,” Msonda said.

For many Malawians, that ability to press guests for answers became part of Banda’s identity.

He was known for his confidence, humour and willingness to ask questions that others might avoid, qualities that made him a familiar and influential voice in Malawi’s media landscape.

Banda was born in 1981 and died at Mwaiwathu Hospital in Blantyre on August 8, 2026, after a short illness. He was 45.

Before his death, Banda was serving as Director General of the state-owned Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, a position he took up in March 2026.

He had previously worked with the Times Group and built a reputation as one of Malawi’s prominent broadcasters.

He is expected to be laid to rest at his home village in Chileka, Blantyre, on Monday.

By Manson Msukwa and Archangel Nzangaya