As preparations for this year’s Surveyors Institute of Malawi (SIM) Annual General Conference is at an advanced stage, Perfect Property Solutions donates MK3 million towards the indaba.
Perfect Property Solutions Business Manager , Willy Mwawa, for says as a member of SIM, they thought it wise to contribute as these conferences help to shape them as professionals in their growth and development while fostering the professionals.
“We are looking forward to have a successful event, you may also recall that last year we also donated for the same event as this shows the level of commitment that we have to the growth of professionals and excellence for the industry,” he said.
Among others, Perfect Property Solutions do real estate consultancy offering property valuation services, property management services, land acquisition services, as well as visibility studies for different investors.
In his remarks, the SIM Secretary General at QS Bernard Mleta commended Perfect Property Solutions for the timely gesture as they still have short falls, and they have come in to bridge that gap.
“So far, we have two funding streams in terms of the budget. The first one is a subscription from individuals, and then the second one is the sponsorship. So far, we have almost MK9 million sponsorship. Yes! We see ourselves raising to forty million target because people are eager to because what we are going to discuss there are issues that affect us surveyors as professionals at large,” Mleta said.
The conference is scheduled from 26th to 27th September 2024 under the theme “Resilience and Adaptation, Thriving in Challenging Economic Times,” as they focus more on the role of surveyors.
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has been facing a mass exodus of its members to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), sparking concerns about the potential impact on the party’s unity and strength.
However, a closer look at the defectors reveals that most of them are “rejects” who had lost influence and relevance within the DPP.
Heatherwick Ntaba, for instance, had been invisible for the past four years, while Imran Mtenje was reassigned to a less influential role as presidential advisor from regional governor for the eastern region.
Similarly, Grezelder Jeffrey was fired and lacks any significant following among her fellow former members.
These individuals, among others, have been welcomed with open arms by the MCP, but their addition is unlikely to bolster the party’s chances.
The MCP’s Strategy: Weakening DPP or Strengthening Itself?
The MCP’s decision to accept DPP defectors raises questions about its strategy. Is the party genuinely interested in strengthening its ranks, or is it attempting to weaken the DPP by creating an illusion of division? The answer lies in the MCP’s track record.
Since taking power, the MCP has struggled to fulfill its campaign promises, leading to growing discontent among its supporters. By embracing DPP defectors, the MCP aims to shift attention from its own shortcomings and create a false narrative of DPP’s weakness.
DPP’s Unity Remains Intact
Despite the defections, the DPP’s unity remains intact. The party’s leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to its ideals and values, ensuring that the departure of a few individuals does not destabilize the party.
In fact, the DPP’s resurgence has left the MCP growing increasingly uneasy. The MCP’s attempts to poach DPP members may be seen as a desperate measure to shore up its own weaknesses.
Why DPP Shouldn’t Worry
Lack of Influence in the Fired Members
The former DPP members who joined MCP lack significant influence within their former party and in national politics. Individuals like Heatherwick Ntaba, Imran Mtenje, and Grezzelda Geoffrey had become peripheral figures, struggling to make an impact. Their departure doesn’t weaken DPP’s structural integrity. Their limited influence and lack of grassroots connection render them ineffective in swaying public opinion or affecting DPP’s policy direction. MCP’s acceptance of these members may boost its numbers but not its credibility or capacity.
Desperation of MCP
MCP’s eagerness to accept DPP defectors betrays its desperation. Having failed to deliver on campaign promises, MCP seeks to divert attention from its shortcomings. By embracing DPP rejects, MCP attempts to create an illusion of DPP’s weakness and its own strength. This strategy aims to mask MCP’s internal power struggles, policy inconsistencies, and growing discontent among its supporters. MCP’s desperation may yield short-term propaganda gains but ultimately undermines its credibility and exposes its lack of vision.
Unity Intact in DPP
Despite defections, DPP’s unity remains intact. The party’s leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to its ideals and values, ensuring continuity and stability. Core members and leaders remain loyal, and internal structures function cohesively. DPP’s resilience stems from its strong ideological foundation, robust internal democracy, and collective ownership. Defections by peripheral members do not destabilize the party’s core. Instead, DPP’s unity has been reinforced through renewed focus on its principles and a strengthened sense of purpose.
