By Chisomo Phiri

One of the athletes in the country Shantero Davie has challenged to run 130 Kilometers from Mulanje to Thyolo district in two days to raise funds amounting to K1.5 million that will be used to help poor families.

In an interview, Shantero said the long-run challenge will start from 16 to 17 December this year, to raise funds for buying sanitary pads for the underprivileged adolescent girls in rural areas and 100 bags of maize for 200 poor families in Mulanje, Charadzulu and Phalombe districts.

” Am planning to have a two-day long run challenge starting from 16 to 17 December in some areas of Mulanje district ( chisitu ,Nkhonya and Namisi), and from Mulanje to Thyolo ( Luchenza) where l will run a distance of about 130 KM to raise K1.5 million for buying sanitary pads for adolescent girls in rural areas, fixing broken boreholes, and buy 100 bags of maize to give to poor families”, he said

Shantero said he has come up with the decision after observing that many people in these districts most especially those who live in rural areas are struggling to survive, hence the need to help.

” People are passing through challenges out there. Some are at leas doing better while others are completely struggling to find food and their daily needs. I have been thinking about those who are struggling, trying to find ways on how I can help them. As an athlete, I will use this to raise funds and help these people who are struggling so that at least they can survive”, said Shantero.

He said, athletic sport is one of the most important sporting activities that need to be supported by the government and other responsible stakeholders,saying it contributes a lot in the social economic development of this country.

” To say the true, many athletes are struggling a lot in this country as the government do not fully take this as sporting activity. But now time has come to start supporting athletic sport as it is one of the most important sporting activities which contribute a lot to the social-economic development of this country”, he said.

Shantero called on organizations, well-wishers and interested individuals to join him and support his move so as he raises more funds and reach out many.

In April this year, Shantero had the same long run challenge where he ran 87 KM distance ( from Blantyre ShopRite to Mulanje) and raised about K415,900.00 which he used to buy blankets, soap, sugar and others numerous items for the elderly in Mulanje and Thyolo districts.

He said the organizations, well-wishers and interested individuals can do their donations to 0991318381 ( Airtel Money and 0881752680 ( Mpamba).

By Yankho Maunjiri

Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has highlighted the importance of electrical installers in the country to have a permit from them.

Consumer and Public Relations Manager for MERA, Fitina Khonje made the remarks in Dedza on Wednesday during a sensitization meeting with electrical installers in the district.


Khonje said the installers need to have qualifications and a permit from them so as to be able to operate legally.


‘‘Some of these installers are not aware that they have to get a permit from MERA’’.


Khonje explained that MERA is able to follow and inspect works by those who have the permit to ensure they stick to standards, for their customers to be protected.


She said when electrical installation goes wrong, lives and properties are affected.


She added that those who will be found operating without a license from MERA will be fined and imprisoned for 6 months.


‘‘There is a requirement in the law that all people that are doing electrical installation should have a permit from MERA’’.

Commenting on the matter chairperson of Association of Electrical Installers( AEI) in Dedza Christopher Magombo said one of the challenges they are facing is lack of knowledge by consumers on the right procedures to follow when hiring them.


Magombo said now that MERA has enlightened them on the need to have a permit, they will sit down with the members of the Association to make sure they all have the required qualifications to be eligible for the permit.


He said this will help the installers to work freely without fear of being arrested by police.


“This will also help consumers have trust in us”, added Magombo.