The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has banned Bingu National Stadium (BNS) from hosting CAF Champions League matches due to its poor condition.
This means that FCB Nyasa Big Bullets risk playing their CAF Champions League match against Red Arrows from Zambia away from home.
In a communication to all Member Associations, BNS has been excluded from the list of stadiums approved for this year’s tournament.
Bingu Stadium
CAF indicates that the list of approved stadiums is specifically for the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup.
The ban comes one month before the Flames host Burundi in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
BNS, which is located in Malawi’s capital city of Lilongwe, was opened on January 28, 2017.
The stadium has a capacity of 41,000 people and is named after the late President Bingu Wa Mutharika.
One of Malawi’s renowned creative writers, communication specialist and musician Dyson Mthawanji popularly known as “Mr Dyson” in music circles, has released a brand new love song titled “Away” which features musician cum music producer, Macia.
The song which was released on Friday evening promises to be one of the big songs from Mr Dyson as it has already received a good number of views on YouTube.
The Chorus of the song goes…
“Zotipasulaaaa, Zinali Zosayamba mamie/ Koma unasankhaaa, Kukhala wangwawanga mamie/ *Mamie tachoka kutaali Away far away x2 It’s a happy day Away far away x2. “
The song has been produced by Macia and the video has been directed by Dir X Ubwino.
Other notable songs by Mr Dyson include “Tiye” and “Ndilondola” which he featured songstress “Sangie”, “Kwacha” which he featured Nepman and “Stape” which was released earlier this year.
Apart from music, Mthawanji who is currently based in Lilongwe is well known for his best selling book book titled “Chiphadzuwa cha Usiku”.
He originally hails from Mpanang’ombe village, Traditional Authority Nthondo in Ntchisi district.
Below is the link for Mr Dyson’s new song featuring Macia https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l2mIjkZkaps&sfnsn=wa#bottom-sheet
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Director General Daud Suleman says Malawi needs to build its digital infrastructure by investing in broadband internet, 5G and data centres among others to allow more people have internet access.
Speaking at the Dynamic Leaders and Gate Keepers Forum (DLGF) on Thursday,Suleman, said broadband internet which is cheap and has a wide reach will help address the digital divide especially in rural areas, compared to the current mobile internet which is concentrated in urban areas.
Suleman
The MACRA DG disclosed that Malawi has 14 million registered simcards but only 1 million of those are in smart phones.
Suleman also said currently internet penetration in Malawi stands at 34 percent.
Needy students at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) say they are still receiving K175, 000 upkeep loan allowance per semester instead of K280, 000 which was adjusted by the Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) in April this year.
One of the students Innocent Chimdima who is doing Bachelor of Science in Land Economy told us in an interview that the amount they are receiving is not enough to meet their daily needs at the school.
“As students, due to the current Malawi’s economy, there are numerous challenges that we are facing everyday. For example, meals on campus are about K2,000 up which is very difficult for someone who rely on loan.
“We were promised to be given K560,000 per academic year which is K280, 000 per semester. At least that was a good amount for us to survive.We were surprised to see that our bank accounts have been accredited by the same K175,000.This left all students in awe up to the extent of saying the president must intervene if not then he made a false promise to the nation and to the needy students .
“Even if for someone who stays off campus, still this K175,000 is not enough to run for the whole semester honestly.
“We are not happy with this development and it should be looked on,” he said.
He added:”We need our voices to be heard that is all. They should help us fight for it till it is possible. We just need their support and if possible to bail out some needy students who are seriously inneed of help in all corners of life, that will make us happy.”
Meanwhile, the concerned students have organized an open air dubbed ‘Ndashota ndi 210K” where they will voice out their frustration on the issue.
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Owen Chomanika on Thursday launched the Investment School of Creative Arts at Sunbird Nkopola Leisure Centre in Mangochi.
The Investment School of Creative Arts is a project being implemented by the Copyright Society of Malawi in partnership with NICO Group.
Speaking at the event, Chomanika described the school of investment as a key in ensuring that artists are attaining the required transformation in financial management, investment and monestising their craft.
Chomanika
The Deputy Minister urged artists in the country to be at the centre of self-reliance and inclusivity which the country’s vision represents.
He said the 2063 blueprint put artists at the centre as agents of mindset change and called upon the sector to embrace change.
“The first enabler of the vision is mindset change and you cannot change the mindset of the people when the sector itself is not changed.
“Your life should be able to communicate something before you say anything,” said Chomanika.
He disclosed that the government remains committed to advancing the affairs of the creative sector by setting up necessary instruments for them to showcase their works.
“We know as government we have made promises but, we are trying hard and for example we have made great advancements for National Arts and Heritage Council (NAHEC) Draft Bill. So, just watch how we progress,” he said.
Copyright Society of Malawi Board Chairperson Bishop Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango said artists have for a long time been fighting for recognition and support but have been neglected.
NICO Asset Managers Chief Executive Officer Daniel Dunga described the initiative as a great investment in the creative sector.
Some of the artists in the first cohort at the school include Gwamba, Wikise, Leslie, Sangie, Kell Kay, Johnny Zembani, Kim of Diamonds, Driemo, Che Mandota, Tuno and Khama Khwiliro.
