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Economics commentator Kingsley Jassi trashes RBM Governor’s remarks on salary adjustments

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Economics commentator Kingsley Jassi trashes RBM Governor’s remarks on salary adjustments

By Chisomo Phiri

Malawi’s renowned Economics commentator Kingsley Jassi has trashed remarks made by the Reserve of Malawi (RBM) Governor Wilson Banda that salary adjustments amidst 44 percent Kwacha devaluation are unnecessary and risky to the country’s economy.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Friday, Banda argued the adjustments would worsen inflation, lead to job losses, low production in the private sector and eventually pile pressure on the government budget.

“To me I feel like salary adjustments are risky to the national economy and if we do not care, we will face heavy challenges in the near future,” argued Banda.

Kingsley Jassi



But in his comment,Jassi argued that the RBM boss is not making good sense.

“There are things that can’t be avoided. Everything has to be adjusted for sustainability,” argued Jassi.

Ironically, prices of several essential commodities such as fuel shot up immediately after the devaluation with government announcing measures to cushion Malawians from the harsh impacts of the kwacha fall.

This also comes after the government, in the Mid-Year Budget, increased wages and salaries for civil servants by 10 percent; from K900.44 billion to K980. 49 billion.

A few days ago, Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU), which demanded a 44 percent salary increment for workers, said it was not happy with what authorities included in the budget statement.

Its President Charles Kumchenga said they would be meeting the Government Negotiating Team to present their grievances.

“Since we are to meet the government negotiating team soonest, possibly this week, we cannot pre-empty our feelings and our stand until the government side explains this package.

“What is well known is that we were expecting above 44% as salary increment so experts will unpack this to us so that we appreciate it. Otherwise, without beating the bush, we are not happy,” said Kumchenga.

The 2023/2024 national budget has jumped from the initial K3.79 trillion K4.33 trillion due to the kwacha devaluation.

Ben Longwe vows to be Chisale’s mouthpiece

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Ben Longwe vows to be Chisale’s mouthpiece

By Vincent Gunde

A human rights activist based in South Africa Charles Ben Longwe, has vowed to work personally as Norman Chisale’s mouthpiece to pressurize the MCP government to release property it ceased from him for the truth to prevail.

Ben Longwe has said the Government has closed all spaces and tying Chisale’s mouth so that he should not speak to the press on matters surrounding his life claiming that he is failing to access his bank accounts and enjoy ownership of his business property and lodges.

He said the issues surrounding Chisale are pure violation of human rights and him as a rights activist will not be sitting down and watching but to press the authorities to have a second thought of at least allowing him to access part of the ceased property.



Speaking through an audio clip circulating in various social media platforms, Longwe has claimed that the Government is afraid that once giving back all of Chisale’s property, he will be paid all of his money for the years the property was in the hands of the Government.

Longwe said Norman Chisale has become the number one citizen in Malawi to be killed of his freedom of press following the interview which he had on Zodiak TV where he attacked the Government for treating him not as a human being but an animal saying he shares the same pain like everyone else.

He said freedom of press is enshrined in the Republican Constitution claiming that during a television interview, Norman Chisale had to share something of public interest to Malawians on what is hurting him looking at the pace his case is taking two years without completion.

The Activist has lamented that the court ordered Chisale not to speak to the media while the same, ceased his property without verifying it for 2 years describing this as a total violation of one’s rights a development which is worrisome.

“It is very unconstitutional for the court to cease his property for 2 years, there is a clause in the Constitution not to cease somebody’s property for a 90 day period,” said Longwe.

He said Chisale’s case is one of the many cases in Malawi prompting him to report the Government of Malawi on various human rights abuses to the International Criminal Court (ICC) saying Malawians will have a say and the last date given to them is Sunday, the 25th November, 2023.

Longwe has claimed that ever since President Chakwera was ushered into Government in June, 2020, all those that are against him and his MCP are being arrested and prosecuted in a court of law describing this as democracy under siege.

Salima Sugar Company beamons lack of knowledge and skills transfer from expatriates

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Salima Sugar Company beamons lack of knowledge and skills transfer from expatriates

By Linda Kwanjana

One of the Malawi’s leading quality Sugar producer, Salima Sugar has expressed concern over high levels of racial discrimination at the factory which has led into failure to transfer skills from expatriates to local Malawians.

Salima Sugar Company Board Chair , Mr Wester Peter Kosamu said this in Lilongwe when he addressed a press conference saying the company is doing everything it can to ensure that expatriates are doing only those specialised skills only while Malawians are understudiying them.

