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Trade Minister Gwengwe presides over the launch of 100th edition of the National Product Magazine

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Trade Minister Gwengwe presides over the launch of 100th edition of the National Product Magazine

By Chisomo Phiri

Minister of Trade and Industry, Sosten Gwengwe on Friday evening presided over the launch of the 100th edition of the National Product Magazine and award presentation at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.

National Product Magazine is a periodical magazine that promotes manufacturing industries among Southern Africa Development Community’s (SADC) member states.

Speaking during the event, Gwengwe said local companies have the capacity to help government in generating forex revenue once their products compete on the international market

Gwengwe at the National Product Magazine launch

He said the National Product magazine has created a diversity marketing platform for local Malawian companies which is complimenting the developmental agenda which the government is implementing.

The Minister said there is a need for companies in Malawi to be involved in the mass production of top-quality products to help the country meet the goal of industrialisation.

He added that the Mw2063 agenda achievement is also partly based on the zeal that local companies will portray when it comes to producing value-added products for exports.

The Minister also disclosed that the process of bankrolling a harmonised online platform for all trade-related business documentation is underway, which is one way of embracing digitalisation in the global village.

On her part, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Christine Zakeyo described the event as a platform for interconnection and sharing of innovative ideas and solutions on how Malawi can turn into an industrious nation and create more jobs for most young Malawians.

In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for National Product Magazine, Arthur Chinyamula,described the 100th edition magazine launch and the award presentation as the cross-cutting solutions to the modern business marketing strategy, acknowledging the efforts by companies who have demonstrated to be impactful in the production evolution in the country.

Salvation Army Malawi Territory successfully holds ADF

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Salvation Army Malawi Territory successfully holds ADF

By Andrew Mwanandiye Tembo

From November 20 to November 24,2023,The Salvation Army Malawi Territory hosted Africa Development Forum(ADF) with delegates from all African territories and supporting territories at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre.

The event was aimed at building capacity for community engagement, development and fostering partnerships.

In an interview with 247 Malawi News, secretary for programmes Major Luke Msikita described the event as fruitful.



“It was a fruitful time of conversation and networking focused on crosscutting issues faced in Africa such as education, primary health care, water, sanitation and hygiene, food insecurity, low household incomes, climate change, gender based violence, child protection and anti human trafficking led by Stanford Muzavazi, the Community Engagement Strategist- supported by Joane Beale and Karl Westwood -Africa Zone, and advisory groups,” said major Msikita.

He said the event attracted delegates from African Territories including Territorial Commanders for Liberia, Sierra Leone & Guinea Territory, Lt- Colonel Luka Khayumbi, Territorial President of Women Ministries for Uganda Territory, Colonel Joyce Theu, Chief Secretaries, Secretaries for Programme, Development Secretaries, and support personnel from countries of Angola, Southern Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, DRC, Congo Brazzaville, Rwanda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya East, Kenya West, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Mali, Uganda and Malawi.

He said it had also support office delegates from Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) USA, Canada & Bermuda Territory, United Kingdom & Ireland Territory, Australia Territory, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary Territory, Norway, Iceland and Faroes Territory, Sweden & Latvia Territory and Netherlands, Czech Republic & Slovakia Territory.

Commenting on how the forum had been, delegates said it had been very engaging, insightful, educative, helpful, and productive.

“Territorial Leaders for Malawi, Colonels Samuel & Theresa Baah- TC & TPWM supported by Lt-Colonels Onai & Deliwe Jera- CS & TSWM respectively officially opened and closed the forum.

“Delegates go back to their respective territories with good memories of the forum and Malawi the Warm Heart of Africa,”he said.

Economics commentator Kingsley Jassi trashes RBM Governor’s remarks on salary adjustments

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Economics commentator Kingsley Jassi trashes RBM Governor’s remarks on salary adjustments

By Chisomo Phiri

Malawi’s renowned Economics commentator Kingsley Jassi has trashed remarks made by the Reserve of Malawi (RBM) Governor Wilson Banda that salary adjustments amidst 44 percent Kwacha devaluation are unnecessary and risky to the country’s economy.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Friday, Banda argued the adjustments would worsen inflation, lead to job losses, low production in the private sector and eventually pile pressure on the government budget.

“To me I feel like salary adjustments are risky to the national economy and if we do not care, we will face heavy challenges in the near future,” argued Banda.

Kingsley Jassi



But in his comment,Jassi argued that the RBM boss is not making good sense.

“There are things that can’t be avoided. Everything has to be adjusted for sustainability,” argued Jassi.

Ironically, prices of several essential commodities such as fuel shot up immediately after the devaluation with government announcing measures to cushion Malawians from the harsh impacts of the kwacha fall.

