President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has today left for the United Kingdom (UK) where he will attend the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and The Queen Consort slated for this coming Saturday May 6,2023 at Westminster Abbey.
Writing on his Facebook page, Chakwera said:”As a Commonwealth member and long time-bilateral ally of the UK, Malawi joins the British people as they celebrate this longstanding tradition and symbolic ritual around their monarch.
“I will take the opportunity to hold a number of bilateral talks with some of the global leaders who are also heading to London for the same purpose.
” I will keep you updated.”
According to Chakwera, there is a special relationship with the United Kingdom and Commonwealth member states.
It is said that the attendance of the coronation by the President is a demonstration of the solidarity and the commitment that Malawi has to its special relationship with the United Kingdom and Commonwealth member states.
Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi ( WESM) in collaboration with Four Seasons and Nursery will from 5 to 7 May,2023 hold an event called ‘ Art in the Park’ at Four Seasons and Nursery premises in Lilongwe.
The event is a platform for artists in Malawi to exhibit and showcase their artworks.
Apart from artworks exhibition, the event will also be spiced up by several musics from various local artists as well as workshops.
A visual artist and a curator Jimmy Malinga who is part of the event organizers said in an interview that the event will be graced by Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda who will be a guest of honour.
Said Malinga:” People in general are welcomed to this event.We have also invited ambassadors, expatriates and other government officials.
“It will be a nice event and We thank the government and various people for facilitating the event.”
He called on government and other interested stakeholders to continue giving more support towards art sector for the country’s economic growth.
“We are calling on the government and other interested stakeholders to keep on supporting artists in this country and open many opportunities for the local artists.
“Everyday, art is growing in Malawi. There is a fraction of people out there who doubt art in this space.Please come and appreciate art not only as a commodity but as an investment,” he said.
Malawian art often depicts people, animals, everyday village life and dances, and can be found everywhere from the oldest rock paintings to traditional wood carvings.
In recent years, there has also been a growing appreciation of painting as well as digital art, especially among young people.
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera says as the Head of State, he always strives to promote the freedom of the press in the country as it is what many Malawians want.
Chakwera was speaking on Wednesday morning at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe where he held breakfast with journalists from several media houses, marking the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day.
Chakwera with Misa Malawi leadership candidates Matonga and Wonder Msiska
The President said the media remains a partner in development and a core institution in entrenchment of democratic values in an open society hence a need to promote freedom of speech.
“It is for this reason that their professional and noble role of packaging and relaying information to the masses must be promoted by all stakeholders.
“My administration, therefore, pledges to continue upholding all forms of media freedoms and independence, said Chakwera.
Chakwera thanked the media for the good job it is doing in promoting the rights of Malawians.
He however, appealed to the media not to abuse their freedom of expression in advancing their own interests, but to serve the Malawians.
On her part,MISA Malawi outgoing chairperson Teresa Ndanga applauded the Dr.Chakwera and his government for allowing the media to work freely and appealed to the President to continue providing a conducive working environment as the President and his Party have been according to the media fraternity.
On his turn,the Information Minister who is also the Malawi Congress Party ( MCP) campaign director Moses Kumkuyu assured the media of a continued commitment and engagement so as to achieving free press in the country.
In the past, under the United Democratic Front (UDF )and Democratic Progressive Party ( DPP) governments, Media used to face numerous challenges ranging from unnecessary arrests of journalists, passing of draconian laws and many more bad practices done by DPP cadets and the young democrats of UDF.
This is unlike the current MCP government under the leadership of Dr. Lazarus Chakwera as there is a conducive working environment which is enjoyed by journalists.
May 3 was set aside by the United Nations to commemorate and celebrate the media around the world.
The Day acts as a prompt to governments of the necessity to uphold their commitment to press freedom.
It brings to light the significance of acknowledging freedom of expression that enables other human rights to be acquired to diminish and uncover abuses by the authority.
One of the country’s renowned cyclists Augustine Vitumbiko Kajera Mughogho is set to cycle for a distance of about 676 kilometers to source funds for building projects at Mlombwa CCAP church in Blantyre.
The building projects include a Sunday school block and the church office.
Through the initiative, the bicyclist is also expected to renovate some toilets that have been out of use for a time at the church.
In an interview, Mughogho who also works at New Building Society ( NBS) Bank Head Office in Blantyre as a Service Center Account-Reconciliation said he will cycle from Mzuzu to Blantyre from Wednesday May 3 to Saturday May 6,2023.
“I will spend three if not four days cycling.
“All the funds that will be raised are going straight to Mlombwa CCAP to assist in the building projects so that the church may have the right facilities for the work of the Lord,”he said.
He disclosed that through the initiative, he want to raise about K10 million for the aforementioned building projects at the church.
The cyclist confidently said he is well prepared for the initiative for his contribution towards God’s works.
“Well in cycling, we say ‘the best way to prepare for a ride is to ride’. so i have been riding within and out of Blantyre to get the necessary fitness for this ride,” he said.
Mughogho appealed to well wishers to support him with anything either in cash or building materials so that it can assist him in his projects at the church.
He said ” My last word is to appeal for well wishers, being companies, businesses or individuals to assist us with anything that can help in this project.
“They are free to contact the church directly or even myself for more details and will be able to direct them per the assistance they plan to assist with and God will richly bless them. “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”Acts 20:35.”
He said those interested in sponsoring him can contact 0888359155/ 0888615160 or send their contributions to Mlombwa CCAP National Bank Account: 1586424.
Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera on Tuesday joined Malawians to mourn the football ‘magnet’ keeper, Bonface Maganga, who died on Tuesday at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre.
Late Maganga will be remembered as high-level keeper who helped the Flames to win East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup in 1978 and 1979.
Chakwera has since described the death of Maganga as a great loss to the country.
The President has further extended his deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those who knew him.
“The First Lady and I are saddened by the passing of Boniface Maganga, Malawi’s legend goalkeeper who played for the Malawi national team and several clubs in the country.
Renowned for his exceptional skills on the field, his unwavering devotion to the sport, and his commitment to nurturing young talent, Maganga’s contribution to Malawian football shall forever be etched in our memory.
He has left behind an enduring legacy in the realm of sports. His passing is a great loss to the football community in Malawi and beyond,” said the Malawi leader in a statement.