Wester Peter Kosamu



He said it is sad that up to now some Indians can fly all the way from India and work here as security guards and some as messengers.

“But the good news is that it is now becoming a mixture of both Malawians and I think that’s something other than what was happening before, ” he said.
Adding that there are Malawians in some sections that ever before.

Kosam commended some brave Malawians who run the machines after all the expatriates had gone to their homes in Indeed following the closure of the season on 18 November, 2023.

“Despite the tradition of closing the season on 18 November every year, there was some sugar cane which was due for crushing, and when the Indians had left , our own people in Malawi run the machines ,” he said.

“We are thinking of sending them to school to further their education because they have already demonstrated their capabilities,” he said.

On demand of Salima sugar , Kosamu said the demand is so high both in Malawi and abroad.

He said as a board chair he received a lot of phone calls from neighboring countries and beyond.

“I wish I had the magic, to expand the factory that in a minute, I can expand the sugar fields in a minute. I can expand the tonnage , currently we have exported low tonnage of sugar to Kenya and we have a dollar account as we speak ,” he said.

Kosam encouraged more Malawians to grow more sugar cane because there is already a readily available market.

“We are inviting Malawians to invest in Sugarcane farming as it is a viable business since off- takers are readily available such as our company, ” he said.

RBM Governor Dr Wilson Banda speaks tough against misreporting on financial matters

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RBM Governor Dr Wilson Banda speaks tough against misreporting on financial matters

By Linda Kwanjana


The Reserve Bank of Malawi Governor Dr Wilson Banda has expressed concern over the manner in which the media has been misreporting issues on financial matters.

Addressing a press conference in Lilongwe, Banda gave as an example how the media reported on Friday daily papers on the current foreign currency exchange rate.

“There is a need to be very careful on financial matters,” he said.

The bank has since appealed to the media to be responsible all the time saying the media is a powerful tool and the people believe everything that the media is reporting.

Banda at the Press Conference



RBM says if the media is not sure on the information on financial matters, there is a need to cross check with the Governor’s office.

He said this misinformation has the capacity to trigger inflation and prices.

Commenting on the recent 44 percent devaluation the Governor said that the move will help to bridge the gap between exports and imports.

“The misalignment of the Kwacha to the Dollar increased the amount of money being borrowed. With the situation now the amount of money borrowed will be small,” he said.

The Governor said the good news is that what the Bank did has helped to deal with black markets.

The Bank has questioned the criteria of adjusting with 44% prices on domestic products.

“The market has taken advantage of the adjustment, this is not allowed,” he said.

Comprehensive WASH package a game changer to Ntchisi residents

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Comprehensive WASH package a game changer to Ntchisi residents

By Wilfred Golden

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services which WaterAid Malawi is implementing in Ntchisi district have been described as a game changer to Ntchisi residents.

This was disclosed during a media tour which WaterAid Malawi organized as a water challenge has been described as a crucial challenge affecting the operation of some key services at Sambakusi healthcare post in the district, a thing which is delaying the opening of the maternity ward at the facility.

GVH Sambakusi speaking to the journalists who are on a media tour


Speaking to journalists, Group Village Head(GVH) Sambakusi commended the gesture by WaterAid Malawi saying it has come in time and that it will ease maternal deaths which were there as expectant women walked long distance to access healthcare services.

“We built this martenity ward in 2017 but it is failing to start its operation because of water problems and we wish this project would be fastened.

“Alot of women face alot of problems when they go to access healthy services at Ntchisi district hospital as they need alot of money to use while they are there and this is bringing alot of challenges and we are very thankful with the coming in of WaterAid with this project as we know that some of our problem will be minimized,” GVH Sambakusi said.

On his part, Chairperson of Health Center Management Committee (HCMC) at the facility, Daniel Chikuse said as a community they have been very much committed to support the facility with water supply every time as they work on shifts and make sure that water is available at the facility and he was quick to react that the coming in of WaterAid Malawi with water supply system at the facility will give a chance to the community members at least to concentrate on other issues including farming activities as the facility will have enough water.

WaterAid Malawi is implementing a four year WASH related services project in three healthcare facilities including Sambakusi, Chinkhande as well as Chandawe healthcare facilities.

The project is being funded by Wimbledon Foundation to the tune of 1.2 billion Malawi Kwacha and it is targeting 10 villages in the district.

A maternity ward built in 2017 with support from Malawi Red cross but it is yet to start functioning due to water challenges
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