The Joaquim Chissano University in Mozambique on Thursday conferred Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, an honorary Doctorate Degree in International Cooperation for Development.
There were deafening joyous sounds of ululation, cheering and hand-clapping when Chakwera was being swathed in an sky-blue and black academic gown inside the spacious venue.
Chakwera
Chakwera has been bestowed the coveted honour at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre in Maputo, marking a climax of the President’s two-day State Visit which ends today.
In his acceptance speech, Chakwera said he was grateful for the honour in recognition of his untiring efforts to bolster international cooperation within the region and beyond.
“I thank you for this distinguished honour for me and the people of Malawi,” he said.
Following his visit to Mozambique, President Chakwera is this afternoon proceeding to Harare, Zimbabwe for the 44th ordinary summit of the Southern Africa Development Cooperation (SADC) Heads of State and Governments, scheduled for 17th August 2024.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers has parted ways with seasoned striker Vincent Nyangulu, bringing an end to his three-year tenure at the club.
The mutual agreement comes as Nyangulu seeks more playing time, having struggled to secure a regular spot in the team.
Since joining Wanderers in 2019 from Masters Security FC, Nyangulu has experienced a mix of highs and lows.
Vincent Nyangulu
His most notable achievement was scoring the winning goal against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium in 2021, ending an eight-year drought without a victory over their rivals.
He also played a crucial role in Wanderers’ Airtel Top 8 Cup triumph.
However, Nyangulu’s limited game time has led him to explore new opportunities.
CRECK Sporting Club, a league debutante, has been courting the striker, and their chairperson, Muhammad Seleman, recently confirmed their interest in signing him.
Nyangulu is reportedly drawn to CRECK Sporting Club, eager to reunite with Joseph Kamwendo, who convinced him to join Wanderers in 2022 during his stint as assistant coach.
The prospect of a two-year contract and the chance to work with Kamwendo again has piqued Nyangulu’s interest.
As Nyangulu embarks on this new chapter, he leaves behind a legacy at Wanderers.
His contributions, although sometimes overshadowed by limited playing time, have been valuable to the team.
The striker’s departure marks the end of an era, but also presents an opportunity for growth and renewal.
In a statement, Wanderers expressed gratitude for Nyangulu’s service, wishing him success in his future endeavors.
The club’s decision to release Nyangulu is seen as a strategic move, allowing them to reshape their squad and inject fresh talent.
Meanwhile, CRECK Sporting Club is poised to capitalize on Nyangulu’s experience and skillset.
The league newcomers are assembling a formidable team, and the addition of Nyangulu would be a significant coup.
As the transfer saga unfolds, fans and pundits alike will be watching with bated breath.
Will Nyangulu find the game time and success he craves at CRECK Sporting Club?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – this new chapter promises to be an exciting one for the talented striker.
Renowned Economic Expert, Glynson Nyirenda, has sounded the alarm on the urgent need for resolution regarding the ongoing passport renewal issues plaguing truck drivers.
Nyirenda stresses that the situation is critical and requires immediate attention to prevent further chaos in the transport sector.
He cautions that if the current strike by truck drivers persists, it will lead to significant disruptions in the delivery of essential goods, ultimately affecting the entire country.
Nyirenda also warns that prolonged disruptions could result in shortages of key products, potentially driving up market prices and causing undue hardship for citizens.
The Ministry of Transport and Public Works has announced plans to reconstruct the Nkhata Bay jetty, which was submerged in 2016.
According to the ministry’s spokesperson, Watson Maingo, the reconstruction project will commence after a comprehensive feasibility study is conducted.
While Maingo could not provide a specific timeline for the project’s initiation, he emphasized the ministry’s commitment to building a better jetty.
“A project of this magnitude requires significant funding, which we need to secure for both the feasibility study and construction.
“However, we aim to complete the project as soon as possible,” he explained.
Currently, ships are forced to dock several meters away from the shore, necessitating the use of small boats to ferry passengers to and from the vessels.
Yamikani Jimusole, a graduate gemologist and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YAGLE, is advocating for the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Finance to expedite the resolution of the $309.6 billion claim against Nyala Mines Limited and Columbia Gemhouse.
This case, which involves allegations of unpaid royalties, taxes, and equity from 2008 to 2014, has the potential to significantly impact Malawi’s economy if properly handled. Jimusole, one of Malawi’s few accredited gemologists, has been researching and exploring the country’s gemstone industry for over a decade, focusing on understanding why Malawi remains impoverished despite its vast mineral wealth.
