Tikuferanji on Luntha TV

Last Friday, 11^th September, the two most important news papers in the Country, “The Nation” and “The Daily Times”, have published articles on the recently signed agreement between ADRA Malawi and the private television Luntha TV to broadcast the ADRA Malawi acclaimed TV series “Tikuferanji”.

The program has been on radio for almost thirteen years and on TV for about eight years. The initial purpose for the program was to deal with issues of HIV/AIDS in Malawi. The program has now taken on board other issues that affect the respect of human rights; HIV/AIDS being a cross cutting issue.

Journalist Sam Banda Jnr, writes on the Daily Times:

The popular Tikuferanji series which viewers have been watching on Malawi Television (TVM) will soon be beamed on Balaka based Television Luntha. This follows the signing of a contract on Wednesday between Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA) and TV Luntha. Producer of Tikuferanji series Michael Usi popularly known as Manganya confirmed the development. He said the signing of the contract was a positive development in that Tikuferanji will be able to reach out to more people.“At TVM we have restricted our productions because we pay but with TV Luntha it will be free and we will be able to give them more material” said Usi. Father Andrew Kaufa of TV Luntha who signed the contract on behalf of his TV station said this was another opportunity for more people to watch the soap. “As a TV station we thought it wise to enter into partnership with ADRA to start showing Tikuferanji as part of sensitizing people about the HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC” said Kaufa. He said as a TV station, they acknowledge the fact that HIV/AIDS was killing more people, a development that prompted them to join in the fight. “We are a faith – based TV station which aims at evangelizing but we also have a duty to assist government in various campaigns” he said. Kaufa said they also decided to beam Tikuferanji because it is entertaining and educative. Under the agreement, ADRA will be giving the Tikuferanji productions to TV Luntha just like it does with TVM. Kaufa said TV Luntha will be beaming the soap for free and that other productions not watched on TVM will be included,” he said. He said despite being a religious TV, the content will not be tampered with. “We will have it twice a week starting Saturday from 6:30pm and Wednesday also from 6:30pm,” said Kaufa. TV Luntha which is owned by Montfort Missionaries was opened on 27^th May 2007.

The Nation journalist Kondwani Kamiyala writes:

“Balaka based Luntha Television on Wednesday entered into a pact with ADRA where the station will air the Tikuferanji soap, which is also aired on Television Malawi. Luntha Deputy Director Father Andrew Kaufa said beaming the soap, which tackles the multi- pronged aspects of the HIV and AIDS pandemic, is within their line of entertaining, educating and informing Malawians. “As soap, Tikuferanji is entertaining as well as educative. It is a powerful means of educating people. These are types of programmes our viewers enjoy. This is our contribution to society,” said Kaufa. Tikuferanji Director Michael Usi said viewers would watch the first episodes of the soap, which was first aired seven years ago. “We are glad to work with Luntha who will air the programme for free. Lovers of the programme will enjoy because we will beam from the very first episodes of the soap” said Usi. According to Usi, this is a new dimension in the Tikuferanji success story: “Tikuferanji has been a success. Several countries have been coming to us on how we do it. Recently I was helping the Burundians set up a programme for children on reconciliation. Some people from Tanzania and Papua New Guinea were here to learn from us.” Established in 2007, Luntha Television covers parts of the Southern Region, including Mulanje, Chiradzulu, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Zomba, Machinga, Mangochi, Ntcheu, Salima and Dedza.”