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Battle widens: MultiChoice Malawi given 30-day ultimatum to pay K19.3 million unpaid licenses fees to MACRA

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By Chisomo Phiri

The battle between MultiChoice Malawi and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) keeps on widening as now MACRA demands over 19-million-kwacha unpaid license fees from Multichoice Malawi.

According to MACRA, the amount is required to be paid back within 30 days.

This follows a notice of withdraw of DSTV services in Malawi which Multichoice issued after a high court injunction stopped the company from adjusting upwards tariffs.

Through the letter that 247 Malawi has in possession, MACRA Director General Daud Suleman has further ordered Multichoice Malawi to submit its Audited statements for 2022 for calculation of 2022 levies.

The company has also been told to put in place measures to ensure smooth exit, especially regarding how refunds to consumers would be made, especially those that would have paid beyond the shutdown date as well as compensation to consumers for the proprietary DStv equipment that will become obsolete after the shutdown date.

“In light of the service withdrawal, we expect Multichoice Malawi to communicate with us regarding your next steps towards fulfilling your SMS license, which will be impacted by Multichoice Africa’s withdrawal of its DSTV services,” says Suleman in a letter.

He adds :”You are further advised that once the voluntary revocation is completed, any broadcasting without an applicable license issued by the Authority is an offence under Section 187 of the Communications Act and that the Authority will not hesitate to take appropriate action against you in line with the Act against anyone who conducting illegal broadcasts.”

But in his comment on the matter, Consumers Associations of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director, John Kapito has blamed the two sides for the continued battle which he fears will disadvantage ordinary Malawians.

Malawians should blame themselves on shortage of fuel stocks, they externalise forex

By Linda Kwanjana

For a long time Malawians have had an appetite for buying things outside the country rather than exporting the same.

No wonder, the former president Dr Bingu Wa Mutharika repeatedly said lets turn our economy from importing to an exporting country.

According to the Reserve Bank data, Malawi imports $3Billion worth of goods and exports only $2Billion worth of products, living out $ 1Billion deficit of Dollars.

This disparity is a great cause of strain to the economy and gives pressure to the already scarce dollar.

If you go to Shopright, Game Stores, you will find alot of products which are imported but can be sourced locally.



This is the time as a country, to import products which cannot be sourced within the country.

Its time Government encourages local manufacturing and punishes chain stores importing things which can be found locally.

Its time Malawi should start making their own tooth picks.

We have alot of bamboos within the country why should Malawi import these from China?

According to Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) Chief Executive Officer, Malawi used to require an average of about $300 million worth of products but when prices on the international market rose, the country came to a level that needed almost $600 million despite that the country’s export base did not double.

“And this put a lot of strain on our major importers because they could not readily access dollars and, eventually, we relied on whatever we had in our strategic reserves,” Kachaje said.

National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) Director of Operations Micklas Reuben says quantities of the commodity being brought into the country are not enough.

“There is a problem of forex shortage. There are also delays in payment of invoices for suppliers and in getting letters of credit confirmed. All these impact the flow of the product. As such, we are not importing to the expected levels,” Reuben is quoted as saying.

He added that monthly consumption of fuel is around 51 million litres but the country is importing around 40.8 million litres.

All this points to the fact that there is great need to double our efforts in venturing into manufacturing and source more Forex.

Lets encourage Malawians to buy our own products such as furniture , cooking products. This will help NOCMA raise its its stocks from their strategic reserves.

According to Nocma, the country has 60 million litres of fuel reserves for both diesel and petrol in all the three reserves in the country.

Thus Blantyre depot has a storage capacity of 18 million litres of diesel and seven million litres of petrol, just like Lilongwe depot, while Mzuzu has a capacity of 10 million litres for both diesel and petrol.

Politicians told to refrain from interfering MDF duties

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By Chisomo Phiri

Politicians in the country have been advised not to interfere in the work of the Malawi Defense Force (MDF) as this compromises military personnel.

This was said on Friday by the outgoing Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Commander General Vincent Nundwe as he was handing over a sword of command to the newly appointed Malawi Defence Force( MDF) Commander General Valentino Phiri at Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe.

Nundwe

Said Nundwe:”We are here to achieve government objective and not political objectives.

“These are two different things. Politicians, I appeal to you please do not interfere or influence MDF personel. I urge MDF officers to follow the Constitution and the Defence Act and don’t let politicians use you because your reputation is at stake and you will be compromised.”

Nundwe further advised service members not to embrace or entertain homosexuallity in MDF.

