A day after it was announced that DPP party had called the current Leader of Opposition to a disciplinary hearing , it appears Nankhumwa and his supporters have been quick to launch a coup that is aimed at completely taking over the party from the hands of current leader ,former President Peter Mutharika
Our sources indicate that DPP is at the moment divided into two camps and the majority of the MPs that the party has in parliament have confirmed their allegiance to Nankhumwa Camp. Reports also indicates that most of the local structures are in favour of Nankhumwa, a thing that has galvanised extra strength for the camp to go for the full take over without waiting for the conventions.
According to a strategist in Nankhumwa Camp who spoke on condition of anonymity, the camp is ready to form a new party if the party hierarchy decides to impose another leader rather than Nankhumwa.
So far , Nankhumwa and his loyalists have hijacked the party’s official Facebook page and are posting propaganda in support of the him.
The well known DPP online mouthpiece newspaper Malawi Voice has also changed tunes and is posting propaganda in support of Nankhumwa
Nankhumwa was called for a disciplinary hearing , which has since been adjourned accused of making himself leader of opposition in parliament, visiting opposition members without authorisation from the party president and of suspected use of fake academic certificates.
Just a day after another veteran Journalist Akwete Sande died. The Media fraternity is mourning the death of another veteran Vynn Phiri. At the time of his death Phiri was the Chief Editor at Malawi Parliament
The Speaker, Right Hon. Catherine Gotani Hara on behalf of Parliamentary Service extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the late Phiri who was the Chief Editor for Parliamentary Hansard.
The late Vynn Phiri
Late Mr. Phiri died Thursday night, 17th September, 2020 at St. Gabriel Hospital in Namitete and he will be buried on Saturday, 19th September, 2020 at Area 18 Cemetery in Lilongwe.
The late Mr. Phiri joined Parliamentary Service in 2005 as Senior Editor – Hansard and rose to the position of Chief Editor.
Late Mr. Vynn Phiri made tremendous contributions to the Hansard Section and will be remembered fondly by the whole Parliamentary Service for his professionalism.
Minister of Civic Education and National Unity, Timothy Mtambo, has assured civil society organisations and human rights defenders in the country that the Lazarus Chakwera-led Tonse Government will create an enabling environment for them to play a critical role towards improving the country’s democratization drive.
Mtambo made the remarks on Thursday in Lilongwe at the launch of the Human Rights Defenders Risk Assessment Report produced by the Danish Church Aid.
Mtambo–who led the citizens’ challenge of the 2019 presidential poll results which were eventually nullified by the courts—said government will listen to civil society concerns on the NGO Act to ensure that the law speaks to a new democratic Malawi which is being championed by the Tonse Government.
“My Ministry will take a leading role in ensuring that all human rights defenders in the country are accorded all the civic space. Afterall, I take myself as an ambassador of all human rights defenders in the country, including the grassroot communities.,” he told the gathering which included the delegates from the Ombudsman, Malawi Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC).
Mtambo said the soon-to-be launched national civic education policy will also enable the civil society to contribute towards the culture of transparency and accountability in the country.
He then called upon non-state actors, especially International Non-Governmental Organisations, to consider building the capacity of local NGOs and CBOs as one way of sustaining the culture of transparency and accountability in the country.
Looking back, Mtambo bemoaned the attempts by the previous Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to close the civic space through series of attacks against the human rights defenders in the country, which he said, was not in line with the country’s democratic constitution.
“Such was the scale of concern at attacks on human rights defenders by the DPP government that on 4 September 2018 the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), raised concerns for Malawi’s at attacks on HRDs,” he said.
“Were it not for the solidarity and support that the HRDs in Malawi received from such groups as Frontline Defenders, Lifeline and Freedom House, the Pan-Africa Human Rights Defenders Network and the Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Network, it is hard to imagine how Malawi HRDs would have survived the onslaught by the DPP government. I wish to extend my profound gratitude and appreciation to such groups,” he added.
Chuma Soko, one of the gifted producers to ever have graced Malawi music died at a young age of twenty five in December, 2003. But in the years he had been in the music industry, he left an irreplaceable legacy, a work that greatly changed the shape of music in Malawi. He worked with both well-known and new artists as well. Here are his greatest five productions:
‘Afafaniza’ by Wycliffe Chimwendo
After a slow and an underrated music career which began in 1996 with ‘Yesu Ndi Wanga’ album, Chimwendo was simply waiting for a Chuma Soko moment to give a meaning to his efforts. Taken from the ‘Sizobisa’ album, released end 1999, the song had a different sound to its times. Then, most gospel artists were yet to find their own sound, without the influence of the South African beat. The album can easily rate as one of the greatest gospel albums in Malawi. But it was this song that made the much needed promotion for the whole production. It was loved in the churches. It turned into an anthem in several church choruses. To date, it remains Chimwendo’s most known song.
