President Dr.Lazarus Chakwera on Saturday presided over the signing ceremony of the defence agreement between Malawi and the US’s National Guard Elements of the state of North Carolina at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
The agreement is part of the State Partnership Program (SPP) which, according to the US embassy in the country, has been a cornerstone of US security cooperation efforts around the world.
SSP pairs National Guard elements from the US states with partner countries to foster mutual interests, enhance global security, and build closer ties between the United States and nations worldwide.
In his speech, President Chakwera hailed the agreement, saying it will enhance cooperation for the benefit of the people in the two countries.
“Malawi has been working with the United States in a number of areas such as health, infrastructure development, disaster management, governance, diplomacy, peace and security. This partnership is important as it will extend the already existing relationship,” he said.
On his part Minister of Defence Harry Mkandawire said the partnership is not only about defence but goes beyond several sectors like agriculture and health for the benefit of the people.
He further described it as an opportunity for MDF to boost capacity building and vital equipment to strengthen defence infrastructure.
“This cooperation will provide an opportunity to enhance knowledge and skills in cyber security, as well as search and rescue operation, among others. It will also enhance innovation in the realm of security and defence,” said Mkandawire.
North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General Todd Hunt said the cooperation will go a long way in teaching best practices and techniques in the military.
Since its inception in 1993, SPP has been a cornerstone of US security cooperation efforts around the world.
Malawi joins over 100 other partners with National Guard Units of all 54 American states and territories.
After what could be described as a year long hiatus from frontline politics, Timothy Mtambo , the Commander of the Citizen Transformation Movement has resurfaced. Addressing Malawians at a press briefing held in Lilongwe of Saturday, Mtambo unleashed a new direction for the movement while making commentary of the current economic, social and political state of affairs in Malawi.
“Fellow Malawians, you have known me as an activist. You will recall that 4 years a go, I joined fellow Malawians of goodwill across the country in pressing for change and seeking electoral justice after Malawians had lost hope in the DPP administration. Memories of how we braved the rains, police brutality, the cold and the heat while on the streets are still fresh” an opening statement from Mtambo, the man that is usually known to many as “Comrade”
After giving a brief description of where we are coming from , Mtambo quickly drifted into the expectation that was there when a regime change took place back in 2020 “We all had expectations that we were going to the promised land, Canaan, a land of milk and honey”
Timothy Mtambo at the Press Briefing
Mtambo recalled how promises were made and how Malawians believed in the change that was to come. While acknowledging that the current administration has done well in other areas, The former Minister of National Unity acknowledged that the country is still facing many economic challenges which Malawians thought would come to an end after the current administration came to power.
“We are still in abject poverty and commodity prices are rising every day. The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing and the sluggish economy growth. Currently we are grappling with passport, sugar and hunger crises”
“To many Malawians, access to basic necessities of life is still a nightmare. . , The but majority can hardly afford one meal a day and our health care system continues to struggle. The impact of the recent devaluation cannot be overemphasized and corruption continues to impair our institutions”
Mtambo highlighted that while effects of natural disasters, the Russia Ukraine war and Covid 19May have played a role, the reality is that this is not the change Malawians wanted and voted for.
In making a clarification on the commonly asked question and criticism on why he accepted a ministerial role in the current regime Mtambo said he humbly accepted the appointment not out of self-interest but genuine belief that it was a privileged opportunity to serve the country at the upper echelons of state power. “I had not anticipated the offer of the ministerial position because there were no promises made between President Chakwera and the CFT leadership, or myself during the campaign period”
“I hoped that by accepting the ministerial position, I would easily and effectively contribute to the much-needed political, socio-economic change, and aid in the fight against corruption, cronyism, regionalism and nepotism that were institutionalized by the previous government”
At this Point Mtambo reassured Malawians that activism is in his DNA and that despite his current political path , he will always be an activist.
On his CFT Movement , Mtambo reminded Malawians that the movement is built on what he described as “Ten Revolutionary Commandments” for radical economic and industrial transformation in Malawi. The Commandments include;
Economic Transformation and Industrialization Food Security and Rural Transformation Fighting Corruption and Promoting Administrative Justice Energy Development and Industrial Transformation Equitable Distribution of Infrastructure, Development, and Wealth Effective Land, Natural Resources, and Environment Management Human Capital Development, Science, and Technology Civic, Social, and Political Engagement Youth and Women Empowerment Effective and Efficient Public Service and Tax Justice
Mtambo arriving for the press briefing
Giving a glimpse of what the future for the movement will be like. Mtambo said that CFT is prepared to work with all well meaning Malawians regardless of political affiliation, in formulating solutions to the current economic challenges. “As CFT, we shall not discriminate anyone wishing to work with us for the common good. We have all experienced hardships together. As CFT, we will soon be unveiling our new political strategies, all directed at transforming this country”
Mtambo press briefing has already shocked the nation as this is a shift in position by the movement that many assumed was a mouthpiece of the current regime.
