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Decades of excellence P2 20 years on, NPL remembers its departed P6

Staff experiences with NPL

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nation at 20

Special pullout the nation 20 FeBRuaRY 2013

We must grow the relationship


As promised on New Years Day we are living up to our promise of coming up with a special pull-out in every edition of NPL brands that comes out on the 20th of the month as part of the celebrations, to mark 20 years of the existence of Nation Publications Limited (NPL). Just like in the inaugural pull-out which appeared in our sister paper, Nation on Sunday, we have gone down the memory lane to fish out some of the cartoon strips that have made headlines over the course of the organisations existence. We have also gone into the files to recover some of the photographs that have defined what we are and what we do. One unique feature in this pull-out is the celebration of the lives of some of our colleagues that made significant contributions to the growth and development of NPL but have now gone ahead of us. The company remains eternally indebted to them for the selfless service they rendered to NPL at various stages of our development. May their souls continue to enjoy a peaceful rest. We have also attempted to recognise some people who may have never been on the organisations payroll but have, nonetheless, been part and parcel of the NPL family in offering valuable services to the organisation and its members of staff. The company cherishes this partnership and would want to see this relationship grow. As a responsible corporate citizen, NPL has, over the years, also involved itself in various projects as a way of giving back to the society that has shown admirable loyalty and support to its efforts in nation building. This special pull-out, therefore, also makes an attempt to highlight these interventions and what the future holds for them. As the celebrations continue, therefore, we will not tire to register our profound gratitude to our readers, advertisers and suppliers, among several stakeholders, who have made it possible for us to clock 20 years. This is a relationship that is still young and has the potential to grow even further for the benefit of everyone involved. Let us make it happen.

Mbumba taking a close look at proceedings on the old machine

Decades of excellence
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EPHRAIM NYONDO News ANAlyst
n the beginning there was an ideanot money, just an idea. It was lifeless and void, of course; just floating, separately, in the brains of a powerful father and a visionary daughter. At night, they couldnt sleep. Deep in their brains, the idea could rumble and rumble yearning to be unleashed and shared. Defeated, Mbumba Achuthan and her father, Aleke Banda, sometime in 1993, approached Dr Ken Lipenga, now Finance Minister, and in their triangle, they sat down, at least, on a bottle or two. Let us come up with a newspaper, they unleashed and shared the idea. And that was the genesis of Nation Publications Limited (NPL). It began like a small seed: a family car, a single printer, a single computer brought in by Lipenga, yes, just small things. Even on adverts, it started with few clientsmost of them contacted as individual friends. But every small thing, like a mustard seed perhaps, grows vast with time, to provide shelter to people and animals. So was The Nation, and the first symbol of growth was the team. Lipenga brought in Alfred Ntonga from Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL). Achuthan roped in Billy Mphande who retired. Then Alfred Mtaula joined the team. He was from the UDF News. Bertha Masiku, formerly MP for Blantyre City West headed the advertising section. Mphande brought in Masauko Chiomba, former Mzuzu Bureau manager and a messenger, Stanley Chiwanda. That, unarguably, meant that a vibrant team was now in place to bestride the media world like a colossus in years to come. And with Lipengathe first editor-in-chief of The Nation, then a bi-weekly newspaper it really did. The Nation became an instant hit when in 1993 it carried deeper investigative series on the Mwanza murder of Aaron Gadama, Dick Matenje, Twaibu Sangala and David Chiwanga. Once the stories were out, The Nation became a giant of the streets. The Bakili Muluzi administration instituted a commission of inquiry and the result was the house arrest of first president Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda and some of his close associates. Yet that was not all. Operation Bwenzani, aimed at disarming the Malawi Young Pioneers, was another series that heightened the newspapers glory. In fact, they were stories that, again, defined NPLs team work. We all spread out to different parts of the country and covered the event as it unfolded, and when it came to production time, we all worked as a team to put everything together. Some of us even went on delivery, served coffee and tea to people, sold advertswe did everything, recalls Achuthan. True, with years, NPL, like that mustard seed grew into a big, big tree with many branches. In 1995, Saturday Nation now Weekend Nation, was born. Nation Online followed in 1998 and Nation on Sunday stormed the streets in 2006. Just two years ago, FUKO, a free fortnightly bilingual newspaper, was launched. FUKO is the first free newspaper from a private media institution in Malawi. Today, reckon the circulation of NPL products, they are unbeaten. Listen to 66 percent of advertisers and readers, they rate it the best. Not only that. We boast an assembly of a cream of credible journalists PAGE 3

