Deputy Minister of Education Nancy Chaola Mdooko has expressed concern over sub-standard construction work of a school block at Jombo Primary School in Chikwawa District.
Speaking after inspecting the project on Wednesday, Mdooko emphasized that the contractor should redo the work, saying that her ministry prioritizes quality buildings.
“I am not satisfied with the way the school block is being constructed. The contractor should believe in quality work, and therefore they should redo the work,” Mdooko said.
Mdooko then commended the community and the contractor for maintaining a good relationship during the project implementation.
In his statement, the contractor, Simon Yotamu, explained that the construction work has been affected by rain, resulting in poor quality output.
“The construction work has been affected by rain, causing the cement to lose quality. But I am confident everything will be well,” said Yotamu.
In her remarks, head teacher for Jombo Primary School, Rhoda Malunga expressed optimism that the newly constructed school block, once completed, will reduce overcrowding in classrooms, which she said remains a big challenge at the school.
“Shortage of school blocks is a big challenge we are experiencing here. This project is surely a welcome development as it will help us have enough classrooms,” said Malunga.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Vice President for Southern Region George Chaponda has hailed President Lazarus Chakwera for demonstrating good leadership by installing Paramount Chief Kaduya of the Lhomwe people.
President Lazarus Chakwera installed Paramount Chief Kaduya real name Stella Munyama at a ceremony which took place at Mpasa CCAP Primary School Ground in Phalombe District on Thursday.
Dr Chaponda with President Chakwera
Speaking to 247 Malawi News,Chaponda explained that President Chakwera’s installation of Paramount Chief Kaduya, who has been acting in that position since the death of Paramount Chief Ngolongoliwa a few years ago, underscores the MCP government’s commitment to recognizing and working with traditional leaders.
“The President Chakwerahas demonstrated respect for Malawi’s diverse cultural heritage and acknowledges the important role that traditional authorities play in the country’s social fabric,” said Chiponda.
He observed that President Chakwera’s installation of the Lhomwe Paramount Chief reflects a broader commitment to honoring traditional leadership and fostering unity within Malawi.
Chiponda added that what Chakwera has done emphasizes the importance of traditional authorities in shaping the country’s future.
He described the installation of a Paramount Chief as a significant event in Malawi’s cultural and political landscape which reflects the government’s recognition of traditional leadership and its role in national development.
“The installation of a paramount chief holds great significance in many African societies, including Malawi.
“Paramount chiefs are traditional leaders who hold considerable influence and authority within their communities.
“They play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage, resolving disputes, and promoting development initiatives. Additionally, paramount chiefs often act as intermediaries between their communities and the government, contributing to governance and decision-making processes at both local and national levels,” he said.
Chaponda attended the installation ceremony, representing DPP President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika who is Mulhako Wa Alhomwe patron.
Mulhako Wa Alhomwe was established in 2007 with the aim of promoting Lhomwe culture by among other objectives, instilling a sense of pride in its people.
The formation of the organization revived some of the cultural practices that had been on the death bed.
The Lomwe are one of the four largest ethnic groups living in Malawi.
They are located primarily in the southeast section of Malawi with the largest concentration being in Phalombe district.
Others live in Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Zomba, and Liwonde. Smaller numbers are scattered throughout the southern region of Malawi.
In Mozambique, the Lomwe are found almost entirely in the Zambezi Province
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera leaves the country on Friday 19th January 2024 for Kinshasa to attend the inauguration of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President – elect Felix Tshisekedi.
A statement from Ministry of foreign Affairs says Chakwera and Tshisekedi will hold bilateral talks on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony scheduled to take place on Saturday 20th January 2024.
According to the statement, the two leaders are expected to hold urgent talks on regional security matters that affect Malawi Defence Force (MDF) troops currently deployed in peace keeping activities in Eastern DRC.
Chakwera and Tshisekedi
The statement says President Chakwera has temporarily suspended his public program of public engagements in the southern region to undertake the unscheduled trip to Kinshasa at the invitation of the DRC president.
“His Excellency the president is expected to depart for Kinshasa, DRC through Chileka Airport on Friday, 19th January 2024 at 11:00 hours and return on Sunday, 21 January 2024 at 18:25 hours through the same airport, for the resumption of his tour of duty in the southern region,” reads the statement.
