President Dr Lazarus Chakwera says he will announce a new and lean cabinet before the end of this month.
In his new year address on Monday evening, Dr Chakwera said in the new year, the government will continue to work around the clock towards stimulating and reviving the country’s economy.
President Chakwera
Among other things, he has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve in fighting corruption and promoting the rule of law.
The Malawi leader has also called for added vigilance in the fight against the cholera outbreak, which has so far killed over 500 people.
While extending his goodwill new-year wishes to the country’s citizenry, Dr Chakwera further disclosed that he will present a detailed report on issues of national interest during a State of the Nation Address which is scheduled for next month.
The year 2022 was unforgettable for its challenges but one thing we cannot take away from it is the good music that our local artists gave us. Here are the top 10 songs we will remember the year for.
We start on a sad note because on Saturday 31st December, which happened to be the last day of the year 2022, Malawi laid to rest one of it’s promising stars ‘WalyCris Wanyengo’.
WalyCris
Just days before his tragic death on December 23, WalyCris released ‘Mbumu’, a song which is currently enjoying airplay in most places.
However, we are here not to talk about ‘Mbumu’ but rather focus on a song that made the Machinjiri based artist famous even amongst older people.
Done in Yao language, the song was released in September this year and it featured the late artist’s old time friend ‘Papa Juxy’ who also happens to be the producer of the song.
The song was a hit and it will remain a hit for a number of months in 2023.
WalyCris’s death followed the death of another great talent, hip-hop artist ‘Martse’ real name Martin Nkhata who died in May this year.
In December 2020, Martse collaborated with legendary rappers Hyphen and Barry One on a hit song titled ‘Mkatimo’ which was loved by many people especially the youths.
The song remained a hit throughout 2021 and was even more popular after Martse’s death on 23 May , 2022.
Martse and WalyCris will not physically be with us in 2023 but ‘Mkatimo’ and ‘Achalume’ will remain some of the greatest hits to have come out of the warm heart of Africa.
Looking at the challenges the year 2022 brought especially to Malawians, you may wish to join me in screaming ‘Mwandikondera!’.
This is the title of Suffix’s song in which he featured The Ndirande Anglican Voices and was produced by BFB.
Apart from being a good song, the tune has what I can confidently point as the best Malawian music video in 2022.
Gibo Piyason is another artist who will not forget 2022 for the good things it has brought to his life.
This was the year that saw the rise of the Phalombe based artist who became one of the most booked artists in 2022 after his hit single ‘Izathera Ma Penalty ‘
2022 also saw the resurfacing of other artists who went into hibernation but came back this year with new great sounds.
One of such artist is Bucci who came with a song titled ‘Apapa’ towards the end of the year.
It might not be as popular as most of the songs I have mentioned above but it is one of the greatest songs with a powerful message.
The songs tackles on challenges that deaf people face due to oppression and discrimination and urges authorities to support the sign language initiative.
Piksy is another artist who came out with a big tune in 2022 and the song is non other than ‘Anana’.
Produced by Don Foxy, Anana was also voted as the Best Song during the Maso Music Awards 2022 edition and helped the musician to travel across the country and abroad for big music events.
Apart from Piksy, another star who had a great year is Chifuniro Magalasi popularly known as Eli Njuchi in music circles.
Eli Njuchi
Eli Njuchi launched his album titled ‘Red Flag’ which has the famous hit ‘Gugugu’ which also helped him to win the ambassadorial role at one of the country’s biggest football teams Nyasa Big Bullets.
We cannot finish the conversation about top musicians in 2022 without mentioning the name ‘Driemo’.
Earlier this year, the 24-year-old singer, real name Shaffie Phiri, released one of his greatest singles titled ‘Weniweni’.
Five months later the singer released another great hit titled ‘Compensation’ which went on to reach over a million views on YouTube.
As if that was not enough, in August, Driemo released another hit song titled ‘Mojo’ which also had one of the most beautiful music videos in 2022.
It is for this reason that i am in support of those who voted him to win the Best male artist award during the 2022 Maso Music Awards.
Driemo was indeed the best musician in 2022 and we are looking forward to listening to more big tunes from him and other Malawian artists in 2023.
December 31,2022 shall remain in the memories of the Catholics and many people across the world following the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict the Sixtieth of the Roman Catholic Church who has died at the age of 95, the news that has shocked the Catholics and many people across the world.
Following the sadden death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, President Lazarus Chakwera has joined the Roman Catholic Church in Malawi and across the world in paying homage to the late Pope.
In the message posted on his official Facebook page on December 31, President Chakwera said the country’s First Lady and him have learnt with shock about the passing of the Pope in the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican.
“The departed Pope Emeritus will be fondly remembered for impacting mankind positively through advancement of hope and live to communities around the world. We join the Roman Catholic Church here in Malawi and across the globe in paying homage to a great servant of God who was the fortress of wisdom for all generations he encountered.”Read part of the condolence message by President Chakwera to Vatican.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who was born on April 16,1927 as Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger became head of the Catholic Church and the Sovereign of the Vatican State from April 19,2005 following the death of Pope John Paul II, until 2013 on February 28 when he resigned.
The body of the “Achalume” hitmaker Walycris has been laid to rest at Makhetha cemetery in Machinjiri township in Blantyre today.
Hundreds of mourners that included fellow artists attended the burial ceremony of one of Malawi’s fastest-rising star.
Born, Wyson Laifoh, 25, Walycris took the local music scene by storm with a unique and authentic genre done in ‘Yao’ language.
The artist died in a road accident in Zimbabwe on his way to Malawi from South Africa where he had performances with Zembani Music Company.
On his last mile, scores of people paid their last respects and they included artists Noel ‘Phyzix’ Chikoleka, Ethel Kamwendo Banda, Keturah and Piksy.
The Machinjiri based artist started his music journey in 2015 and in his career he recorded songs with a number of musicians like Nepman, Bucci and Guntola just to mention but a few.
WalyCris became a household name in September this year after releasing his hit single ‘Achalume’ done in Yao language that earned him a lot of respect and bookings across the country.
At the time he mate his fate, the artist was coming from his first ever live performance abroad.
Gaddie Chirwa is expected to join Mighty Mukuru Wanderers after Blue Eagles reached an agreement with the Nomads for his transfer from the police side on a record K7.5 million deal.
Eagles revealed the development through its official Facebook page and has since wished the player the best of luck.
“Blue Eagles FC wishes to inform all that it has reached an agreement with Mukuru Wanderers for the transfer of Gaddie Chirwa on a record 7.5 Million Kwacha Deal.
The agreement follows a chain of discussions, constructions and negotiations involving both parties.
We wish Gaddie a prosperous new year and all the best for the future,” reads the statement.
Wanderers officials have not yet commented on the matter but other reports from the blue camp indicate that the player will be unveiled in a few days at the club’s headquarters in Blantyre.
Chirwa recently resigned from the Malawi Police Service to join the Airtel Top 8 Champions.