This also comes after the government, in the Mid-Year Budget, increased wages and salaries for civil servants by 10 percent; from K900.44 billion to K980. 49 billion.

A few days ago, Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU), which demanded a 44 percent salary increment for workers, said it was not happy with what authorities included in the budget statement.

Its President Charles Kumchenga said they would be meeting the Government Negotiating Team to present their grievances.

“Since we are to meet the government negotiating team soonest, possibly this week, we cannot pre-empty our feelings and our stand until the government side explains this package.

“What is well known is that we were expecting above 44% as salary increment so experts will unpack this to us so that we appreciate it. Otherwise, without beating the bush, we are not happy,” said Kumchenga.

The 2023/2024 national budget has jumped from the initial K3.79 trillion K4.33 trillion due to the kwacha devaluation.

Ben Longwe vows to be Chisale’s mouthpiece

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Ben Longwe vows to be Chisale’s mouthpiece

By Vincent Gunde

A human rights activist based in South Africa Charles Ben Longwe, has vowed to work personally as Norman Chisale’s mouthpiece to pressurize the MCP government to release property it ceased from him for the truth to prevail.

Ben Longwe has said the Government has closed all spaces and tying Chisale’s mouth so that he should not speak to the press on matters surrounding his life claiming that he is failing to access his bank accounts and enjoy ownership of his business property and lodges.

He said the issues surrounding Chisale are pure violation of human rights and him as a rights activist will not be sitting down and watching but to press the authorities to have a second thought of at least allowing him to access part of the ceased property.



Speaking through an audio clip circulating in various social media platforms, Longwe has claimed that the Government is afraid that once giving back all of Chisale’s property, he will be paid all of his money for the years the property was in the hands of the Government.

Longwe said Norman Chisale has become the number one citizen in Malawi to be killed of his freedom of press following the interview which he had on Zodiak TV where he attacked the Government for treating him not as a human being but an animal saying he shares the same pain like everyone else.

He said freedom of press is enshrined in the Republican Constitution claiming that during a television interview, Norman Chisale had to share something of public interest to Malawians on what is hurting him looking at the pace his case is taking two years without completion.

The Activist has lamented that the court ordered Chisale not to speak to the media while the same, ceased his property without verifying it for 2 years describing this as a total violation of one’s rights a development which is worrisome.

“It is very unconstitutional for the court to cease his property for 2 years, there is a clause in the Constitution not to cease somebody’s property for a 90 day period,” said Longwe.

He said Chisale’s case is one of the many cases in Malawi prompting him to report the Government of Malawi on various human rights abuses to the International Criminal Court (ICC) saying Malawians will have a say and the last date given to them is Sunday, the 25th November, 2023.

Longwe has claimed that ever since President Chakwera was ushered into Government in June, 2020, all those that are against him and his MCP are being arrested and prosecuted in a court of law describing this as democracy under siege.

Salima Sugar Company beamons lack of knowledge and skills transfer from expatriates

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Salima Sugar Company beamons lack of knowledge and skills transfer from expatriates

By Linda Kwanjana

One of the Malawi’s leading quality Sugar producer, Salima Sugar has expressed concern over high levels of racial discrimination at the factory which has led into failure to transfer skills from expatriates to local Malawians.

Salima Sugar Company Board Chair , Mr Wester Peter Kosamu said this in Lilongwe when he addressed a press conference saying the company is doing everything it can to ensure that expatriates are doing only those specialised skills only while Malawians are understudiying them.

Wester Peter Kosamu



He said it is sad that up to now some Indians can fly all the way from India and work here as security guards and some as messengers.

“But the good news is that it is now becoming a mixture of both Malawians and I think that’s something other than what was happening before, ” he said.
Adding that there are Malawians in some sections that ever before.

Kosam commended some brave Malawians who run the machines after all the expatriates had gone to their homes in Indeed following the closure of the season on 18 November, 2023.

“Despite the tradition of closing the season on 18 November every year, there was some sugar cane which was due for crushing, and when the Indians had left , our own people in Malawi run the machines ,” he said.

“We are thinking of sending them to school to further their education because they have already demonstrated their capabilities,” he said.

On demand of Salima sugar , Kosamu said the demand is so high both in Malawi and abroad.

He said as a board chair he received a lot of phone calls from neighboring countries and beyond.

“I wish I had the magic, to expand the factory that in a minute, I can expand the sugar fields in a minute. I can expand the tonnage , currently we have exported low tonnage of sugar to Kenya and we have a dollar account as we speak ,” he said.

Kosam encouraged more Malawians to grow more sugar cane because there is already a readily available market.

“We are inviting Malawians to invest in Sugarcane farming as it is a viable business since off- takers are readily available such as our company, ” he said.

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