Minister of Transport and public works Jacob Hara has appointed Ralph Mhone Sc as a board of inquiry to look at the competency of the roads Authority board.This follows serious concerns from the general public on how the board has been handling some issues regarding road construction and rehabilitation contracts.
Confirming the development , Kelvin Sato, public relation officer for the Minister of Transport and Public works said Hara has used power vested in him according to section 16(1) of the roads Authority Act to institute an inquiry. Sato said Mhone is expected to report back the findings to the minister within 14 days.
Kelvin Sato, public relation officer for the Minister of Transport and Public work
Commenting on the matter Ralph Mhone said he is ready to work within the timeframe given by the minister and deliver a report.
Minister of Education Agnes Nyalonje says in an effort to ensure teacher availability in hard to reach schools, the government has revised hardship allowances for all teachers who work in remote and hard to reach schools.
She was speaking on Thursday at Teachers Union of Malawi ( TUM) 23rd General Congress Meeting in Lilongwe.
Nyalonje said,teachers in very hard to reach schools will be getting MK25,000 as their hardship allowance per month and those in semi-hard to reach schools will be getting MK15,000 per month, adding that the allowance will be attached to the school and not individual teacher.
Education Minister Hon Agnes Nyalonje
” The government has revised hardship allowances for teachers who work in hard to reach schools. The allowances will be attached to the school and not individual teacher. We want teachers in the remotest schools to enjoy working too,” said Nyalonje.
On disbursement of salary arrears, she said, as a Minister, she is aware that delays in disbursement of salary arrears is yet another age-old challenge . She said, her Ministry is working hard to make this a story of the past.
” My Ministry has critically analysed the causes of salary arrears and has put in place measures to ensure that the generation of salary arrears is minimized and what the Ministry owes teachers is expeditiously processed and paid out,” she said.
Nyalonje added that currently, her Ministry has facilitated the auditing of secondary school teachers’ arrears which are now ready for payment.
As for primary teachers’ arrears, she said most councils have finalized working on salary arrears files and what remains is for the councils to call for auditors from the National Audit Office to go into various councils and conduct the audits, after which payments will be done.
” My Ministry will work closely with the Ministry of Local Government to ensure that the auditing activity is budgeted for 2022/2023 Budget,” she added.
This year’s Teachers’ General Congress meeting was being held under the theme : ” Join Hands in Motivating Teachers For Quality Education,” where teachers representatives from across the country as well as officials from sister unions of Zambia, South Africa, Nambia and Botswana were attending.
The year 2021 is coming to an end . While many will be celebrating entering the new year others will look back at close family and relatives that sadly didn’t make it to the end of the year. We also have those public figures , who through their talents , work or services , we used to regard them as family and we will miss them in the new year.
SIDIK MIA
The late Sidik Mia
At the heart of the Corona Virus Pandemic , back in January , it was shocking to everybody to hear that MCP Vice President who was also then Minister of Transport and public works had succumbed to the virus.
Mia was an influential figure and his death will be greatly missed especially by the people in the lower shire who were great beneficiaries of his philanthropic works
2. HON BELEKANYAMA
The late Lingison Belekanyama
What a shocking day it was , two cabinet ministers dying on the same day . Hon Belekanyamba who was the then Minister of Local Government died on the dame day Sidik Mia died. He too succumbed to the Corona Virus
3 WAMBALI MKANDAWIRE
Wambali Mkandawire
Veteran Jazz artist Wambali Mkandawire died at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe on the morning of 31st January of Covid .Wambali embarked on his music journey in the early 70s. He produced four albums; Zani Muone, Moto, Liberty and Calabrash breath.
4 FRANK PATANI MWASE
Frank Patani mwase
Veteran actor and play wright Frank Patani Mwase has passed on in January 2021. Mwase who starred with the late Due Chisiza Jr died at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. Mwase was until his death National Theatre Association of Malawi (Ntam) Board Chairperson
Together with Chisiza, the two formed a great combination at WET which is yet to be paralleled years after the outfit folded
5 RAPHAEL NASIMBA
Raphael Nasimba
Former Malawi National Football Team chief supporter Raphael Nasimba, who also served as Nyasa Big Bullets chief supporter for some time,
Nasimba, passed on in the early hours of Thursday, 14 January 2021, at Zomba Central Hospital (ZCH).
6 RAFIQ HAJAT
Rafiq Hajat
Malawian Rights activist Rafiq Hajat, 65, died after suffering heart attack on September 13th
Hajat was born in Blantyre in 1955 and he got a degree in political science at Saint Xavier College in India in 1975.
He was the founding director of the Institute for Policy Interaction (IPI) in Malawi and for years he provided commentary on political developments in the media.
7 CHIEF JUSTICE LOVEMORE MUNLO
Lovemore Munlo
Former Chief Justice of Malawi, Lovemore Munlo died on August 19, 2021 at Queens Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.
Munlo death comes a week after he got admitted alongside his brother who also passed.
