Malawi national women’s football team ‘Scorchers’ captain Tabitha Chawinga has signed a 3 year contract with French Feminine League side, Olympique Lyonnais.
Chawinga has joined the club after leaving Chinese side, Wuhan Jiangda which loaned her to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) where he had a very successful season.
Chawinga signing for Lyon
During her time at PSG, Tabitha was named Player of the Season and won the Golden Boot award last year after scoring 18 goals.
Founded in 1950, Olympique Lyonnais plays in France’s highest football division, Ligue 1. The club won its first Ligue 1 championship in 2002 and has since won several trophies making it one of the most successful teams in the World.
On Tuesday July 2, 2024, Vice-President Michael Usi convened a significant engagement with members of the creative sector at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. The closed-door meeting has drawn notable participation from musicians and theatre players alike, highlighting the sector’s keen interest in engaging with the new leadership.
The gathering marks one of Vice-President Usi’s initial official engagements since assuming office following the tragic passing of Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others in a military plane crash on June 11. With solemnity marking recent events, the meeting underscores a renewed focus on continuity and collaboration within Malawi’s cultural and artistic domains.
Vice-President Usi, a prominent figure in Malawi’s creative scene himself, brings a deep understanding of the challenges and aspirations of artists. His presence at the Amaryllis Hotel signals a commitment to fostering dialogue and addressing the sector’s pressing concerns under his new leadership role.
Participants at the engagement have expressed optimism about the Vice-President’s proactive approach towards nurturing the creative arts. The session is anticipated to pave the way for enhanced support mechanisms, policy dialogues, and collaborative initiatives aimed at empowering artists and promoting Malawi’s cultural heritage on a global stage.
As the country navigates this transition period, Vice-President Michael Usi’s early engagement with the creative sector sets a promising tone for future collaborations and developments in Malawi’s cultural landscape.
President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has undertaken a compassionate initiative to ensure the repatriation of the late Malawian broadcaster and comedian Hope Chisanu’s remains from the United States. Chisanu, known for his impactful contributions to Malawian broadcasting and television, passed away on June 1, 2024, following a brief illness.
A legacy remembered, Hope Chisanu’s career spanned years of dedicated service at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, where his talent and wit endeared him to audiences nationwide. His passing has left a significant void in Malawi’s entertainment landscape, prompting an outpouring of tributes and fond memories from colleagues and fans alike.
The remains of Hope Chisanu
President Chakwera’s intervention to facilitate Chisanu’s repatriation has been widely commended across Malawi. The President’s gesture not only honors Chisanu’s memory but also underscores the nation’s respect for its cultural icons and the importance of dignified repatriation for all Malawians abroad.
Chisanu’s remains are scheduled to arrive at Kamuzu International Airport on Tuesday, July 2, at 3:05 PM. A solemn procession will then accompany his body to Mthunzi Funeral Home, where a series of events have been organized to pay homage to his life and legacy. Family, friends, and fans are expected to gather to celebrate Chisanu’s achievements and mourn his untimely passing.
Final thoughts, Hope Chisanu’s repatriation and the ceremonies planned in his honor serve as a poignant reminder of his lasting impact on Malawian society. As the nation prepares to bid farewell to a beloved figure, the legacy of Hope Chisanu will continue to inspire generations of broadcasters and comedians in Malawi and beyond.
Stay tuned as Malawi pays tribute to one of its own, reflecting on a life well-lived and the indelible mark left by Hope Chisanu.
Malawi is poised to receive the body of the late Lucius Banda, a revered figure in the country’s music and political spheres, today, Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from South Africa. The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and Digitalization, Honorable Moses Kunkuyu, detailing the itinerary for the arrival and subsequent ceremonies.
The airplane carrying Lucius Banda’s body is scheduled to land at Chileka Airport in Blantyre at 14 hours (2:00 PM). From there, the body will be transported to the College of Medicine.
Lucius Banda
Later in the evening, a prayer service will be held at St Louis Montfort Parish in Balaka starting at 18:00 hours (6:00 PM). This service will be an opportunity for friends, family, and fans to pay their respects and honor the late musician and politician.
Following the prayer service, Lucius Banda’s body will be taken to his home, where further ceremonies and mourning rituals are expected to take place.
Minister Moses Kunkuyu also noted that the government will announce the official day of burial for Lucius Banda, allowing the nation to prepare and pay their final respects to a beloved icon.
It is worth noting that on Monday, July 1, 2024, prayer services were already conducted in South Africa, attended by various government dignitaries, underscoring Lucius Banda’s significant impact and widespread respect both domestically and internationally.
As Malawi prepares to bid farewell to Lucius Banda, his legacy as a musician, politician, and cultural icon will be remembered fondly, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s history and hearts of its people.
On July 1st, Josua Chisa Mbere took to his Facebook page to mark the conclusion of the official mourning period for SKC (Saulos Klaus Chilima) and reflect on recent events surrounding accusations and mourning.
In his heartfelt post, Mbere acknowledges the pain and grief that accompanied the mourning period for SKC. He expresses relief that, despite the ongoing pain, the period of official mourning has ended, allowing for a more assertive response to what he describes as rude and opportunistic behavior.
Chisa Mbele
Reflecting on the accusations and insults directed towards President Lazarus Chakwera following SKC’s passing, Mbere condemns the allegations of Chakwera’s involvement in the accident that claimed SKC’s life. He passionately defends Chakwera, stating that the insults and accusations were unwarranted and fueled by malicious intent.
Mbere goes on to emphasize that any violent tendencies associated with past regimes should not be attributed to the present generation. He firmly asserts that such behavior is neither genetic nor hereditary, and that those responsible are no longer alive.
Drawing on personal experience, Mbere recalls a past incident where he faced physical violence and danger, yet chose forgiveness and reconciliation when the perpetrator apologized. He encourages others to embrace resilience through understanding, acceptance of apologies, and forging reconciliation rather than living in bitterness.
Regarding recent events, Mbere unequivocally states his belief that the plane crash involving SKC was an accident, absolving President Chakwera of any involvement. He asserts that Chakwera himself is deeply affected by the tragedy, understanding the background circumstances more intimately than many critics.
In conclusion, Mbere thanks fellow Malawians for their support but also laments the pervasive negativity and propensity to spread misinformation and insults. Despite this, he extends a blessing to all.
The post serves as a poignant reflection on recent events, highlighting themes of forgiveness, resilience, and the importance of truth amidst adversity. Mbere’s words offer a call for unity and understanding in the face of tragedy and controversy, urging a collective move away from hate towards healing and reconciliation in Malawi.
