President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has said that the construction of 10,000 houses for security agencies is underway, with over 1000 completed and others nearing completion.
He made this statement during his State of the Nation Address while highlighting successes achieved in the Ministry of Lands.
Additionally, President Chakwera mentioned that the Ministry of Lands has decentralized land registration to councils, with 28 land registries now operational in councils and 234 land registrars deployed to ensure easy access to land registration services.
Under the Ministry of Information and Digitalization, he said the country has digitalised its tax system and land information systems, and enacted the Data Protection Act to safeguard personal data.
Furthermore, the President noted collaborations with Tanzania on a diplomatic data corridor and highlighted Malawi’s provision of the continent’s most affordable internet.
On Natural Resources, Chakwera mentioned Malawi’s future benefits from carbon trading and plans to establish mega aqua farms across the country.
Under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malawian embassies have secured markets for strategic crops and minerals.
Turning to Education, the Ministry has recruited 2000 primary school teachers and 4200 auxiliary teachers, trained 7300 school heads and deputies, and distributed 68 thousand tablets.
He added that 66 Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSS) have been constructed, 78 CDSS have been expanded, and 1400 secondary school teachers trained in leadership.
The President disclosed plans for further recruitment and promotion of secondary school teachers, as well as ongoing construction projects including a state-of-the-art library at Mzuzu University and office complexes at the University of Malawi and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences.
He further revealed upcoming plans to launch the construction of 10,000 classroom blocks under the Malawi Education Reform Programme (MERP).
Renowned lolitical activist Bon Kalindo, has assured Malawians that he will not leave activism and join politics following his fellow activists who have joined politics saying he has made up his mind to be arrested and killed for Malawians.
The activist says the same assurance was made before his family members who called him to stop activism after government arrest him for several times for leading mass demonstrations against the fall of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his Malawi Congress Party-led government.
Kalindo
He says his family members have bowed down to his wishes that he is now not for them but Malawians saying whatever pain and sufferings he is sailing through are for the benefit of the poor whose cries are not heard by the government.
Speaking through an audio clip circulating in various social media platforms, Kalindo says he will continue siding with the poor in Malawi in voicing out their concerns until such a time that government listens to them and walk the talk as per its promises made during campaign trails.
Kalindo says he feels so sad and cries to himself to see City Council officials of Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba chasing vendors and confiscating their mandasi and bananas in basins wondering as to why these officials have no human face.
He says these council officials must first think for themselves before setting out on a campaign of confiscating goods from street vendors claiming that some of them are in offices today after being sponsored by money gained from street vending.
The activist said very sadly, he saw a woman in Lilongwe carrying her baby on her back falling down while running away from City Council officials saying the officials grabbed and pounced her before arresting her in full view of on-lookers.
He says an on-looker after seeing the officers pouncing on the woman, he questioned the officers why doing that, immediately, he was whisked away into a land cruiser vehicle, arrested for the offence of feeling pity at the woman.
“Minister of Local Government Richard Chimwendo Banda, why abusing these street vendors as if you will not need them tomorrow to vote for your party?” questions Kalindo in an audio clip.
He observes that these women carrying bananas and mandasi in basins have no capital for their businesses and that they depend on that for their everyday life needs and some are even paying rent for the same basin pleading with Chimwendo Banda to wear a human face.
He has however, warned Chimwendo Banda that the same policies government is formulating to abuse street vendors will turn against them as the citizens will say a big “no” to President Chakwera and his MCP led government to bounce back into government in 2025.
President Lazarus Chakwera’s State of the Nation Address, delivered on February 9, stands as a testament to his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to uplifting the lives of Malawians and steering Malawi towards a prosperous future.
In the face of daunting economic challenges, including a significant devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha and external geopolitical pressures such as Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, and rising commodity prices like fertilizer, President Chakwera’s resolute demeanor and clear-sightedness continue to shine through, illuminating Malawians towards a common destiny.
His address not only acknowledges the obstacles facing the nation but also heralds a message of hope, resilience, and progress under his administration’s stewardship.
Leadership and Decisions
President Chakwera’s tenure has been marked by a remarkable display of leadership, characterized by bold decision-making and steadfast dedication to the welfare of the Malawian people.
The President’s willingness to confront inherited challenges head-on, while also laying out a comprehensive strategy for economic revitalization, underscores his commitment to delivering tangible results for the nation.
Moreover, President Chakwera’s ability to inspire confidence and trust among citizens, as evidenced by the restoration of donor confidence and the implementation of social welfare programs, speaks volumes about his leadership acumen and his role as a crisis manager in the face of adversity.
The SONA eloquently outlines President Chakwera’s multifaceted approach to governance, which encompasses not only economic revitalization but also social welfare, governance reforms, and environmental sustainability.
His emphasis on transparency, accountability, and inclusive development reflects a deep-seated commitment to democratic principles and equitable progress for all Malawians.
Furthermore, his administration’s proactive measures to cushion the effects of economic hardships on the most vulnerable segments of society, such as social cash transfers and food assistance programs, demonstrate a compassionate and empathetic leadership style.
President Chakwera’s visionary outlook extends beyond immediate challenges to envisioning a brighter future for Malawi. His strategic focus on key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and mining, coupled with efforts to attract investment and stimulate economic growth, underscores his foresight and determination to unlock the nation’s full potential.
Moreover, his proactive stance on climate change adaptation and resilience measures showcases a forward-thinking approach to safeguarding Malawi’s environment and natural resources for future generations.
