A dark cloud has engulfed Malawi’s media fraternity following the death of a veteran journalist Charles Mkula.
Mkula,57,saccumbed to kidney failure on Sunday March 10,2024 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre.
According to his brother, Joseph Mkula, the late Charles Mkula will be buried on Tuesday March 12,2024 at Chipande Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Malemia in Zomba.
The late Mkula
He worked for various media organisations including the defunct The Enquirer Newspaper and at the time of his death, he was the secretary general for Journalists Union of Malawi (JUMA).
Mkula was also a correspondent for various international online news organisations.
One of the country’s renowned governance commentators Undule Mwakasungula has trashed former president Peter Mutharika on his comeback bid saying the decision lacks careful consideration.
Mwakasungula has made the sentiments in a statement in reaction to Mutharika’s decision to lead his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in the September 2025 elections.
In the statement, Mwakasungula says: “While he [Mutharika] may believe that his leadership is necessary, concerns about his age, wellbeing, past indecisive record compounded by so many other challenges to the nation cannot be ignored.
Undule Mwakasungula
“It is imperative, therefore, for Mutharika to reflect on whether his candidacy aligns with the best interests of Malawians, and to consider the potential consequences of his return to power.”
He adds that Mutharika needs to understand that there is life after the presidency and that there are various ways to contribute to Malawi while outside the government.
Speaking at a press briefing at his Page House in Mangochi on Friday, Mutharika said his decision to stand in the elections has been compelled by the suffering of Malawians as a result of alleged failure by President Lazarus Chakwera to run the state of affairs.
Mutharika and his DPP lost government following the court sanctioned presidential polls in June 2020.
The party has been embroiled in never ending infighting leading to the expulsion of some senior members including Kondwani Nankhumwa, Grelzeder Jeffrey, Uladi Mussa and Mark Botoman among others.
A 21-year-old Chikondi Mwanyali of Civil Service Athletic Club on Sunday defended his championship in the male category in the second edition of the 21-kilometre Mzuzu City Half Marathon.
Mwanyali finished the race in 1 hour six minutes and 47 seconds, breaking last year’s record of 1 hour 8 minutes.
Chikondi Mwanyali
Chancy Master,a soldier at Kamuzu Barracks, finished on second position after running the distance for 1 hour, seven minutes 14 seconds.
Grevazio Mpani from Civil as well scooped third position covering the distance in 1:8:22.
In the women category, Fostina Mbema of Moyale Barracks scooped the first position by covering the 21- kilometer distance in 1:25:42 beating legendary Tereza Master from Mulanje Athletics Club, who came second and managed to cover the race in 1:26:34.
Nalicy Chirwa scooped the title in the inaugural edition.She covered the distance in 1:26.58.
For their win, Mwanyali and Mbema received 1.5 million kwacha each.
Speaking in an interview after emerging champions, both Mwanyali and Mbema pointed to thorough preparations and endurance as key to their respective success stories.
Malawi Athletics Association president Kondwani Chamwala urged the winners to continue working hard in order to equally do well in the international games coming ahead.
About 203 athletes took part in the competition this year.
One of the key players in the airfreight industry in the country, Air Cargo Malawi Limited, on Thursday donated medical equipment amounting to over K6,174,500 to Lumbadzi Health Centre in Lilongwe.
According to ACM Director of Finance, Dumisani Chatima, the donation is part of their partnership with communities they serve and it resonates with one of the objectives of the Malawi Health Sector Strategic Plan II (2017-2022) of improving the availability and quality of health infrastructure and medical equipment.
Donating to Lumbadzi Health Centres
The donated items include two drip stands, twenty leather covered mattresses, two Under-5 weighing scales and one adult scale.
Chatima said, as a key player in the air freight industry Air Cargo Malawi Limited has a longstanding commitment to impact communities positively.
“We are donating these items to add value to efforts around the delivery of health services to Malawians. This donation is meant to ease operations of staff as they offer treatment to patients who patronise the facility.”
He observed that the company’s gesture aligns with government’s long-term development agenda which dwells on a healthy and productive population under the aspect of human capital development.
In his remarks, Pharmacy Technician at the health centre, Vincent Nyirenda, defined the donation as timely because it addresses the problem of inadequate bed space.
Speaking on behalf of communities within Lumbadzi and surrounding areas, Senior Group Mchepa expressed gratitude to Air Cargo Malawi Limited for the donation, saying it will boost the capacity of Lumbadzi Health Centre in serving their communities.
He also called upon other companies and institutions to emulate what Air Cargo has done in alleviating problems in one key social area.
Air Cargo Malawi is a leading cargo service provider, connecting businesses and industries worldwide. The firm specializes in efficient, reliable, and secure transportation solutions.
