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MACRA ready for physical house, property numbering 

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By Margret Kalua

Communications Manager for Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Bright Sonani has said the Authority was set to roll out physical house and property numbering exercise in Nkhata Bay District.

He said the exercise was under National Addressing System (NAS) project being implemented in the country.

Speaking on Tuesday during a NAS sensitization meeting in the district, Sonani asked for stakeholder collaboration in sensitizing communities about the exercise.

Bright Sonani

“We have been implementing the NAS project with several components namely; post codes, street naming, house and property numbering.

“We have solely come to sensitize and inform stakeholders at Nkhata Bay Boma that we are set to embark on physical house and property numbering in the district and any day we will be on the ground,” he added.

Sonani urged local authorities to own the project and be in the forefront in preventing vandalism and theft of the physical NAS structures.

Principal Administration Officer for Nkhata Bay District Council, Moses Jere said the project was critical to development, saying it would improve service delivery and enhance timely response to emergencies.

“For council to do developmental activities, we need to know where people stay or can be found. Issues of response to health, communication, detection of criminal activities will be made easier,” he said.

Senior Chief Nkumbira hailed MACRA for the project, saying it would act as a wakeup call for Nkhata Bay residents and chiefs to start building and allocating plots in line with development plans of the district.

Source of Life Children Foundation Ltd launches K16Mn Water and Sanitation Project in Mchinji

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By Linda Kwanjana

Speaking during the State of the nation address , President Dr Lazarus Chakwera promised that his Government will ensure provision of clean and portable water.

In line with president vision , Source of life children foundation Ltd, on Tuesday commissioned the much awaited water and sanitation project in the area of Wirima Village, Group Village Headman Nkhungulu , Traditional Authority Gumba in Mchinji.

Speaking during the event the Country Representative for the organization, Innocent Semu said he decided to roll out the project in Mchinji after noting that many people were drinking untreated water in the area.

Semu said in line with Sustainable development goal number 6 countries are asked to provide their citizens with clean water.

“But the Government cannot do this alone, we need to come in with such collaborative assistance, ” he said.

Semu said access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need for health and well-being.

He said billions of people world wide will lack access to these basic services in 2030 unless progress quadruples.

He said demand for water is rising owing to rapid population growth, urbanization and increasing water needs from agriculture, industry, and energy sectors.

According to the country representive , the demand for water has outpaced population growth, and half the world’s population is already experiencing severe water scarcity at least one month a year.

He said Water scarcity is projected to increase with the rise of global temperatures as a result of climate change.

“This is why my organization will work hard to ensure access to this vital component,” he said.

Speaking during the function, Traditional Authority Gumba commended Semu and his organisation for the provision of water.

The chief said people in his area have been finding problems to access water.

Should the legacy of Kamuzu be emulated?

*The Dangerous Path of Following in the Footsteps of Hastings Kamuzu Banda*

By Twink Jones Gadama

Minister of local government Richard Chimwendo Banda’s recent advice to President Chakwera of Malawi to follow the footsteps of former dictator Hastings Kamuzu Banda is a troubling and concerning development.

Hastings Kamuzu Banda was a divisive and authoritarian leader whose rule brought about great suffering to the people of Malawi.

By urging Chakwera to emulate Banda’s actions, Chimwendo is advocating for a return to a dark era in Malawian history.

One of the most alarming similarities between Kamuzu Banda and President Chakwera is their approach to human rights and freedoms.

The late Kamuzu with Nelson Mandela



During his time in power, Kamuzu Banda’s regime was marked by a blatant disregard for human rights, with widespread reports of political repression, torture, and extra-judicial killings.

Banda signed death penalties for murder convicts, wielded absolute power, and silenced any form of dissent.

Similarly, Chakwera’s administration has been marred by reports of violence against opposition members and a growing sense of authoritarianism.

The recent incidents of violence perpetrated by Chakwera’s supporters against members of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power.

Furthermore, both Banda and Chakwera have shown a willingness to target specific religious groups.

During his rule, Banda banished Jehovah’s Witnesses and persecuted those who did not conform to his vision of a homogenous society.

Similarly, Chakwera has remained silent in the face of attacks on religious minorities and has failed to uphold the principle of religious freedom.

By aligning himself with Banda’s legacy, Chakwera risks alienating marginalized communities and perpetuating a culture of intolerance and discrimination.

It is crucial to recognize the harmful impact that following in the footsteps of Hastings Kamuzu Banda can have on the people of Malawi.

Banda’s legacy is a painful reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the consequences of authoritarian rule.

By heeding Chimwendo’s advice, Chakwera risks undoing the progress that Malawi has made towards democracy and freedom.

It is imperative that Chakwera rejects the path of repression and violence and instead embraces inclusive governance and respect for human rights.

The parallels between Hastings Kamuzu Banda and President Chakwera are deeply troubling.

By advocating for Chakwera to follow in Banda’s footsteps, Richard Chimwendo Banda is promoting a dangerous and regressive agenda that threatens the hard-won freedoms of the Malawian people.

It is essential that Chakwera resists the temptation to emulate Banda’s authoritarianism and instead strives towards a future that upholds democratic values and respect for human rights.

Ruth Msungambeu urges young entrepreneurs to embrace agri-business

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By Chisomo Phiri

Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Horizon Ventures (HORVES) Limited, Ruth Msungambeu, has urged young people in the country to embrace entrepreneurship in Agri-business, emphasizing their vital role in shaping Malawi’s future.

Speaking at the Agri-business Ceremony at Lilongwe University of Agriculture & Natural Resources (LUANAR)-Natural Resources College (NRC) campus, Msungambeu stressed the need for young people to learn modern farming techniques, business management, and marketing to contribute to Malawi’s economic growth and food security.

Msungambeu highlighted Malawi’s potential as an agricultural powerhouse, with fertile land, abundant water, and a favorable climate.

She emphasized that agriculture goes beyond just growing crops, and encouraged establishing value chains, building industries, and driving economic growth.

Msungambeu also emphasized the importance of sustainability and market-driven innovations in Agri-business, highlighting practices like vertical farming, hydroponics, and organic farming.

She stressed resource efficiency and environmental stewardship, inspiring students to embrace sustainable Agri-business practices.

On his part, Aubrey Lumwila, an Agri-business student at LUANAR, appreciated Msungambeu’s insights and encouraged fellow students to balance school and business.

The event aimed to inspire young entrepreneurs to harness Agri-business for Malawi’s resilience in the face of climate change, aligning with Malawi Vision 2063.

Malawi’s debt crisis deepens:National debt hits 13.1 Trillion Kwacha

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By Chisomo Phiri

Malawi’s national debt has increased to 13.1 trillion Malawian kwacha as of December 2023, up from 9.3 trillion kwacha in the previous year.

According to Ministry of Finance,this means that the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio has risen to 85% of the GDP.

The ministry says the worsening debt situation is attributed to the devaluation of the kwacha and the conversion of short-term domestic borrowing to long-term facilities.

Reserve bank


Meanwhile,the Centre for Social Concern (CFSC) consultant, Lesley Mkandawire, has warned that the country will face increasing public debt pressure, with high levels of borrowing likely to continue as the economy fails to generate sufficient revenue, forcing the Treasury to take on more debt.

The national debt is the total amount of money that a country owes creditors.

It represents the sum of past deficits.