Flames legend Ernest ‘Wire’ Mtawali has been named in South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) top outfit Mamelodi Sundowns’ all-time dream team.
The Pretoria-based side’s supporters voted for the club’s All-Time African Dream Team in celebration of May as the Africa Month.
Mtawali, who became the first foreigner to win the South Africa Player of the Year Award in 1985, is the only Malawian appearing on the list.
Other high-profile Malawian players to have turned out for the Brazilians include the Malunga brothers Holman and Kennedy, Chancy ‘Vinny’ Gondwe, Lovemore ‘Rambo’ Chafunya and Cedric Nankhumwa.
Ernest Mtawali
In an interview from his Johannesburg base, Mtawali, who also played in French, Argentine and Saudi Arabian top-flight leagues, said he felt honoured.
“It’s an honour because Sundowns have a history of signing top-class players and to be named in the dream team is humbling,” he said.
According to supersport.com, it was not easy to land on the starting eleven that could crack the nod into the list of incredibly talented players that have worn the yellow and blue of South Africa’s record holders for the most championship titles won since the start of the Premier Soccer League era.
Others appearing on the list are Ugandan goalkeeper Dennis Onyango, who is currently considered the best goalminder on the continent, Zimbabwe’s quartet of Peter Ndlovu, Khama Billiat, Methiod Mwanjali and Esrom Nyandoro, Nigerian Raphael Chukwu, Roger Feutmba from Cameroon and Anthony Laffor from Liberia.
There was somber mood at Limbe Cathedral Cemetery on Saturday afternoon as the faithful lowered the casket of Rev. Fr Stanislaus Chinguo at exactly 1:05pm.
Limbe Cathedral Choir sung, “Ndigoneranji m’manda ndekha, Apapa tsalani ngakhale mundikonda Ambuye tsogoleleni ndili ndekha” as the brown casket was slowly going down to Fr Chinguo’s last resting place.
Aged 51, Reverend Father Chinguo, spent 26 years in priesthood after being ordained on July 23, 1994, by the late Bishop James Chiona at Limbe Cathedral.
Father Chinguo was born on January 19, 1969, at Mlapa Village in Traditional Authority Mkanda in Mulanje District.
During the requiem mass outside Limbe Cathedral, relatives, nuns, priests, and believers joined in to celebrate the life of a man who gave hope and deliverance to Christians.
Notable Bishops who attended the requiem mass included Bishop Peter Musikuwa of Chikwawa Diocese, Bishop George Tambala of Zomba Diocese and Bishop Montfort Stima of Mangochi Diocese.
Archbishop Luke Thomas Msusa of Blantyre Archdiocese, who led the Mass, praised the deceased as an extraordinary priest who had love for his sheep, development and education.
“Rev Fr Chinguo was a self-driven priest who has been a role model to many priests, his love for his duty as a Shepherd and for children, especially seeing them attend school, is beyond human description,” His Lordship Msusa said.
Archbishop Msusa further said while the deceased was serving at Pius XII Seminary, he helped many seminarians because he was very brilliant in English.
“His contribution is vividly evident in every area he served,” Archbishop Msusa said.
He added that at the time of his sickness, Father Chinguo always remembered God as he used to spend much of his time in the Chapel.
Reverend Father Frank Mwinganyama, the Blantyre Archdiocese Communications Officer, said at the time of his death, the late Father Chinguo had been battling kidney failure, diabetes and high blood pressure for three years.
“He has been battling with diabetes, high blood pressure and Kidney failure for three years and was sent to India for further treatment.
“He continued to serve as usual but later on he retired after his health deteriorated and was staying at Limbe Cathedral,” Fr Mwinganyama said.
Reverend Father Benedicto Masuwa who was staying with the late priest, said Father Chinguo was a darling to serving God because even after the sickness, he continued to show interest in serving the Lord.
“Although he was in pain, one would hardly know due to his resilience and hard work while performing his duties.
“Most priests would doubt his condition. One day, someone asked me whether he was really sick because he would ably move around his house and do various kinds of work without aid,” Reverend Father Masuwa said.
He said the deceased’s pride was in helping the needy and serving God.
