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National Unity Minister Mtambo applauds stakeholder for Promoting Concept of Mindset Change

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National Unity Minister Mtambo applauds stakeholder for Promoting Concept of Mindset Change

By Durrell Namasani

The Minister of National Unity Timothy Mtambo has applauded stakeholders that are embracing the Malawi 2063 Agenda of Mindset Change. He was speaking In Lilongwe on Friday at an education dissemination event organised by Developed Information Systems for Communications (DISCOM) DISKOM Communications. Mtambo thanked DISCOM for being one of the stakeholders that are   acknowledging the importance of mindset change at the individual, community, and national levels in order to instil a culture of self-reliance towards our inclusive wealth creation agenda.

DISKOM, a Malawian-based agency offering support services in International Education Consultancy in collaboration with international education institutions organised the event. The theme for this year is “New Thinking New Malawi: Education is Key” The minister said his ministry has been Mandated to champion the Mindset Change concept that aims Malawians to aspire to be a united, patriotic and proud people that believes in their own abilities and are active participants in building their nation towards its development goals

Mtambo took time to thank DISKOM for the role that DISCOM is playing by linking Malawians to international institutions for higher or tertiary education “The government of Malawi recognises the importance of higher education if the country is to attain sustainable socioeconomic development. It is for the same reason that besides Mindset Change Enabler, Mw2063 also identifies Human Capital Development as another important enabler for making the country be an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation by 2063”

Hon Timothy Mtambo Speaking to reporters at the DISCOM event

This enabler is principally founded on the premise that developing human capital through education, skills and health of the population plays a pivotal role in the transformation of the economy

Mtambo acknowledged that most of the youth do not have the requisite skills or financial capabilities to support the development agenda of the country. He highlighted that this may be the case because Access to Tertiary Education in Malawi is still limited and a challenge despite government’s effort to ensure that most youths get opportunities to upgrade themselves and contribute positively to national development. The therefore thanked DISCOM for striving to bridge the gap by providing services that will ensure parents and learners are informed of existing career opportunities thereby complimenting government efforts and social responsibility

Mtambo promised that his Ministry will work with DISCOM in support of their programs as government realises the need to disseminate messages to the Malawian Community, in general, and youths about career opportunities available here and beyond. Other programs provided by DISCOM include vocation/career guidance and psychosocial counselling. “DISCOM through Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Counselling and motivation are bringing practical solutions and must be appreciated for coming up with home grown psychosocial counselling,” said the Minister.

Mtambo also touched on the issue of opportunities for graduates. While thanking DISCOM for the facilitating the “Study Abroad” programs which has widen the horizon for opportunities for graduates to bring back knowledge and skills that are deficient in Malawi and therefore contribute to national development agenda or aspirations. Mtambo argued that it is now time for mindset change as far as graduates are concerned so that graduates are encouraged to be creative, explore other options rather than just waiting to be employed “most graduates or even parents and guardians have the old mentality that they have to be employed when they finish school instead of being creative in doing entrepreneurship activities. I am forced to conclude that this could be attributed to our old thinking that one has to get a white-collar job after living college. But things are changing as evident by the fact that majority of higher educational institutions are including entrepreneurial courses in their syllabuses and this needs to be commended and encouraged”.

Mtambo was also recognized with an award for brevity for his role in the fight for electoral justice at the same event.

Nyala Mines in US$300 billion unpaid taxes-AG files to push for payment to Malawi Government

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Nyala Mines in US$300 billion unpaid taxes-AG files to push for payment to Malawi Government

By Staff Reporter

Nyala Mines Limited which has been mining rubies from Chmwadzulu in Ntcheu district has been accused of evading tax payment to Malawi Government of more than US$300 billion. Malawi’s Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda has since written the United States based Columbia Gem House which owns the local mining company to settle the amount within 30 days or face legal action.