PHOTOGRAPH: NATiON LibRARy

Special pullout the nation 20 FeBRuaRY 2013

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nation at 20

Moving with the times: The new machine opens a new window of opportunities

20 years of real success


PAGE 2 in the names of Garry Chirwa, Gracian Tukula, Dumbani Mzale, Peter Kanjere, Chikondi Chiyembekeza, Edyth Kambalame, Edward Chitsulo, Mabvuto Banda, and, you want more? Alfred Ntonga, himself. The paradox of NPLs steady rise is hidden in the steady fall of different other newspapers that we started together. Interestingly, Ntonga, our deputy chief executive officer, knows the secret. It is nothing but a vibrant editorial policy and code of practice which was formulated in the first years of the companys existence and it has served the institution quite well ever since. It is our unshakable edifice upon which NPL rests, he says. Ntonga even theologises that just as the Bible is indispensable to Christians, the Quran to Muslims, so is NPL editorial policy to our journalists. The policy does not tolerate any one to use the company for selfish ends. Our fidelity is to the public. As such, the policy ensures that a story is in the interest of the public and anyone who violates this will be shown the exit door, he says. In fact, he adds, the policy augurs well with the companys mission statement that: NPL was established to create value for shareholders and other stakeholders through the provision and dissemination of information and creation of platform for free expression of opinion, critical debate and development leading to nation building. Additionally, views on sticky issuesespecially investigative pieces which we are revered forare opined in a manner that readers are treated fairly by making facts and opinions clearly distinguishable, not misrepresenting or suppressing facts as well as keeping at arms length any whiff of distortion of facts in text or headlines. That is why since 2006, independent media surveys, popular and professional votes endorsed NPL as a popular and credible media institution. We won the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter in 2006, 2007 and 2009. We also produced Misa overall winners in 2003, 2006 and 2010. With a ruthless streak, The Nation has also scooped Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Entertainer of the Years best print media house in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2008 with NPLs gifted journalist Garry Chirwa emerging the winner on all those occasions. In fact, our youthful marketing manager Timothy Nzima has fond memories of 2009. In that year, nine out of 10 awards in the print category went to NPL, says Nzima, adding that no other media house in the country has ever achieved that feat. Even on corporate social responsibility, NPL is quite a nation builder. Nation Achiever, Mothers Fun Run and Fathers Day are projects upon which the edifice of NPL social responsibility work rests. Nation Achiever Award was introduced to encourage people to strive for excellence in whatever they do. Through Mothers Fun Run, NPL and its project partners donate medical equipment to public hospitals maternity wings. During Secondary School Career Talk, a component of our Fathers Day project, we engage students mentally and give them guidance on career choices, says Nzima. Surely, as NPL looks to its brighter future, the story to be told this summer as we celebrate two decades of living is nothing but a celebration of excellence.

PHOTOGRAPH: NATiON LibRARy

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nation at 20

Special pullout the nation 20 FeBRuaRY 2013

Down the memory lane


A collection of some pictures which depict the fond memories that the Nation family cherishes. The pictures reflect our humble beginnings collectively and individually and also show the support rendered to us by you our invaluable readers.

