There was drama and chaos in the August House on Monday 12th February 2024, a few minutes after it resumed its business as two Parliamentarians stood to confirm on the announcements made by the Speaker of Parliament Catherine Gotani Hara on what the Business Committee agreed during its meeting on Wednesday last week.
Soon after making a few announcements in the Chamber, Gotani Hara asked the leadership of the House to confirm, starting with the Leader of the House, Richard Chimwendo Banda. But things turned into a drama when the Speaker requested the Leader of Opposition to make a confirmation on the announcements, as two Parliamentarians; Kondwani Nankhumwa (Mulanje Central) and Mary Navitcha (Thyolo Thava) stood at once to do similar assignment on behalf of the opposition parties in Parliament.
Considering the directive by the Court on the issue, the Speaker of Parliament recognized Nankhumwa as the appropriate Leader of Opposition, adding that he is the one who attended the business committee meeting as LOP, the ruling that did not go down well with DPP MPs who stood in support of Navitcha.
“Whilst acknowledging that the process that was conducted was right, but my hands are tied because of the Court injunction. So I still recognize Honorable Nankhumwa as the Leader of Opposition” ruled the Speaker while requesting Thyolo Thava to resume her seat.
Few minutes later the House was suspended as the two sides of Kondwani Nankhumwa and DPP failed to come to terms on the matter.
In the bustling world of sports, legends are often revered for their exceptional skills, remarkable achievements, and lasting impact on their respective disciplines. They are the ones who have paved the way, set new standards, and left an indelible mark on the history of the game. However, as time goes by, many legends find themselves slowly fading into the background, their contributions overshadowed by newer, younger stars.
But in Malawi, two football legends have sparked a conversation about the importance of recognizing and involving legends in different sectors of the game. Kinnah Phiri and Lawrence Waya, both revered figures in Malawian football, have highlighted the need for legends to play a more active role in shaping the future of the sport in their country. The just-ended Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) served as a stark reminder of how other nations harness the knowledge and expertise of their legends to propel their footballing success.
Lawrence Waya
Waya, speaking passionately about the issue, emphasized the valuable insights and experience that legends can offer to the development of the game. He pointed out that in many countries, legends are not simply left to fade away, but are actively involved in coaching, scouting, technical, and administrative roles within the sport. This inclusive approach to involving legends ensures that their wealth of knowledge is passed down to future generations, enriching the sport as a whole.
Phiri echoed Waya’s sentiments, underscoring the importance of recognizing legends across all sporting codes and providing them with opportunities to contribute to the growth and development of various disciplines. He highlighted the need for Malawi to follow the example set by other nations in tapping into the reservoir of talent and experience that legends possess.
By involving legends in coaching, mentoring, and strategic decision-making, the sporting landscape in Malawi could be transformed for the better.
One individual who has taken proactive steps towards supporting former players and administrators in Malawi is Jim Kalua, the founder of JK Productions. Kalua’s efforts to improve the welfare of legends within the sporting community have been lauded by both Phiri and Waya.
Through initiatives such as providing medical and funeral cover to affiliated legends, JK Productions is helping to ensure that those who have dedicated their lives to the game are not forgotten or neglected in their later years.
Justin Saidi, the Vice Board Chairperson of JK Productions, shared insights into the organization’s plans to further support legends and ensure their well-being.
By offering essential services such as medical and funeral cover, JK Productions is striving to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for former players and administrators.
This kind of holistic approach to caring for legends not only honors their contributions but also ensures that they are respected and valued throughout their lives.
As Malawi navigates its sporting landscape and seeks to compete on a global stage, the involvement of legends could be a game-changer.
By recognizing the importance of tapping into the knowledge and experience of those who have come before, Malawi can leverage the wisdom of its legends to propel its sporting potential to new heights.
Embracing legends is not just about paying tribute to the past; it’s about building a stronger, more connected sporting community that values the contributions of all its members.
In conclusion, the voices of Phiri and Waya serve as a poignant reminder of the vital role that legends can play in shaping the future of sports in Malawi.
As the nation reflects on the lessons learned from Afcon and looks towards a more inclusive and supportive sporting environment, the involvement of legends must be prioritized.
