The battle was Intense. The DPP regime was geared to do whatever it takes so that they can rule the country for many years to come. The Malawi Opposition parties had reached the plateau and it was obvious ,toppling the Mutharika regime needed an extra factor. The heavens smiled for the Malawi Opposition parties. Arise was the coming together of civil societies through the group Human Rights Defenders Coalitions (HRDC), the hardcore young minds led by Timothy Mtambo who without fear faced the DPP regime head on and galvanised Malawians to take to the street and demand their human rights. If the DPP government was able to silence the opposition Parties, they quickly realised it was difficult to silence the people power movement led by HRDC.
It’s been three years down the road since The Tonse Administration took office. My question today is Where is Timothy Mtambo? The hero who helped bring the change, who abandoned his civil society role to come in the open and galvanised Malawian in voting for Tonse Government is somehow missing from the government.
Bold and Fearless: Mtambo
The Fight against DPP as the elections approached in 2020 had three distinct names that stood out. First was President Chakwera who was to lead the Tonse Alliance. And there was Saulos Chilima, charismatic and popular leader among the youths who played a key role is dismantling the DPP party as he had just left that party and formed his UTM party and then there was Timothy Mtambo, leading HRDC and giving power to the people to go on the streets and demonstrate against the then DPP regime.
It was no surprise that when President Chakwera ascended to power , he felt the need to include Timothy Mtambo in his cabinet. The man who gave DPP no peace was given the role to become Minister of Civic Education and National Unity. Mtambo proved to be a hard worker but as time went on, it was proving to be a misplaced talent. The National Unity Ministry had the least funding of all the ministries. He did what he could with the little that was on his plate. Many believe Mtambo could have been well suited as. Homeland Security Minister or Local Government Minister. Anyway, eventually Mtambo , the DPP nemesis was dropped from the cabinet and now left in the cold.
What hasn’t changed though is that the performance of Tonse Government will either bring peace or abundance of hate for Mtambo. When the Tonse Government isn’t performing, Mtambo keeps taking the blame. Because he led the people power movement, many that went on the streets demonstrating with him feel he had betrayed them and lied to them. Many Malawians are regretting supporting the Mtambo movement in the toppling of Mutharika regime. This regret and anger is channelled towards Mtambo.
Mtambo’s problem is that he is answerable to Malawians for the change that he helped to bring. Mtambo has to answer for the failures of the Tonse Government. I find this challenging but also not fair that the man(Mtambo) who is hounded on social media and wherever he goes and blamed for removing Mutharika and DPP from power is now left out and has no say in the running of the Tonse Government.
So as Mtambo is now out of the government. No longer a Minister or in any position to influence the policies of the Tonse Government, many are wondering what’s next for him. He still remains a figure of hate for the many Malawians not satisfied with the Chakwera regime who continue blaming Mtambo for the underperformace of the current regime.
If the world was fair and if the political stratosphere was meant to have people who remember and honour those who did put their lives on the line for them, Mtambo was supposed to still be at the helm of government. He is answerable to many Malawians and the Tonse regime will always be tied to his name. If the Tonse Government fails, Malawians will not forgive Mtambo ,at the same time ,the dilemma is that what can he do to help Tonse Government deliver when he is out of government?
The Malawi’s Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board (HESLG) has launched a campaign called ‘Pay Back Your Students Loan’ aimed at recovering loans.
According to the HESLG disbursement Committee chairperson Dr. Henry Chingaipe, through the campaign, the board intends to recover loans dating back to 1989.
He said in the campaign, HESLG envisions recovering MK1.5 Billion kwacha within a period of three months.
Dr Henry Chingaipe
“We have launched ‘Pay back your students’ loan campaign’ so that more deserving students should access higher education.Please voluntarily pay back your loans because they are not gifts but a stepping stone for a better future,” said Chingaipe.
Chingaipe also threatened that the board will deal with employers that are frustrating its efforts in recovering the loans from former beneficiaries.
He indicated that HESLGB will start revalueing all outstanding loans for students who benefited from the scheme with effect from 1st November 2023.
Under the Loans Board Act of 2015, the HESLGB is mandated to recover loans from beneficiaries when they mature two years after completing their studies.
Powerhouse International Church has called upon people across the globe to remain hopeful and steadfast in prayer despite going through hardships saying the hand of God is the only answer to all problems.
Bishop Bryson and Prophetess Lonia Nkhoma of Powerhouse International Church United Kingdom (UK) branch made the call in an interview ahead of Church’s conference slated for today on Saturday, August 5 at Grand Connaught in UK.
According to the UK based Malawian Bishop Bryson and Prophetess Nkhoma, the conference will be held under the theme: “Year of His Hand”.
“The main objective of the conference is to inspire the people not to give up in life because the hand of the Lord will make a different in their life,” said Bishop Bryson and Prophetess Lonia Nkhoma in an interview with 247 Malawi publication.
Bishop Nkhoma further said the hand of God is the hand of deliverance, favor, provision and uncommon accomplishments among others.
“The peoples hope will be renewed and expectation restored and they will testify,” added Bishop Nkhoma
Powerhouse International Church has branches in United Kingdom (UK) and Malawi; the Malawi branch is led by Rev Dr. Clement Nkhoma.
Hip-hop artist, Phyzix has released a brand new song titled ‘Munthu Wamba’ which he has featured one of Malawi’s finest singers, Patience Namadingo simply known as Namadingo in music circles.
‘Munthu Wamba’ has been produced by Drexxi Beats, Stich Fray and Namadingo.
The song talks about the life of a common person and gives hope to all those going through difficult times.
This is Phyzix’s fifth single this year after releasing Chekera which he featured Phyzix, Tina which he featured BeeJay and AceJizzy, The Woman which he featured Tarill and Wife Material Remix which he featured Pon G, Vinchezo and Dizmo.
Here is the link to the new song https://youtu.be/9SGdzjZhjtk
