In a recent legal showdown at the High Court in Lilongwe, President Lazarus Chakwera and the Ministry of Local Government, Unity, and Culture emerged triumphant in a case brought against them by Yohane Ndundu. The lawsuit stemmed from Ndundu’s dismissal from the position of Senior Chief Kalumo in Ntchisi District last year.
Judge Howard Pemba delivered a decisive ruling yesterday, asserting that Ndundu’s claims against the defendants, including his relative Peter Kamvumbula, lacked merit. The court found that Ndundu had engaged in various misconducts, including corruption and unwarranted removal of village heads, despite receiving multiple warnings.
Chakwera
Following a thorough examination of all parties’ testimonies, the court lifted the injunction previously granted to Ndundu and ordered him to cover the legal costs. Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda confirmed the court’s decision to Zodiak Online.
When approached for comment, Ndundu expressed unawareness of the ruling and requested time before providing a statement. The judgement marks a significant legal victory for President Chakwera and the Ministry of Local Government, underscoring the importance of upholding integrity and accountability in public service.
Member of Parliament for Mangochi Central Victoria Kingston has accused Mangochi district council of awarding a contract to what she describes as an incompetent contractor on the GESD-funded Koche Bridge project.
Kingston alleges that this has contributed to the substandard works which has left the 68 million kwacha worth project in a dilapidated state before completion with only 18 million kwacha remaining for the project.
Victoria Kingston
She was speaking on Tuesday in Mangochi when Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) was presenting its findings to the district council officials, MPs, traditional leaders and Area Development Committee members on the implementation of projects.
While acknowledging the concern, District Director of Planning and Development Newton Munthali said the council has terminated the contract; adding they are yet to identify another contractor to finish the project as they are waiting for approval from the World Bank.
Meanwhile, CSAT’s Engagement Officer Moffat Phiri has advised district councils in the country to seriously scrutinize contractors before awarding them contracts.
Bridge failures can lead to injuries, loss of life, and property damage on a scale equal to plane crashes, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters. That’s why bridge designers, engineers, construction workers, managers, and inspectors take their jobs so seriously.
factors that cause failures of a bridge? Design error, construction mistakes, hydraulic, collision, and overload are the top 5 leading causes of bridge failures, resulting in more than 70% of the bridge failures.
In the world of football, a solid defense is essential for success on the pitch. Creck Sporting, a rising team in the Bangwe All Stars league, knows this all too well. That’s why they recently made a significant move to strengthen their defense by signing Talandira Chigaula from Bangwe All Stars.
The deal, which reportedly cost Creck Sporting a hefty K5 million fee, has been hailed as a smart move by many football analysts and fans alike. Chigaula, known for his strong defensive skills and ability to read the game, is expected to be a game-changer for the rookies who have struggled at the back, conceding 8 goals in just four games this season.
Talandira Chigaula
The 25-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to Creck Sporting, having previously played for Bangwe All Stars where he showcased his talent and became a standout player. His presence on the pitch is sure to bring a sense of calm and security to the team’s defense, something that has been lacking in recent matches.
Chigaula’s signing couldn’t have come at a better time for Creck Sporting, who have been looking to shore up their defense in order to compete against some of the tougher teams in the league. With Chigaula in the lineup, the team hopes to turn things around and start climbing up the standings.
Speaking about the move, Creck Sporting’s manager, John Mwale, expressed his excitement about having Chigaula on board. “We believe that Talandira’s addition to the team will make a huge difference in our defense. His skills and experience will be invaluable as we strive to improve our performances and achieve our goals this season,” he said.
Chigaula himself is looking forward to the new challenge and is eager to make an impact at his new club. “I am grateful for the opportunity to join Creck Sporting and I am determined to give my all for the team. I look forward to working with my new teammates and helping the club achieve success on the pitch,” he said.
Fans of Creck Sporting are also excited about the signing of Chigaula, with many taking to social media to express their support and anticipation for what the defender will bring to the team. Some have even dubbed him the “savior of the defense” and are hopeful that he will be the key to turning the team’s fortunes around.
As Chigaula settles into his new surroundings and gets to know his teammates, all eyes will be on Creck Sporting to see how the addition of the talented defender will impact the team’s performances. With the season still young, there is plenty of time for Chigaula to make his mark and help lead his team to victory.