He was appointed Chief Justice of Malawi in 2007 by the then President Bingu wa Mutharika. He served as Chief Justice until he retired in 2013.
Munlo however contested for the presidency of the Malawi Congress Party where he lost to Lazarus Chakwera who is now President of Malawi.
Before his appointment as Chief Justice, he served in various portfolios in government such as Minister of Justice and Attorney General (1993 to 1994), Justice of the High Court of Malawi (1990 to 1992); Director of Public Prosecutions (1984 to 1987); Senior State Advocate (1980 to 1984) and State Advocate (1976 to 1980).
8 JOMO NKUNIKA
Jomo Nkunika
Jomo Nkunika, who led a one-time popular gospel music outfit, The Springs died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, He died in Mexico on 22 July 2021.
The Springs became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s with their two albums ‘Ndifunitsa Kumtsata’ and ‘Muloreni Yesu Alamulire’. And Jomo wrote, arranged and produced music for the two albums.
9 MARIA CHIDZANJA NKHOMA
Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma
Veteran broadcaster and singer Maria Chidzanja Nkhoma passed on in Lilongwe in the morning of Saturday, January 9, 2021.
She succumbed to Covid-19 at Kamuzu Central Hospital Covid-19 isolation centre.
Until her passing, Chidzanja Nkhoma was the head of the section on women and children at Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS)
10. SAMUEL KAPHUKA
Samuel Kaphuka
Kaphuka served as Education Minister under the administration of Bakili Muluzi’s United Democratic Front (UDF). He also served as deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Agricuture in the same regime. In business, Kaphuka was a successful business man who owned Kaphuka Private Schools
11.CLEMENT CHIWAYA
Former Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Clement Chiwaya, died on 30th September after shooting himself with a pistol at the Office of the Clerk of Parliament.
Clement Chiwaya, who moved in a wheelchair, had gone to the building on Thursday to discuss vehicle benefits entitled to him when he left office two years ago.
12: EMILY MKAMANGA
Emily Mkamanga
Emily Mkamanga was a Malawian writer and social commentator. She was one of the few well-known women writers in Malawi. Mkamanga died on November 28, 2021 at the age of 72 at Wezi Medical hospital after a short illness.
She was a regular columnist for the Nation Newspaper, and also wrote political and social opinion pieces elsewhere.She had been called a “social historian”as well as commentator or journalist. In 2013,the President of the Malawi Writers Union described her as one of the only three “known” women writers in the country.(The others were Walije Gondwe and Janet Karim.) She served on the boards of various institutions including ActionAid in Malawi, the Media Council of Malawi, the Journalists Union of Malawi, Youth and Society, and the Institute for Investigative Journalism.
13: ANNE MULUZI
Anne Muluzi
The first woman to hold the title of “first lady” in Malawi has died at the age of 69.
Anne Chidzira Muluzi, who was highly regarded in Malawi, died of cancer at a private hospital in Kenya on December 28th
She became first lady after her husband Bakili Muluzi was elected president in 1994 following the end of one-party rule.
14 FLO DEE
Flo Dee, real name Florida Chinyumba
Flo Dee, real name Florida Chinyumba is an up and coming female rapper from Malawi. She died in September in Mangochi after a short illness. She had cerebral malaria.
Flo Dee came in the lime light in June 2014 after collaborating with R ‘n’ B star Bucci in her debut hit song “Veke Mphete” She then came back in 2016 with Kanamwali and Mafumu before disappearing from the music scene.
15 ERIC MABEDI JAKOBO
Jakobo , Eric Mabedi
Legendary actor Eric Mabedi who was fondly known as Jakobo in theatre circles died on 2nd August after succumbed to Covid-19 at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre.
He was part of the famous Izeki ndi Jakobo duo.
16 SWEENY CHIMKANGO
The late Sweeny Chimkango
Veteran broadcaster, gospel musician and educationist Sweeney Chimkango has died at Blantyre Adventist Hospital in Blantyre. He succumbed to Covid-19 on 29th July 2021
Chimkango was Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC) Acting Controller of Programmes, TV side at the time of his death
Some of the programmes that he used to present were Manna and Cross Rhythms on MBC television.
The late Chimkango has three albums to his credit, namely Yendanibe, Mfumu Ya Luntha, and Paulendo.
17. TINOCIOUS MAGOMBO MR NYUSENSI
veteran politician Mr Tinocius Magombo , who was commonly known as Mr Nyusensi.
Mr Magombo who became the internet hit during the 2019 election campaign, was famous for his videos that usually went viral where he was giving his honest analysis and opinions of various political issues. It was his trademark finishing line “The Combination of Nyusensi” that attracted him new admirers and made his a darling for political followers.
He died on 11th September . It is reported that he has died from the Injuries he sustained after a motorbike accident.
18 JOHN MOTA DJ ATOM
Veteran radio personality John Mota populary known as Atom the DJ died on 12th December in Blantyre after suffering High Blood Pressure.
