The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has given President Lazarus Chakwera 30 days to solve blackouts challenges in the country.
The grouping through its Chairperson Gift Trapence has told President Chakwera to take the lead in finding long lasting solutions to the electricity problems.
HRDC further demands that the government should go back to Parliament to revise the Act that should bundle ESCOM, EGENCO and Power Market Limited – PML into one so as to cut costs and create a seamless entity that should be managed under one roof.
Gift Trapenze
“In simple terms, what the unbundling means is that instead of paying one single CEO, managers, employees and related operating costs, the electricity consumer now has to pay for three different operating entities. We would have no issue with this if the unbundling improved efficiency, reduced blackouts or brought the electricity prices down.
“But it has done none of these.” Reads HRDC Statement.
The Grouping has since threatened to mobilize Malawians to hold Countrywide demonstrations on October 12, 2022 if the government does not work on the demands.
Celebrated gospel singer Brenda Kadammanja is back on the music scene. She has released a song together with UK based urban music star Nic Thindwa entitled “Kalikonse Mukaona”. The song has been commended for its creative instincts fusing the traditional gule wamkulu beat and cleverly delivered gospel lyrics with Thindwa injecting the urban flavour.
Brenda Kadam’manja, is not new on the music scene- a Blantyre based gospel artist but originally from Dowa, she started singing as a soul artist in 2015. She has 2 albums to her credit with first album titled “patsogolo” and second one called “Nkhondo yatha”. He unique melodious voice makes her stand out and she remains the most sought-after upcoming gospel singer.
Nic Thindwa is the veteran of urban music with several hit singles to his name. Based in Birmingham in the United Kingdom he has always pioneered the new wave of music that is capitalising on modern technology by having artists from two diffent geographical locations able to release the same songs without problems
The song Kalikonse talks about God’s blessings which are clearly visible to ordinary eyes. It also discourages people from perceiving others negatively because they are enjoying God’s blessings.
It was produced by the super talented Pon G and the music video was produced by VJ Ken and Smollet Kalua.
The reclaimed Lilongwe Bus Depot has finally been handed back to the city council by the government. The depot was at the centre of controversial as the courts declared that Businessman Leston Mulli and his National Bus Services illegally bought the depot and government had the right to take it back. The council has been given six months to come back with modern plans for the dilapidated depot
Early this year Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda announced that local councils were now in control of former Shire Bus Lines depots following a High Court ruling dismissing an application by Mulli Brothers-owned National Bus Services.The reclaimed bus depots are Lilongwe, Wenela in Blantyre, Kasungu and Mzimba.In the case, the National Bus Service was challenging Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development which intended to take over management of the bus depots. lawyers for the bus company argued that the depots, workshops and all landed property owned by Shire Bus Lines Limited were transferred to National Bus Services after the firm bought Shire Bus Lines.
Chinsinga handing over depot to Lilongwe City Council
In a ruling dated July 29, 2022, High Court Judge Mandala Mambulasa has dismissed National Bus Services’ application for judicial review on the matter.
“The claimant (National Bus Service) does not possess the requisite locus standi considering that it never executed the MOU upon which it premised its application for permission to apply for judicial review.
“Accordingly, the permission to apply for judicial review dated 5th February, 2020 and the consequent stay, were erroneously granted hence they are hereby discharged,” reads part of the High Court order.
The judge then slapped National Bus Services with costs.
The handover ceremony was graced my Local Government Minister Blessings Chinsinga and his Deputy, Honourable Halima Daud,This handing over of the depot, follows the recent ruling by the High Court of Malawi Lilongwe Registry, that Councils of Lilongwe, Blantyre, Kasungu and Mzimba, should take charge in managing the affairs of their bus terminals, away from being managed by one private firm.
In his statement, Chinsinga said the ceremony, therefore, represents the handing over of all the mentioned Bus Depots, to respective Councils.
“This is a victory for Malawians, knowing that the revenue from the facilities, will benefit them, development wise.I have therefore, given the Lilongwe City Council, six months, to come up with modern bus terminal plans and willing investment partners, for the commencement of the construction, of an international standard infrastructure”.
He went on to say that this latest development t resonates well with His Excellency the State President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera ‘s agenda, of fixing the broken systems, by bringing back the lost benefits to Malawians.
Musician Driemo continues to make big statements on the music scene with the release of his latest single “Mojo”. The song has already turned into a big hit cementing the singers position as one Malawi’s great talents . Just 24 hours after the official video release, the song has amassed over 100 thousand views on Youtube
On the release of the single , Driemo has a message for his fans. Writing on his official social media pages he wrote ” My year was nothing without your support, You supported me on “Weniweni”, you gave me support on Compensation , today i give you “Mojo”
Mojo has set itself appart with its clever niceley weaved lyrics that incudes a catchy hook that goes with lyrics like
Ndifuna udziwe that am falling for you, Wamugwetsa Gangster umadziwa Kungfu, Eya wapanyasa umauser JuJu,Bwera yandikira coz I am stuck up on you
The music video is also full of positive comments appreciating the talent of the Malawi Youngster. One comment from Walycris Wanyengo says “God bless you man, this is Pure Talent. Bigup to the Video Director too. We need this on international TV. Driemo is an Export. Paul Limbani Thaulo said “The Barber, the choreographer, the script writer, the director… did a good job. Driemo you will go places, we need such seriousness when producing contents, thats the only way we can break the international boundaries. Big Up!!. The music video was directed by Twice P.
Shafie S. Phiri, Professionally known as Driemo was born and raised in Nkhotakota. He Started his music Journey in 2017 in Nkhotakota where he was most of the times times featured to do Choruses on people’s songs. In 2018, he recorded His first single titled “So good” which was produced by Superfly. He then recorded His most singles in 2018 to 2020 under the name of Smart P before he changed to Driemo
The song is live streaming on Spotify, Deezer, Boom Play and Apple Music
Member of Parliament for Phalombe East, Robert Mwina has saluted President Lazarus Chakwera and his administration for visionary leadership that focuses at developing the country regardless of the region, saying this is contrary to how Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) regime was distributing developmental projects during its time.
Mwina made the remarks on Wednesday, August 24,2022 during a tour that Deputy Minister of Defence, Harry Mlekanjala Mkandawire held at Sukasanje military camp in Phalombe District where government is implementing water project aiming at providing safe and clean water for the military camp and the surrounding areas.
“I should acknowledge that Chakwera administration has beaten us in development agenda. Today we are having this developmental project in my own constituency to provide water to the people in this area, a thing that we (DPP) never did.” Said the Parliamentarian.
In his remarks, Mkandawire who is also Malawi Congress Party’ vice President applauded the leadership of Sukasanje military camp for ensuring cordial relationship between with the surrounding community which has made it easy to curb crimes in the area, saying it remains President Chakwera’s priority to unite all Malawian people.
Sukasanje military camp provides security to border areas between Malawi and Mozambique, and assist to control smuggling of agricultural produce from Malawi.
