By Burnett Munthali
President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has returned to Malawi from a private visit to South Africa, where he had been since August 5, 2026.
Mutharika arrived at Kamuzu International Airport, with Press Secretary Cathy Maulidi saying the President expressed deep sorrow over the death of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) Director General Brian Banda.
According to Maulidi, Mutharika described Banda as a personal friend and said his death represented a significant loss to the country.
The President also praised the Malawi national women’s football team, the Scorchers, ahead of Sunday’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final.
Mutharika congratulated the team for reaching the tournament’s final and said its success had brought Malawians together at a time when political differences often divide the country.
He observed that the unity generated by the Scorchers was something politicians had struggled to achieve and wished the team success in the final.
The President’s return marks the end of his private stay in South Africa, which began on August 5.
