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Chitipa Prison Chief Urges Respectful Reintegration of Former Inmates

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Chitipa Prison Chief Urges Respectful Reintegration of Former Inmates



By Rahim Abdul

Superintendent Rajab Mota, head of Chitipa Prison, has called on Malawians to treat former inmates with respect and dignity once they complete their prison sentences.

Superintendent Mota explained that many former prisoners feel comfortable and reintegrate better into society when they are welcomed respectfully upon release.

This positive approach, he noted, encourages them to comply with the law and reduces the likelihood of returning to prison.

Rajab Mota



He made these remarks on Wednesday while receiving food and other essential donations from the Chitipa Rotary Club at the prison.

Superintendent Mota commended the club for its thoughtful initiative, saying the support will greatly help feed and care for inmates, especially during a time when many prisons are facing food shortages.

Speaking on behalf of the club, Isaac Mkandawire, President of Chitipa Rotary Club, emphasized that their goal is to reach those in need.

He added that the club has consistently provided various forms of support to Chitipa Prison whenever possible.

The donations included three cartons of Azamu soap, five bags of Soya pieces and enough clothing to serve 125 inmates.

Superintendent Mota encouraged others with the means to follow the example set by the Rotary Club, highlighting the importance of community support in helping former inmates reintegrate successfully.

Paul Katema Foundation Raises Stakes for Young Builders Challenge

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Paul Katema Foundation Raises Stakes for Young Builders Challenge



By Rahim Abdul

The Paul Katema Foundation has announced an exciting boost for the Young Builders Challenge Season 1, increasing the top prize to K5 million from the initial K3 million, in a move aimed at encouraging innovation among young entrepreneurs.

The competition which targets college students and recent graduates, provides a platform for aspiring business minds to pitch groundbreaking ideas with the potential to create jobs and drive economic growth.

Founder Paul Katema said the decision to raise the prize money was inspired by the overwhelming interest the competition has generated.

Paul katema



“In just 48 hours after opening the application portal we received 371 entries and recorded close to 30,000 public votes, which shows the hunger young people have for opportunities,” Katema said.

Aside from the K5 million grand prize, the second-place winner will walk away with K2.5 million while the third-place winner will receive K1 million along with mentorship from top industry professionals.

Katema emphasized that the competition goes beyond cash rewards as mentorship is designed to equip winners with the skills and networks they need to sustain and grow their business ventures.

The selection process will combine public voting and assessments from a panel of expert judges, ensuring a balance between popular opinion and professional insight.

The winners will be unveiled in December at the grand finale.

The Young Builders Challenge is being hailed as a game-changer for Malawi’s youth entrepreneurship landscape, giving emerging innovators a chance to turn bold ideas into sustainable businesses while inspiring a culture of creativity and self-reliance.

Reverend Somanje’s remains laid to rest in Dowa

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Reverend Somanje’s remains laid to rest in Dowa


By Vincent Gunde

The remains of Reverend Flywell Somanje who was the Founder and National Executive Director of the Bwalo la Chewa Foundation (BOLA-CEFO) were laid to rest on Saturday at his home village-Mitembo in the Area of Inkosi Mkukula in Dowa district.

Tens of hundreds of people witnessed the burial ceremony of one courageous man who wanted the Chewas in Malawi to be under one body- Malawi Chewa Heritage Foundation but his dream was not realized.

The Chewas beside of being the largest tribe in Malawi, they belong to Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO), Bwalo la Chewa Foundation (BOLA-CEFO) and finally a new tribal grouping of Chifukwato cha Chewa.

Advisor of Bwalo la Chewa Foundation Senior Chief Kaomba of Kasungu, Clan leader Gogo Mkanthama, a representative of Senior Chief Kalonga, Chief Sosola, Civil Society Organizations (CSO) leaders, and farmers’ organizations took their time to pay the last respect to the remains of Reverend Somanje.

The Late Somanje



While Reverend Somanje was alive, he took his own initiative of finding a place to live for ex-tobacco tenants who were working with Kasungu Flue Cured Tobacco Authority (KFCTA) and General Farming to find for them a land in the area of Traditional Authority Kapondo in Mchinji from Kasungu.

A village was established in Mchinji and is named after him-Somanje village, the ex-tobacco tenants lived miserable lives while in Kasungu as the owners of the estates denied them portions of land to grow their agricultural produces.

Reverend Somanje also established his organization-the Millennium Resource Centre (Mirece) addressing issues of human rights and governance for the ex-tobacco tenants on the claims that some tobacco tenants came to Kasungu in the early 1970s and could not locate their homes taking, they took Kasungu as their district of origin.

