Malawi’s Minister of Homeland Security Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma on Saturday, 4th November, 2023 challenged graduating prison warders to remain professional or else face long arm of the law themselves.
Speaking at Mapanga Prison Staff Training School when he presided over the pass out ceremony, Ng’oma emphasized on discipline among the staff, saying their discipline helps to mentor the inmates well so that they become good citizens once they are released out of prison.
Homeland security Minister Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma
He said every job has its own code of ethics and its a duty of everyone to adhere to the same.
Zikhale said the pass out of over 700 Prison Recruits is a great relief in boosting the operations of the Malawi Prison Service.
“We are building up more and more warders to increase security in terms of discipline because if you discipline inmate, when that inmate comes out, he becomes a good citizen and that creates an environment for good security in the country.
I am also urging our community to accept inmates and help them when they come out as they come out after being well mentored while in prison” Said the Minister.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner General for Malawi Prison, Masauko Wiscott described the coming out of the new recruits as a great relief, saying it will boost the staff the institution has across the country.
The ceremony was the first of its kind since the year 2017.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers shared the points in the TNM Super League after their entertaining Blantyre derby played at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre ended in a 1-all draw on Sunday afternoon.
Bullets were the first to knock on their opponents’ goal through Maxwell Phodo 9 minutes from kick-off but the Nomads defense did their best to deny Bullets an early lead.
Man of the match: Felix Zulu
Five minutes later the Nomads had their clear chance through defender Lawrence Chaziya who connected a Stanley Sanudi corner-kick but his header went over the cross bar.
Sanudi broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, putting his side in front with a beautiful strike outside the penalty box, beating Bullets goalkeeper Rabson Chiyenda.
After the goal, both Bullets and Wanderers did their best to create a number of scoring opportunities but it still ended 1-0 in favor of the visitors in the first half.
At the start of the second half, Bullets made two changes, bringing in the fresh legs of Precious Sambani and Hassan Kajoke and their introduction proved fruitful for the People’s team.
Kajoke had his first shot on target saved by Wanderers’ goalkeeper William Thole, only to find Phodo who made no mistake but to find the back of the net with a simple tap-in to level the scores in the 57th minute.
Both Bullets and Wanderers continued to press for the winner but it still ended 1-all with the Nomads enjoying possession for the good part of the game.
After the match, Wanderers midfielder Felix Zulu was voted man of the match.
Following the draw, Bullets and Wanderers are now level at 54 points after playing 25 and 28 games and they are on 1st and second position on the log table respectively.
Elsewhere, Kamuzu Barracks beat Blue Eagles 2-1 at Nankhaka Stadium with goals from man of the moment Olson Kanjira and Sherif Maulana. Christopher Gototo scored Eagles’ consolation.
In Rumphi, Moyale Barracks thumped fourth placed Chitipa United 4-1 in a match played at Rumphi Stadium.
Gastin Simkonda claimed a brace with other goals coming from Clifford Fukizi and Raphael Phiri while Ramadhan Ntafu scored for Chitipa United.
Moyale have now moved out of the relegation zone as they have accumulated 31 points, just a point above 14th placed Ekwendeni Hammers who got a 3-1 thumping at the hands of Silver Strikers on Saturday.
Both Moyale and Ekwendeni have so far played 28 games just like the two teams at the bottom of the table, Extreme FC and Red Lions.
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Simplex Chithyola Banda has started his job by engaging different economic players and Civil Society leaders in order to discuss ways and means to recover the economy.
The Minister has already met Members of Parliament, Civil Society and is expected to meet Chiefs, members of the clergy and other stakeholders.
Speaking in an interview Chithyola said the meetings are so important because correcting the economic damage is a collective responsibility.
Simplex Chithyola Banda
“As a country we are in a situation where we are suffering from the distress of other people’s mistakes. DPP left this country in a great debt burden and the only way for us to recover from these economic challenges is by engaging people at different levels. So far we have engaged faith leaders, CSOs, parliamentarians and currently, we are now engaging NGOs and CSOs,” he said.
Chithyola Banda said the idea behind these meetings is to get feedback from them to fit into a strategy that is being developed which will help to recover, develop and protect the economy.
“So these interface meetings are very important, we are moving towards economic transformation and recovery,” he said.
He has since commended the CSOs and other stakeholders for their response.