From the SONA, it is clear that the government is taking a 360-degree approach to solving a myriad of problems confronting this country in order to stay the course and uplift the lives of the majority of Malawians.
Conclusion
Apart from declaring that the names of Lower Shire political iconic figures, Sidik Mia and Gwanda Chakuamba, be immortalized through the naming of upcoming roads, Chakwera’s SONA must also be given a five-star rating for its focus on seriousness, particularly among officers in the public sector.
We could discuss President Lazarus Chakwera’s delivery in comprehensive detail.
However, the biggest takeaway message from his SONA number 4 is that even in the context of global challenges, it is possible to deliver for your people as long as you have vision and good leadership.
President Lazarus Chakwera emerges from his State of the Nation Address as an accomplished and visionary leader, deserving of the trust and confidence of the Malawian people. His unwavering commitment to addressing challenges, fostering inclusive development, and charting a course towards a prosperous future exemplifies the transformative leadership needed to propel Malawi forward.
As citizens reflect on his visionary agenda and bold initiatives, they find assurance in President Chakwera’s ability to lead the nation to greater heights of progress and prosperity.
*_The author is writing in his personal capacity*-
The Centre for Democracy and Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has demanded the Law Commission and the Malawi Law Society (MLS) to have a legislation that should allow the establishment of an independent court that can specifically handle cases where the majority of poor citizens feel they are short-changed on land matters in the country.
The CDEDI has challenged government and other stakeholders in land matters to swiftly move in and diffuse the ticking-bomb that is in land crisis,threatening peace and stability in the country.
Namiwa
The organization observes that it cannot be disputed that the general populace has lost trust in the public institutions that are dealing in land -related matters such as the Ministry of Lands, the Malawi Human Rights Commission, Malawi Police Service, District Councils and even traditional leaders for being seen to be favoring foreign nationals and the elite in land justice administration.
In a statement dated 8th February, 2024 signed by its Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, the civil rights grouping says land crisis was at first believed to be an issue endemic to Tea-growing districts of Mulanje, Thyolo and Nkhatabay but today, Malawians are their own witnesses that there is land crisis across the country.
It says the recent vigil at the High Court in Lilongwe where some family members were praying for justice to be served over a land they believe to belong to them in Mchinji, is an example of how some people are suffering in fighting for land they believe belongs to them but is in other hands.
The organization says millions of landless citizens are living like half human beings in Thyolo, Mulanje and Nkhatabay while plenty of land lies idle elsewhere claiming that some are serving jail while others are struggling to pay fines over land-related cases and many others have had their land cases stalled for ages.
“Currently, trouble is brewing in Lilongwe’s Area 44-close to Kamuzu Palace where a group of Malawians calling themselves “concerned citizens” are demanding custody of their ancestral land they allege was dubiously given to some foreign nationals,” reads the statement in part.
CDEDI has however, demanded Lilongwe District Commissioner in liaison with Traditional Authority Tsabango to sanction the District Conflict Management and Peace Building Committee to pick up the matter before the situation gets out of hand.
The organization has also demanded the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to immediately call for a public land audit to ascertain who owns land in this country and the Inspector General of Police to explain to Malawians why no arrests were made in relation to the 27th November, 2024 shooting incident at Area 44-Lilongwe.
According to different media sources, the battle for Leader of Opposition(LoP) is still going on, despite the office of Speaker of the National Assembly not recognising newly appointed Democratic Progressive Party ( DPP) lawmaker for Thyolo Thava Mary Navicha,she has today occupied the seat in the House.
However, many Malawians are confused and do not know exactly why the Speaker of Parliament has taken such a stand in this matter.
The disgruntled former Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa has instead been temporarily allocated a seat on the independent benches.
Interestingly, some DPP MPs have also moved to independent benches side in apparent solidarity with Nankhumwa.
It is not very clear if these members of Parliament are sure of what they are doing today by ditching DPP to the independent side.
Nankhumwa and Navicha
Leader of opposition
The Leader of the Opposition is the parliamentary chairperson of the largest political party in their respective legislative chamber that is not in government.
The largest political party in this respective legislative chamber is the Democratic Progressive Party.
The Leader of the Opposition is responsible for managing the way the opposition develops policies , scrutinises the government and acts in Parliament. Their duties include: acting as the main opposition spokesperson. selecting members of their party or coalition to be shadow ministers.
Citing the Parliamentary Standing Order 35 (1) which reads: “the leader of opposition shall be elected by the party not in government having the greatest numerical. Strength in parliament at any point in time.
It is therefore surprising that in the case of Kondwani Nankhumwa, he was appointed by the Speaker of Parliament as a caretaker instead of the DPP should have chosen someone as Leader of Opposition of their choice.
Secondly, the DPP chose their Leader of Opposition but Kondwani Nankhumwa has been going to court to get an injunction restraining the newly appointed leader from taking over.
The former Leader of Opposition had been getting legal opinion from the Attorney General a thing which brings a kid of suspicion because surgery p Attorney General is government lawyer representing government.
Conclusion
What should Kondwani Nankhumwa have done right after getting fired from the party? He should also allowed himself to grieve first.
He must have taken a break from social media. Nankhumwa should not cling to the position of Leader of Opposition nor the DPP which has already fired him.
You don’t keep keys for the house which your landlord has evicted you. Neither do you normally cling to office keys after which your services have been terminated, you look foolish.Kondwani Nankhumwa must rebuild himself appropriately.
Let him work out his next destination and take time for himself.
