Rapheal, 43, died after the vehicle he was travelling in overturned near the city of Blantyre late on Saturday.
Tenthani was well known across Malawi. He also worked for the Associated Press news agency and local newspapers.
Malawi's President Peter Mutharika said Tenthani would be remembered "as a man of immense talent... eloquence, humour and warmth".
BBC Africa wrote on its Facebook page: "Raphael was a brilliant writer and journalist and reported not just for the BBC, but for the Associated Press as well. He was also a popular newspaper columnist at home."
In 2010, Tenthani won a UN Media Award for his work on the Millennium Development Goals.
His funeral is expected later on Monday.
Credits: Maravi Post, BBC