Speaking during the launch of the historic week at Kamuzu Palace, President Lazarus Chakwera commended Malawi Defence Force (MDF) for establishing the reputation of discipline, skill and patriotism.
The Malawi President, said over the years the MDF has distinguished themselves apart from the rest as the most professional instititution.
“I am honoured to welcome to Kamuzu Palace men who have served in our military and contributed to the Malawi Defence Forces’ well-established reputation as a disciplined, skillful and patriotic institution”
Poppy week is a period when countries across the world honour military men who died in the war.
Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera is leaving no stone unturned. He is doing everything possible to develop Malawi without taking into consideration political, regional and religious boundaries.
The good example is this project number, RA/DEV/14/08 which is uprading of Thyolo-Thekerani-Muona to Makhanga Road
The 83 km long road project is in the Southern Region of Malawi and traverses the districts of Thyolo and Nsanje. The project road branches off from the Limbe–Thyolo–Muloza (M02) road at Nambala Wani in Thyolo district and extends southwards passing through Muona trading centre and ending at Makhanga trading centre in Nsanje district.
The road is joined by the East Bank (S152) road at Muona trading centre before joining the (M01) road at Bangula trading centre. The project has many benefits to the people along the road and to the country as a whole. Some of the benefits include boosting agriculture as the road passes through tea estates which is one of the major forex earners for Malawi.
Upgrading this road has ensured that there is ease of access to markets for farm produce. The project created direct employment during construction which has a direct bearing on poverty reduction. Many people including women benefited directly from such employment whereas some benefit through buying and selling of agriculture produce from their gardens.
Reconstruction and upgrading of the road has also resulted in reduction of vehicle operating costs which constitutes the major benefit attributable to such new projects.
The project has helped to reduce travel time from the agricultural rich Nsanje district towards the commercial city of Blantyre.
Recently former President Peter Mutharika while addressing Mlhako wa Alhomwe finger pointed President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera Government of developing central region only.
This is blue lie because President Chakwera Government has initiated various projects right at his home in Thyolo.
Anguish and disappointments awaits the likes of Kondwani, Nankhumwa, Dalitso Kabambe, Bright Msaka, Joseph Mwanamvekha and probably Gadama-the notable front runners for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) leadership race.
It has emerged that party President Peter Mutharika is going to declare his interest to be the DPP candidate in 2025 at a rally scheduled to take place at Masintha Ground in Lilongwe on 12 November.
Mutharika Clinging to Power
According to the reaction by some of the prominent DPP youth cadres on an internal memo issued by the DPP National Organising Secretary, Chimwemwe Chipungu, it is clear that the Mutharika camp is poised to declare Mutharika the DPP torchbearer against the spirit of their own constitution and indeed the aspirations of many DPP staunch supporters who have been waiting for a day the party leadership will change hands from the Mutharikas completely.
That is not happening soon as long as Mutharika is around. From the look of things, Peter Mutharika is determined to cling to power and he will not let go of their priced asset-DPP. It appears that the reason the 83 year old former Head of State is staying on is that he can’t fathom the idea of handing over power to someone he doesn’t want, like Nankhumwa who seems to be the more likely person to replace him.
The invitation to the Masintha rally by Chipungu says: “Team DPP. Tikhala ndi rally pa Masintha on 12th November 2023 ya H.E Prof APM.Nonse mukuitanidwa”.
Reacting to the story, one of the pro-change enthusiast, Greyson Chapita sounded dejected and rather resigned to the thought that they will have to live with the fact that there won’t be change after all in the DPP by any stretch of imagination.
He said: “Koma ayimanso basi. Lets move on. Those that are against APM lets find other things to do. The sooner we make peace with the fact that m’boma sitikulowanso the better. DPP politics has let us down.”
However, looking at the trends in the past three years, if it indeed come to pass that the madala team make Mutharika the torchbearer, we should expect more trouble, divisions and chaos in the already troubled party. It is apparent that people like Nankhumwa will not take the decision lightly and he is likely to challenge the decision in court as he has always done with other contentious issues in the party he does not agree with.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) on Wednesday announced the election of renowned human rights lawyer Chikondi Chijozi as chairperson of its eight cohort.
In a statement, the Commission’s Executive Secretary(ES), Habiba Osiman, said the commissioners elected Chijozi at their meeting on Wednesday in accordance with section 6 (1) of the Human Rights Commission Act.
