Politicians and colleagues gathered separately at Times Group for a special programme to remember Banda’s life and career, with tributes pouring in from across Malawi’s political spectrum for a journalist widely described as unique, fearless and deeply patriotic. Former President Dr Joyce Banda led the emotional tributes, describing Brian Banda as a journalist who had firmly established himself at the top of Malawi’s media industry and was steadily rising through the ranks of his profession. He praised Banda as a journalist who knew how to conduct tough, probing interviews while never losing the human connection with those he was questioning. “The world is so cruel,” Dausi said simply, capturing the raw grief felt by many in the room. The heartfelt tributes come as colleagues, politicians and ordinary Malawians continue to mourn Banda, who died on 8 August 2026 at Mwaiwathu Hospital in Blantyre following a short illness.