In a pursuit to generate broader membership base Malawi's capital city Lilongwe based Journalists Association Against Aids (Journaids) has set up structures in the commercial city of Blantyre with the election of regional committee members Friday last week.

Presiding over the setting up of the structures Acting Programme Manager Christopher Bauti said the body aims at reaching out to every part of the country.

Bauti is sitting in for Chinyeke Tembo who picked up a job in east Africa.

During the hasty elections Deogratias M’mana of The Nation Publications Limited was elected regional chairman after defeating capital FM’s George Mhango and Semion Shumba of FM 101 Power, Emmanuel Chibwana of Zodiak got the vice Chairman position after trouncing Matthews Malata of TransWorld radio.

Weekly News’ Lucky Mkandawire became Treasurer while Mercy Makhuwira got the general secretary position.

Two other members Phales Ngalauka and George Mhango became committee members.
“We are scheduled to set up a similar committee in the north, the idea is that to have a working committee each region for a start before we go every corner of the country,” said Bauti.

Bauti however said Journaids as body acknowledges the pioneers of the organisation. He made a mention of Baxter Nkhoma, Ina Thombodzi, Celina Khonje, Joseph Chimbuto, Chinyeke Tembo Rex Chikoko and Vilante Ndasowa.

“All these people including Chinyeke himself are not here today, it means we have a challenge ahead of us to move the body to another level,” said Bauti.

Making an acceptance speech Mmana said he is looking forward to seeing the work of HIV Aids being given a human face in media coverage.

Journaids is being funded by Southern Africa Aids Trust (SAAT) but the regional committee will be tasked to generate their own besides develop their own programmes.

“It is going to be two- way traffic between the national secretariat in Lilongwe and the regional body in Blantyre and Mzuzu,” said Horace Boti programme officer.

On sustenance Boti said at the time of applying for funding at SAAT they developed a sustainability programme which details who the organization will survive without donors.

“Last year was the first year and most of the activities were related to the setting up of administration, that is why this work was reserved for this year,” said Boti.