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Mthunzi Creative Minds Uses Arts Competition to Champion Mental Wellness

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By Rahim Abdul

Mthunzi Creative Minds has unveiled plans to host a multi disciplinary arts competition aimed at promoting awareness and positive conversations around mental health.

The initiative is part of the organisation’s broader efforts to use creativity as a tool for social change particularly in addressing issues related to mental well being within communities.

Speaking on the development, Mthunzi Creative Minds Director Innocent Kandoje said the competition will bring together artists from different creative fields to pass on messages that encourage sound and healthy thinking.



Kandoje explained that the competition is open to various categories of artists including poets, musicians, photographers, filmmakers and dancers, among others.

He noted that by involving different forms of art, the organisation hopes to reach a wider audience and present mental health messages in ways that are both engaging and easy to understand.

According to Kandoje, the registration process for interested participants is currently underway, with artists encouraged to submit their entries within the set timeframe.

He added that the organisation plans to release the list of successful applicants who will advance to the first stage of the competition by early February this year.

Kandoje further said the competition will also serve as a platform for artists to showcase their talent while contributing meaningfully to discussions that affect people’s everyday lives.

He stressed that mental health remains an important but often overlooked topic, hence the need to continuously find creative approaches to raise awareness.

The arts competition is expected to attract participation from different parts of the country and spark conversations that promote mental wellness and emotional resilience.

From Malawi to the World as Simwaka’s Olympic Dream Ignites

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By Rahim Abdul

Malawi’s multi-talented athlete, Asimenye Simwaka, is on the verge of a life changing journey after being awarded a prestigious Olympic scholarship ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA.

Simwaka, who has showcased remarkable talent in both football and track and field, was selected alongside six other athletes from sports including swimming, archery, judo and taekwondo, a testament to his exceptional potential.

The scholarship will see Simwaka based at the world-renowned Rio Maior Sports Centre in Portugal, a high performance hub that has trained elite athletes from across the globe.

Simwaka



Equipped with cutting edge training facilities, advanced gyms, recovery centers and professional coaching, the Rio Maior Sports Centre provides athletes with everything needed to reach their peak performance.

For Simwaka, this opportunity is more than just a training program it is a platform to challenge himself, grow as an athlete and prepare for the world stage.

Each scholarship recipient will receive a monthly allowance of $1,500 to cover training, competitions and related expenses, allowing them to focus entirely on their athletic development.

Over the next three years, Simwaka will benefit from structured training, international exposure and guidance from top level coaches, all aimed at preparing him to compete at the Olympics.

Speaking about the scholarship, Simwaka described it as an honor and a powerful source of motivation, inspiring him to push harder and aim higher than ever before.

The experience will also allow him to interact with international athletes, exchange techniques and gain invaluable insights into competing at world class levels.

Deputy Minister Tembo lauds BOMFA cooperative, urges unity

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By Burnett Munthali

Deputy Minister of Industrialization, Business, Trade, and Tourism Edgar Tembo has praised the BOMFA Cooperative in Kasungu for its remarkable growth and contributions to the local economy.

Tembo made the remarks during a visit by Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah to the cooperative, which started as a small farmers’ club and has evolved into a thriving cooperative generating employment and foreign exchange earnings.

“The private sector creates wealth and jobs for others, and these are the efforts government counts on,” Tembo said, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector.

Tembo



He noted that the government was committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, highlighting the ministry’s efforts to promote local industry growth through restrictions on certain imports.

Tembo stressed the need for innovation and value addition to drive Malawi’s industrialization, saying, “We believe in a culture of innovation; value addition will help Malawi’s local industry.”

He called on citizens to work together to achieve common goals, emphasizing the importance of empowering local Malawians and promoting unity and cooperation.

“BOMFA is a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication and hard work,” Tembo said, commending the cooperative’s achievements.

The visit by Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah was seen as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to supporting local initiatives and promoting economic growth.

Tembo’s remarks were made against the backdrop of the government’s efforts to promote economic development and reduce dependence on imports.