Hip-hop artist Phyzix has officially announced that he will release a brand new song titled ‘Fragile’ on Tuesday, April 30,2024.
The new song which features Eli Njuchi and another trending star Emmie Deebo will first be premiered on Joy Nathu’s Made on Monday radio program on Monday, April 29.
Phyzix ready to drop new song
The track has been produced by Patrick Manyozo popularly known as TrickyBeatz while the video has been directed by Twice P.
Linda Ward Foundation has stressed the need for integration of sports with education if children are to develop to their full potential and be able to live health lives.
Founder of the Foundation Linda Ward made the remarks Saturday during a sports day which saw learners from ST Rosario, ST Hilary and Kamteteka primary schools compete in cross country running.
Linda Ward
Ward’s organization is spearheading development activities around Kamteteka where it has refurbished Kamteteka health post, built four houses at the facility among others.
She said the Foundation believes in improving sports at the grassroot level as one way of moulding new talent that can make it at the national level.
Primary Education Advisor for the educational Zone Bolex Shumba said sporting activities help in ensuring that children are coming to school and improves their class performance.
From childhood, we have been taught to engage in some form of physical activity, whether it be playing with our friends, running around, or joining a sports team. Both sports and education have a significant role in our lives, but beyond just the fun and games, sports and games have an important role to play in education. They teach students life skills like teamwork, leadership, accountability, and patience. They also help to build confidence, improve self-esteem, teach social skills, and provide a sense of belongingness.
Sports and games are a great way to keep children active and healthy without the need for them to miss out on their academic studies. Moreover, physical activity has been medically proven to increase cognitive and memory functions, which can help children perform better in school.
e a distraction from academics is undergoing a radical transformation. Solidifying the idea of an athletic subculture, the mid-1990s witnessed the emergence of a notable research initiative in California. Known as the “Promoting Achievement in School Through Sports” programme (PASS), it strategically integrated sports into the educational framework with the aim of elevating the standard of academic accomplishment. It came up with compelling data that confirmed the affirmative impact of school-based sports participation on the enhancement of scholastic performance, as reflected in grades.
Athletic training and academic study are interrelated. Both are two sides of one coin. Sports in education are an integral part of the curriculum. It helps to shape a person’s personality and contributes to their holistic development. In some ways, this subject is a demonstration of all the disciplines that one has learned in school. Every sport has its foundations in math and physics.
Although many subjects are taught in the classroom, sports and physical education offer students an opportunity to be outside and exercise, as well as learning a wide range of skills.
A non-profit NGO with a focus on mobilizing communities towards sustainable and resilient development, Opulence Malawi, will implement Enhancing Education through Community Library project to improve the reading culture among the in-and-out-of-school children, youth and adults of Dowa district.
The project will target school governance bodies, community level, faith leaders, and chiefs under Traditional Authority Chakhaza covering Madisi and Chinkhwiri school zones to improve learner performance, and increasing literacy levels among the community members in the areas of impact.
Okhifi Dimba-.the project will construct multi- purpose community libraries.
According MANEB survey of 2023, the district experienced a low pass rate of 80.33 percent in the 2023 Primary School Leaving Certificate of Educations (PSLCE) results, literacy rate at 66 percent and electrification at 4.04 percent.
Opulence Malawi’s Programs Officer Okhifi Dimba, said by design, primary, secondary and tertiary schools must have a library and each learner should have a text book, but with the growing population, this has not been the case.
Dimba said lack of access to books through the libraries lowers literacy rates and ICT knowledge, this is escalated by low electrification rates in the country saying on average the schools’ learner to book ratio is 1;10 which is relatively high and in the long run this poses a threat on the quality of education.
He said the project will use participatory approach to engaging community stakeholders at all levels of planning, enhancing full participation and ownership and intensify parental and guardian participation in education and management of the Community Library in the district, among other interventions strategies.
The officer said the project will ensure that the communities make revenue from the library services which will be used for renovations and proper management of the infrastructure and full stocked with reading materials of both academic and non-academic.
“There will be diversification of activities conducted at the Community Library such as meetings for Village Savings and Loans groups, community dialogues and interacting sessions, among others,” said Dimba.
He said the project is expected to improve literacy levels among youth and adults, performance among students in Primary School Leaving Certificate of Educations and Junior Certificate of Educations and an institutionalized reading culture among community members.
Opulence Malawi will implement Enhancing Education through community library in Dowa district amounting to K250 million with funding from Donor Community Development and Church of Resurrection.