The AG’s letter to the company dated July 26, 2022 disclosed that between 25th August, 2008 and 30th July 2013, Nyala Mines Limited only paid taxes amounting to MK604,413.13 (US$600) yet according to the USA Department of Interior, the company exported 150 kg of ruby and rare Padparadscha and 300 kg of sapphire every year with projected annual revenue of $24 billion from their Malawian operation.



Columbia Gem House has been trading and doing mining activities at Chimwadzulu since 2004 but later fraudulently registered Nyala Mines Limited as its local subsidiary.

According to Chakaka Nyirenda the firm has been evading taxes including duty on sales of rubies and sapphires mined from 2008.

Reads the letter: “Going by Nyala Mines Limited’s own declared minimum price of untreated ruby of US$20,000 per carat, this yields the sum of US$9,000,000,000.00 (Nine Billion US Dollars) worth of sales revenue per year from ruby alone, and another US$15.00,000,000.00 (Fifeen Billion US Dollars) worth of sales revenue per year from sapphire.

“The total net tax revenue that had been evaded by Nyala Mines Limited amounts to US$309, 600, 000, 000.00 (Three Hundred and Nine Billion Six Hundred Million US Dollars).”

Chakaka Nyirenda says in the letter that between 25th August, 2008 and 30th July 2013, Nyala Mines Limited only paid taxes amounting to MK604,413.13 yet according to the USA Department of Interior, Nyala Mines Limited exported 150 kg of ruby and rare Padparadscha and 300 kg of sapphire every year.

The AG further noted that Columbia Gem House declared its record prices for the Malawi ruby and sapphire as having been set at US$425,000 per carat and sapphire at US$48.871 per carat. On the other hand, he says natural untreated ruby from Malawi is sold between US$20,000 and US$25,000 per carat while top grade untreated ruby from Malawi is sold at US$50,000 per carat.

Chakaka Nyirenda further notes that according to a 2014 article, titled Constructing Ethical Mineral Supply Chains in Sub Saharan Africa The Case of Malawian Fair Trade Rubies by Gavin llilson, the first collection of ruby from Chimwadzulu Mine was made available for US retailers in February, 2004.

According to the AG, llilson in the article observes that ‘these stones are of extremely high quality and therefore have considerable market potential.

The AG says even llilson bemoaned the unfair trading that was being practiced by the mine owners.
The AG, acting on behalf of the Malawi Government has since demanded that the company pay $309,600,000,000 in unpaid taxes.

“Nyala Mines Limited and Columbia Gem House breached (the law) when they failed to disclose all income realised from the investment and when they engaged in trade mispricing and improper transfer pricing techniques,” the letter reads.

Nyirenda has warned that Malawi could seek to prosecute Nyala Mines Limited and Columbia Gem House and their officers, along with anyone implicated in tax evasion or export fraud schemes.

“It is Malawi’s position that you dishonestly changed the name of the mining company to Nyala Mines Limited to disguise the origin of the company, that is, so that the new name of the company sounded local to avoid suspicion and detection,” Nyirenda writes.

Adds the AG: “I, therefore, demand from you the payment of the said sum of US$309,600,000,000 plus interest at the commercial lending rate from the date the said taxes and royalties fell due to the date of payment within 30 days,” the letter says.

Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda

Limbe Leaf, Alliance One donate to Learners affected by Tropical Storm in Mchinji

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Limbe Leaf, Alliance One donate to Learners affected by Tropical Storm in Mchinji

By Mana

Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company in partnership with Alliance One on Thursday (28 July) donated learning materials to pupils affected by Tropical Storm Ana at Mikundi Primary School, Traditional Authority (T/A) Mduwa in Mchinji District.

The school is among those whose roof tops were blown off due to Tropical Storm Ana-induced incessant rains and winds.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Limbe Leaf representative, Leah Hez said the gesture is part of their social responsibility.

“We were informed that the school was among those that were affected by Tropical Storm Ana hence our donation today. We hope that the donation will help learners to realize their dreams,” said Hez.

In her remarks; the District Education Manager for Mchinji, Nelly Kamtedza thanked the two companies for the assistance.

“When Ana hit us some months ago, we were at a loss. We knew that schools and learners would take time to recover.

