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Peter Mukhito, new DPP CEO, reaches out to NRB and UNDP on registration database

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By Burnett Munthali

In a significant development for Malawi’s political landscape, Peter Mukhito, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has taken a proactive step towards enhancing electoral transparency and efficiency. Mukhito has reached out to both the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to discuss the optimization and security of the nation’s voter registration database.

This move comes as part of the DPP’s broader strategy in the lead-up to the 2025 elections, emphasizing the importance of a robust and transparent electoral process. The collaboration with NRB and UNDP is aimed at improving the accuracy and accessibility of voter registration data, ensuring that all eligible citizens are adequately registered and that the electoral process is free from inaccuracies and fraud.

Mukhito

Peter Mukhito’s initiative highlights a commitment to fostering integrity in Malawi’s democratic processes. By engaging with both national and international bodies, the DPP under Mukhito’s leadership is signaling a strong intent to address past concerns related to voter registration and to enhance public confidence in the electoral system.

As Malawi gears up for the 2025 elections, the emphasis on updating and securing the voter registration database could play a crucial role in shaping the electoral landscape. The DPP’s efforts, in collaboration with NRB and UNDP, are expected to pave the way for a more transparent and credible electoral process, aligning with broader democratic values and expectations.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and as Malawi progresses on the #RoadTo2025.

Government to announce AIP suppliers following PPDA approval

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By Burnett Munthali

The Malawian government has announced that the list of suppliers for this year’s Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) will be released once it receives approval from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA). Government spokesperson Moses Kumkuyu confirmed this development to Zodiak Online, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence in finalizing the list of approved suppliers.

Kumkuyu provided an update on the fertilizer procurement process, revealing that 85,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer have already been secured and are in stock. Additionally, 133,000 metric tonnes are en route to Malawi from Beira and Nacala, while another 149,000 metric tonnes are currently being transported by sea to Malawi. This substantial inventory underscores the government’s efforts to ensure sufficient supply for the upcoming agricultural season.

Willy Kambwandira, the executive director of the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT), has expressed expectations that the government will select suppliers capable of meeting the demands of the AIP. Kambwandira emphasized the importance of choosing suppliers with proven capacity to deliver quality inputs efficiently, highlighting the critical role of effective implementation in the success of the AIP.

For the 2023/24 AIP season, the Ministry of Agriculture awarded contracts to 13 companies for the supply of 149,164 metric tonnes of NPK and Urea fertilizer. This past season’s procurement process was noted for its scale and complexity, setting a precedent for this year’s operations.

As the government prepares to announce the approved suppliers, stakeholders, including farmers and agricultural organizations, are keenly awaiting details. The successful delivery and distribution of inputs are crucial for the effectiveness of the AIP, which aims to support agricultural productivity and food security in Malawi.

In conclusion , the forthcoming announcement of AIP suppliers, contingent upon PPDA approval, represents a significant step in ensuring that Malawi’s agricultural sector is well-equipped for the coming season. The government’s efforts to manage fertilizer procurement and distribution effectively will be closely monitored, with expectations for a smooth and transparent process that benefits all stakeholders involved.

DPP to stage major event at Katoto Freedom Park on September 21, 2024

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By Burnett Munthali

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is set to make a significant political statement on September 21, 2024, with plans to hold a large-scale event at Katoto Freedom Park in Mzuzu. This announcement has generated considerable anticipation and debate across Malawi.

The DPP’s planned invasion of Katoto Freedom Park marks a strategic move by the party to assert its presence in a key political area. The park, which is a popular public space in Mzuzu, will be the venue for what the DPP has billed as a major political gathering. Organizers are preparing for a substantial turnout, with various party activities and demonstrations expected throughout the day.

The choice of Katoto Freedom Park for this event underscores the DPP’s intent to capture the attention of both local and national audiences. The park’s central location and its role as a community hub make it a strategic site for political mobilization. By staging a high-profile event there, the DPP aims to rally support, showcase its organizational strength, and engage with voters ahead of upcoming elections.

The announcement has elicited a range of reactions. Supporters of the DPP view the event as an opportunity to reinforce their political base and demonstrate their readiness for electoral challenges. They anticipate a vibrant and impactful display of party unity and activism.

In contrast, some local residents and political analysts have expressed concerns about the implications of such a large-scale event in a public space. There are worries about potential disruptions to daily life in Mzuzu and the management of public order during the event. Additionally, opposition parties and community leaders may view the DPP’s move as an attempt to dominate the political landscape and could respond with countermeasures.

Local authorities and security forces will play a crucial role in overseeing the event. Ensuring public safety and maintaining order will be key responsibilities for the police and other officials. Coordination between the DPP, local government, and law enforcement will be essential to manage the logistics and address any issues that may arise during the gathering.

The DPP’s planned invasion of Katoto Freedom Park on September 21 is expected to be a pivotal moment in Malawi’s political arena. The event will likely influence public perception of the party and could have implications for the political dynamics in Mzuzu and beyond. As the date approaches, all eyes will be on how the event unfolds and its impact on the broader electoral landscape.

