Vice President Dr Jane Ansah has urged Malawians to embrace a spirit of unity and compassion in supporting children with disabilities, emphasizing that every child deserves equal access to healthcare and opportunities.
Speaking during the Beit Cure Hospital fundraising dinner held in Blantyre on Saturday night, Dr Ansah said the initiative reflects the nation’s collective duty to care for its most vulnerable citizens.
The dinner aimed to raise K310 million to fund surgeries and rehabilitation services for 206 children suffering from physical disabilities all to be provided free of charge.
Dr Ansah hailed Beit Cure Hospital for its long-standing commitment to restoring hope among children and families, describing the institution as a “beacon of compassion and excellence” in Malawi’s healthcare system.
She also appealed to the private sector, faith-based organizations and individuals to “open their hearts and resources” to ensure no child is left behind due to financial hardship.
The event drew participation from government officials, corporate executives, diplomats, and clergy, all pledging continued support for the hospital’s life-transforming mission.
Beit Cure Hospital, established over two decades ago, continues to serve thousands of children from across Malawi and neighboring countries through orthopedic and reconstructive surgeries.
The General Secretary (GS ) of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA),Wale Okediran, has applauded the Malawi Writers Union (MAWU) for its continued efforts in promoting literature and nurturing young writers in the country.
Speaking during the conclusion of the MAWU’s 30th anniversary celebrations at Golden Peacock Hotel in Blantyre on Saturday,Okediran, who is a Nigerian writer and literary administrator, expressed his excitement and pride over Malawi’s vibrant literary culture.
Okediran
“As the GS of the PAWA, my role is to promote literary writing across Africa. When I see an association in an African country that wholeheartedly embraces literature, writing, and advocacy like MAU,I am always very happy. I congratulate the President and members of MAWU for celebrating their 30th anniversary,” he said.
Okediran noted that Malawi has a long and rich literary tradition, having produced several internationally acclaimed writers.
He commended the union for ensuring that the younger generation is actively involved in literary activities.
“I am pleased that the tradition is continuing and that young people are being carried along so that this practice will be passed on to them,” he said.
During his lecture at the event,Okediran emphasized the need for African writers to adapt to digital trends in publishing.
He encouraged young writers to explore various modern platforms and formats for their works.
“It is important for young writers to embrace digital publishing. They should explore e-books, audiobooks, graphic novels, and even the adaptation of books into films. Technology is being embraced worldwide, and African writers cannot afford to be left behind,” he said.
He also highlighted the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the literary space, urging writers to focus on its positive potential.
“AI has come to stay. While it has its challenges, writers should take advantage of its positive aspects,” he said.
Okediran further commended the continued organization of writers’ gatherings such as conferences and book fairs, saying such events foster creativity and the exchange of ideas.
“A gathering of writers is always valuable for sharing knowledge and strengthening the literary community. I am glad to see young writers participating, and I’m confident they will carry this tradition forward,” he said.
On his part, MAU president,Shadreck Chikoti,said Malawi can only develop intellectually and socially if reading becomes a consistent part of everyday life.
He said:“We need to move from reading for gossip and entertainment to reading for knowledge and self-improvement.Reading should not just be a hobby,it should be a habit that feeds the mind and helps us grow as individuals and as a nation.”
Chikoti said formed in 1995, shortly after the dawn of multiparty democracy, MAWU has spent three decades empowering writers and encouraging a culture of reading through workshops, book fairs, and competitions.
He hailed the organization’s founding members including Roy Sagonja, Steve Chimombo and Edison Mpina for laying a strong foundation for literary growth in Malawi.
“These are the architects of Malawi’s literary movement.They built the foundation that today’s writers continue to build upon,” said Chikoti.
The MAWU president also encouraged writers in the country to embrace the digital era and explore how technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance creativity.
“AI is here to stay.We recently held a writing competition on AI and Mental Health to help writers understand and engage with emerging technologies in a meaningful way,” he said.
Despite the rise of digital platforms, Chikoti said he believes that social media has played a surprising role in promoting reading, even in rural communities.
“People are reading more than before, even if it is through Facebook or X (Twitter).But we must go further using reading not just for fun, but as a tool for education and self-development,” he said.
