The year 2025 will be remembered as a season of profound loss for Malawi’s creative and cultural community. As the curtain fell on the year, it left behind silence where once there were voices, melodies and stories that helped shape the nation’s artistic soul.
These were individuals whose talent, dedication and presence formed part of the foundation of Malawi’s media, music and film industries. Their legacies endure in the memories they created and the paths they paved for those who follow.
Among those lost was veteran broadcaster and diplomat Lucius Chikuni, who died on February 10 at the age of 85 at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre. A towering figure in broadcasting, Chikuni devoted decades of service to the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), where he served as news anchor, announcer, programme organiser, producer and later general manager. He also lent his experience to Zodiak Broadcasting Station later in life.
ZBS owner Gospel Kazako described him as a rare breed of broadcaster—an embodiment of professionalism, ethics and excellence.
The media fraternity also mourned Chikondi Phikiso, a senior producer at the MBC Mzuzu Bureau, who died on March 12 at Mzuzu Central Hospital. Her passing was described by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Malawi Chapter as the loss of a committed voice in development journalism.
In music, the death of legendary bassist Godfrey Mbizi marked the end of an era. A key figure in the Mingoli Band at Blantyre’s Scalla’s Café, Mbizi also played with the Kalimba Band, Makasu Band and Wambali Mkandawire’s Manyasa Band. His bass lines defined generations of live music performances.
Musicia
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The film industry was shaken by the death of renowned actor and filmmaker Ashukile Mwakisulu on November 3 at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital following liver complications. Mwakisulu’s work in productions such as The Last Fishing Boat, Seasons of a Life and The Gunless Soldier, as well as his creation of television series Choices and Mitekete, cemented his place in Malawi’s cinematic history.
Film producer Charles Shemu Joyah remembered him as a passionate artist whose presence on set was both commanding and uplifting.
Tragedy struck hardest at the close of the year when five members of the Hive Band lost their lives in a road accident on December 27 while travelling to Lilongwe for a performance. The crash occurred along the Chingeni–Zalewa section of the M1 in Ntcheu District.
Those who perished were vocalist Elivacy Myaba, keyboardist Wilfred Kapengule Jnr, road manager Vincent Mkwinda, guitarist MacFarlane Banda and drummer Raphael Chitsonga. Their sudden deaths sent shockwaves across the nation and brought the creative community to a standstill as they were laid to rest in Mangochi and Blantyre.
Tributes poured in from across the country, including from the First Couple [President Peter Mutharika and his wife Gertrude], who described the loss as a wound not only to the music fraternity but to the nation itself. MUM said the fallen musicians would be remembered for their talent, dedication and contribution to Malawian music.
As Malawi turns the page to a new year, it does so carrying the memories of those who gave voice, rhythm and meaning to its stories. Though gone, their legacies remain—etched in sound, on screen and in the hearts of a grateful nation.