In conclusion , the DPP’s upcoming event at Katoto Freedom Park represents a significant political maneuver as the party gears up for future elections. The large-scale gathering is set to make waves in Malawi’s political scene, highlighting the party’s strategy to consolidate support and assert its influence. The successful execution of the event will be crucial for the DPP’s objectives and for shaping the political discourse in the lead-up to key electoral contests.

Water for People to implement WASH systems for Health project in Dowa

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By Vincent Gunde

An international organization with a vision of a world where every person has access to reliable water and sanitation services, Water for People, will implement WASH Systems for Health program in 4 districts of the country including Dowa.

The program which will be implemented alongside with partners Ministries responsible for Water in Malawi and Tanzania, IRC Leeds and London School for Hygiene and Tropical medicine will see to it that communities in Chikwawa, Dowa, Kasungu and Lilongwe have access to reliable water and sanitation services.

Kate Harawa-the program has a high learning agenda.

The organization’s Director of Influence and Scale Kate Harawa, said the overall goal of the program is to support the Government to increase access and use of inclusive, reliable and resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the targeted districts in Malawi.

Harawa said the program has a strong learning agenda focusing on integrating gender equity, wash systems change, building climate resilient WASH services and enhancing the understanding and measurement of WASH Systems change in the districts targeted.
She said for Malawi, the program components are professionalizing rural water supply service delivery systems in Kasungu, Dowa and Chikwawa and enabling district wide safety managed sanitation in Chikwawa and Lilongwe Rural.

The Director said in Dowa, and at National level, there is high political will towards systems change from both technical team and high level (political will) saying President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has already been briefed about the program expressing hope that the program will be a success in the district.

“There is a growing understanding in the Malawi WASH sector and we cannot achieve SDG 6 without working on the systematic challenges in WASH service delivery models which affect sustainability of the infrastructure, we need to have proper maintenance and operational management models,” said Harawa.

She said the program priorities in Malawi include professionalizing rural water supply service delivery systems and enabling area wide safety managed sanitation saying these anticipated pathways of change which will see improved performance of rural and small-town water supply service provision with the required checks and balances.

Harawa said the expected challenges and learning priorities of the program include stimulating political (Parliamentary) level interest in supporting financing the gap (or incentivizing performance of service providers).

She said another challenge is about the processes, knowing that systems change take time, and generally government processes take long with the given project time of 4 years, the processes may need to be expediated and be done with business unusual mood.

The WASH Systems for Health program will be implemented in the six districts of the country supporting WASH systems strengthening implementation with a total budget of 2.5 million Great Britain Pound.

Sunganimoyo quits Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO)

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By Vincent Gunde

Social commentator Isaiah Emmanuel Sunganimoyo has announced to the public that effective 1st September, 2024 he has stopped working with the Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO) and any other Chewa tribal grouping  in Malawi.

Sunganimoyo has for years been fighting for unity among all the Chewas in Malawi as one, under one tribal grouping-CHEFO and rallying behind King of the Chewas His Majesty Kalonga Dr. Gawa Undi of Zambia.

Isaiah Emmanuel Sunganimoyo- I have tried on my part, there’s no unity of purpose.

He has now thrown his towel into the ring that the Chewas will never be united to preserve their culture and aspirations as one voice saying he sees no future to continue preaching for unity among the Chewas while the Chewa chiefs continue to be working in divisions.

Writing in a statement, Sunganimoyo has claimed that many Chewa chiefs and their subjects graced the Chewa-Kulamba ceremony at Mkaika in Eastern Province of Chipata in Zambia but after coming back home in Malawi, they have resorted to remain in their respective Chewa tribal groupings.

Sunganimoyo has observed that most of the Chewa chiefs are involving themselves into party politics, money has divided them saying this has made the Chewa leaders to lose their visionary philosophy of seeing them working as one in one Malawi.

He has claimed that he has for years been insulted and castigated left and right with other Chewa chiefs issuing death threats for his full support to Chewa Heritage Foundation observing that there was the time chiefs belonging to Chifukwato cha Chewa sent thugs to kill him.

The social commentator said the divisions which are being seen between the two Chewa tribal groupings CHEFO and Chifukwato cha Chewa will not end saying what is shameful is that in June, 2020 after President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera (Chewa) became President of the country, many Chewas in Malawi thought that the Chewas would now be united than before.

“For 4 years, the country under the leadership of President Chakwera, a Chewa himself, the Chewas are still living in divisions, there’s war going on among them, this is not healthy to one Chewa, one unity,” said Sunganimoyo.

He said he and many Chewas were expecting that President Chakwera would appoint Chewa Paramount Chiefs in the central region to end the divisions and perhaps bringing the two Chewa tribal groupings to a round-table discussions, but this has not been done.

Sunganimoyo has wished all the best CHEFO leaders and other Chewa tribal groupings appealing to them that there’s power in oneness, in unity there’s strength, divisions will take them to nowhere, urging them to build their Chewa tribe and culture as one.