Grassroots Support for DPP
DPP maintains a robust grassroots presence, ensuring its connection with the people remains unbroken. The party’s structures at district, constituency, and village levels remain intact, providing a solid foundation. DPP’s engagement with local communities, listening to their concerns, and addressing their needs has fostered loyalty and trust. This grassroots support base provides DPP with a reliable source of strength, shielding it from the impact of defections. MCP’s attempts to poach DPP members will not dismantle this grassroots network, which remains a vital source of DPP’s resilience.
The Impact of Defections
While defections can be damaging, the DPP’s case is unique. The departing members were largely peripheral figures, lacking the influence and credibility to sway public opinion.
In contrast, the DPP has retained its core leadership and membership, ensuring continuity and stability. The party’s vision and policies remain unchanged, and its commitment to the people of Malawi remains unwavering.
MCP’s Credibility Questioned
The MCP’s decision to accept DPP defectors raises questions about its credibility. By embracing individuals who have failed to deliver in their previous roles, the MCP risks compromising its own integrity.
Conclusion
The DPP should not lose sleep over its former members joining the MCP. The “rejects” being embraced by the MCP lack the influence and impact to make a significant difference. Instead, the DPP should focus on its strengths and continue to build on its resurgence.
As the political landscape evolves, the DPP must remain vigilant, reinforcing its unity and reaffirming its commitment to the people of Malawi. The party’s dedication to its ideals and values will ultimately determine its success.
In response to a growing cholera outbreak in Chitipa, the District Health Office has urged residents to stop eating food at funerals and other public gatherings to curb the spread of the disease.
The outbreak, which was announced on September 9, 2023, has seen cholera cases rise to 35.
Spokesperson for Chitipa District Health Office (DHO), Masida Nyirongo,has confirmed that one death has been recorded so far, with eight new cases and five cross-border cases reported.
He notes that the situation has worsened, with cases increasing from 22 to 35 over just a few days.
“Some of the new cases were reported at Ifumbo Health Centre, making it the fourth health facility in the district to report cholera cases.
“The DHO has set up treatment units at the affected health centers to manage the outbreak. Health workers are stationed at these facilities to provide proper care and treatment,” says Nyirongo.
He emphasizes that the district council, together with community leaders, is advising people to avoid eating at gatherings such as funerals and churches. Residents are also being reminded to wash their hands before meals and avoid consuming cold food to reduce the risk of infection.
“The Health Office continues to monitor the situation closely and is urging the public to follow these precautions to prevent further spread of the disease,” adds Nyirongo.
A 19-year-old Amos Phiri, is in police custody in Mzuzu after being caught impersonating a medical practitioner and found in possession of medical drugs.
Mzuzu Police Station’s deputy spokesperson, Cecilia Mfune, reported that Phiri was arrested at his home in Mchengautuwa.
It was discovered that he had been working as a clinician in the emergency department of Mzuzu Central Hospital from September 12 to 15, 2024, without any medical qualifications.
Amos Phiri
Phiri’s suspicious behavior was noticed by the hospital’s Matron, who alerted authorities. The hospital then reported the matter to Luwinga Police Unit, leading to his arrest.
At the time of the arrest, Phiri was found with assorted medical drugs and equipment belonging to Mzuzu Central Hospital.
He is expected to appear in court soon to face charges of impersonating a public officer and possession of unauthorized medical supplies.
Education expert Steven Shara has raised concerns about the consistent Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) pass rate, stating that it has little to no impact on achieving the long-term goals outlined in Agenda 2063.
Shara’s comments come in response to the latest MSCE results, which, according to the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) Executive Director, Dorothy Nampota, show a slight improvement.
In 2024, out of 177,434 students who sat for the exams, 97,222 passed, representing a 54.79% pass rate.
This marks a small increase from the 54.40% pass rate in 2023.
Despite the consistent pass rate, Shara pointed out that the same districts have been performing well year after year, while others consistently lag behind.
He noted that Zomba Urban continues to lead with a 69.7% pass rate, while Machinga remains the lowest performer at 47.3%.
“This trend has persisted for over a decade, which he says is alarming,” he said.
Shara emphasized that this stagnation has serious implications for achieving the goals set in Agenda 2063, which aims for a well-educated population and a skills revolution driven by science and technology.
He added that many underperforming students do not advance to higher education, leading to a growing number of school dropouts and missed opportunities for further development.
In his view, if this trend continues, Malawi will struggle to meet the educational benchmarks necessary for its long-term development goals.