Their knowledge, experience, and passion can serve as a guiding light for the next generation of athletes, administrators, and fans.
It’s time for Malawi to embrace its legends and unlock the full potential of its sporting heritage legends possess.
By involving legends in coaching, mentoring, and strategic decision-making, the sporting landscape in Malawi could be transformed for the better.
One individual who has taken proactive steps towards supporting former players and administrators in Malawi is Jim Kalua, the founder of JK Productions.
Kalua’s efforts to improve the welfare of legends within the sporting community have been lauded by both Phiri and Waya.
Through initiatives such as providing medical and funeral cover to affiliated legends, JK Productions is helping to ensure that those who have dedicated their lives to the game are not forgotten or neglected in their later years.
Justin Saidi, the Vice Board Chairperson of JK Productions, shared insights into the organization’s plans to further support legends and ensure their well-being.
By offering essential services such as medical and funeral cover, JK Productions is striving to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for former players and administrators.
This kind of holistic approach to caring for legends not only honors their contributions but also ensures that they are respected and valued throughout their lives.
As Malawi navigates its sporting landscape and seeks to compete on a global stage, the involvement of legends could be a game-changer.
By recognizing the importance of tapping into the knowledge and experience of those who have come before, Malawi can leverage the wisdom of its legends to propel its sporting potential to new heights.
Embracing legends is not just about paying tribute to the past; it’s about building a stronger, more connected sporting community that values the contributions of all its members.
In conclusion, the voices of Phiri and Waya serve as a poignant reminder of the vital role that legends can play in shaping the future of sports in Malawi.
As the nation reflects on the lessons learned from Afcon and looks towards a more inclusive and supportive sporting environment, the involvement of legends must be prioritized.
Their knowledge, experience, and passion can serve as a guiding light for the next generation of athletes, administrators, and fans.
It’s time for Malawi to embrace its legends and unlock the full potential of its sporting heritage.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent” Martin Luther King Jnr
There has never been a time when the youths of Malawi have been hit with a barrage of problems than this time. The country is full of vibrant young men and women, having university degrees but remaining jobless. The country is full of young people, that have lost a sense of direction as the opportunities for survival remains scarce. There is one thing I have noted though- the youth of Malawi are lacking a mouthpiece, a strong voice that would speak on their behalf and lobby the government to take a serious look on the issues that the youths are facing in this country. The reality is that the youths are lacking a revolutionary figure like Timothy Mtambo.
Mtambo has been silent, he is missing at a time when the country needs him most. After leading the youths of this country in a revolution that deposed the despotic regime of Peter Mutharika and his DPP- many youths believed Mtambo will continue to be the figurehead. That potent link between the government machinery and the youths of this country. When Mtambo established his revolutionary movement called Citizens for Transformation Movement (CFT) there was excitement among the youths that they now have a platform that they can use to take the government to account if it doesn’t deliver for the youths.
The youth’s problems have become critical. Growing up being encouraged to work hard at school for a better future, the youths are finding themselves with qualifications that have become useless as there is no job opportunities. The economic situation in the country means most parents are struggling to pay fees for their children, hence increasing what economists call Neets (Not in Employment, Education or Training).
The youths of Malawi are being choked with lack of opportunities. Banks are not offering them loans as they have no securities, the small job opportunities that becomes available demands that that the youths should have enough experience before they are employed. We are now left with a country that has majority of young people doing nothing. This is a ticking time bomb. What is worrying is that there is no powerful voice to represent the plight of the youths in the country.
This is why, after leaving government , many are asking , what is Timothy Mtambo doing ? Many are asking if he is able to see the many problems that the youths are facing and if he still stands by the principles that made him form the Citizens Transformation Movement . Martin Luther King Jr said “ Our lives begin to end the day we become Silent “. The silence of those people that were supposed to speaking up for the youths is something very worrying.
In a move that aimed at providing quality education to students, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera will in few weeks’ time launch the construction of 10,000 classroom blocks nationwide.
Updating Malawians on the strides that are being made to improve education standards in the country during the opening of the 2024 / 2025 budget meeting at the fourth meeting in the 50th session of parliament on Friday 9th February 2024, President Chakwera explained that the project will be funded by World Bank under Malawi Education Reform Programme (MEREP).