Yamikani Jimusole
The $309.6 Billion Claim: A Closer Look
In 2022, the Office of the Attorney General of Malawi sent a demand letter to Eric Braunwart, President of Columbia Gemhouse, claiming that the company, in partnership with Nyala Mines Limited, owed the Malawian government $309.6 billion. This figure allegedly represents unpaid royalties, taxes, and the government’s 10% equity stake in the company from 2008 to 2014.
The claim was based on a report authored by W.E. Chaluluka in November 2014, titled “The Story of Mineral Wealth Exploitation in Malawi.”
The report suggests that Nyala Mines Limited generated an average of $51.6 billion annually during this period, yet only paid MK604,413 to the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA).
According to the report, the total export of 12,195,000 carats of ruby, sapphire, and padparadscha gemstones to the USA during this period should have resulted in a taxable amount of $309.6 billion.
However, Jimusole believes this claim is exaggerated and was calculated without considering key factors such as operational expenses, the actual quality of the gemstones, and the significant weight loss during the processing of rough stones, which can reach up to 65%.
He argues that the calculations assume a uniform quality and retail price for all exported gemstones, an assumption that is unrealistic given the varying grades and sizes of gemstones.
The Importance of Expert Involvement:
Jimusole is confident that Malawi has a strong case against Nyala Mines and Columbia Gemhouse, but he emphasizes the need for expert involvement to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of the government’s claims.
As an accredited gemologist, Jimusole has conducted extensive research on the Chimwadzulu mine, the source of the gemstones in question.
This mine, located in Ntcheu, is one of Africa’s oldest ruby deposits, dating back to the 1920s, and also produces over 16 types of sapphires, including the rare padparadscha.
Given his expertise, Jimusole advocates for the government to engage accredited gemologists and other industry experts to thoroughly review the financial records and assumptions made in Chaluluka’s report.
He also suggests that the audit of Nyala Mines should be extended beyond 2014 to include the years up to 2017 when the mine was under different ownership and from 2017 to 2024 under Mwalawanga Mining Limited’s management.
This comprehensive audit would provide a more accurate picture of the financial activities related to the mine and help validate or refute the $309.6 billion claim.
International Support and Industry Potential:
In addition to involving local experts, Jimusole recommends that the Malawi government seek assistance from international trade associations such as CIBJO (The World Jewellery Confederation), ICA (International Colored Gemstone Association), RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council), and AGTA (American Gem Trade Association).
These organizations, to which Columbia Gemhouse is a member, have the expertise and global perspective needed to help resolve the case fairly and transparently.
Jimusole also sees immense untapped potential in Malawi’s gemstone industry.
He believes that with the proper grading, certification, and appraisal systems in place, the industry could generate over $1 billion annually.
However, he points out that Malawi civil service commission currently has only one accredited gemologist and no accredited jewelry appraisers, a significant limitation that hinders the industry’s growth. By investing in the development of these systems and training more professionals, Malawi could significantly increase its revenue from gemstone exports.
The Need for Government Prioritization:
Despite the potential financial windfall from the case, Jimusole is concerned that the Ministry of Finance, which initially prepared the $309.6 billion claim, has failed to provide adequate funding to pursue the case.
The Office of the Attorney General has reportedly secured $4.5 million in funding from undisclosed sources, but Jimusole argues that the government should have prioritized this case within its own budget, which currently stands at over $5 billion.
He questions why external funding is necessary for a case of this magnitude, especially given the potential economic benefits if the claim is successful.
Jimusole urges the government to allocate the necessary resources to ensure the case is handled with the seriousness and expertise it deserves.
He also advocates for greater collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Mining to bring together the legal, financial, and technical expertise needed to win the case.
“Imagine if Malawi could recover just $5 billion of this claim.
“The overall impact on the economy would be transformative, providing much-needed funds for infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other critical areas, as well as a significant injection of foreign currency,” says Jimusole.
Jimusole also mentioned that he has sent letters to Reserve Bank Governor Dr. Wilson Banda and Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Betchani Tchereni to voice his concerns about the status of the gemstone industry in Malawi.
However, he has yet to receive any feedback on these critical matters.
Conclusion:
Yamikani Jimusole’s call for action highlights the need for a more strategic and expert-driven approach to the $309.6 billion claim against Nyala Mines and Columbia Gemhouse.
By involving accredited gemologists, extending the audit period, and seeking international support, the Malawi government can strengthen its case and potentially secure a significant financial settlement. Moreover, by investing in the development of Malawi’s gemstone industry, the government can unlock a new revenue stream that could contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Jimusole’s advocacy underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and expertise in managing Malawi’s mineral resources.
With the right approach, the ongoing legal proceedings could not only result in a fair resolution of the Nyala Mines case but also pave the way for a more prosperous future for Malawi’s gemstone industry.
