By Linda Kwanjana
State President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has sent a condolence message for the passing of veteran writer and literally icon Willie Zingani.
In his condolence message, the President and First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera says they are deeply saddened with the news.
“His contributions to Malawian literature and communication have left an indelible mark on our nation. We mourn the loss of this true patriot and wordsmith, may his legacy inspire the future generation” reads part of the message.
The First couple therefore says prayers and condolences goes to the bereaved families and friends.
For the starters , Willie Zingani was born on 14 March 1954.
He was a great novelist, poet, playwright and journalist.
Willie Zingani was the son of the late Rev. Maxwell Zingani, a primary school teacher and voluntary Anglican priest.
After leaving school he was awarded a scholarship to study journalism at the Africa Literature Centre in Zambia where he later attended a Publishing and Public Relations course at Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom.
He began his career in journalism in 1982, working as a features writer for the Malawi News.
Under the government of President Bakili Muluzi he got a job in the Ministry of Information where, after a year of editing the Government weekly news he helped the President research his book Democracy With a Price. After this he served as Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, then as Presidential Press Secretary until 2004.
After a period of unemployment he briefly became editor of the Guardian newspaper and in 2009-10 worked in the office of Vice President Joyce Banda. From 2010 until his retirement in 2014 he was corporate services manager at the Limbe Leaf tobacco company.
Willie Zingani is survived by six children. He was the brother of Barnaba Zingani, who is himself a published author in both Chichewa and English.