He added that as MAWU looks to the next 30 years,its mission remains to build a nation of readers and writers who use words to educate, inspire, and transform society.
“We have made great strides.Now it is time to take Malawi’s reading culture to the next level,” said Chikoti.
The Minority Shareholders Association of Listed Companies (MISALICO) has urged both the government and private sector players to increase the number of companies listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE), saying the current figure of only 16 listed firms is unhealthy for a country of over 22 million people.
Speaking during a press briefing in Blantyre on Thursday, MISALICO Secretary General(GS) Reverend Frank Harawa said it is concerning that, despite the MSE being established in 1994, there has been little progress in expanding listings.
Harawa
“The MSE was established by the government and is regulated by the Reserve Bank of Malawi(RBM ).Its main objectives were to enable companies to raise capital and to allow Malawians and other investors to participate in the country’s wealth creation.However, having only 16 companies listed after more than 30 years is worrying and shows that more must be done,” he said.
Harawa noted that the growing public interest in buying shares fueled by awareness campaigns from the RBM, MISALICO, and the Capital Markets Association (CMA) has led to increased demand for shares and a surge in share prices.
“For the first time, many Malawians are openly testifying that they have made money from the stock market. This is good progress, but the limited number of listed companies means demand far exceeds supply, pushing prices up,” he said.
Harawa proposed several measures to address the situation, including encouraging listed companies to issue rights issues and bonus issues to increase the volume of shares available to investors.
“For example, companies such as NITL and Sunbird could consider increasing their shares in issue so that more Malawians can participate. National Bank and Press Corporation can also do the same,” he suggested.
Harawa also pointed out that several telecommunications companies regulated by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) have yet to list on the MSE, despite the Communications Act requiring them to offer at least 20 percent of their shareholding to indigenous Malawians.
“Only TNM and Airtel have complied so far.Other telecom firms must follow the law and list. Even tower companies should come on board,” he said.
The MISALICO GS further urged the government to partially list some of its over 70 parastatal companies to promote transparency and reduce corruption.
“Currently, only Sunbird Tourism is listed, with government retaining 71 percent ownership. If more state-owned enterprises such as ESCOM and MBS were listed, it would enhance transparency and accountability, as these companies would be required to publish audited financial statements and answer to shareholders.
“This is not about privatizing everything, but about empowering Malawians to own a part of their economy,” he said.
Harawa also called for large-scale mining companies to be listed on the MSE to ensure that Malawians benefit directly from the country’s natural resources.
“It is unhealthy for foreign companies to extract our resources while the government only holds 15 percent shares. We propose that at least 20 percent of these companies’ shares be listed on MSE so that ordinary Malawians from businesspeople to civil servants, farmers, and taxi drivers can buy shares and become part owners,” he emphasized.
Harawa added that listing mining firms would improve transparency in the management of mineral resources, as it would make it easier to track the quantity and value of minerals extracted.
“Our neighbors in Africa have already listed most of their mining companies. It’s time Malawi did the same,” Harawa concluded.
MISALICO is a company that advocates for the rights and interests of minority shareholders in the country , promoting fair participation, transparency, and accountability in the country’s capital markets.
The Malawi Writers Union (MAWU) has called for a renewed national commitment to reading and literacy as it celebrates 30 years of nurturing writers and promoting Malawian literature.
Speaking to 247 Malawi News,MAWU President Shadreck Chikoti said Malawi can only develop intellectually and socially if reading becomes a consistent part of everyday life.
He said:“We need to move from reading for gossip and entertainment to reading for knowledge and self-improvement.Reading should not just be a hobby,it should be a habit that feeds the mind and helps us grow as individuals and as a nation.”
Shadreck Chikoti
Chikoti said formed in 1995, shortly after the dawn of multiparty democracy, MAWU has spent three decades empowering writers and encouraging a culture of reading through workshops, book fairs, and competitions.
He hailed the organization’s founding members including Roy Sagonja, Steve Chimombo and Edison Mpina for laying a strong foundation for literary growth in Malawi.
“These are the architects of Malawi’s literary movement.They built the foundation that today’s writers continue to build upon,” said Chikoti.
The MAWU President also encouraged writers in the country to embrace the digital era and explore how technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance creativity.