Editor in Chief Alfred Ntonga speaking at NPL Open Day

Reporter Aubrey Mchulu, now Deputy Editor The Nation, with Editor, the late Jika Nkolokosa

Nation Online Editor Elizabeth Banda interviewing former first lady Shanil Muluzi during her reporting days

Sales Executive Albert Banda delivering his speech at the NPL Open Day

Former Senior Reporter Gedion Munthali speaking at NPL Open Day

PHOTOGRAPHs: NATiON LibRARy

Special pullout the nation 20 FeBRuaRY 2013

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nation at 20

Down the memory lane

Block Ads Supervisor Chitatata Mdina working on the state-of-the-art image setter

Sports Senior News Analyst Garry Chirwa showing off his awards

The 5th anniversary celebration banner

The former Nation head office off Johnstone Road, Ginnery Corner

One of the local buses bearing The Nation logo

Quotable Quotes
There are problems in Zambia, there are problems in Malawi, there are problems everywhere. So politicians must come together, talk to each other, across political divisions, that will help us together. Kenneth Kaunda, speaking during his Presidential visit to Malawi on 14th July 2005. Let us remember that an import is a job exported and we need to be creating those jobs here. Matthews Chikaonda, 25th February 1998, speaking on the rise of interest rates in his capacity as Reserve Bank Governor. Firms in commanding heights should be conscious of their responsibilities towards their customers and smaller firms. D.D.Phiri, 15th July 2005, in his column, responsibilities of dominant firm in market.

PHOTOGRAPHs: NATiON LibRARy

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nation at 20 Michael MMeya Staff Writer

Special pullout the nation 20 FeBRuaRY 2013

he success story of Nation Publications Limiteds 20 years at the service of Malawians is and will always be incomplete, if it excludes the contributions of the many selfless men and women who now sleep in their graves. If life after death were a continuation of life on earth, and it allowed NPLs departed colleagues to continue working in their respective roles; and the same NPL banner, one would say they would be in an equally competitive establishment as among them were highly qualified staff. The number of our departed colleagues in the 20 years is beyond 30. Some died in NPL service ,while others died after leaving the establishment. But no one can take away their credit for the contribution they made to what NPL is today. They were and will always be part of NPLs history. As we celebrate NPLs 20 years of existence, it is imperative that the families of our departed workmates join us in celebrating the selfless lives of those men and women. Each one of them is fondly remembered by someone living and still working here at Nation and a lot is often said about them, that bears testimony to the value of their contribution to NPLs growth. The newsroom, which is where stories are cooked is one crazy place where without lighter moments, reporters and editors find life unbearable. It is for such a conducive working atmosphere that workmates have fond memories of the likes of Jika Nkolokosa, Edward Chisambo, Daring Chirwa, Rankin Nyekanyeka, Frazer Nazombe, Chimwemwe Festino, Prince Shonga, Bester Matemba and Alexander Newa. Alongside their professional skills, they created a friendly working environment as well as being tutors in their own right. Senior News Analyst, Garry Chirwa, remembers sports editor Daring as a motivator who always wanted things done properly. It was a joy working with him, says Garry, who often recounts how Daring would spoil his

20 years on, NPL remembers its departed

edward chisambo

Prince Shonga

Brian hara

Newton chikadzakwani

Jika Nkolokosa
day when he came back from the usual morning meetings, with feedback of his story idea, which would either require of him to re-do the story or change it entirely, to feature in the Weekend Nation or Nation on Sunday. He often joked about it, but he sent the message across all the same, recalls Garry. The late Prince Shonga was pioneer editor for Fuko. Colleagues still remember that he died at his house after a sudden illness, which started while he was working on his Fuko production in the night. He was a veteran editor of the calibre of Nkolokosa and Chisambo. Some nicknamed him the clinician because of his clinical editing. Technical editor, Andrew Mtupanyama,

lloyd Kankosya

Dick chiwaya

Kesten Muhapateya

who previously worked with Shonga at Moni Magazine, remembers him as a charming person who made him take up publishing as a career. He used every opportunity to share with me his experience in publishing, says Mtupanyama. The NPL family misses Zabweka as a cartoon the same way you our valued readers do. That was the late Brian Haras contribution towards NPL, which is now 20 years old. The newsroom is just one department in the newspaper business .It relies on the support of other departments such as administration, accounts, sales, advertising and production which death has also not spared in the PAGE 7

