Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter has said it saddened and shocked with the untimely death of a veteran photojournalist James Chimpweya who passed on in the wee hours of Sunday.

MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga said in a press statement made available to Face of Malawi that Chimpweya’s passion for the media sector and MISA Malawi work will always be in people’s hearts.

According to reports, Chimpweya who until his death was working with National Publication Limited (NPL) collapsed on Saturday in Chikwawa in line of duty where he was covering an event by Living Waters Church (LWC), where he was also a patron of an initiative helping less privileged children.

He was later rushed to Chikwawa District Hospital where he died.

“Chimpweya was a fountain of photojournalism knowledge and experience in the journalism fraternity and will be remembered as a dedicated photojournalist. He was a fatherly figure to most journalists,” Ndanga said.

According to the statement, Chimpweya has been a member of MISA Malawi, Joined NPL in January 1999 after working with Blantyre Newspapers Limited (BNL).

“In a media career of over 20 years, he has told thousands of stories in pictures and words,” read part of the statement.

Chimpweya who was born on October 5, 1957 will be laid to rest on Tuesday December 1, 2020 at Thabwa in Chikwawa District and vigil is taking place at his house in Ndirande Township in Blantyre.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.