People’s Party (PP) National Director of Youth Ipyana Nthakomwa has resigned from his position and as a member of the party.
Nthakomwa told local media that PP has lost direction and that its leadership is no longer focusing on the people’s voice.
He further alleged that only few people in the party are benefitting in Tonse Government, and they do not have time to criticize where government is going astray.
Nthakomwa
Said Nthakomwa:”PP leaders have no time to fix the party’s structures, what they say on the podium is not true reflection on the ground.”
But reacting to to the news, PP deputy secretary Noel Chimpeni said the party is not worried with his move, arguing the party already stopped using him because he joined Voice of the North grouping.
PP was founded in 2011 by Joyce Banda, Vice-President of Malawi from May 2009 to April 2012, and President from 7 April 2014.
Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finance, Gladys Ganda, has said Shire Valley Transformation Project (SVTP) has the potential to improve the economy of this country.
Ganda was speaking during the committee’s supervisory visit to SVTP site in Chikwawa district on Thursday.
Ganda highlighted the project’s alignment with President Lazarus Chakwera’s vision to increase investments in agriculture, tourism, and mining as outlined in the State of the Nation Address.
“As the Budget and Finance Committee, our focus now is to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to expedite this project. Accelerating this project will address foreign exchange challenges and reduce our dependence on imports, ultimately boosting our national energy levels,” said Ganda.
The Chairperson further underscored the importance of timely allocation and utilisation of funds to ensure the project’s successful completion within the projected timeline of seven years.
She then added that the benefits of the project would extend to all Malawians, emphasising its broader impact beyond individual sectors or regions.
“This project is not just for our country; it is for every Malawian. It is important therefore to support it adequately and reap its full benefits,” she added.
In his remarks, SVTP Project Coordinator Stanley Khaila said the project is progressing well despite facing challenges.
“Despite Cyclone Ana setback, our progress stands at 63 percent, indicating significant strides in Phase 1.
“We anticipate completing this 1st phase by May 2025, although a couple of months’ delay is a realistic expectation, given the circumstances,” he said.
Khaila said the project needs an additional 150 million dollars to overcome Cyclone Ana’s impact and also ensure that the first two farms commence irrigation by 2025.
After inspecting the project, the committee visited Mwanaalirenji Cooperative, one of the cooperatives expected to benefit from the SVTP, where they interacted with members of the cooperative.
Malawian popular Hip-hop artist Fredokiss real name Penjani Kalua, has officially announced that he will again contest for a Parliamentary seat in the 2025 general elections in Zingwangwa-Soche Constituency formerly known as Blantyre City Constituency, where he lost the 2019 elections to Noel Lipipa,who won on a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) ticket.
Fredokiss
Fredokiss,son of prominent politician Kamlepo Kalua,made a declaration of interest to contest on Friday through his official Facebook page.
“Just to make it official! I am excited to announce my candidacy for Member of Parliament in 2025, representing Blantyre, Zingwangwa-Soche Constituency! Together, let’s work towards a brighter future for our community,” he posted.
As a young politician Fredokiss currently serves as the National Youth Director for the United Transformation Movement (UTM).
He is an inspiration for every youth in the country due to the message of hope he preaches via his Facebook page and his music.
Minister of Information, Moses Kunkuyu has clarified that government has not forgiven all those who got loans from National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) and that processes are underway to recover every single kwacha.
Speaking Sunday in Zomba during a stakeholders meeting , the Minister said there has been a lot of misinformation regarding the written off loans by NEEF.
Moses Kunkuyu
Last week, the government announced that it has written off about K6 billion NEEF loans; thus attracting a lot of discussions amongst Malawians.
However Kunkuyu said as per accounting principles, the written off loans are regarded as bad debts and they are not supposed to be appearing in the NEEF account statements .
“We have not forgiven anyone, we have just transfered data to the other sheet and we will follow up on anyone who got the loans, ” the Minister said.
He therefore warned that NEEF loans are not free and that should anyone get the loans on assumptions that they are free would be punished by the law.
The Minister therefore hailed NEEF management for engaging stakeholders to inform them on loan processes and procedures that must be followed to access the loans.
“What was lacking in the previous loans was lack of engagement and this contributed to the high rate of defaulters. Today’s meeting is crucial as it would enhance peoples understanding and reduce the number of defaulters,” Kunkuyu said.
NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni said NEEF loans are not politically motivated but rather funds meant to empower Malawians economically.
“We don’t give loans based on colour, political party or region. This is Malawian money and everyone should get a chance to benefit,” said Mdyeseni.
He concurred with the minister that everyone who benefited from MADEF and MEDF and did not pay back the loan would be followed up.
“Apart from following up, those defaulters will not be allowed to get any financial support from NEEF,” he said.
For the past three years, Government has distributed MK15 billion in the Eastern Region and in 2024, government plans to distribute over MK100 billion; through which about MK30 billion has already been pumped into NEEF account.
Among those who attended the meeting were vendors from Balaka, Zomba and Liwonde, councillors and officials from councils.
President for Zomba Vendors Association, Ianbrown Chidothi hailed NEEF for the meeting which he said would help business people make rightful decisions before getting the loans.
The favourite candidate to win the Secretary General position in the ruling Malawi Congress Party, Chris Chaima Banda has launched his manifesto. At a colourful function that took place at the party headquarters in Lilongwe on Saturday April 13th, Chaima announced himself to the party delegates that he was in to deliver “a vision for bold, strong and inclusive MCP”
Chaima’s pitch to the party faithful has already stood out as one that is putting togetherness and inclusivity as core to the agenda of thriving the fortunes of MCP. Wrapped in party colours scarf around his neck, the energetic speaking Chaima declared “ We have a vision for the making of Bold , strong and inclusive Malawi congress party, We seek a MCP that will deliver a 70% landslide victory in the 2025 presidential race for His Excellency Dr Lazarus Chakwera “
The Secretary General race, the most coveted in the party has so far seen Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola , Former Mining Minister Dr Albert Mbawala, Former Kasungu legislator Alex Major all declaring interest to contest. The incumbent Eisenhower Mkaka is yet to declare if he will defend his position although many believe he will join the race soon. An independent research is showing Chris Chaima is the favourite to win and popular with the party grassroots seconded by Chithyola.
When drawn to comment on his competitors Chaima shocked many by speaking no ill about any of his competitors but quickly using the opportunity to preach about Unity “ All those that are competing against me for the position are my family, we are one , one Malawi Congress Party “ said Chaima
Chaima is the Chief Advisor to President Chakwera on Strategy, Manifesto implementation and international partnerships . A Pillar of the MCP party for so many years, he brings in experience of working for the British Civil Service for 18 years .
His Manifesto has 20 action points that includes; ensuring financial resources meant for the party are safeguarded from abuse and are distributed and used by all the party structures at National, Regional, District , Constituency and local area levels. He will work towards repairs of the party headquarters, regional and district offices. Chaima will focus on fundraising initiatives to create a financial war chest in readiness for the 2025 general elections
He also spoke of the need for the party to buy vehicles for district chairman in order to improve efficiency. Monthly funding allocations to the Regional and District Offices, availability of party materials to the grassroots, Establishment of a Charity Fund for social Welfare , Establishment of the Veterans board to cater for the veterans of the party, access to business loans , job opportunities for the membership and for the youth empowerment.
Chaima with President Chakwera
The MCP Convention is scheduled to take place in August
