Malawi News
20.05.2012 22:50h: Malawi: Accountability; the traction for progress
Tidzakumana pamtengo wakachere; pothera nkhani - Lucius Banda By all accounts, Mrs. Joyce Banda has hit the ground running as President of the Republic of Malawi following the sudden death of former President, dictator Bingu wa Mutharika, on April 5th., 2012. Media reports are replete with accounts of how she is busy repairing relations with multilateral and bilateral donors, development partners and neighbouring countries. She has fast-tracked the reopening of diplomatic relations with crucial ally Great Britain, ruined by the impudence and hubris of Mutharika; and is working diplomatic overtime to regain cordiality with neighbouring Mozambique — relations with which ... [Link]
20.05.2012 22:26h: NGO lobbies Palrliament for child welfare laws
The Child Rights Information and Documentation Centre CRDOC has appealed to Malawi’s Parliament to priorities Bills that affect the welfare of children and young people in Malawi. Malawi’s parliament is meeting in Lilongwe from Monday after state opening last Friday by President Joyce Banda. The NGO cites several bills, which it says, have been either on the drawing board for years or have been deliberately ignored. It says bills such as: Trafficking In Persons, Tobacco Tenancy, Disability, Access to Information and the Education Act among others than need urgent attention. MP's urged to prioritise children welfare laws “In the past ... [Link]
20.05.2012 22:17h: Malawi govt presses on archival registration of publications
Most of the publications in Malawi are not registered with the National Archives of Malawi NAM , forcing the ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture to issue a stern warning, saying it is an offence to fail to comply with the Printed Publications Act Cap. 19:01 , sub-section 5 1 of the Laws of Malawi. Government has also called on the publishers to deposit copies with it, and also introduced a bar-coding system for books with ISBNs. In a statement, the ministry says every publisher in Malawi is obliged to register their newspapers, magazines, newsletters, etc. before commencing with publishing. ... [Link]
20.05.2012 22:06h: President Banda honours Malawi Queens
President Joyce Banda on Sunday hosted a luncheon with the Malawi national netball team Queens who recently defended the Africa Netball Championship in Tanzania. During a ceremony held at Mtunthama State House in the capital city Lilongwe, President Banda donated K10 million to the team and gave K100,000 each to the players in the squad as a token of appreciation. The President also assured the Netball Association of Malawi that her administration will support in hosting the continental showpiece next year. “We will support you all the way,” said President Banda. President Banda and NAM president Rose Chinunda.Photo by Fally ... [Link]
20.05.2012 21:31h: JB donates K0.5m to Mtimaukanena for winning WBF title
President Joyce Banda on Sunday gave Malawi’s only female boxing pugilist Agness Mtimaukanena half a million Kwacha after making the nation proud when she recently won the light middleweight World Boxing Federation WBF belt. Mtimaukanena, 20, outsmarted Kenyan Susan Adezo to win the title. Meeting President Joyce Banda at the official Mtunthama State House in the capital Lilongwe, the pugilist said she was delighted that there is “political will” to promote sports in the country and boxing. Mtimaukanena receiving a cheque from President Banda. Photo by Fally Ngalauka/Nyasa Times President Banda donated K500, 000 from her Joyce Banda Foundation and ... [Link]
20.05.2012 21:16h: Ngalande, Sangale jet in ahead of Malawi crucial qualifiers
Malawi national team’s foreign –based players have started jetting in the country to join Flames training camp ahead of next month’s 2014 World Cup and 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Malawi will face Kenya on June 2 in a World Cup qualifier in Nairobi. They follow this with hosting Nigeria at Kamuzu Stadium the following weekend for another match on the road to Brazil 2014. On the weekend of 15-17 June, Malawi entertain Chad in the second leg of their Nations Cup first round tie. Sangala and Ngalande: Jets in Atletico Madrid star Robin Ngalande arrived from Spain on ... [Link]
20.05.2012 17:53h: Malawi’s first lesbian marriage, risks arrests
Two Malawian women became the first same-sex couple to hold a traditional engagement, The Sunday Times newspaper reported, risking arrest as Police say homosexuality remains illegal in the country. Redgner Mmangausi and Ruth Banda from Blantyre married in a traditional ceremony last Saturday in Chigumula Township. The ceremony is said to have been held privately but the newspaper published pictures of the two lovers in romantic mood and kissing. Nyasa Timesreporters tracked down the couple on Sunday and they confirmed being in “long time love relationship.” The lesbian couple in Malawi. Regina Mmangausi and Ruth Banda. Photo credit - Sunday ... [Link]
20.05.2012 17:53h: Ucheâ
Nigerian gospel artist of the ‘God is good’ fame, Uche-chukwu Agu, cancelled his concert on Sunday at Robins Park in Blantyre following a fatal road accident involving the supporting artists. The Cavalry Family Church invited Uche to Malawi. The church said a minibus carrying Uche’s backing members – Joyous Celebration choir -was involved in tragic road accident Saturday night at Phalula, Balaka on their way from Lilongwe where they had another performance. “CFC leadership is informing all that Uche’s Blantyre show has been postponed following the fatal road accident involving Uche’s backing team. CFC will continue updating you,” says an ... [Link]
20.05.2012 17:28h: Was the Bingu Africa saw the Bingu Malawians knew?
