Member of Parliament for Chikwawa West, Susan Dossi, has dumped the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and defected to UTM Party which is in the governing Tonse Alliance.
Dossi, who won as an independent legislator but joined DPP, announced her defection to UTM on Tuesday afternoon at Chapananga Community Day Secondary School.
“I am now a member of UTM Party,” said Dossi.
Hon Susan Dossie being welcomed in the UTM fold
Dossi, a daughter of veteran politician and former minister Moses Dossi, said she has been lured to join UTM because of its sound leadership and transformation agenda led by State Vice President Saulos Chilima.
She said the decision to defect is in line with the wishes of her constituents.
“My constituents have aksed me to join UTM because the party is gaining ground in the Lower Shire,” she said.
Dossi has been welcomed by the party’s Publicity Secretary Dr. Joseph Chidanti Malunga and Director of Political Affairs Anitta Kalinde.
As the Tonse government is geared to make education at the centre of its policies, there has been bad news for Malawians Universities yet again. The recent ranking of top universities in the world has seen Malawi Universities failing to make it even in the top ten of top African Universities.
Each year, universities across the world eagerly await the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).
The ARWU assesses more than 1800 universities annually. The criteria include: The number of papers published in journals, Category Normalized Citation Impact from In Cites to measure average impact of papers authored by an institution in an Academic Subject, The percentage of internationally co-authored papers authored by an institution in an Academic subject and The total number of the staff of an institution winning a significant award in an Academic Subject
At the top of the 2020 list is Harvard University, followed by Stanford University. The University of Cambridge rounds out the top three. Wits University has been ranked first in Africa in the 2020 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). The university has been placed in the 200–300 band. There are about 25,000 universities in the world.
The top 10 Universities in Africa sees South Africa making it with 9 universities that include Rhodes, University of South Africa , Kwazulu Natal, Stellenbosch, Capetown , Pretoria, North west University and University of Johannesburg. Universite de Tunis El Manar of Tunisia and University of Addis Ababa also made it on the list .
The Outgoing Vice chancellor of Wits Adam Habib was quoted as saying Adam Habib, Outgoing
“In this very difficult moment, what this ranking says is that our universities have the capabilities to come together and to offer world-class solutions for the challenges of our time.
The subject rankings maintain the use of transparent methodology and third-party data. Ranking indicators include those measures of research quality, extent of international collaboration, research with top quality, and the highest academic recognitions.
Malawi’s State President Dr Lazarus Chakwera says Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) faces a daunting challenge to live the dream of economic freedom, an aspiration championed by the grouping’s founding leaders.
The President was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during the 40th Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) hosted by Mozambique virtually due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Chakwera taking part in Virtual Sadc conference
The Malawi leader said the country is in solidarity with all member states in pursuing the SADC agenda.
“I believe that the combination of strengths and shared values between us in this present moment represents a unique opportunity to achieve this within the next few years, an opportunity worth seizing. I also believe that it is a divine opportunity, for it is by the Providence of God that we are bound to one another by history, culture, and a shared journey of liberation.
“For us as Malawians, we feel this undeniable bond whenever we travel beyond our border, which is why I have never accepted that Malawi is land-locked, but rather land-linked, for we are inextricably linked to our SADC brothers on all sides, and I can assure you that we would not have it any other way.
Chakwera added: “From this perspective, I humbly request you, the In-coming Chairman, my brother and neighbor, Your Excellency Felipe Nyusi, to give us all no rest during your tenure until we join hands in honoring the legacy of Late Benjamin Mkapa by fully liberalizing trade across the SADC region and unlock the economic possibilities that our peoples dream of.”
The outgoing SADC Chair John Pombe Magufuli, who is also president of Tanzania, applauded efforts by member states for maintaining peace and focusing on development agenda.
He singled out Malawi and the Kingdom of Lesotho among others for following peaceful processes in conducting elections. He further called on development partners to lift economic sanctions against Zimbabwe.
Newly elected SADC Chair, Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, said he will work closely with the member states to fulfill the mission of SADC for economic liberation of the region.
“I accept the mandate to take the mantle of Chairmanship of SADC which has just been entrusted on me in this memorable ordinary session of our virtual summit with humility and high sense of responsibility for the mission.
Nyusi added: “The people of Mozambique are by nature resilient and hardworking therefore we commit to fulfill the mission and obligation with support of each member state.”
He paid tribute to the founders of SADC “whose contributions and vision led to the political and economic liberation of the region. We are certain that we will drive our organisation to new heights of a shared future, prosperity and well being for which we have always strived.”
SADC was established in Lusaka Zambia in 1980 with overarching objective of achieving development, peace, security, economic growth, to alleviate poverty and enhance the standard and quality of life of Southern Africa citizens.
Malawians living in UK have warmly welcomed the start of Umunthu Funeral Scheme (UFS)-a funeral contribution scheme which is aimed at providing financial support to member families in the event of death.