Reacting to the Chijozi’s election, human rights lawyer Alexious Kamangila who is also a law lecture at the University of Malawi (UNIMA), said Chijozi is fit for the MHRC Chairperson role because she has vast experience on human rights issues
Chijozi
Writing on his Facebook page after the news, Kamangila said Chijozi’s unwavering commitment and dedication to justice and human rights issues is truly commendable and further described her as a human rights expert who need global recognition.
“Chikondi Chijozi is one of those people you can’t trace where her energies come from, how she prioritizes and multitasks, but she gets a hell lots of things done. Chikondi Chijozi’s story is transformative and inspirational.
“When you interact, you just know she is pure gold for human rights work. The level of exposure she has had this far, her level of understanding of things, yet engaging with people at different levels, tells you she is special and a force to reckon with, not just in Malawi, but Globally.
“The problem, we don’t sell our products, perhaps it’s a trauma of being an importing nation everything, but this is an expert worthy global recognition. A product to export,” wrote Kamangila.
While commending president Lazarus Chakwera for appointing what he described as right people at the Commission and other offices, Kamangila who is also advocating for abolition of death penalty in Malawi, however said he will take the newly elected MHRC Chairperson to task in as far as protection and promotion of human rights is concerned.
Center for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) through their Facebook page said they hope Chijozi will continue doing what she is best known for and even more better.
“Congratulations to Commissioner Chikondi Chijozi on being elected as the Chairperson of the Eighth Cohort of the Malawi Human Rights Commission! This is a significant achievement and we look forward to continued diligent work on protection and promotion of human rights in Malawi, ” reacted CHREAA.
Commissioner Chijozi who once worked as Deputy Executive Director at CHREAA, is a human rights lawyer with 18 years experience as a human rights defender and she is currently heading the Criminal Justice Program at Southern Africa Litigation Centre.
She is a strong advocate for rights of prisoners, women, children and other vulnerable persons and previously served in the 7th Cohort of the Commission
Last month, president Lazarus Chakwera appointed the 8th cohort of MHRC Commissioners which included: Chijozi Boniface Massah, Dr. Sunduzwayo Madise, Scader Louis, Viwemi Chavula, Teresa Chirwa-Ndanga, Andrew Kavala, Ombudsman Grace Tikambenji Malera and Law Commissioner Rosemary Kanyuka.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Plc will this weekend take the Inter-University Social Weekend to Lilongwe with the core objective of raising awareness about mental health among university students while enjoying sports and entertainment activities.
The social weekend, which will take place at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) Bunda campus on Friday and Saturday (27 and 28 October 2023) targets Universities and Colleges in proximity or within Lilongwe City which include Pentecostal Life University, LUANAR NRC and City campus, Lake Malawi Anglican University, Malawi College of Health Sciences, Kamuzu College of Nursing, College of Medicine and Nalikule College.
NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Hiwa said the ‘Mo626 Inter Universities Social Weekend’ is expected to give students light-hearted networking and collaboration opportunities, as well as access to vital mental health and self-care information.
“The Bank is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where students can openly discuss mental health, pick up coping strategies, and engage in activities that promote overall well-being. As part of this effort, a dedicated Mental Health Booth will be set up, staffed by a qualified mental health expert who will be available to assist and guide students in addressing their mental health concerns,” said Hiwa.
Hiwa said attendees should also look forward to cultural showcases, sports competitions, and captivating performances, and the Bank’s presence, as one of the event sponsors, will further enhance the experience by offering insights into the financial aspects of mental well-being and personal growth.
Entertainment Director at LUANAR, Wakisa Dimba commended NBM plc for the initiative saying most students in universities are depressed and having mental health experts will provide a good platform for them to share their problems while seeking professional counseling services.
“As students, we have a lot of mental health issues. I remember at some point we had a first-year student attempting suicide because of lack of support for his studies. But they cannot share their problems with a colleague for fear of being laughed at, but we believe mental health experts have the expertise on handling such issues. Entertainment will also provide us relief,” said Dimba.
Eli Njuchi, Malinga Mafia, Sly C, and Wikise are set to headline the event.
NBM recently sponsored a similar event which took place at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES) Complex, Blantyre last month.