“We are getting overwhelming response in support. But I think the most important thing is the understanding that each one of the groups that we’ve met, have displayed that previously they didn’t know the degree and the severity of the economic damage that was there. Now, they are quite aware of how bad the situation is in terms of how the economy has been damaged,” he said.
Chithyola-Banda said Malawi is in this situation which is manmade because some people somewhere somehow did not do their work well, and that the current regime inherited unsustainable debt, which as a country needed to manage in order to recover.
“But when we experienced recovery, we needed to develop it by diversifying economic activities. When our economy is on track, we need to protect it by putting up legal and regulatory frameworks legislations that will make sure that it doesn’t leave room for somebody to play around with our economy,” said
In his remarks Minister of Local Government and National unity Richard Chimwendo Banda who is also the Leader of Parliament commended the Minister of Finance for the engagements.
Chimwendo said there is need of making sure that each and every one participates and contributes to the performance of the economy.
“We are facing quite a lot of challenges and solutions to come from everybody else. But also it shows that the government is listening and also taking much priority in what people talk about the economy,” he said.
He said it is also very critical that the stakeholders appreciate what is happening globally.
That is why more importantly, we are thanking the Minister of Finance for coming up with these dialogues which started few days ago.
Chimwendo said the faith community, members of parliament, political leadership, civil society organizations, chiefs and others are crucial that is what it means to have interface and talk about progress of the country.
Former Malawi First President Bon Kalindo and Council for Non Governmental organization (CONGOMA) Executive Director Ronard Mtonga have hailed Government for these engagements.
In his remarks Mtonga said demonstrations should always be last resort but dialogue should always be the key.
During the interface, Minister of agriculture Sam Kawale and Minister of Transport Jacob Hara were in attendance and gave their presentations regarding their Ministries.
After successfully publishing two popular books Light and Breaking Free,Malawi’s renowned author Dhumie Jere,has published a third book titled ‘World Crisis’.
In an interview, Jere said the World Crisis is an interesting book that unfolds the crisis or tough situation that humanity faces on earth and how God intervenes and also how He sees what people call crisis.
He said the book was launched on November 3,2023 in Mzuzu and that he is planning to also launch it in other remaining cities.
Dhumi Jere
Asked where one can access the new book and at how much, the author said :”Currently someone can just contact us through: +265 997 82 08 50 and 0884443023.We we are still discussing with the selling points of the book. So through those numbers one can be helped to receive the book.The book is going at an affordable price of K15000.”
The author encouraged Malawians to buy the book and acquire the knowledge God has placed in it.
“I call upon each and everyone to have access to this book, as you can see we are already in the crisis. So read this book and hear what God has spoken,”said Jere.
He also called on the government to put much of its energy into promoting the writing industry in the country.
He said:” I feel the government has to recognize the writers and take their writings seriously, because some of the greatest voice to help them who govern is hidden in these books.
“On the same note the government has to help promote writing skills in schools and reading in the young ones. As you know today things are different from the past.”
To his fellow authors, Jere said :”Never give up, for what is your spirit might help someone some day, regardless of less support perhaps but keep on pushing.”
Dhumie started practicing writing when he was at school.
And as an author, he is inspired by many people in Malawi like, Pastor Esau Banda, Apostle Joseph Ziwa, Pastor Aubrey Mwasinga of RFP just to mention some but a few.
The University of South Africa(UNISA) in Pretoria has awarded an Honorary Doctorate (PhD) in Community Development to philanthropist and social media influencer Pemphero Mphande for his charity work.
In an interview with 247 Malawi News from Pretoria, Mphande said he is honoured with the recognition of his work.
“We have been doing charity work by supporting the less privileged that have seen us raise over K200 million over the years. We have supported over 10 people get life saving treatment abroad, supported over 50 needy students with fees and other needs, we have supported orphans through orphanages and many other people,” he said.
Pemphero Mphande
Mphande said the recognition of his social impact overall include psychosocial support to those who are battling depression and other mental health issues.
The celebrated social media influencer dedicated the recognition to his supporters which he fondly refers to as his ‘praise team’.
“There is no bigger thing one can do than saving human life because human nature thrives on the fact that people can live a happy and comfortable life in a peaceful environment,.
“We as Africans can donate and can make a difference. I am trying to teach people through my page that Malawians can be givers and that is the impact I want to make,” he added.
He therefore, encouraged young people to understand that donors are not always white people.
