Malawi Congress Party (MCP) National Executive recent resolution in regards to eligibility of contestants in the forthcoming elective convention is under scrutiny. This follows concerns from other party members that the decision to bar people who have recently joined the party might be far fetched.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) for the party came up with a decision that those who wants to contest for any position in the party must have served for two years as NEC members.
Concerns that have risen include the need to respect the party own Constitution and the rule of law observing that the condition given is the same as those who wants to contest must have 2 years working experience as NEC members of the party.
Others are saying there are other NEC members who are unpopular in their constituencies, districts and regions and are afraid of losing their respect should they allow the new blood to be elected as NEC members, describing this as dirty politics in the MCP
A cross section of MCP NEC during their last meeting
The decision by NEC has also been criticised to be open out desire to frustrated rising star Engineer Vitumbiko Mumba who has been distributing motorcycles and bicycles to MCP leaders at constituency and district levels and is largely expected to contest for the position bof vice presidency
MCPs Publicity Secretary Ezekiel Ching’oma has been quoted in the media that the party will respond to all the concerns raised through a press statement
On 3 March every year is Martyrs Day, a day at side to honour those who fought for our freedom. A martyr is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an external party.
In Christianity, a martyr is a person who was or is killed for their testimony for Jesus or faith in Jesus. In years of the early church, stories depict this often occurring through death by sawing, stoning, crucifixion, burning at the stake, or other forms of torture and capital punishment.
Fighting for Malawi
Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda The fight for Malawi’s independence
The newly formed Nyasaland African Congress (NAC), later renamed the Malawi Congress Party, fought for independence from the British Empire. Thousands of people from across southern Africa joined the NAC. Soon after, a new leader emerged, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda.
The history of Nyasaland is that between 1953 and 1963, Nyasaland was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. After the Federation was dissolved, Nyasaland became independent from Britain on 6 July 1964 and was renamed Malawi. Nyasaland’s history was marked by the massive loss of African communal lands in the early colonial period.
Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda
Colonial rule
In 1891 the British established the Nyasaland Districts Protectorate, which was called the British Central Africa Protectorate from 1893 and Nyasaland from 1907. Under the colonial regime, roads and railways were built, and the cultivation of cash crops by European settlers was introduced.
1907-1967: An Introduction. Nyasaland was a British Protectorate from 1891 to 1964, when it became independent as Malawi. The country was known as the British Central Africa Protectorate until 1907. It was administered by the Foreign Office until 1904.
The Portuguese were reportedly the first to discover Malawi; in 1859, acting off a tip received from a Portuguese source, David Livingstone discovered Lake Malawi.
The part of Africa now known as Malawi was settled by migrating Bantu groups around the 10th century. Centuries later in 1891 the area was colonised by the British.
In 1953, Malawi became a protectorate within the semi-independent Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The Federation was dissolved in 1963. In 1964, the protectorate was ended: Nyasaland became an independent country as a Commonwealth realm under Prime Minister Hastings Banda, and was renamed Malawi.
In 1891 the British established the Nyasaland Districts Protectorate, which was called the British Central Africa Protectorate from 1893 and Nyasaland from 1907. Under the colonial regime, roads and railways were built, and the cultivation of cash crops by European settlers was introduced.
Martyrs’ Day is a public holiday observed in Malawi every year on March 3. The holiday helps to honor the political heroes who gave their lives in the struggle against British colonialism. The British Central Africa Protectorate was established by Britain and included the whole of present-day Malawi. Malawians decided to create their political parties. The Nyasaland African Congress (NAC) emerged as the strongest voice for Malawians. The holiday is celebrated to honor the country’s heroes and inspires the next generation to go after change and improvements in society.
Malawi today
Located in Southern Africa, Malawi is landlocked, sharing its borders with Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania. The country’s estimated population is 20.41 million (2022) with an annual growth rate of 2.6%.
Malawi remains one of the poorest countries in the world despite making significant economic and structural reforms to sustain economic growth. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, which employs over 80% of the population, and it is vulnerable to external shocks, particularly climatic shocks.
In January 2021, the government launched the Malawi 2063 Vision that aims to transform Malawi into a wealthy, self-reliant, industrialized upper-middle-income country, through a focus on agriculture commercialization, industrialization, and urbanization. The first 10-year implementation plan anchors the World Bank’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) FY21- FY25.