President Chakwera
“Two weeks from now, I will be launching the construction of about 10,000 classrooms nationwide with funding from the World Bank under the Malawi Education Reform Programme (MEREP),” he said.
Highlighting achievements in the education sector during the year, the president said his administration has recruited about 2,000 primary school teachers on permanent basis and 4,200 auxiliary teachers, and trained 7,304 Head and Deputy Head Teachers.
He added that government has distributed about 68,000 tablets to 498 primary schools and trained 689 officers and 2,600 teachers through the BEFIT Programme, because our kids deserve to be given digital literacy.
“We took over 66 Community Day Secondary Schools that we have been constructing in partnership with the US Government under the Secondary Education Expansion for Development (SEED) Project. We expanded 70 Day Secondary Schools under the Equity with Quality and Learning at Secondary (EQUALS) Project,” he said.
“We trained about 1,400 Secondary School Head and Deputy Head Teachers through the School Leadership programme, while also recruiting about 2,000 and promoting 380 Secondary School teachers.”
The Malawi leader reported that government has also increased the number of students accessing loans by 15.9 percent, reaching about 26,000 students.
And in the year ahead, said Chakwera, we will continue the construction of Mzuzu University Library and Auditorium whose progress is currently at 58 percent completion; we will complete construction of the University of Malawi Administration Complex whose progress is currently at 76 percent and we will continue the construction of Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) Administration Complex whose progress is at 43 percent.
“Next month, I will be commissioning a University Innovation Pod (UNIPoD) another facility for manufacturing innovative products at Malawi University of Business and Applied Science (MUBAS) whose construction is now complete with funding from UNDP,” he said.
In a heartwarming gesture that has touched the Mia family and the people of the Lower Shire in Malawi, President Lazarus Chakwera announced the renaming of the Chapananga road to Sidik Mia Highway in honor of the late Sidik Mia. The announcement was made during the State of the National Address (SONA) in parliament, and it has been met with gratitude and appreciation from the Mia family and the community at large.
Sidik Mia, a beloved figure in Malawian politics, passed away on 12th January, 2020, leaving a legacy of service and dedication to his country. As a member of parliament for Chikwawa Nkombezi Constituency and the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, his wife, has been instrumental in carrying on his work and ensuring that his memory lives on.
The late Hon Sidik Mia, to be honoured
Speaking at a rally at Linga Primary School, Abida Mia expressed her heartfelt appreciation to President Chakwera for the touching gesture of naming a road after her late husband. She described it as a great honor to the Mia family and the people of the Lower Shire. The tribute serves as a reminder of the impact that Sidik Mia had on the community and his lasting legacy in the hearts of many.
Minister of Homeland Security, Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma, who is also the MCP Director of Strategic Planning, commended the president for the decision to name roads in the Lower Shire after Sidik Mia and former MCP president Gwanda Chakwamba. He emphasized the importance of honoring those who have contributed significantly to the party and the nation as a whole.
The late Sidik Mia was known for his dedication to the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and his unwavering commitment to serving the people of Malawi. His presence is deeply missed, but his spirit lives on through the work of his family and the community that he served tirelessly.
As Abida Mia organized a rally to celebrate the life of her late husband, it was a time of reflection and remembrance for all those who knew and respected Sidik Mia. The renaming of the Chapananga road to Sidik Mia Highway serves as a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the betterment of his country and its people.
In honoring the legacy of Sidik Mia, President Chakwera has shown a gesture of respect and appreciation for a man who made a lasting impact on the political landscape of Malawi. The renaming of the road is not just a symbolic gesture but a reminder of the values and principles that Sidik Mia stood for during his time in office.
As the Mia family and the community come together to celebrate the life of Sidik Mia, they are reminded of the importance of service, dedication, and sacrifice. The legacy of Sidik Mia will continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps and strive to make a difference in the lives of others.
The renaming of the Chapananga road to Sidik Mia Highway is a poignant tribute to a man who will always be remembered for his contributions to the people of Malawi. It stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Sidik Mia’s life and work, and a reminder of the importance of honoring those who have dedicated themselves to the service of their country. President Chakwera’s decision to name the road after Sidik Mia is a fitting tribute to a man whose memory will live on in the hearts of many.