Several comments made about the departed president by a number of Africans from various countries, and a few non-Africans, seem to paint a picture of a man Malawians do not seem to recognise. He has been called a visionary leader, a Pan Africanist, and an anti-imperialist, among many other colourful adjectives. Is that the man Malawians knew? Landing at Chileka International Airport for the funeral of the late president on April 22nd, Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete gave a glimpse of how differently Mutharika appears to have been perceived by Africans outside Malawi, particularly in his last days. Kikwete said Mutharika ... [Link]
20.05.2012 07:52h: Muluzi in Lesotho to lead Commonwealth observers for polls
Malawi former president Bakili Muluzi on Saturday arrived in Maseru, Lesotho, leading a team of Commonwealth observers for the country’s parliamentary elections. On arrival at the airport, Muluzi – who is also Africa’s Goodwill Ambassador on Governance and Human Rights -said he was “delighted” to be in Lesotho for such an important mission. He will address a press conference on Monday 21 May 2012 at Lesotho Sun at midday to outline the Observer Group’s mission and objectives. Muluzi arrives at the airport in Maseru, Lesotho on Saturday 19 May 2012, leading a team of Commonwealth observers for the country's polls ... [Link]
20.05.2012 07:43h: Talk about sex in families -clergy
Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with HIV/AIDS MANERELA has urged couples to open up and talk about sex within their homes in order to curb the further spread of HIV and AIDS with extra-marital ‘satisfaction’. Pastor Bright Chali , MANERELA district coordinator for Mzimba , said this in an interview with Nyasa Times on the sidelines of a series of trainings the organization his organisation is conducting targeting married people. Pastor Chali said its high time married couples opened up and discuss about how to satisfy each other within the homes so that no one seeks sexual satisfaction outside ... [Link]
20.05.2012 07:15h: Malawians social media buzz with Chelsea Champions League win
Malawians from Saturday night have been dominating their posts on the social networking sites with news of Chelsea FC winning its first ever European Cup in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. The support base of Chelsea in Malawi is not big comparing to English teams like Liverpool,, Manchester and Arsenal. But it has been growing in recent times . When the Londoners were crowned kings of Europe at the end of a dramatic night when veteran striker Didier Drogba scored the decisive spot kick to beat Bayern Munich, Malawians took to the social media to talk of the Chelsea glory. Facebook, ... [Link]
20.05.2012 06:39h: Of taxes, borrowings and potholes: No sacred cows
David Loga, Director of Finance at the Malawi Revenue Authority, is a long time friend of mine who is an intelligent chap, so intelligent that it is totally unfair for the system of our government to make him look like an idiot. For how else would a chartered accountant be regarded if, contrary to International Accounting Standard 18 and International Public Sector Accounting Standards 9 and 23 on revenue recognition, he was made to treat borrowed cash as revenue? By his own admission, the K15 billion was paid back three days later to the commercial banks with an interest charge ... [Link]
19.05.2012 21:45h: Five fallacies against decriminalization of homosexuality in Malawi
In the first place, let me highlight that the arguments in this article do not attempt to establish the rationale behind legality or illegality of gay rights or advocacy thereof in Malawi, rather the intention is to facilitate an analytical broader understanding of the same. First fallacy: Malawi is a Christian nation Most Malawians refute decriminalization of homosexuality because it conflicts with the Christianity ideals and Biblical philosophy. This is due to rampant erroneous assumption that Malawi is a Christian nation, which is divergent to the constitution of the Republic of Malawi, which affirms freedom of religion as ones conscience ... [Link]
19.05.2012 21:45h: JB asks G8 countries to invest in Malawi
Malawi leader Mrs. Joyce Banda has appealed to world’s top eight richest countries, otherwise known as Group of 8 G8 industrial nations, currently meeting in United States of America USA , to help cure the country’s ailing economywith massive investment in a bid to accelerate recovery. Speaking in an exclusive interview which Nyasa Times monitored on BBC radio hours before making her maiden state of the nation address, President Banda acknowledged that Malawi is surviving on oxygen machine hence the need for the rich countries to invest in the country. The President further contended that with the direct foreign investment ... [Link]
19.05.2012 21:45h: Mazeze pulls out of JUMA and SAJA top posts
Maganizo Mazeze, who was elected to head the Journalists Union of Malawi JUMA and later the Southern African Journalists Association SAJA last year has resigned both positions. In a brief note to JUMA membership on 16th May, he says: I hope this mail finds you well. I regret to announce my resignation as President of JUMA effective today, May 16, 2012.” The past few months, he added, have been tough in that he has not given adequate attention to the work of Unionism due to pressure of personal projectsg. “I think this is greatly affecting the direction of JUMA. I ... [Link]
19.05.2012 18:38h: Malawi electoral Commissioners appointed