After hearing news of Reverend Somanjes’ passing, the ex-tobacco farmers from Somanje village in Mchinji contributed money to hire a vehicle taking them to Mitembo village in Dowa to mourn and burry their freedom fighter.

Somanje was an ordained Priest of the Anglican church and as such five Reverends from the church and church members joined by others, escorted his remains to the grave yard for a final resting place God prepared for him.

The entire Bwalo la Chewa Foundation membership, Mirece and ex-tobacco tenants of Somanje village in Mchinji will live to celebrate the life of Reverend Somanje as his works will continue to speak for them while he is smelling dust in the grave.

May the Soul of Reverend Flywell Somanje continue resting in peace, he will be greatly missed not only by his family, but by many people who have borrowed a leaf of his philosophy-freedom fighter.

45 Blantyre Prison inmates graduate in Bible Training Program

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45 Blantyre Prison inmates graduate in Bible Training Program

By Rahim Abdul

Forty-five inmates from Blantyre Prison have been awarded certificates after successfully completing various levels of Bible interpretation studies under the Veritas Bible Training Program.

The graduation ceremony was held on Sunday at the St. Michael and All Angels CCAP Church in the Multi-Purpose Hall in Blantyre.



The program which aims to equip inmates with a deeper understanding of the Word of God, has been running inside Blantyre Prison, commonly known as Chichiri Prison.

Reverend Carlos Magombo, the guest of honor commended the graduates for their commitment and discipline throughout the course.

He urged them to continue applying biblical teachings in their daily lives both inside and outside prison.

“I am proud of these men and women for taking this bold step. This program not only transforms individuals spiritually but also prepares them to reintegrate into society as better citizens,” said Reverend Magombo.

Special recognition was given to Stella Liabunya, the program’s instructor for her dedication and sacrifice in teaching the inmates.

Reverend Magombo praised her for consistently visiting the prison to conduct lessons, describing her efforts as a true act of service to God.

Representing the Blantyre Prison authorities, Assistant Superintendent Thomas Katambo expressed gratitude to local churches for their continued spiritual support.

He encouraged the graduates to keep pursuing the Word of God even after completing the course.

“We urge you not to stop here. Let this be the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and transformation,” Katambo said.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Samuel James, the leader of the group said the program had brought a positive change among the inmates.

He noted that through studying the Bible, many prisoners had developed a deeper understanding of God’s truth, leading to behavioral and spiritual transformation.

“The Word of God has given us hope and a new perspective. I encourage other Christians, both inside and outside prison, to take part in such programs because they are life-changing,” James said.

The Veritas Bible Training Program is an international initiative that partners with local churches and correctional facilities to provide structured biblical education.

Organizers believe that offering spiritual growth opportunities to inmates plays a vital role in rehabilitation and reducing reoffending rates.

“We Have Sailed Through Storms,” Chakwera Says, Urging Patience from Malawians

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“We Have Sailed Through Storms,” Chakwera Says, Urging Patience from Malawians

By Vincent Gunde

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has urged Malawians to accept that some things are moving in the county while others, not dismissing claims which are being made by some other people that the MCP government has done nothing in their 5 years of stay in government.

Dr. Chakwera said a person can fall seven times and he gets up saying in a country where devaluation of the local currency is by 44 percent, the country could have ended on the same spot saying the country has sailed through Tropical Cyclones, Cholera, and other natural disasters.

Chakwera



He said while the country has gone through various natural disasters making many people fail to access safe and portable water, the heathy systems have not collapsed saying over 2 million people in Malawi have access to water.

Speaking during prayer of service at Kanjedza First Assembly Church in Blantyre on Sunday, President Chakwera admitted that food has become a challenge in Malawi claiming that 23 districts were affected by El Nino winds making maize crops to dry up.

President Chakwera thanked the Almighty God that while hunger is in the midst of people, people are still getting the food assuring Malawians that no one will die of hunger in the country saying enough maize will be produced through irrigation systems and mega farms.

On the challenges of fuel, forex, fertilizers and cement, President Chakwera blamed the business people for the sabotage saying he will not allow the future of the country to be destroyed because some other people wants to put their fellow people n slavery.

“This will not continue, we will fight till the end, I urge the church to continue praying for us to be doing better, if I have wronged you, forgive,” said President Chakwera.

Business entrepreneur Kondwani Kachamba Ngwira writing on his face book page says Malawi is the first country in the world to plant mega farms across the country observing that all regions are growing maize.

Kachamba Ngwira says other individual farmers were provided with special agricultural loans in billions and billions of Kwachas through NEEF to support farming noting with a great concern that 5 years later, the country has no maize and will import from countries that did not plant mega farms in the last 5 years.

“As if that is not enough, the leadership continue praising the same mega farms as evidence of good projects well delivered last 5 years,” reads Ngwira’s writings on the wall.

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