The BOMFA Cooperative’s success story is expected to inspire other local businesses and cooperatives to strive for excellence and contribute to Malawi’s economic growth.

Sports minister hails NBM plc for transforming women’s football

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By Linda Kwanjana


Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Patricia Wiskes, has commended National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc for investing in women’s football, following the conclusion of the inaugural NBM Women’s Premiership at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.

Silver Strikers Ladies defeated FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women 2–1 in the competition’s last match.

Wiskes described the sponsorship as a landmark investment that has enabled Malawi’s women footballers to compete on the continental stage.



“As a ministry, we value these sponsorships so much because it is through this sponsorship that our women in football have been able to compete for Africa. It is really a landmark in the growth of women’s football in Malawi, and we hope the sponsor has been satisfied and that we will continue engaging going forward,” said Wiskes.

She further called on more stakeholders to emulate NBM plc’s example and support the growth of women’s football in the country.

NBM plc Chief Financial Officer, Daniel Jere said the Bank was impressed with the quality of football and the progress made during the first edition of the premiership.

“As a sponsor of the NBM Women’s Football Premiership, we are very excited by the developments that have taken place since we decided to sponsor this premiership. Overall, our impression is that the first edition has been a great success,” said Jere.

He added that the premiership is already yielding results beyond domestic competition.

“We are also encouraged that the Premiership has contributed players who have gone on to represent Malawi at the international level, including those who featured in the Women’s AFCON tournament,” said Jere.

Jere said the Bank will conduct a comprehensive review of the first edition before communicating the way forward.

“We will soon be conducting a thorough review of the first edition, and we will communicate the way forward on this particular sponsorship plan,” said Jere.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Fleetwood Haiya said the league has achieved its objective of providing a structured and competitive platform for women’s football.

“National Bank of Malawi believed in our women and believed in a group that had not received adequate attention. We are very happy to see this vision realised,” said Haiya.

The inaugural premiership, launched on 26 July last year, brought together teams from across Malawi and marked the first fully structured national premiership for women’s football.

The win, means Silver Strikers Ladies have finished the season with 48 points from 18 matches, and as champions, they pocketed K10 million.

The Women’s Premiership forms part of NBM plc’s K1.58 billion investment in sports development, with women’s football identified as a key area with significant growth potential.

New Leadership Ushers in Fresh Chapter for Malawi Volleyball

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By Rahim Abdul

The Volleyball Association of Malawi (VAM) has entered a new era following the election of a new executive committee tasked with steering the sport forward over the next five years.

The leadership transition was confirmed after VAM held its elective annual general meeting on January 24, 2026, in Lilongwe, drawing delegates from across the country.

At the heart of the new setup is James Chatonda Kaunda, who has been elected president, taking over the mantle at a time when the sport is seeking renewed growth and stability.


Kaunda will be supported by a strong vice presidential team, with Chisomo Ngulube elected as first vice president, while Simbani Banda assumes the role of second vice president.

The new administration also sees George Dickie Mbewe entrusted with the position of General Secretary, a key role responsible for the day to day coordination of the association’s affairs.

Handling the association’s financial matters is Emmanuel Kafumbu, who has been elected as Treasurer, a role considered vital for transparency and sustainable development.

Completing the executive team are committee members Chimwemwe Msowoya, Ronald Mwale, and Mercy Shaba, who bring diverse experience and perspectives to the association.

The election outcome reflects a blend of continuity and renewal, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the new leaders will inject fresh energy into the game.

Delegates at the meeting emphasized the need for stronger grassroots development, improved governance, and increased participation at both junior and senior levels.

The new executive inherits a responsibility to strengthen domestic competitions and enhance Malawi’s competitiveness at regional and continental tournaments.

Volleyball enthusiasts have also called on the leadership to prioritize capacity building for coaches, referees, and administrators across the country.

With a clear five year mandate, the new VAM committee is expected to outline its strategic vision in the coming months.

As the dust settles on the elections, attention now turns to how the new leadership will translate promises into action and elevate volleyball’s profile in Malawi.