Reverend Father Stanislaus Chinguo did his early primary education at Mulanje L.E.A, Zomba Government (Bwaila), Namulenga and Montfort Demonstration School before joining Pius XII Minor Seminary in 1981.
In 1988 he went to Kachebere Major Seminary where he did Philosophy up to 1990.
He later went to St. Peters Major Seminary to study Theology from 1990 up to 1994.
Reverend Father Chinguo also did a Masters in Moral Theology in Kenya from 1999 to 2002.
The late Father has been a priest for 26 years and served in various parishes before breathing his last on Thursday.
After his ordination on July 23, 1994, Father Chinguo had served at Pius X11 Minor Seminary from 1994 to 1997, Nthawira Parish from 1997-98. He was Parish Priest at Bangwe from 1998-99 before going to Kenya in 1999-2002 to study Moral Theology..
The late Reverend Father Chinguo also served in the following parishes, Nguludi, Njuli, Mwanga, Lunzu and Nthawira Parish.
During his sickness, he retired and was staying at St. James Rectory in Limbe Cathedral until his last day on earth on 28 May, 2020 at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) Alliance running mate for the forthcoming fresh Presidential election, who is also the Minister of energy today officially marked the installation on electricity in Thazima Rumphi. Atupele who is in the north as part of his campaign trail was accompanied by Member of parliament for the area Kamlepo Kalua.
The event which was extended MAREF PHASE 8 Powerline however has received widespread criticism as it highlights lack of proper development from the government “we are a joke of a country ” commented one on facebook. others have questioned why up to three cabinet ministers can attend an event like this . a claim they said is waste of governement resources. Ministers Kamlepo Kalua, Jappie Mhango were also in attendance
Atupele who is in the north for campaigning donated maize flour to 400 needy households in Mzuzu on sunday.
Speaking Sunday at Katoto Secondary Ground when he led DPP and UDF leaders in a charity initiative during which he distributed maize flour to the needy, Muluzi called for the need for Malawians to be united.
He said he was sent by the President, Prof. Peter Mutharika to deliver the donation on his behalf and that noting the high turnout of the needy.
Muluzi pledged that he would on Tuesday district 10,000 tablets of soap and maize flour bags respectively.
“I want to ask fellow politicians to make sure that they take a leading role in encouraging their supporters to live peacefully and assist each other in times of need so as to promote development in the country,” he said.
Since last year, the country has been going through difficult times as evidenced by protests and demonstrations which in most cases turned violent leading to destruction of both public and private property.
“Many businesses came to a halt as a result of such demonstrations which is negatively affected and continue to affect the country’s economy. It was for this reason that I am in Mzuzu to provide the little that I have to cushion people’s livelihoods which were disturbed by following the demonstrations.
We are one Malawi and despite having different political views, we need to co-exist peacefully for the good of our country,” Muluzi said.
DPP Regional Governor for the North, Christopher Mzomera Ngwira said the people in the region suffered heavily during the 12 months demonstrations which were being staged by Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) and opposition parties.
“As a region, we experienced heavy damage of property and businesses and I believe it would take long to recover from such damages mainly at household levels.
Each of the beneficiaries who were all not in any party regalia went away with 25 kilogramme of flour and tablets of soap.
The torch bearer of Tonse alliance who is also the president of Malawi Congress Party Dr Lazarus Chakwera has told people of Mangochi and Malawians that God has answered prayers and that nothing will stop the change that is about happen in the country. He was speaking at a rally, he and the alliance partners conducted at Mbwadzulu School Ground in Monkey bay Mangochi on Sunday afternoon
Dr Chakwera started by applauding former president Dr Joyce Banda, who delivered a moving speech in Yao as one of the inspirational women leaders in Africa . He also singled out Hon Sikia Mia and Dr Michael Usi as leaders who made it possible for Tonse alliance to happen.
Chakwera in Mangochi
Addressing the gathering, Chakwera who titled his speech as “Mulungu Watiyankha” (God has answered our prayers) began by thanking the people of Mangochi for being ready to vote for Chakwera and Tonse alliance . He said Malawians have been praying, fasting and continues to pray and he believes God has answered the prayers and change has come to Malawi.