For now, all that remains is to watch and wait as Chigaula dons the Creck Sporting colors and steps onto the pitch to showcase his skills and make a difference for his new team. The excitement is palpable and the expectations are high – all eyes are on Chigaula as he begins this new chapter in his football career.
In a bid to revitalize the Democratic Progressive Party’s UK wing, a new leadership team has been elected with a mission to bring about change and restore glory to Malawi. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on April 28, 2024, saw Dr. Kennedy Bashan Nkhoma taking over as Chairperson, with a firm commitment to oust the current Tonse Alliance administration led by Lazarus Chakwera and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Dr. Nkhoma, a long-time member of the DPP-UK wing who previously served as Coordinator, outlined his vision for the future of the party during his acceptance speech. He emphasized the need to address issues of corruption and nepotism that have plagued the country under the current government, causing suffering for many Malawians.
“I am honored to lead the DPP-UK wing at this crucial moment in Malawi’s history. Our party has a proud legacy of serving the people and it is our duty to continue that tradition by bringing about positive change for all Malawians,” Dr. Nkhoma stated.
The new leadership team, which includes Vice Chairperson Ken Mjojo, Secretary General Tim Duncan, Treasurer General Camden Kadzunguza, Strategists Goodson Saiwala and Marvin Chirupani, Communications Director Marvin Chirupani, and Public Relations Officer Tinali Alfezema, is determined to rally support and mobilize resources to support the party’s agenda of restoring the DPP and former President Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) to power.
One of the key priorities of the DPP-UK wing under the new leadership will be to engage with Malawians both at home and abroad to garner support for their vision of a better future for the country. Dr. Nkhoma has indicated plans to conduct interviews with various media outlets to outline the party’s strategy for the upcoming elections and to share their vision for reshaping Malawi’s political landscape.
The DPP-UK wing has also committed to continuing the charitable work started by their predecessors, Dr. Neza Chatuwa and Lewis Kamundi, including fundraising for flood and COVID-19 victims in Malawi. The new leadership team recognizes the importance of giving back to the community and supporting those in need as part of their commitment to serving the people of Malawi.
As the DPP-UK wing prepares for the upcoming elections, they are determined to run a strong campaign focused on promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance. The party believes that by working together with Malawians both at home and abroad, they can bring about positive change and create a better future for the country.
Through their dedication and hard work, the new leadership team of the DPP-UK wing is poised to make a significant impact on Malawi’s political landscape and help shape a brighter future for all Malawians. With a strong commitment to their values and vision, they are ready to lead the party to success in the upcoming elections and beyond.
Once again, we find ourselves in time for reflecting on labor issues, and this year, I propose we dedicate this period to CELEBRATING labor as our treasured resource. In many countries worldwide, May 1st is observed as a holiday known as Labor Day. This day serves as a tribute to labor and is a reminder of the significant role workers play in the economy. It’s an occasion to acknowledge the challenges faced by workers and to highlight their contributions to society.
On Labor Day, the labor movement, employers, and employees unite with a common purpose: to celebrate their contributions to economic growth. Additionally, Labor Day commemorates the historical struggle for the establishment of the 8-hour working day. New Zealand stands out as one of the pioneers in advocating for this right, with the first Labor Day celebration in New Zealand taking place on October 28, 1890. This milestone came after a lengthy battle for the recognition of the 8-hour workday, which began as early as the 1860s.
In the UK and some Commonwealth countries, Labor Day is also observed on May 1st, differing from the original date of October 28, 1890. In other nations, it is celebrated in September. Before delving further, let us define labor and appreciate why it is essential to commemorate this day.
Labor, as defined by the business dictionary, is the combined human, physical, and mental effort utilized in the creation of goods and services. This makes labor a fundamental component of production, alongside other factors like land. Put simply, labor encompasses any effort made to improve the well-being of humanity. According to vocabulary.com, a treasured resource is typically associated with riches, like gold, jewels, or doubloons, traditionally found in treasure chest. However, treasures can also have sentimental value, such as a pet rock or a childhood blanket.
The word “treasure originates from the Old French “tresor”, meaning something of great worth. Interestingly, the French term sound more luxurious than its English counterpart, and it’s even used as the name for an expensive perfume. Worth, however is subjective. Delving further back, the Latin word for treasury is “thesaurus,” which is also used to describe a book of synonyms. It is a reminder that ancient cultures recognized the richness and value of words.
However, for the purpose of this article, we define labor as our treasured resource as the recognition of human beings for the contributions they make, bringing satisfaction to employers and a sense of appreciation for their own efforts.