“AI is here to stay.We recently held a writing competition on AI and Mental Health to help writers understand and engage with emerging technologies in a meaningful way,” he said.
Despite the rise of digital platforms, Chikoti said he believes that social media has played a surprising role in promoting reading, even in rural communities.
“People are reading more than before, even if it is through Facebook or X (Twitter).But we must go further using reading not just for fun, but as a tool for education and self-development,” he said.
He added that as MAWU looks to the next 30 years,its mission remains to build a nation of readers and writers who use words to educate, inspire, and transform society.
“We have made great strides.Now it is time to take Malawi’s reading culture to the next level,” said Chikoti.
On his part,renowned author Sylvester Chabuka called on various stakeholders to come together and support MAWU in promoting local authors and developing a vibrant reading and writing culture in the country.
Chabuka emphasized the need to create more platforms for Malawian writers to showcase their work and inspire young people to embrace literature.
“We need to mobilize different stakeholders to support the Malawi Writers Union. For example, we can use every public event to market and promote Malawian-authored books. Even at the National Assembly, there could be a desk where our books are displayed for Members of Parliament to appreciate the literary talent that Malawi has,” he said.
Chabuka observed that many Malawians underestimate their potential in shaping a culture of confidence and creativity particularly among the youth through reading and writing.
“Our youth are often exploited in many ways.But if they develop a passion for reading and writing, Malawi will never be the same,” he said.
Chabuka further stressed the importance of organizing frequent writing workshops to nurture young talent and introduce students to creative writing at an early stage.
He also highlighted the progress that Malawian authors have made in producing quality local literature, noting that the country should move away from relying solely on foreign books.
“In the past, most of us studied English literature written by foreign authors. But now, many Malawian writers have produced excellent books that can be used in schools. Writing is storytelling, and everyone who has a story to tell can write,” said Chabuka.
He encouraged writers to remain humble and open to editing, saying that even the best books in the world contain mistakes.
The author also called for unity among writers to raise Malawi’s literary profile on the international stage.
“Countries like Nigeria and Kenya have made great strides in literature. It is our time now to raise the Malawian flag high,” he said.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the organization hosted a Book Fair on Friday October 31,2025 at Chichiri Museum in Blantyre, bringing together authors, publishers, booksellers, and printers to showcase and sell books across multiple genres.
The fair featured a diverse collection of titles from primary school textbooks and tertiary academic materials to novels and motivational books offering readers a unique opportunity to access a wide range of literature in one place.
The celebrations continue today Saturday, November 1,2025, with a Writers’ Indaba featuring paper presentations, panel discussions, poetry, and musical performances.
The event reflects on how Malawian writers have contributed to national development, democracy, and education over the past three decades.
CDH Investment Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to improving children’s health in the country after donating K3 million to Beit Cure International Hospital to fund two life-changing surgeries.
The donation was presented during a handover ceremony held at the hospital in Blantyre on Thursday.
Speaking during the event, CDH Investment Bank Chief Treasury Officer,Zondwayo Mafuleka, said the bank takes pride in partnering with organizations that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
“Our cordial relationship with Beit Cure International Hospital has allowed us to appreciate the commendable work the hospital is doing in transforming lives through specialized orthopedic care for children.
“We are proud to support two life-changing surgeries that will not only benefit the children but also uplift their families, communities, and the nation by creating more economically active citizens,” he said.
Mafuleka emphasized that CDH Investment Bank believes every individual has the potential to contribute positively toward Malawi’s social and economic development.
He added that the bank remains dedicated to supporting the health sector in promoting inclusive growth and access to quality healthcare.
Receiving the donation, Director of Programs and Development at Beit Cure International Hospital,Davie Simengwa, expressed gratitude for the continued partnership.
“We are deeply thankful to CDH Investment Bank for their generosity and unwavering support. This contribution will go a long way in funding life-changing surgeries for children in need.
“Over the years, CDH Investment Bank has consistently stood by us, helping us fulfill our mission of transforming the lives of children through orthopedic treatment,” he said.
Simengwa also appealed to other organizations and well-wishers to emulate CDH Investment Bank’s example by supporting Beit Cure’s efforts to restore health and hope to more children across Malawi.
Through this donation, CDH Investment Bank continues to position itself as a key corporate partner in advancing healthcare and promoting social transformation in the country.
