The government says it is awaiting the final report from German investigators, BFU, to proceed with building a memorial tower at the plane crash site in Chikangawa Forest.
According to Government Chief Spokesperson, Moses Kunkuyu, the report will address the construction of the tower to honor the nine people who lost their lives, including the late Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima.
Crash site in Chikangawa
Kunkuyu earlier stated that the government was considering requests from the Chilima family and others regarding the memorial tower.
He mentioned that the next steps would be clear once the final report is released, as it is essential to understand the circumstances surrounding the deaths to honor the departed.
However, there has been no any immediate response from the families of the deceased.
Meanwhile, Parliamentarian Sameer Suleman believes that the construction of the tower is a way to honor the heroes and is not directly related to the final report.
Malawi Bureau of Standards(MBS) Deputy Director General Thom Senganimalunje says the bureau has certified 886 locally made products.
Speaking during the presentation of certification awards to companies that have complied with the bureau’s standards in Blantyre on Friday,Senganimalunje said out of the certified products, 558 were new products, while the rest were renewals.
“I applaud you for sustaining the quality standards and getting your certifications renewed. For the new awardees, I say congratulations,” he said.
On his part,Director of Industry in the Ministry of Industry and Trade Clement Phangaphanga, said it is encouraging to see that more locally made products are being certified.
“This is an assurance of the safety and quality of local products being patronized on the market and services offered to the public,” he said.
Phangaphanga called on the certified firms to maintain the tempo and aim for the international market.
MBS is a statutory organization established with a mandate to promote metrology, standardization and quality assurance of commodities and of the manufacture, production, processing or treatment thereof; and further to provide for matters incidental to, or connected with the foregoing.
Catherine Gotani Hara, the deputy leader of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Speaker of the National Assembly, has expressed that the challenges currently facing Malawi are not unique to the country but are also prevalent in many other nations across Africa. Her remarks come as part of a broader dialogue regarding the socio-economic difficulties that are impacting the region.
During her address, Hara called upon leaders in rural areas, including traditional chiefs, to avoid engaging in corrupt practices in the various social initiatives being implemented by the government. She emphasized the importance of transparency and integrity in executing these programs aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the nation.
Gotani Hara in Dowa
In addition to her message to local leaders, Hara urged the youth to actively seek loans from the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to start businesses that can improve their livelihoods. She highlighted the critical role that young entrepreneurs can play in driving economic growth and development within their communities.
Hara’s call to action reflects a growing recognition of the need for youth engagement in the economic landscape of Malawi. By encouraging young people to pursue business opportunities, she aims to empower them to contribute to the nation’s economic recovery and development.
The acknowledgment that Malawi’s problems are mirrored in other African nations highlights the interconnectedness of socio-economic challenges across the continent. Issues such as poverty, unemployment, and corruption are not confined to one country but are shared experiences that require collaborative efforts for resolution.
Hara’s leadership in addressing these challenges speaks to the necessity of unity and collective action among African nations. By fostering dialogue and cooperation, leaders can work towards implementing effective solutions that benefit their citizens and promote sustainable development.
Catherine Gotani Hara’s call for integrity among local leaders and her encouragement for youth entrepreneurship signify a proactive approach to tackling the pressing issues faced by Malawi and its neighbors. As the country navigates its challenges, the emphasis on transparency, empowerment, and collaboration will be essential in forging a path toward a more prosperous future for all Malawians.
Vice President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Catherine Gotani Hara, has assured farmers in Dowa that the current government is committed to addressing the challenges faced by tobacco farmers. She emphasized that the administration is working to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for their produce.
Speaking at a political rally organized by MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda on Saturday, Hara stated that the previous regimes had subjected farmers to low tobacco prices, but President Lazarus Chakwera is determined to change that.
Chimwendo and Gotani Hara in Dowa
“President Chakwera wants to see farmers benefiting from their hard work,” Hara said. “He will make sure that the coming tobacco marketing season offers better prices for farmers so they can meet their basic needs.”
In the 2023 tobacco marketing season, 120 million kilograms of tobacco were sold at an average price of $2.35 per kilogram, an increase from the 85 million kilograms sold in 2022 at $2.14 per kilogram. Hara pointed to this upward trend as evidence of the government’s efforts to improve farmers’ livelihoods, and promised that further improvements are on the way.
Hara concluded by reassuring the farmers that the administration is dedicated to ensuring even better prices in the future, as part of its broader plan to support and uplift the agricultural sector.
Six students from Malawi University of Business and Applied Science (MUBAS) have been expelled for being involved in cheating during examinations.
This has been confirmed in a memo dated September 26, 2024, addressed to students and staff members.
The memo states that the students, namely Joram Chigongwa, Griphin Sefasi, Joseph Pitani, Steven Phiri, Haervy Ackson Sakala, and Isaac Siyama, appeared before the Academic Disciplinary Committee to answer charges of misconduct and were all found guilty.
The committee then recommended the expulsion of the said students.
The memo further states that only one student, identified as Rasheed Kapito, was not found guilty of the cheating malpractice, while Yasin Njinga has been seriously warned.