‘Kweza Maso’ by Gift Fumulani
It was two years after the death of Evison Matafale. The rest of his band members, the Black Missionaries, were still looking for their own place in Malawi music. And they did. Their Kuimba 3 was a production that went beyond people’s expectations. But just as people were beginning to associate the Fumulani name with the band, cane Gift, who pursued a solo career. It was unlike Anjiru Fumulani, Chizondi Fumulani and Musamude Fumulani who stayed on as a group to further pursue the dream of their slain cousin, Matafale. Gift’s first single in 2003, ‘Kweza Maso’ which was included in his album, ‘Ndikuimba, launched what would be one of the greatest voices to have ever come from Chileka. His death in July, 2008 ended a growing music career. But with his first song, produced by Chuma Soko, Gift curved himself a legacy that still puts him as an admirable figure.
The late Chuma Soko: pic courtesy of Mw Nation
‘Kumidima’ by Billy Kaunda
In ‘Kumidima’ we see a Chuma Soko who had no studio of his own. He had the tendency of working in different studios with his trusted men like Collen Ali and Peter Likhomo. Balaka was Paul Banda’s territory. But in this song, he went there, and together with Joseph Tembo, worked on the song.
The song was controversial after its release. ‘Kumidima’ means ‘The Land of Darkness’, which applied that the artists he was singing about had gone to this land. Most people further interpreted this as hell. They thought Billy was being judgmental. It had to take the comedy duo of Izeki and Jakobo to write a newspaper note to explain the lyrics.
The song had with it a great message, mourning some of the greatest drama artists in Malawi. He mused over life and death, and easily left the listener in a somber mood. It had an easy sing-along chorus, a great beat and gave birth to the use of ‘Kumidima’ word for the graveyard. Looking back at Billy Kaunda’s career, the song easily tells how good he was during his days.
‘Makaniko’ by Charles Nsaku
He may have launched his career in Balaka, but Charles Nsaku made his best hits when he was out of it. His maiden ‘Chosangalatsa N’chani?’ album with Mwizalero Band was a good live studio album. The title track was on a person finding out the vanity of being famous, a topic that many musicians in Malawi avoid. But it was in ‘Ndatopa’ album in 1998 that we saw the real Nsaku. He goes down in history as one of the hard lyricist in Malawi.
And that was what we saw in ‘Makaniko’. Released in 2003, one of Chuma Soko’s last productions, the song made rounds in all the places it had to. It was a message that still remains unsung by other artists. The reggae beat in it was imposing and it coupled well with the message. It is on record that one car owner went to a garage while playing the song. A fight between him and a mechanic ensued because of the criticism the song gives to them. An unfortunate situation, but doesn’t that show how powerful the song was?
‘Yang’ana Nkhope’ by Evison Matafale
It was in July 2001 that Kuimba 2 was released. After setting the pace with Kuimba 1 in 1999, Evison Matafale made another effort, which ended up being his last. In his maiden album, known for its consciousness, ‘Watsetsereka’ was the lead song, due to its anthemic sound. He attempted it for the second time, and delivered.
In ‘Yang’ana Nkhope’ we see a Matafale who was discussing his usual unity message. The message can be credited to him, but it was Chuma Soko who gave it fresh with instrumentation. Produced at Aktone Studios together with the likes of Reuben Tchongwe and Collen Ali, Chuma Soko created a lasting song. The monotonous sound in the song could have easily buried someone’s career. But since it was Chuma Soko on it, it came out as one of the well-known Matafale songs.
A renowned gospel artist, Wycliffe Chimwendo, now a pastor intends to break his 9- year in music silence by releasing three songs which are ready for a full album soon.
In an interview with over the weekend, Chimwendo said his silence in the industry was due to academic issues as he was pursuing a Degree in Theology. He has since been ordained pastor for Living Waters Church.
In breaking the silence pastor Chimwendo has released three songs. He has since advised his fans to listen to the songs saying he is still an active gospel musician. “Indeed it has taken me almost nine years without releasing any song. The silence was not silence, it was a Sabbatical break as I had also to do some other equally important things in life within the Kingdom of God and I am now an ordained pastor.
“Those that have already listened to the songs will appreciate that I have not departed from my usual style of music. My songs are more evangelistic, ministering for salvation and freedom in Jesus Christ,” he said.
Wycliffe Chimwendo
Pastor Chimwendo said he is pleased that most of the gospel music lovers have responded well through his Facebook Page for his coming back to the music scene.
“My fans have welcomed the new songs and are eager to have a full album which will be finalized soon. I have already started receiving overwhelming comments through my page and this demonstrates that these are excited and they should indeed expect more as I will continue from where I stopped,” said Pastor Chimwendo.
He said he is doing everything possible to align himself with the current mode of music outreach using online platforms.
One of the Facebook users, who commented on Pastor Chimwendo page, Henry Likhaya Mbewe said ‘we are blessed through your songs brother’.
Three songs are Teretu, Sionse and Sakana. Teretu is a traditional fused song with a Honala input. It appreciates the sacrifice Christ paid for human salvation
