Alot of MAlawian Whatsapp users and many in the world have always complained about having no control on who adds them to some annoying groups. The good news is that WhatsApp has rolled out new ways for users to stop people adding them to group chats without their permission
Whether it’s ‘Family Chat’ or ‘Carol’s Hen Do’, many WhatsApp users find themselves constantly being added to annoying new groups.
But the days of having to mute such chats could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to WhatsApp’s latest feature.
The app has rolled out new ways for users to stop people adding them to group chats without their permission.
In a blog announcing the update, a spokesperson for WhatsApp explained: “As people turn to groups for important conversations, users have asked for more control over their experience.
Today, we’re introducing a new privacy setting and invite system to help you decide who can add you to groups
WhatsApp(Image: Getty Images)
Whether it’s ‘Family Chat’ or ‘Carol’s Hen Do’, many WhatsApp users find themselves constantly being added to annoying new groups.
But the days of having to mute such chats could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to WhatsApp’s latest feature.
The app has rolled out new ways for users to stop people adding them to group chats without their permission.
In a blog announcing the update, a spokesperson for WhatsApp explained: “As people turn to groups for important conversations, users have asked for more control over their experience.
“Today, we’re introducing a new privacy setting and invite system to help you decide who can add you to groups.”
WhatsApp has added new group permissions(Image: WhatsApp)
How to set up Group Permissions
The new permissions can be enabled in the Settings section of the app, then Account > Privacy > Groups.
There, you’ll find three options – Everyone, My Contacts, or My Contacts Except.
My Contacts means only users you have in your address book can add you to a group, while My Contacts Except lets you pinpoint particular users who you’d prefer were unable to add you.
WhatsApp added: “In those cases, an admin who can’t add you to a group will be prompted to send a private invite through an individual chat, giving you the choice of joining the group.
“You’ll have three days to accept the invite before it expires.”
The update is available from today on both iOS and Android.
Low turn-out marred the Matenje Ward By-election, with only 3051 people out of 15760 who registered, participating .However, while attributing the low turn out in the Matenje Ward to rains that fell in some polling centres, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chaiperson Dr. Jane Ansah said Malawi needs an in-depth research on why local government by-elections always attract low voter turn-out since.
She said, since 2000, no local government by election has attracted voter turn out beyond 40 percent, and therefore it would be wrong to attribute the Matenje Ward scenario to the ongoing presidential election case at the Constitution Court in Lilongwe.
MEC Chair Jane Ansah
Said Ansah: “The issue of low voter turnout is something that has characterized Local Government Elections for a long time. This should also preempt those that might want to make a case that the low voter turnout in Matenje Ward is because of the current political impasse and the ongoing court cases against MEC.
“Statistics are showing that there has never been a ward that has attained 40 percent voter turnout and there are several that have registered lower voter turnout than Matenje ward before.
“On its part, the Commission is concerned with this trend and would want to get to the root cause. There is need to talk to the voters why they do not show up for voting. Some of the factors might be exogenous to MEC and we might need as stakeholders to join hands and reverse this trend.”
Officially determining the results, Ansah declared Descent Msatero Chipangula of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) the winer with 1,489 votes, followed by Nelson Maseko of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) with 1,203 votes.
Chrifford Joseph Mbewe, an Independent came third with 185 votes,followed by Vincent Phiri Mbakuwaku of Movement for Development (MMD) with 119 votes. Shadreck Mvula, another Independent came last with 55 votes.
UTM Party pulled out of the voting recently, although its candidates standing as independent, while People Party (PP) and othr 50 registered political parties did not participate
Voting in Matenje Ward was supposed to take place simultaneously with that of parliamentarian for Lilongwe South Constituency. However, MEC postponed the by-election in the constituency due to political violence during campaign.
Matenje Ward is in Kasungu North West Constituency, which is regarded a strong hold of MCP.
The vacancy in Matenje Ward, arose following the death of Councillor Alick Kambanizithe Banda on September 18, 2019. The late Councillor Banda was elected during the May 21, 2019 elections.
