Seven cabinet ministers and several Malawi Congress Party(MCP) Members of Parliament on 31 December 2023 stormed Mweziwawala at Kasanje ground in the newly demarcated Lilongwe Kalambe Constituency where Hon. Monica Chang’anamuno was launching a 10 million kwacha football and netball league.
Chang’anamuno who is currently serving as a Member of Parliament for Lilongwe North constituency and a minister of Mining said she thought of bringing the league to the youths of her area in order to keep them busy with sporting activities in order to prevent them from engaging in bad activities that could end ruin their lives.
Football and Netball launch
In his turn, Guest of Honor Hon. Richard Chimwendo Banda MP, who is also minister of local government, said the people of Lilongwe Kalambe Constituency are blessed to have Hon. Monica Chang’anamuno as their Member of Parliament because she is a hard worker and development oriented person, hence the State President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera thought it wise to give her a ministerial position.
Present at the league launch was Minister of Health Hon. Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, Minister of Finance Hon. Simplex Chithyola Banda, Minister of Agriculture Hon. Sam Kawale, Minister of Jender Hon. Jean Sendeza, Minister of Lands Hon. Deus Gumba, MCP Centre Region Chairperson Hon. Patrick Zebron Chilondola and Several MCP MPs.
Chiefs and voters for the area since pledged support to both President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and Hon.Monica Chang’anamuno in 2025 Tripatite General Elections.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera says as Government has been overcoming many challenges across the year, it has not stopped making progress in delivering the developmental agenda that it pledged to Malawians.
Chakwera said everywhere one go in the country, roads are being constructed, hospitals are being built, bridges are being completed, schools are being expanded and public buildings are rising from the ground.
He said after years of neglect and resistance the railway system of Malawi is being restored saying this is an investment that will significantly cut the cost of moving goods to market in the future.
Speaking in his New Year’s 2024 address to the nation, President Chakwera said although his government has delivered so much, this is not the time to be complacent, nor it is a time to be distracted.
President Dr. Lazarus Mccarthy Chakwera-2024 a year of moving out people wasting time in government offices….
Chakwera said as he sees it, 2024 is the year for PUSHING because now that government has put institutional framework in order and completion of current projects and the start of new ones now that the country has investors and donors coming back.
He said 2024 is the year for the country’s citizens pushing themselves to produce, produce and produce, pushing for the use of their farms to grow legumes that will strive in and survive in those conditions instead of crops that will not.
The President said now that government has austerity measures in place to maximize and leverage the country’s limited resources on the most productive activities, 2024 is the year for pushing every wasteful part of government out of its way.
“Pushing out people that are simply wasting time in government offices or wasting government money intended for serving Malawians,” said Dr. Chakwera.
He has assured Malawians that government will do without apology saying he is confident that as he do so, he will have the people’s support.
On governance, President Chakwera said his government has completed the exercise of cleaning up a sewage of bad and poorly negotiated contracts in the Energy and Mining sectors and empower institutions more than ever before, giving the ACB more human and financial resources than under any Administration, and respecting its operational independence, among others.
The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) on Sunday released an end-of-year statement in which the rights and governance body has gone flat out attacking the current administration for a year it described a the most painful year for Malawians.
However, damning revelations indicate that the statement has been a one man show by HRDC Chairperson Gift Trapence while all the regional chapters which include the Central, South, East and the North have distanced themselves from the write up.
Surprisingly, Trapence’s statement has highlighted issues on Persistent Fragile Economy; The Lingering Hunger Crisis; lack of Respect for People’s Freedoms; Troubled Management of AIP; and Poor Handling of Refugee Relocation while systematically ignoring all the positives in these areas. “This statement does not adequately reflect a collective position of HRDC especially from the chapters. We have never met as chapters to discuss the position as reflected. It is clear that all that has been presented are the imaginations of Mr Trapence,” said one leader from one of the chapters.
Trapence
The chapter leader said for example, the statement was supposed to highlight the positives that have come out of the IMF’s approval of the Extended Credit Facility as well as the subsequent devaluation on the kwacha. “We have seen trickling in of financial packages amounting to over MK 1 trillion from World Bank, UK, US, Iceland, Israel and these bodies and countries cited due sound economic policies aimed at resuscitating the troubled economy but none of these developments are reflected in the statement,” he added.
The regional leader emphasized the need for a more inclusive decision-making process within the coalition and expressed concerns that the central leadership had not considered the diverse perspectives from different regions. Traditionally, the HRDC has been a united force, standing as a formidable watchdog against any infringements on human rights and democratic principles. The lack of endorsement from regional chapters, geographically dispersed across Malawi, send a louder voice than any words spoken on the current status of HRDC. It signified a notable fracture within the coalition, suggesting that the leadership’s stance did not resonate with those on the ground.
It is evident that this divergence of opinions within the HRDC was not merely a surface-level disagreement, it symbolized a deeper-rooted issue—a loss of confidence in the leadership that had guided the coalition through various challenges. The HRDC had, until this moment, been a unified force, garnering respect for its unwavering commitment to human rights advocacy.
Analysts have since speculated on the reasons behind the divergence, questioning whether it was a result of strategic differences, communication breakdowns, or a fundamental shift in the coalition’s priorities. Some argued that the HRDC’s leadership may have overreacted, alienating regional chapters by not adequately consulting them before issuing the year-end statement.