Despite the challenges faced by labor, its undeniable that labor is a vital resource for all factors of production. Captains of industry would agree that without labor, they would not be captains at all. However, whether this resource is truly treasured, positively or negatively, is a complex question.
Reading the McKinsey & Co. report on the “War for Talent” highlighted the ongoing struggle for organizations to manage talent effectively. This challenge stems from increased employer expectations, employee demands for work-life balance, changing demographics in the labor market, and persistent skills shortages.
In view of this it is imperative that this year’s Labour Day recognises labour as a treasured resource. It is undisputed fact that the resource should not be abused in order to get the most out of it. However there have been instances where the same has been abused and not treasured, examples are abound like child labor especially in tea and tobacco estates where this is rampant. Efforts have been put in place like child protection laws and also other NGOs have come out to protect this resource until it is ready to be used.
Lucky Mbewe , Executive Director , CYECE stated in 2017 that they had a project Arise 2 in which he stated that they had successfully withdrawn 3,300 children from child labor, had rehabilitated and empowered them with vocational skills on the part of grown up youth and sending back to school those they can.
Reflecting on this, I recalled a seminar I attended where the importance of talent management was emphasized. The presenter drew a comparison between ancient and modern times, illustrating the significance of identifying and nurturing talent. He referenced a biblical verse, Luke 6:12-13, to emphasize the need for discernment and divine intervention in talent selection.
Talent management, in simple terms, involves identifying and developing specific skills lacking within an organization to fulfill its objectives. Every organization requires talent for various purposes, such as acquiring a football striker to score goals and win trophies. However, neglecting to value and nurture talent can lead to its deterioration, akin to neglecting a valuable egg. Talent management is essential for organizational success. Like Jesus meticulously chose his disciples, organizations must identify and nurture the skills necessary to achieve their objectives. However, finding and retaining talented individuals is increasingly difficult due to factors such as an aging workforce and shifting demographics. It is crucial for companies to recognize and appreciate the hard work of their employees. Neglecting labor results in dissatisfaction and increase efficiency. Labor should be valued for its scarcity as a commodity.
Despite efforts to safeguard labor rights, challenges like child labor and inadequate working conditions persist.Organizations must ensure fair wages and provide a conducive work environment.
The Japanese have long recognized the importance of valuing labor for economic growth. Their approach to human resource development has contributed to their status as one of the most productive countries. It’s vital for companies to appreciate and value their workers’ hard work. Neglecting labor leads to discontent and inefficiency. Labor should be treasured due to its scarcity as a commodity.
Despite efforts to protect labor rights, challenged like child labor and poor working conditions persist. Organizations must ensure fair wages and a conducive work environment. Back home the rising of redundancies, unemployment in sectors because of corporate closures and poor business performance cannot be attributed to the resource alone, from a wider angle though the employers do not want to accept it comes from the employers themselves, (not valuing the treasure in form of a resource readily available) which in turn leads to the resource being unproductive, being absent, being present absent at work, being frustrated and not giving out the best. Examples are plenty in Malawi of how companies in the same sector with same variables are setting themselves apart and posting profits , the respecting of the treasure in hand which in turn gives out the best to enjoy the rewards. Training the resources toward higher educational attainment if properly managed, and demand for managerial and specialized workers should continue to increase in the medium- to longer-term. The improvement in educational standards of workers and the accumulation of human capital in companies in course of their business will have an important bearing on economic performance in the next expansionary phase. The adjustment phases that of valuing and treasuring the resource should be seen as an opportunity to correct mismatches .Without respecting and recognizing the treasure companies/ entities let alone countries would not prosper. If talent and labor is not treasured in any set up owners should expect industrial action, discontented treasure and perpetual loses due to the fact that the treasure is not giving its best due to the non-appreciation of resource.
*New American Standard Bible*
• 3“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
• 4“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The above verse could be equated to the genesis of division of labour and delegation of duties which most managers have a challenge with hence fail to appreciate the treasure in this regard labour .
In conclusion, respecting and valuing labor is essential for organizational success. Failure to do so leads to inefficiency and discontent, organizations must recognize labor as a treasured resource and handle it with care to ensure continued success and growth.
Recognizing labor as a precious resource is key to prosperity and growth.Labour is a treasured resource indeed and should be nurtured.
_Stevie Kauka is a fellow of IPMM who writes on social as well as professional issues in his own capacity._