Frazer Nazombe

Jonathan Banda

PHOTOGRAPHs: NATiON LibRARy

Special pullout the nation 20 FeBRuaRY 2013

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nation at 20

Staff experiences with NPL


online, behind the scenes and happy
Do you still work for NPL? Thats the question I often get when I meet new, up and coming journalists these days. Its all because I work for Nation Online and life has changed working behind the scenes. There isnt much time for me to go about town and mingle as I used to during my stint at the business desk. I have worked for Nation Online for over 7 years now. The joys about working online 24/7 is that you get to avoid a lot of lifes trappings. Another exciting thing is I have seen the online landscape change throughout these years. Nation Online was the first online news website in Malawi but today the competition is huge and there is more commercial interest in online media than in 2006. I would not hesitate to rate it as the future of journalism and business persons should surely bank on it! Moses Michael-Phiri, Nation Online Sub-editor

Life has changed: Phiri

the knowledge bank custodian


The sole designer:Lupiya

communicating through design


If you see a news page in either The Nation, Weekend Nation and Nation on Sunday you are probably seeing my job. I am one of the five people that design pages with news content. I have been in the graphics design profession for 10 years, six of which have been well spent with Nation Publications Limited. My job entails placement of pictures and text on the page in such a way that they are appealing to the reader. In the years I have been at NPL, I remember with fondness the night we worked on the Every Woman Supplement which comes out in Nation on Sunday. We worked beyond mid-night, myself being the designer interpreting the concepts and ideas of the all-female crew comprising Taweni Gondwe-Xaba and Akossa Mphepo then consultant and Every Woman Editor respectively . I am happy to be the sole designer of the supplement to this day. Lizzie Lupiya, Technical Journalist

Pleased to be part of NPL: Njawala

I joined Nation Publications Limited as a librarian assistant on 10 April 2002. I was promoted to the current position in 2010. My job involves collecting publications both in print and digital for referencing purposes. This information is used as background information for newsroom staff and other members of staff. We also allow outsiders to use our library resources for research on special arrangement with management. During my stay I have witnessed several technological changes that have made storage and retrieval of information easier. For instance, in 2005 we started a digital library where we keep pictures, audios and videos. This has saved us from the headache of space required to keep pictures in hardcopy. The automation is on-going and we hope to expand to newspaper cuttings. Our library is a source of knowledge and information and I am pleased to be part of it. Maurice Njawala, Librarian

NPL remembers its departed


PAGE 6 past two decades. Newton Chikadzakuwani is long gone, but his technical expertise in the technical journalists section is still living in the minds of his workmates. Winnie Mtengula remembers him as a helpful colleague who was never stingy with his technical knowledge. Others in the production section whom NPL celebrates their lives at this anniversary include Brian Kaufulu, Ignatio Nasava, Jonathan Banda, Brian Mkandawire, Winfrey Mbeba and Moses Sekani. Those in accounts, sales and advertising fondly remember the touching lives of their colleagues who include Hanleck Jaza (driver), Ben Mbewe, Veronica Kumwenda, Meswin Misanjo, Catherine Makhasu, Consta Kalima, Ezra Chilembwe and Hastings Monjesi. For Nick Changwa, he owes what he knows in selling NPL products to Makhasu, whom he says was a mother to all. She embraced us all, in the same manner a mother would do to her children. Besides, she is the one who taught me selling, says Changwa. In the 20 years, death also robbed NPL of industrious and cheerful men and women whose jobs were to steer the NPL ship in the administration department. They include soft-spoken and ever smiling Jailosi Masi who, for a larger part of his service was chief executive officer Mbumba Achuthans driver. He was the head driver. He worked alongside other drivers, Amos Botomani, Kesten Muhapateya, Dick Chiwaya, Ali Chifomboti and Richard Masula who are also long departed. Across the departments, colleagues have fond memories of Lloyd Kankosya, who elderly though he was, attracted everyones

attention by the speed with which he carried his clerical duties while the expertise of Olive Nyasulu, who was the CEOs personal assistant also left an indelible mark. The contribution of these departed colleagues, alongside that of those living, still at NPL or away from it, is what will make the 20th anniversary celebrations worthwhile.

PHOTOGRAPHs: NATiON LibRARy

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nation at 20

Special pullout the nation 20 FeBRuaRY 2013

Cartoons

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