He was working with Power FM 101 radio and has also worked with many other media houses including Ufulu FM Radio.
18. LEONARD LENZO MALUNGA
Leonard ‘Lenzo’ Malunga
Former Flames and Be Forward Wanderers midfielder Leonard ‘Lenzo’ Malunga who died on Tuesday evening, January 19, 2021 at his home in Machinjiri, Blantyre
Malunga played for Telecom Wanderers, now Be Forward Wanderers, and the national team until the late 1990s when he relocated to the United States.
He debuted for Malawi in the 3-0 loss to Zambia in 1994 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
He was the last footballer to hail from a family with a rich football history dating back to the 1970s when Green Malunga, Holman Malunga and Kennedy Malunga mesmerized fans.
19: ISRAELA BUSHIRI
Israella Bushiri
The 8-year-old daughter of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary, died in a hospital in Kenya On 29th March. Israella had been battling a lung infection in ICU
As part of the celebrating the festive period, Malawi Congress Party Diaspora Network (MCPDN), the diaspora arm of the party has donated K2 million-kwacha worthy of items to patients and guardians at Mchinji District Hospital.
The donation was made on Thursday Morning as the group presented Hampers to all the wards at the hospital. Present at the event was the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and MP for Mchinji South Hon Agnes Mkusa Nkhoma and Mchinji Central legislator Hon Jephter Mwale.
Making the donation on behalf of the Diaspora MCP members was the group’s Director of Recruitment, who is also the Director for Republic of Ireland MCP Wing Rita Langa. Also present was MCPDN Malawi Representative Charles Burton.
Speaking at the official presentation , Rita Langa said MCP in diaspora felt the need to do something for fellow brothers and sisters in Malawi during this festive time , and the idea to reach out to those currently in hospital came about “ The festive season is celebration time for most of the people, but can be depressing to those in need or those who cant spend time with their families , that’s why reaching out to these patients is what we chose to do” said Langa
Langa told the hospital officials that even though most Malawians have lived abroad, some for many years, the connection with Malawi is still strong and that the diaspora will strive to do whatever it can to help out in various situations. She thanked the hospital staff for welcoming the group and providing the necessary support so that the hampers could reach to as many patients as possible at the hospital.
These remarked were echoed by MCPDN Malawi Representative Charles Burton. Burton said when it comes to charity Initiatives, MCPDN despite being a political group recognises that we are all Malawians first. It is for this reason that the group decided to remember those in hospital and have not been able to enjoy Christmas and New Year at home with their families. He said members of the diaspora will always support the work of President Chakwera and that understood the President appreciated the good gesture shown by the diaspora in remembering patients at the hospital.
MCP Diaspora leaders Rita Langa and Charles Burton with Hon Nkusa Nkhoma, Hon Jephter Mwale and Others
Also speaking was the Member of parliament for the area Hon Jephter Mwale who was very thankful to the party members in the diaspora to taking time to raise money and buy the items for the patients “We are happy that you chose Mchinji District Hospital” The Legislator said the hospital has been meeting a lot of challenges, such as electrical and plumbing and urged the diaspora that in future they can also consider helping the hospital in other areas. He said the Chakwera administration is doing all it can to improve the situation in the hospitals, but it can also do with help from other patriotic Malawians like the diaspora.
Speaking on behalf of the hospital authorities, Chief medical officer Dr Ndolo said the hospital was thankful to members of MCP Diaspora. “this is wonderful, we have received donations before, but they largely focused on just a section of the hospital, this donation is special as they have reached out to each and every patient at this hospital” Dr Ndolo said, he would use this opportunity to alert well-wishers that the hospital still has a lot of challenges that include lack of back up generators for when there is Electricity blackouts. There is also need for -sterilising machine to use to clean up Endoscopy machines.MCPDN is the Umbrella group of all MCP diaspora wings, Currently led by Chalo Mvula, the group has regional Wings in RSA, USA, UK, Canada, Republic of Ireland, Gulf Region (Dubai & Kuwait) , Botswana, Namibia and membership spread across the globe. The hampers included items such as Cooking oil, Bread, Sugar, toiletries, Rice, and some Personal protective Equipment.
President Lazarus Chakwera has called on all the believers and faith communities in the country to dedicate the first 7 days of the new year 2022 to pray for the end of the dry spell currently being experienced in the country which he says could impact the next farming season.
In a statement, Presidential Press Secretary Anthony Kasonda says the 7 day period of prayer, will include fasting that covers each day of the week, from Saturday January 1, 2022 to Friday January 7, 2022. ” This arrangement allows believers to have individual as well as group prayers session. The President, therefore, calls on the mother bodies of all faith groups to encourage their communities to pray together whenever they meet for worship on their designated holy days,” say Kasonda in a statement.
There has been growing concerns over dry spell In Malawi with most areas not experienced any rainfall up to this time of the year, which in Normal circumstances,is the time when the Maize crops should long have been planted and growing.