Muvi wa Chilungamo Revolutionary Party (MRP) is seeking clarification from Mec Chairperson Judge Dr. Chifundo Kachale on demarcation of constituencies map, mode of voting and reasons for extension of fresh elections to 16th September, 2025.
MRP says contrary to some political parties and figureheads who have expressed ignorance on the relocation of Mec head office from Blantyre to Lilongwe, the newly registered party in Malawi agrees to endorses the relocation of Mec offices.
Jumah, Muvi wa Chilungamo leader
The Party says in many countries around the globe, Elections Commissions are situated where Government sits and in Malawi, it is the administrative Capital City of Lilongwe and not the commercial City of Blantyre.
In a statement addressed to Judge Kachale dated 12th January, 2024 President and Commander in Chief of MRP Bantu Saunders Jumah, has asked for records of the voters roll of the May, 2019 elections and that of repeated elections which was held on the 23rd June, 2020.
In the statement, Jumah is seeking clarity from Judge Kachale on the reasons for the elections to be conducted on 16th September, 2025 and not the constitutional 5-year mandate that ends on the 21st May, 2024.
Jumah has expressed hope that Judge Kachale is conversant with the Supreme law of the country as well as the constitutional court proceedings, will provide concrete answers to the party and many Malawians in the country.
He says if it is the law of the constitution, Judge Kachale must enlighten Malawians which sections, subsections, and clause of the country’s Supreme document and or the page number so that the party and many Malawians can re-read the constitution to walk together with Mec to the elections period.
The MRP President says if it is the decision of the present government that amended the Supreme law, personal views, Mec opinion on the matter questioning Kachale that is it in line with the constitutional calendar of Mec laws as well as the Republican Constitution that allows illegal extension?
I have been wondering for quite some time now why some families are always successful in what they do even if the bread winner in that particular family grows too old to work or dies. I discussed this issue with a friend and in particular I referred to the Asian community living in Malawi. He said to me that the Asian community does well in their family business because they train they children well in their life long career.
I decided to find out more on this subject hoping I would get a different response. I spoke to Muhammad, an Indian boy aged 10 so he could tell me what he knows about business in their family. I was amazed to hear that the family started raining him in business at the age of 8 years, precisely, that is when he was in standard 4. The Asian community in Malawi is well known for doing business that can survive for a lifetime.
There’s one prominent family of Pakistani origin that came to Malawi in 1901 and are still living here. They have established themselves all this while from their grandparents, parents and now the children are still doing business very successfully.
Family business
First, Family businesses have the advantage of a shared history and a sense of trust that can help them navigate difficult situations. However, it’s important for family business owners to set clear boundaries between work and family life to avoid conflicts and ensure the business’s success.
Second, in a family business, the relationships are already solidified, which can promote cohesion and camaraderie behind-the-scenes (though not always). In addition, families often exhibit lenience and acceptance of each other’s personality quirks, which is advantageous in managing workplace conflicts and obstacles.
We’ve rounded up eight tips to ensure your family business, or the one you may be working for, endures through the generations. Communicate. Evolve. Set boundaries. Practice good governance. Recruit from the outside. Treat employees like family. Make it optional. Plan for the future.
Third, essential to all business organisations, trust is a unique and very evident in most successful family-owned and -run firms. Because trust is a given, with inherent trust among family members, the business’s leadership can talk, discuss, and disagree more openly and freely .
Fourth, family businesses outperform others because they take a long-term perspective and reinvest in the business. Leaders of outperforming FOBs cite their long-term perspective as one of the top three reasons for their success, alongside the ability to innovate and to expand into new markets and regions.
Fifth, family-owned businesses employ 60% of the US workforce and create 78% of all new jobs. Family businesses generate 64% of America’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Sixth, What are the key factors that influence the longevity and success of family businesses? According to reports, three key characteristics help to sustain their success: a strong entrepreneurial orientation across the generations; family connection and attachment to the business; and ambitious next-generation leadership.
Family has a role in entrepreneurship development. In fact, family members act as positive educational models, which can contribute to starting a business and successful management (Steier, 2003; Arregle et al., 2007), through knowledge and values that are handed down to the children become their human and social capital.
Finally, family businesses outperform other non family businesses for various reasons. Their long-term orientation and patient capitalism helps them assign greater significance to long-term gains compared to short-term returns. Long-term orientation of family business facilitates radical innovations which require longer time horizons to fruitify and earn profits.
