Vice President Dr. Michael Usi attended the Arise and Shine music concert held at Area 47 Seventh Day Adventist Church in Lilongwe on Saturday evening.
The event, organized by the Area 47 SDA Senior Youth Choir, aimed to raise funds to support the choir’s operations.
The concert brought together music enthusiasts and members of the church community, showcasing the talents of the choir and other performers.
Usi at Area 47 SDA
Dr. Usi’s presence added to the significance of the event, which was filled with uplifting music and inspiring performances.
The Area 47 SDA Senior Youth Choir’s initiative to host the concert demonstrates the importance of music and community engagement in promoting social welfare and supporting local causes.
The event not only provided an opportunity for the choir to raise funds but also brought people together in a celebration of music and faith.
The Standard Bank Be More Invitational Golf Tournament has come to a close, with Muhammad Karim and Doreen Kavala claiming the top spots in the men’s and ladies’ categories, respectively.
The tournament, dubbed “Yours 247,” was held at the Blantyre Sports Club from Friday to Sunday, marking the bank’s return to the venue after a four-year hiatus.
Standard Bank Chief Executive Officer, Phillip Madinga, expressed his satisfaction with the tournament’s outcome, highlighting its role in enhancing networking and partnerships.
The event featured a category for the bank’s staff, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among participants.
The tournament’s theme, “Yours 247,” underscores the bank’s commitment to being available for its customers at all times.
This aligns with Standard Bank’s goal of building strong relationships with its clients and providing them with exceptional service.
The Standard Bank Be More Invitational Golf Tournament serves as a platform for golf enthusiasts to come together, promoting the sport while strengthening business relationships.
As the bank continues to support various initiatives, its commitment to the community is evident through events like this tournament.
Muhammad Karim, a golfer with experience in various tournaments, has demonstrated his skills by emerging victorious in this event.
In a significant development, the Mzuzu Industrial Relations Court has ruled in favor of IPTE 18 cohort teachers, allowing them to participate in primary school teacher interviews scheduled for July 28, 2025, across all district councils in Malawi.
The court’s decision comes after Peter Mailosi, representing the IPTE 18 teachers, petitioned for a stay of execution of the decision to bar them from attending the interviews.
The interviews are part of the Malawi government’s efforts to fill vacant positions created by the recent promotion of over 26,000 primary school teachers from Grade TL to Grade TK by the Ministry of Education.
Initially, the recruitment process was only open to IPTE 14-17 graduates, leaving IPTE 18 cohort teachers excluded.
The Industrial Relations Court, established under Section 110 of the Malawi Constitution, has original jurisdiction over labor disputes and employment-related issues.
The court’s ruling is a victory for the IPTE 18 teachers, who can now participate in the interviews alongside their counterparts from IPTE 14-17.
This development highlights the importance of fair representation and equal opportunities in the education sector.
The Local Government Service Commission is now required to comply with the court’s order and allow IPTE 18 teachers to participate in the interviews.
The Malawi Judiciary, which oversees the Industrial Relations Court, ensures that such disputes are resolved in accordance with the law, providing a platform for aggrieved parties to seek redress.
Independent presidential candidate Reverend Hardwick Kaliya officially named Theresa Sigele Kagona as his running mate for the upcoming September 16 General Election.The Presidential Candidate however had a dramatic setback yesterday when the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) rejected Kaliya’s initial nomination papers due to critical irregularities.
Reverend Kaliya arrived at the MEC offices yesterday to submit his nomination documents, only to have them turned away by the Commission. MEC Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja confirmed that the rejection was due to multiple compliance failures involving Kaliya’s original running mate. The unsigned statutory declaration—a mandatory legal affidavit—was a key issue, along with the absence of the running mate’s identification documents and lack of formal consent to appear on the ticket . Justice Mtalimanja emphasized that these omissions rendered the nomination invalid under electoral laws and instructed Kaliya to rectify the errors before the July 30 deadline .
Kaliya and Kagona
Kagona, a civil society advocate with a background in community development, is seen as a strategic choice to reinforce Kaliya’s campaign as an independent alternative to Malawi’s established political elites. Her inclusion brings gender balance and a reformist perspective to the ticket, aligning with Kaliya’s vision of inclusive governance .
The MEC’s strict enforcement of nomination rules highlights the heightened scrutiny surrounding the 2025 elections, which will be conducted under the 50%+1 vote threshold introduced after the controversial annulment of the 2019 polls . With economic hardships and public distrust in leadership shaping voter sentiment, independent candidates like Kaliya aim to position themselves as credible alternatives. His 2019 independent bid, though unsuccessful, established him as a critic of mainstream politics, and the Kaliya-Kagona partnership now seeks to capitalize on growing disillusionment with traditional parties .
As the electoral season intensifies, the revised nomination signals Kaliya’s determination to remain in the race. Analysts will be watching whether his campaign can gain traction in a crowded field dominated by figures like incumbent Lazarus Chakwera and former President Peter Mutharika . For now, the focus remains on whether the Kaliya-Kagona ticket can translate its reformist messaging into tangible support ahead of the September vote.
Reverend Hardwick Kaliya is not new to Malawi’s political landscape. He is a man of resilience, principle, and unwavering conviction. Known for his bold stance against injustice and his fearless pursuit of truth, Kaliya has once again thrown his hat into the presidential race—this time, with greater purpose and renewed determination.
His name first gained political prominence in 2019 when he contested as an independent presidential candidate during the tripartite elections. Though he did not amass many votes, he captured the attention of the nation with his courage to challenge the status quo. In a country often dominated by party politics, Kaliya’s decision to run independently was not just symbolic—it was a protest against political conformity and a call for genuine reform.
Kaliya
Before his independent bid, Reverend Kaliya had been associated with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). However, after losing in the party’s local government primaries, he chose integrity over compromise and parted ways with the DPP. That decision marked him as a man unwilling to be used by political machinery—a man guided not by convenience, but by principle.
His pursuit of justice has not been confined to politics. Reverend Kaliya once sought legal redress in a high-profile case involving the National Bank of Malawi, demanding compensation for wrongful prosecution. Though the court ruled against him, his action demonstrated his willingness to stand up to powerful institutions—a rare trait in modern Malawian politics.
Despite public scrutiny—including controversy over an illegal water connection that was later rectified—Kaliya has never shied away from accountability. He remains transparent and grounded, characteristics that many politicians fail to uphold. These challenges have not discouraged him; rather, they have strengthened his resolve to serve Malawians with honesty and vision.
Today, as Malawi looks ahead to the 2025 general elections, Reverend Kaliya’s return as an independent presidential candidate is a refreshing reminder that leadership is about service, not power. He represents the silent majority—Malawians who are tired of recycled politicians, hollow promises, and politics of personal gain.
His candidacy offers an alternative that is grounded in values: integrity, justice, and people-centered governance. He speaks not with political gimmicks, but with sincerity. He does not buy crowds—he wins hearts. And above all, he believes that every Malawian, regardless of background, deserves a fair and just government.
Conclusion: Reverend Hardwick Kaliya is more than a candidate—he is a movement. A movement that calls on Malawians to rise above partisan divisions and vote with conscience. His presence on the ballot is a testament to democratic freedom and the power of individual conviction. At a time when trust in politicians is at an all-time low, Kaliya offers something rare: hope. It is time Malawi gives him the platform he truly deserves. Let us support Reverend Hardwick Kaliya—not just for his words, but for the unwavering principles he stands for.