“Let’s uphold morals and emulate what various churches did recently.God did not create John and James but Adam and Eve.

“Let’s maintain natural order and not this practice where women sleep with women and men sleep with men. This is not natural,” he said.

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera appointed Valentino Phiri as the new Commander of the MDF last month.

General Nundwe,retire,served as MDF commander twice.

Author Beyard Woo Kachidowo narrates what motivated him to publish ‘The Next Billionaire’ book

By Chisomo Phiri

In this article, author Beyard Woo Kachidowo, 28, is narrating a story of what motivated him to publish his motivational book titled ‘The Next Billionaire’.

Woo Kachidowo says released in 2022′ The Next Billionaire’ is the best motivational book that targets to open the minds of people, especially young people to venture into business.

He says while at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences,he observed that most students flocked to him to complain about their financial challenges as he was university’s students’ union president.

Author Beyard Woo Kachidowo

“Most of them, thought that I was coming from a rich home and used to lament how poor their families were.

“I took it upon myself to start advising my fellow students to consider small businesses in their free time to support themselves.

“When I graduated in 2017, I observed the same problem in most youths. That motivated me to write this book, to partly tell my story so that they come to realize it is possible to turn around one’s life through business,” says Woo Kachidowo.

The youthful author says he started business while he was in primary school following financial challenges he was facing after the death of his father in 1996.

Narrates Woo Kachidowo:” When my father died, property grabbers took away everything, plunging our family into poverty. I started selling paraffin to support family. Lamps were the primary source of light in most homes then. In 2006, my business suffered a heavy blow when I was selected to Robert Blake Secondary school as I could not pursue my business while in boarding school. This led to more financial challenges such that I owed the school a lot of money in school fees arrears. I was saved by a well-wisher who paid for the rest of my secondary school fees.

“While at College of Medicine (now Kamuzu University of Health Sciences), I used to sell electronic staff; headphones, computer chargers, game pads and many more. After classes, I used to go in students’ rooms selling such staff. I also used to sell at the Polytchnic (now Mubas), Malawi College of Accountancy and Malawi College of Health Sciences.”

He adds :”In my first year at college, I made my first million kwacha. By the time I was in third year, I was able to employ three students to work for me selling staff on commission.

“In my final year at college, I bought my first vehicle. In all my college days as an undergraduate student, I never struggled financially. I was able to do everything that someone from a rich family would do. I never allowed poverty to limit me, thanks to business.”

Woo Kachidowo says he plans to launch the book in December this year but has so far sold over 1350 copies.

“Am delighted that Mzuzu university bought copies of the book and are available in its library. Many people have read my book and so far the feedback is beautiful,” he says.

According to the young author,the book is available for purchase in several bookshops including Central Bookshop and Neat Ideas Stationery shop at chichiri Shopping mall in Blantyre.

He says people can also directly order the book from him from anywhere locally as he uses couriers to reach them.

Apart from being an author, Woo Kachidowo says he is also a professional physiotherapist, currently working at Queen Elizabeth Central hospital(QECH) in Blantyre.

He is also a business man who founded Cash-Doors Construction Co.and Cash-Doors Transportation.

Woo Kachidowo is also the Managing Director of MNB Org, a nonprofit organization that equips young people with basic entrepreneurship skills.

Chakwera ready to receive counsel from Bishops

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By Solister Mogha

President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera has said is ready to receive regular counsel from Bishops of the Catholic Church saying it is the only council chosen and speaks the word of God.

Speaking at Zomba Catholic Secondary School in Zomba during the consecration of Rev. Bishop, Alfred Chaima as Bishop of the Diocese of Zomba, he said he considers advices from Catholic Bishop helpful as they speak the truth and full of love for the country.

Chakwera said from the time he ascended to the seat of the presidency, he had convened six meetings with Bishops and each time, he has found their thoughts helpful.

“As President of the country, I must say I have benefited a lot from the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM). They always speak about things that affect Malawians and I believe that their advices come from God,” the President noted.

He described this Council of Bishops as people of high integrity, maturity and always fights for the right values.

Chakwera viewed the consecration of Bishop Chaima a divine favour of the Catholic Church.

The Presiden,t who wished the new Bishop successful discharge of his duties has since promised to continue supporting churches in the country including the Catholic Church as they are partners in developing the country.

Arch Bishop, George Tambala of the Arch Diocese of Lilongwe said God has a reason for everything and choosing Bishop Chaima is one such testimony.

He advised the church faithfuls in the diocese to support the new Bishop so that he could discharge his duties successfully.