After an announcement was made about the pending launch of the scheme, several Malawians took to social media to welcome the idea and asking for more details of how they can be involved. Named Umunthu Funeral Scheme (UFS), the scheme will enable members give dignified send-off to the departed while easing the financial stress and burden on the family thereby allowing them to grieve and bid farewell in a proper manner
According to a statement from the scheme founders, plans are underway to virtually launch live on Facebook and Zoom on the 5th Sept 2020. The Malawi High Commissioner to the UK, Kena Mphonda is expected to be the main guest of honour.
In confirmation of the introduction of the scheme Dr Boniface Chimpango, the legal advisor of the scheme said that that UFS has been registered with Companies House as a company limited by guarantee (as a charity) and, as such, it is subject to company law under England and Wales.
“This will give comfort to our members that we are a genuine, legally constituted organisation that will abide by the law and be governed by necessary legislation,” said Chimpango.
Umunthu Funeral Scheme to launch in September
The statement from the scheme highlights that the sole aim of UFS is to provide financial support to member families in the event of death. They aim to ensure that the remains of loved ones are laid to rest in a dignified manner, as such, ease the financial stress and burden on the family thereby allowing them to grieve and bid farewell in a dignified manner
Speaking to 247Malawi, Edith Parker, an advisor and one of the founding members of the group highlighted that the scheme has been named Umunthu as it operates under the concept and notion of “Umunthu” or “Ubunthu” (humanity towards others). She went to highlight the benefits that members will get by being part of the scheme such as prompt and guaranteed pay-outs, open to all Malawians in UK and Europe , guaranteed privacy and confidentiality and easy to join with affordable fees “UFS has a wide cover of up to 6 beneficiaries in the UK and 2 in Malawi for each member, and it is very easy to join with no medical check-ups required,” said Parker.
Malawi High Commissioner Mphonda has since praised the team for this initiative and highlighted that he is looking forward to being a guest when the scheme launches on 5th September .“This is an excellent initiative that is long overdue in the Malawian community. It has come at the right time when the community has grown and there are incidents that need to be addressed,” he said.
Coordinator of the launch event, Hannah Chasowa, bemoaned the fact that the momentous occasion will have to be launched virtually due to the Covid-19 restrictions. She urged those that want to be part of the launch even to register on the scheme website.MC Chijota is scheduled to be the director of ceremony at the launch.
The list of the founders of the scheme and its central committee include Abdul Chazolokela Chirwa who is the Chairperson, Hanna Chasowa as the vice. Ruth Maganga Ali is the secretary, seconded by Janine Sankhani, Lucy Unyolo is the Treasurer and Mtisunge Gunde Katimba as Vice. These are Supported by a team of advisors namely Yendamo Kapalamula, Edith Parker, Saidi Lumanza Phiri, Rhodrick Kalumpha, Emily Phillips Kasakula, Edgar Chibaka , Dr Boniface Chimpango, Joyce Juma Phiri, Charles Kapalamula and Tine Bowazi
Few weeks before Parliament reconvenes for 2020/2021 budget meeting, MCP has added one more MP to its side, he is Honorable Tony Ngalande from Balaka North Constituency who has ditched the opposition independent block to join the ruling Malawi Congress Party.
Speaking when welcoming Ngalande in Balaka today, the MCP’ first vice president Hon. Sidik Mia thanked the MP saying he has made a wise decision to join Malawi Congress Party. Mia assured the people of Balaka that having stand by people for 26 years while in opposition MCP has learnt and known the sufferings alongside the rest of Malawians, hence its commitment to serve Malawians with servant leadership mind led by its president Lazarus Chakwera who is also the country’ state president.
Mia welcoming MCP New members
Echoing earlier remarks made by the first Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Madalitso Kazombo, Mia urged the gathering not to allow some failed politicians to divide them by using religions, saying Chakwera’ administration values all religions citing himself as a good example serving in high positions within the party. Honorable Sidik Mia who is also the minister of transport and public works then promised to construct Chiyingeni Liwonde via Balaka road as soon as possible saying the Chakwera led government is serious on developing this country even in rural areas.
Apart from Tony Ngalande, MCP also welcomed 3 councilors namely Joseph Daniel for Chimwalire Ward, Byson Hombwa of Utale Ward and Michael Sauka Jnr for Nkhonde Ward, all formerly of DPP. In his remarks Honorable Tony Ngalande thanked government for quickly responding to the renovation of Balaka hospital which was burnt down few weeks ago, saying the ministry of health is already working on making sure that the facility is back in operation in the next few days. He then requested the government to consider constructing Balaka-Chilipa road which he said people more especially pregnant women find it difficult to cross Liwaladzi river on their way to Balaka hospital. Ngalande then said he and his colleagues will work hard to help achieving MCP’ agenda.
The function was attended by many party and community officials which include MCP’ campaign director Hon. Moses Kumkuyu, Hon. Madalitso Kazombo who is first Deputy Speaker of Parliament and also MP for Kasungu East, Hons. Jiya, Malondera, Sungitsa, Chithyola, Mwawa and Kapiseni Phiri. It also drew the attendance of senior chiefs Suwali, Tsabango and Kalembo of Balaka district.