This internal discord has not only been felt within the HRDC but also among civil society members, who had long looked to the HRDC for guidance, as they were left in a state of uncertainty and confusion. One CSO leader argued that the loss of a united front within HRDC raises questions about the effectiveness of the coalition in advocating for human rights if its own internal dynamics are in disarray. The CSO leader also urged the HRDC leadership to engage in a transparent dialogue with regional chapters, fostering an environment where diverse voices could be heard and respected. “The unity that had defined the HRDC’s strength needed to be restored for the coalition to regain its credibility as a champion of human rights in Malawi. As it is the HRDC found itself at a crossroads. The internal divisions necessitate introspection,” she added.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Reserve are the champions of this year’s Southern Region Football Association (SFRA) Nyasa Capital Finance Cup following their 3-1 victory over Ntaja United on Sunday afternoon.
In a match played at Michongwe Primary school Ground in Ntaja, Machinga district, the young Nomads scored through Wallace Adam, Mayamiko Makasu and Stain Matengere.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Freetwood Haiya and SFRA Chairperson Raphael Humba were among the notable guests that watched match.
The new year is just around the corner and many people have different expectations of the forthcoming coming year.
As we celebrate the new year, let’s also have a moment of silence for the souls of different entertainers that 2023 has robbed from us.
Just like any other year, this year Malawi said goodbye to some of its faves.
1. Tremour
In July this year, the country lost one of its promising music stars Victor Mwangobola who was using the moniker ‘Tremour’ in music circles.
Tremour died on July 30, 2023 after being involved in road traffic accident.
Tremour was indeed heading towards becoming one of the biggest musicians in the country and he died at a time when he started receiving recognition by many Malawians.
Despite not being amongst us, Malawians are still enjoying some of his greatest hits like Mpanipani, Golide mu Moto and Mudzi.
2.Thomas Chibade
Thomas Chibade
2023 will also be remembered as the year the country lost one of its greatest musicians in the name of Thomas Chibade.
Chibade died on October 18 at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe following a liver problems.
The musician became a house hold name in the early 2000’s after the release of his hit songs ‘Ulova’, ‘Mau Anga’ and Freedom Fighter.
3. Atoht Manje
A Week before Chibade’s death, the country also lost one of the greatest music stars Atoht Manje popular for his M’bwiza and Maganje touch.
Born Elias Missi on September 1, 1989, Atoht Manje died in Rumphi soon after his performance at University of Livingstonia.
Few week before his death,Atoht Manje released ‘Nchape’, a song which is still enjoying massive airplay in different places across the country complementing the fact that the artist was not just an ordinary musician.
Apart from Nchape, some of Atoht Manje’s popular songs include; Che-Patuma,Majelasi, Unanditani, Munthu, Tizipepeseko, Huwa, Woyo-woyo, Ndalama and Mwana Phuliphuli. Atoht will be mostly remembered for promoting culture through his music.
Just when everyone thought that this year’s December was going to be a better one as compared to the previous one, death reared it’s ugly head on our music seen again.
4.Jafali Thom
Jafali Thom
This time around, death robed us Jafali Thom, the band leader of a three-man band ‘Fikisa’ popular for their hit songs ‘Ademwiche’ popularly known as ‘Akamwire’, Walume Wawiwu, Nantchengwa and Loto La Farao.
Thom died on 18 December in Ntaja, Machinga district after suffering from Asthma and was laid to rest the following day at his home village, Nandumbo in Ulongwe, Balaka district.
5.Thlupego Chisiza
Chisiza
Death did not only hit the music industry in 2023. Theatre industry was also hit by a big tragedy following the death of a renowned actor, playwrighter, director and dancer Thlupego Chisiza in June.
Chisiza was the founder of Lions Theatre and later joined forces with his brother Tiwonge to form The Remnants Lions Theatre Company.
By the time of his death, Thlupego and his brother were on the verge of premiering a film titled Belinda.
6.Kumbukani Banya Lungu
Kumbukani Banya Lungu
The former defender for Nyasa Bullets football club Kumbukani Lungu died in July Commonly known by his nickname “Banya” he was staying in South Africa where killed by unknown thugs.
7.John Zenasi Ungapake Tembo
Tembo
Veteran politician and former Leader of Malawi Congress Party John Zenus Ungapake Tembo. died at the age of 91 while receiving medical treatment at Lilongwe City Clinic in Lilongwe in September
8.Thuso Paipi
Thuso Paipo
Former Silver Strikers football star Thuso Paipi died in September
He died after short illness at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.
9.Goodall Gondwe
Goodall Gondwe
Former Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe, who was also northern region Vice President for the former governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) died in August
Arguably the most successful Finance Minister Malawi ever had, Goddall was well respected across all sections of the political spectrum
10.Gogo Mlewa
Gogo Mlewa
Malawi is paying tribute to Gogo Mlewa, following the death of the veteran actress at the age of 90.
Gogo Mlewa, real-name, Leya Ketrina Aziyele Mlewa, died peacefully in Lilongwe after a long illness.
She became very famous in 2020, because of her trending comedy skits with her Nephew, Yona Kanga-Kantwera
11.Thandi Kasiya
Footballer Thandi Kasiya
Former Malawi National Women’s Football team and Nyasa Big Bullets Women FC player Thandi Kasiya died in March
She died at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre after a short illness.
12.Lemekeza Phiri
One of the country’s long- serving music producers and pianists Lemekeza Phiri died in February
He died in India where he went to seek medical help
13.McFarlane Mbewe
McFarlane Mbewe
Journalist MacFarlane Mbewe who Shot to the limelight with his “I love your earrings’ comment made to former Malawi Electoral Commission Chairlady Jane Ansah died in February
Mbewe died at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES) after collapsing while making a presentation in a suspected cardiac arrest
As we wind up the year 2023, we say farewell to all of these fallen stars and others we have lost this year.
We thank them for the positive impacts they’ve had on our lives and pray for their beautiful souls to continue resting in peace.