President Joyce Banda has appointed new Malawi Electoral Commission Commissioners. The Office of the President and cabinet OPC announced the names on Saturday. The new Commissioners are Reverend Allan Chiphiko, Malawi Congress Party MCP spokesperson and former Lilongwe City legislator Nancy Tembo, Bishop Bernard Malango of Anglican Church, Reverend Mezuwa Banda of the Livingstonia Synod of the CCAP, Bertha Simwaka , former United Democratic Front UDF Mulanje Bale MP Elvy Mtafu, Dr. Wellington Nakanga, governing People’s Party executive officials Reverend Emmanuel Chimkwita Phiri and Gloria Chingota, respectively and former Maravi People’s Part member Stanley Biliati. Nancy Tembo: New commissioner According ... [Link]
19.05.2012 17:40h: DPP back in power 2014 –MP Ngwira
Democratic Progressive Party DPP regional governor for the north Rev Dr Christopher Mzomera Ngwira has said his party will bounce back in 2014 with Peter Mutharika as president of Malawi. Ngwira said this on Friday when he convened a meeting for constituency committee members drawn from Mzimba Hora, Mzimba south and Mzimba south west constituencies. The meeting took place at Tovwirane hall in Mzimba and unusually started at 21:00hrs and ended at around 23:10hrs. During the meeting which Nyasa Timesattended, Ngwira said DPP will rule this country once more come 2014 despite the fact that most of its MPs and ... [Link]
19.05.2012 17:30h: Vuwa concedes being ‘stupid’ on stadium relocation
Former Sports Minister Symon Vuwa Kaunda has confessed he was ‘stupid;’ in recommending that the Chinese planned new sports stadium be snatched from Lilongwe and given to commercial city of Blantyre. Malawi sought assistance from the Chinese Government for the construction of the new stadium earmarked for the central region and Parliament already approved the plans However, the late Bingu wa Mutharika administration later announced that the stadium will be built in Soche, Blantyre in the south. “The decision by President Joyce Banda to relocate stadium from Blantyre to Lilongwe is a welcome decision” Vuwa Kaunda told reporters outside the ... [Link]
19.05.2012 17:17h: UK to send High Commissioner to Malawi
Britain says it expected to send its High Commissioner to Malawi within a shortest time possible according to the Charge De affairs to Lilongwe, Kirk Hollingsworth. “People should expect to see a representative from Britain before the British Summer” said Hollingsworth upon being asked by journalists to disclose the exact date when Malawians should expect to see the new envoy. Hollingsworth expressed satisfaction with President Joyce Banda’s speech during the opening of parliament which he said will greatly benefit Malawians and transform the country. “We Britain are very much encouraged with Madame Joyce Banda’s speech and the dream she has ... [Link]
19.05.2012 00:32h: Tapiwa Mutharika clings to govt guest house
Tapiwa Mutharika, daughter of the late president Bingu wa Mutharika, is clinging to Malawi government guest house in South Africa despite government writing her to vacate. Investigations reveal that Tapiwa went to South Africa and lived at government house where top government officials stay when they go to the rainbow nation with a patient or are patients themselves. “She received R17 000 per week for upkeep and she has been using the money for boozing. Government wrote her last month to leave the house but has been adamant to do so. She is staying in the guest house with her ... [Link]
18.05.2012 23:50h: Not bad Madam President: Critique of State of the Nation Address
In the 21st century, developing any poor country like Malawi requires at least two things: a a stable democratic environment with strong emphasis on the rule of law, and b an environment conducive for technological development. Leaders that seek to lead their countries out of poverty must have a strategy that embraces these two pillars. On those two counts, President Joyce Banda’s budget speech scored extremely high on one and failed on the other. Overall, the speech marked a rather good start for the second female president of Africa. A few weeks ago some of us voiced concerns that the ... [Link]
18.05.2012 20:24h: Zimbabwe: Policy Failures Render Country a Basket Case
[Zimbabwe Independent] ZIMBABWE'S growing reliance on food imports, particularly from regional countries such as Zambia and Malawi, is testimony to the country's general regression over the years blamed on the government's policy failures by players within the agricultural sector, the mainstay of the economy. [Link]
18.05.2012 20:24h: MALAWI: Bumpy road to economic recovery
BLANTYRE 18 May 2012 IRIN - A sizeable devaluation of Malawi’s currency, aimed at reinvigorating the economy and wooing back international donors, has triggered steep increases in the price of basic goods and pushed many Malawians deeper into poverty. [Link]
18.05.2012 20:24h: Malawi’s President Banda announces austerity budget
Malawi President Joyce Banda, in an effort to resuscitate the country’s rotten economy and overcome people’s poverty, has sketched out a number of austerity measures aimed at cutting back unnecessary government expenditure. The President also declared that there will be no honey moon for his ministers, government top officials and statutory corporation executives most of whom just spend time globetrotting. Banda sent the tremors Friday in Parliament when she opened the 2012-2013 Budget Session and also presented her first ever State of the Nation Address since becoming President on April 7, 2012. Among others, the president has affirmed that all ... [Link]
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