Malawi before
In 1891, Britain established the British Central Africa Protectorate which included the whole of present-day Malawi. The protectorate was renamed Nyasaland in 1907.
In the 1950s, the spirit of Malawian nationalism grew as a result of resistance to political moves by the British to form a stable presence in the region, such as the creation of the Central African Federation in 1953, which attempted to bring Nyasaland together with Northern and Southern Rhodesia.
This gave the impetus to Malawians to create their own political parties, with the Nyasaland African Congress (NAC) emerging as the strongest voice for Malawians.
In early 1959, the NAC stepped up their protests with a plan to continually raise the level of demonstrations to force the British into a response. This led to the British declaring a state of emergency on March 3rd 1959. In an attempt to quell the protesters, they arrested prominent Malawian nationalists and other dissidents during Operation Sunrise.
Every year, on 3rd March, Malawians observe Martyrs Day. Whereas the day invokes sorrowful memories, it is the day we show respect for the magnanimous men and women who braved bullets, suffered imprisonment and all forms of humiliation during the fight for the freedoms and rights we enjoy today. It is the day we remember and honour our freedom fighters and the values and ideologies they envisaged to make Malawi a better country for all.
Apart from 3rd March there are other two days on which we also remember our martyrs; 15th January, Chilembwe Day, we celebrate the life of Reverend John Chilembwe of the Providence Industrial Mission in Chiradzulu who led a dramatic and fierce rebellion against colonialism in 1915 and on 14th May, Kamuzu Day, we remember our first Republican president, Kamuzu Banda.
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera is scheduled to lead the commemoration of Martyrs’ Day at Senior Chief Mkumbira in Nkhata Bay tomorrow, March 3, 2024.
According to a statement from the Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Colleen Zamba, President Chakwera will preside over a Memorial Service of Worship in the district.
March 3 was set aside to honour the people who gave their lives in the struggle against British colonialism.
The present Malawi
According to International Monetary Fund (IMF) stagnant growth, unsustainable debt, and the adverse effects of multiple shocks, including an outbreak of cholera and Cyclone Freddy in 2023, compounded Malawi’s economic challenges. The IMF Executive Board recently approved a $175 million Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement that aims to support the government’s commitment to economic reforms that are designed to jumpstart inclusive and sustainable growth. IMF Country Focus interviewed Malawi’s Resident Representative Nelnan Koumtingue about recent developments and challenges that lie ahead.
The World Bank report indicates that Malawi’s economy continues to be significantly weakened by frequent exogenous shocks coupled with macro-fiscal imbalances. Growth is projected to increase in 2023 to 1.6% as electricity supply improves, compared to 0.9% in 2022. However, severe, and persistent shortages of foreign exchange continue to subdue growth. The country is expected to secure a staff-level agreement with the IMF and return to an Extended Credit Facility by the end of 2023.Â
The economy is expected to grow at 2.8% in 2024, supported by further anticipated macroeconomic reforms. However, such growth remains insufficient to substantially mitigate the prevailing high levels of poverty.
Iye anapitiliza kumema anthu omwe akufuna kolowa chipani chake kuti ali omasuka komaso ololedwa kutelo ponena kuti chipani chake ndi chipani cha m’malawi aliyese.
Over 300 swimmers from across the country are participating in the 2024 National Swimming Championship competition for national honours at Saint Andrews High School in Blantyre.
The competition started yesterday Saturday March 2, 2024 and is ending today March 3,2024.
Speaking in an interview with 247 Malawi News,the president of the Malawi Aquatic Union(MAU) Monica Chayang’anamuno encouraged young swimmers to work hard so that they can participate in international championships and access more scholarship opportunities.
Chayang’anamuno who is also Minister of Mining said more efforts are being made to grow the sport in Malawi.
“As a nation, we are doing great in promoting the swimming sport and we have hope to attain international recognition,” said Chang’anamuno.
She then asked the Malawi National Council of Sports(MNCS) to complete the aquatic complex in Lilongwe so that swimmers can make full use of the facility.
On his part, MNCS Board Member Gladson Kuyeri discribed the tourney as crucial towards ensuring the sport is patronised in the country.