Former Flames captain Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda has been appointed as the interim coach for Under 20 National Football Team.
Peter Mponda
Mponda, who at some point served as Assistant Coach for the senior Flames, will be assisted by Audrey Makonyola and Christopher Nyambose.
Former Silver Strikers goalkeeper Subusiso Padambo has been retained as goalkeeper trainer while Aubrey Nankhuni and Victor Jobo are Team Manager and Team Doctor, respectively.
Mponda’s mandate is to lead the team at the 2019 COSAFA Under 20 Youth Championship to be held in Lusaka, Zambia between 4-14 December.
The Under 20 squad is expected to start preparations on Monday, December 11 at the Mpira Village in Blantyre and the squad will be announced by the end of this week.
The United Nations (UN) has condemned the acts of violence that took place in Balaka earlier this week. Violence broke out between Christians of the Anglican Church and Muslims on 4th November after two Muslim pupils from M’manga Primary were chased from school for wearing an Islamic religion regalia, hijab.
Speaking in a statement released by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Maria Jose Torres condemn all forms of violence and called for religious tolerance in the country.
Torres described the wrangles as unacceptable saying the rights to freedom of expression and religion are fundamental rights that ensure human dignity and a functional democracy.
UN Resident Cordinator Maria Jose Torres
She said: “Preventing access to services such as education because students choose to wear an expression of their religion goes against these important human rights and international standards on freedom of education.”
She cited Section 36 (3)(c) (III) of the Education Act (2013) which she said stipulates that: “the school or college shall not impose restrictions of whatever nature with respect to the admission of students, recruitment and appointment of staff.”
She went further by saying such actions discourage girls from attending school, denying them the right to learn and actively participate in society, at a time when Malawi is focusing on ending child marriage and keeping girls in school.
The United Nations has called on all Malawians to respect each other’s religious beliefs and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve differences.
It has also called on the State authorities to ensure that all people of Malawi are able to exercise their beliefs and cultural practices free from persecution and discrimination.
Two people were injured and various properties destroyed, including residential houses, M’manga Anglican Church, M’manga primary and community day secondary schools and a mosque.
His Excellency the President, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, on Tuesday challenged Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) graduates to walk the innovation talk and make a difference to the country in their various fields of expertise.
President Mutharika was speaking at MUST Campus, Ndata -Thyolo when he presided over the award of certificates, diplomas and degrees for the first congregation.
He urged the graduates to think positively at all times and be creators of solutions to problems societies encounter.
“I say to you, our graduating students, that you are a living testimony that with determination and hard work, we can achieve our dreams. Believe in yourself. Be different!
“You are going with skills to bring electricity and quality water to our homes in the villages. You are going out with a mission for us to regain the glory of indigenous knowledge systems that once made Africa a great continent. You are going out as creators of solutions. You are the very spirit,” said President Mutharika.
The Malawi leader called for the spirit of doing business unusual and said as a nation we should be aggressive enough to capitalise on business opportunities. He then commended the University for inculcating the spirit of entrepreneurship in the students.
He said: “Every problem can be an opportunity.That is why people come to our country they find us poor, make money for themselves and leave us poor. Good education must be balanced and practical. We do not teach knowledge for the sake of knowledge. We must never be afraid to break with tradition and start something new. There is always the first time for doing something new.”
During the ceremony, President Mutharika presented a gift to Enelesi Rasheeda Nsamila for graduating with distinction her Bachelor’s Degree in Earth Sciences (Geology).
President Mutharika was also presented with the Bingu Drum that symbolises inspiration, excitement and passion in honour of the former president and founder of MUST, late Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika.
A total of 195 students graduated in various disciplines. The university is registering rapid growth from an initial enrollment of 120 undergraduate and 25 postgraduate students in 2014, currently, the university boasts of figures around 2,073. All things being equal MUST eyes to have an enrolment of not less than 5,000 students.