“A big thank you to Limbe Leaf and Alliance One for this will go a long way in touching lives of many, not just the learners but even the surrounding communities as it lessens the burden of recovering from the disaster,” said Kamtedza.



Kamtedza then appealed to other companies to borrow a leaf from the two entities.

“The school needs rehabilitation; some school blocks are in bad shape due to the effects of the storm. Rehabilitation of the school blocks will go a long way in reducing congestion in classrooms,” she said.

District Relief and Rehabilitation Officer (RRO) for Mchinji Violet Jimu also commended Limbe Leaf and Alliance One for the gesture.

The donated learning materials included; school bags, exercise books, pens, and pencils. Mikundi Primary School has 2,335 learners.



Manchester based Malawians wraps up Independence celebration month in style-Joined by the City’s Lord Mayor

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Manchester based Malawians wraps up Independence celebration month in style-Joined by the City’s Lord Mayor

By Staff Reporter

Malawians based in the city of Manchester were joined by people from other nations including the Mayor of the city to celebrate the 58th Independence of Malawi.

The event came at the back of other celebrations that took place in the month of July with the main one taking place in Leeds 2 weeks ago. The Manchester event  which took place at Openshaw Park was a family gathering and included activities and games such as Netball, Football, Tennis and other children’s activities.

The guest of honour during the event was the Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Donna Ludford. who came together with the Lord Mayor’s Consort Councillor Sean McHale. In her speech to the gathering the lord Mayor said Manchester is a thriving and diverse  City due to the international community that contribute to the economic and cultural life  of the city

“ We are here to celebrate  the 58th year of the Malawi independence . Today event is about honouring and   celebrating Malawi and recognising those that have made valuable contributions to their communities” said Mayor Ludford

Speaking of behalf of Malawians , Chairperson of Malawi Manchester Association Tamanda Chisambo  spoke  of the togetherness and Unity of Both Mlawians and other communities in the city  that made it possible for this event to take place. Chisambo encouraging the people to embrace the philosophy of ubunthu in order to make the world a better place “ when we stop solely looking at our dreams  and agendas and embrace those of other , we will become a better world She said

One of the organisers of the event , Allan Mandindi, Director of Malawi Heritage Association  when speaking to 247malawi News said , it was good for the Malawians in the city to come together and cecelebrate Malawi. Mandindi said Manchester is ready to have more of similar invents to celebrate Malawi so that young people should have the understanding of their roots and also to increase Malawi visibility for Tourism purposes.

Other Nations that participated include the Nigerian community who played a netball game with Malawians and the Zambian Community who played  football game. The event was organised by a number of groups in the city that includes Malawi Manchester Association, Woman Arise, Malawi Heritage, Pamodzi  and Malawi Manchester Socials

There was also music with Dj Sergie Onions . Malawi Independence is observed on July 6 every year. Malawi gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 until such time it was under the colonial rule of the British

Chakwera calls for unity of purpose

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Chakwera calls for unity of purpose

By Mana

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has reiterated the need for all Malawians to unite in order to develop the country.

The President made the remarks on Saturday when he stopped over at Lunzu Trading Centre in Blantyre, on his way back to Lilongwe after completing developmental engagements in the Southern Region.

“I would like to plead with you; we are all Malawians, it does not matter what we differ in, whether we hold different creeds or political aspirations. As long as we are Malawians, we are all under one Malawian flag, as such, we are all called to unite with one purpose to develop our country,” said Chakwera.



The President, therefore, asked Malawians not to hold grudges, but advocate for love, saying the country can only develop if Malawians work as one.

The President said he is aware of the challenges Malawians were going through hence an assurance of government’s measures to lessen the impact such as the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) loans where all Malawians are eligible to benefit.

During the period the President was in the Southern Region, he handover of houses for police officers in Mangochi, launched the National Youth Service in Neno, opened the National Data Centre, hosted the National Anti-corruption conference and opened the 32nd Malawi International Trade Fair in Blantyre.

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