Malawi’s national women’s football team, the Scorchers have received a hero’s welcome upon their return home after winning HollywoodBets Cosafa Women’s Championship that took place in South Africa.
Supporters thronged Chileka International airport on Monday afternoon to welcome home the Scorchers who won the cup after beating defending champions, Zambia 2-1 at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
After arriving home on Monday, the team joined a parade from the Airport through Chirimba, Mbayani and Blantyre CBD to Sunbird Mount Soche Hotel.
Hundreds of Malawians lined up along Chileka-Blantyre road to greet the team.
Scorchers have become the only Malawian national team to win a trophy after 35-years.
President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has launched construction of the state-of-the-art martenity wing in Makanjira, Mangochi.
Speaking at a development rally on Monday after touring the construction site and breaking ground and laying a foundation stone for the facility, Dr. Chakwera said that the launch of this project is a big deal.
He added that even though maternal mortality rate in the country has significantly dropped, this is not the case in Makanjira and couldn’t think of a better Mother’s Day gift than this facility that will significantly reduce deaths of mothers when giving birth.
Chakwera said that the launch of this project is not as a mere show but his office makes sure that before a project is launched there are materials and appropriate budget available. He added that he will personally be checking the progress of the project to make sure that it is completed.
The Malawi leader said that the people of Makanjira have waited long enough for the construction of Makanjira road and his government has already began working towards the construction of the road.
He thanked the government of Iceland for the state-of-the-art facility which will see mothers lives being safeguarded and said as a nation, Malawi is blessed to have friends like these.
In his remarks, Senior Chiefs Makanjira expressed gratitude to the president over the extension of the health centre. He said most women would travel long distances to seek medical attention and others losing their lives during child birth. He said that this project will rectify such challenges.
LMember of Parliament for Mangochi North constituency, Benedicto Chambo said it was a great day for the people of Makanjira as the project has not only helped people to have easy access to medical attention but it has also given jobs to people in the area in construction, among others.
Head of Mission of Embassy of Iceland Inga Petursdottir said the government of Iceland has been a steadfast partner to Malawi for 35 years with the guiding light of “leaving no one behind”.
“The construction of Makanjira State of the Art Maternity Ward is a testimony to the effort of providing health care access to people living in hard-to-reach areas and is one of the pillar stones of Iceland funded health programming in Mangochi.” She said.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo expressed his gratitude to the people of Iceland who have funded this project which will see a lot of people’s lives improving in the area.
He went on to thank the State President for building strong relations with other countries as in turn, they help the nation with different development initiatives such as the health center.
Secretary General for Malawi Congress party, Eisenhower Nduwa Mkaka commended the president for being a great leader by bringing development works that benefit the people of Malawi.
The one-year project will be implemented through the Mangochi District Council with funding from the Government of Iceland at a cost of MK2.5 billion. The facility will benefit over 120,000 people of Makanjira.
The Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud-MP toured Loma Linda University International Heart institute to appreciate the institution’s daily operations.
During her visit, the Deputy Minister met a team of over 20 members that are coming to Malawi for cardiac camp in November at Blantyre Adventist hospital.
Halima Daud and part of the Cardiac Camp
In her remarks, Daud assured them of government’s support and safety during the period they will be in Malawi.
The team comprises of Cardio thoracic surgeons, Cardiologists, Intensive Care Specialists, Anesthesiologist, Perfusionists, cardiac nurses and others.
The surgeons are expected to do cardiac screening and operations on people with heart problems and those in need of free surgery.
This will actually reduce the number of people seeking cardiac surgery abroad.
The Deputy Minister of Health and other Adventist Health Institute representatives from Malawi attended the 2023 Global Healthcare Conference under the theme reflections, renewal and resolutions.
Many CSOs in Malawi are wonderfully executing their duties, including checks and balances on how the government is serving the citizenry, but still there are some whose leaders need special courses to know their mandate.
One such CSO leader who needs a special refresher course is Sylvester Namiwa of Centre for Democracy and Economic Development who seems not to be working for the betterment of citizens but rather for personal gains.
Recently, the CDEDI Executive Director called on President Chakwera to fire Homeland Security Minister Ken Zikhale Ng’oma and to address the nation on his government’s plans to deal with murder cases which have occurred since the past few weeks.
Namiwa
One thing Namiwa needs to know and understand is that not all security details are for public consumption, and they must at all cost be treated as such, regardless of any pressure for their publicity.
It is also clear that, being the State President, it does not mean to respond to everything as the President has responsible people put in authority to respond to such issues until unless otherwise. This means Mr. Namiwa is in hurry to call for two things at once from the citizen number one.
Being a CSO which looks at democracy as one integral part of its operations, CDEDI has the responsibility to sensitize citizenry on the evil of these other actions than rushing to grab the neck of those in authority all the time.
Maybe CDEDI Executive Director wants to tell the nation that his organization was constituted to criticize the government without suggesting better ways of dealing with issues? Or is it a political pressure group hiding behind the mandate of a CSO?
As a nation, we can all hold hands in curbing malpractice such as robbery, murder, committing suicide and many other practices than finger pointing and politicizing everything for special interests.
It is not the firing of Zikhale or the statement from the President that will end the vice, but our working together as a nation in dealing out with such barbaric acts. Remember we are all one and we have nowhere to call home if not our beautiful Malawi.
President Chakwera has commended the faith community in the country for standing with his government at all times including in the times of calamities.
Chakwera was speaking during the Sunday Service prayers at Monkey-Bay Living Waters Church in Mangochi on 15th October, 2023.
“Malawi is going through a lot of challenges, but could have been beyond if not for the faith community standing with the government in prayers.
Sometimes we do not see Jesus amidst us, but it does not mean he is not there. He is always there with us” Said President Chakwera who himself is a well known Pastor having served as a Pastor and President of Malawi Assemblies of God for many years before ascending to the position of the State President.
Chakwera then encouraged Monkey-Bay Living Waters Church to keep their and move with it to grow the church in all aspects including church projects.
“I came here to worship with you and extend my heartfelt thanks to Apostle Ndovi for he is one of the faith pillars in this country” Added President Chakwera.
Malawi’s leader took advantage of his speech during the prayers to wish all mothers in the country a Happy Mother’s Day, as the country celebrates the day.
Speaking earlier, Bishop Ralph Kachikuni who spoke on behalf of the Apostle Stanley S. Ndovi thanked the President for congregating with the Living Waters Church of Monkey-Bay, saying it describes the humble leader President Chakwera is.
He then commended the Chakwera Government for the freedom of worship in the country.
“Malawi is blessed to have you as its President, for you know the responsibility of the church in the country. Malawi does not only have the President in you, but you are more than a President. You are the father of our nation, and at the same time you are a Man of God, that is something unique and a blessing to our country.
As Living Waters Church in collaboration with other churches, we always pray for you and will keep praying for you until God fulfills what he put you on the position you are holding today” Said Bishop Kachikuni.
Further, he encouraged the President to keep moving forward with the vision he has for Malawi so that Malawi prospers.