Chakwera thanked God for the election court case outcome highlighting that, it was an outcome, that has given opportunity for Malawians to vote again. The alliance leader however, warned that there are some people who do not want elections to take place and are trying to do whatever they can to sabotage the electoral process. He was sure that, any attempts to delay election will not succeed as Malawians are hungry for change and God is on peoples side as they have suffered for so long .
Chakwera being welcome by other Tonse alliance leaders
Chakwera said the coming together of 9 political parties to form Tonse alliance was also an act of God . “The parties in Tonse alliance we share the same struggles, it is the struggles that women face , young people face , hospital workers face , civil servants face and businesses face as nothing is working and the government isn’t doing enough to improve the livelihood of people of Malawi” charged Chakwera.
On political violence, he urged Malawians that they should be tolerant to each other. He cautioned people of Mangochi and all Malawians to refrain from being used as tools for political violence by some politicians who gives them money to throw stones and attack political opponents. He expressed that the Tonse concept means as Malawians we are all one and if not careful one can find themselves hurting their own relatives or family. He warned political leaders to refrain from rhetoric that inflames violence, either be religious or dividing people to regional lines but to preach unity so that the country can have a fair election.
In the absence of his running mate Dr Saulos Chilima, Chakwera dived into the Tonse alliance manifesto by reminding people that his government will aim at improving agriculture and making sure every household has enough food by reducing the price of fertiliser.
He promised people of Mangochi that both Mangochi boma and Cape Maclear will be made cities . He also said it will be his government aim to promote tourism in the district and as such will make sure that the proposed Masauko Chipembere airport is constructed in the district. He went further to declare that he will make sure the fishing industry is helped, with the construction of a fish factory with good facilities so that Malawi fishing industry can thrive “we have unique type of tilapia in Malawi which is never found anywhere else in the world, so our fishermen need to be empowered and the industry promoted so that economically we benefit from it “he declared
part of the crowd that attended the rally
Chakwera also attacked DPP of empty promises . He told the gathering that at one point in the past , late president Bingu Mutharika had him in a committee that looked at establishing 6 more universities in Malawi. One of the universities was meant to be in Mangochi. He however said the DPP government has not lived up to its word, but he will make sure once he becomes leader that a new University is built in the district
The Mangochi rally was also attended by former President Dr Joyce Banda , Khumbo Kachali , Sidki Mia , Michael Usi and Commander in chief Timothy Mtambo who all spoke against political violence in the country.
Afro-jazz artist Lawi is back with a new album. The artist, who first came to the limelight in 2012, is now celebrating reaching the new project.
“Thirties is the name of the album. It is a great time of my life and I am excited to share the feeling,” he said in an interview.
Lawi said the new album simply talks about this time of his life.
“I am now in my early thirties and it is a wonderful time where I have accomplished some goals and looking forward to doing and achieving more and the album shares all the beautiful experiences I’ve had this far,” he said.
Lawi
While Lawi is in the last stages of the recording the album, the musician is keeping a tight lid on some details, saying they are a surprise to his fans.
“As regards the number of songs on the album, I would like to leave it as a surprise for now but there are enough songs to quench a thirst for music that engages both the body, mind and soul,” he said.
Lawi said the album features musicians from four African countries whose identities he is yet to reveal.
For now, Lawi says the album will be distributed on online streaming platforms such as iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon and YouTube just like with Sunset in the Sky.
“We are producing CDs for those who would like to collect and enjoy the music in the comfort of their homes and cars. These CDs will be distributed by the companies we signed distribution agreements with globally,” he said.
Just like other musicians both locally and internationally, Lawi has not been spared of Covid-19 effects which have slowed down his plans for the album.
Thirties comes with a subtle difference and he has engaged the hands of one of versatile producers in South Africa, David Mutanda.
“David, my band director mastered my work. He is a big producer as well, having produced great African musicians such as Lokua Kanza, Unathi, Kelly Khumalo and many more,” said Lawi.
Mutanda urged fans both in Malawi and across Africa to be on the lookout for Lawi.
“Lawi is a one of the humblest musicians l have worked with. Being in the industry for over 20 years, you can tell I’ve worked with many musicians and celebrities but Lawi is one of a kind; a very talented guy yet, still very humble. I’m greatly honoured,” he said.
