Written by: TWR Africa
Article source: JOY! Magazine
Nine days after TWR Malawi received a prestigious honour from media peers from a US-based organisation in Texas, that award made it home to Lilongwe. The award was the International Media Award presented by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), a US-based international association of Christian communicators, on February 25 during the group’s annual convention in a Dallas suburb.
Honouring a legacy of faith and service
Victor Kaonga, TWR international director for East and Southern Africa, accepted the award on behalf of TWR Malawi. “It’s a great honour for … the listeners of TWR Malawi, and for the staff and volunteers as well as the leadership, getting this recognition for the work, which is actually the product of many years,” Kaonga said later. He was director of TWR Malawi up to 2022.
TWR Malawi’s staff now is led by Janet Mtali, who was part of the 2024 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, sponsored by the US State Department.
Celebrating the milestone
“We had a luncheon to celebrate, and everyone was taking pictures with the award,” Mtali said. “It was really amazing.” The International Media Award “was given to TWR Malawi for its pioneering work in Christian broadcasting”, according to NRB. “With 13 FM transmitters and programming in six languages, TWR Malawi continues to spread the Gospel in one of the world’s poorest nations.”
From shortwave beginnings to FM expansion
TWR Malawi obtained a broadcasting license and set up a production studio in 1986. Its Chewa-language programmes were aired to Malawi via shortwave from TWR’s Manzini transmitting station in Swaziland (now Eswatini). But by 1995, Malawian believers were praying fervently that TWR Malawi would one day have an FM signal, Kaonga said.
TWR Malawi’s staff posing with Janet Mtali, holding the award they received, and Victor Kaonga to her right.
A network built by faith and generosity
TWR Malawi was one of the first nongovernmental media organisations in the country to obtain an FM broadcasting license in 2000, and began building its network of FM transmission sites, originally with a single transmitter. Although outside help was needed to pay for most of the sites, listener donations entirely paid for the 12th and 13th transmitters. It now broadcasts at least 36 individual programmes in as many as six languages.
“Seeing this ministry grow from one frequency to 13 transmitting frequencies … actually covering the entire country [of] 21 million people, it’s a breakthrough,” Kaonga said.
Leading with vision and youthful passion
Janet Mtali (34) became national director in July 2023, but has been involved with TWR Malawi much of her life, including presenting children’s programmes while she was still in high school. She leads a youthful staff of 23 plus 15 volunteers, with additional help from ministry partners.
“That project (raising funds locally for transmitters 12 and 13) showed us the impact that TWR Malawi has in this country,” Mtali said. “We had about 1250 listeners who supported that project. It really goes to show that once a person is impacted, they then [can] give back to the ministry.”
Innovating for a new generation
But the team isn’t resting on their laurels. Although 80% of the Malawian population live in rural areas and continue to rely on FM radio, TWR Malawi also is responding to an increasing social media presence. A staff member is dedicated to exploring online content, Mtali said. In a country in which half of the population is younger than 18, TWR Malawi also is developing additional specialised content for young people and children.
Sustaining the mission through local partnerships
Economically, TWR Malawi is working to increase local partnerships and to be less dependent upon outside support, Mtali said. For example, a local organisation is backing an initiative – starting this year – for children and parenting programmes, and local partners are providing the money for a series of programmes on personal finances.
Mtali said that with digital platforms she’s hopeful to reach more Malawians who live outside of Malawi. Her team also is focused on increasing listener engagement this year.
A reminder of God’s faithfulness
The TWR Malawi team didn’t seek or expect the recognition, Mtali said. (The nomination was made by TWR International.) But it was an encouragement to the staff, volunteers, and listeners.
“It’s really a celebration for us, and celebrating all the people who have been listening, supporting and praying for the ministry as well, because we do have a team of people that pray for us,” Mtali said. “It’s just a reminder as well of God’s faithfulness and giving us that sense of responsibility, to say we need to continue to use media to His glory.”
Prayer points
- Aging transmission equipment needs to be replaced. Please pray regarding an ongoing technical assessment and for the resources for the needed upgrade.
- As the nation of Malawi approaches elections in September, pray for peace amid political tensions and economic challenges.
- Pray for unity in the Church of Malawi, that it would be a beacon of light and of hope for the hopeless.
This article is featured in the July issue of JOY! Magazine. Read a digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 21/06/2025
Feature Image: Victor Kaonga, TWR international director for East and Southern Africa, accepted the award on behalf of TWR Malawi.
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