The premiere of the movie “Welcome to Maula Prison” at the BICC in Lilongwe has drawn large crowds of movie enthusiasts, demonstrating the growing popularity of Malawi’s film industry.
Dorothy Kingston, President of the Film Association of Malawi, expressed her gratitude to the audience for their enthusiastic response, highlighting the potential of the film industry to contribute to the country’s economic development.
Kingston also extended her appreciation to the government, particularly the Malawi Prison Service, for their support in the production of the movie.
Dorothy Kingston
She emphasized the need for further support from both the government and the private sector to promote the growth of the film industry.
“We are rallying for more support to help promote the growth of the film industry,” Kingston said.
The movie “Welcome to Maula Prison” received financial support from the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) through the Universal Service Fund, which provided K17 million for its production.
This support underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between the government, regulatory bodies, and the film industry in fostering creativity and innovation.
The success of “Welcome to Maula Prison” is expected to inspire more filmmakers to explore Malawi’s rich cultural heritage and stories, further boosting the country’s film industry.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has confirmed the winners of its primary elections in several constituencies in Dedza.
Patrick Chilondola, the party’s Regional Chairperson for the Centre, emerged victorious in the Dedza Mayani Constituency, garnering 1,502 votes against his challenger Chrispine Malunga, who received 56 votes.
Chilondola attributed his win to the delegates’ will, pledging to strengthen the party in the constituency and region.
MCP Deputy Director of Youth Ramsey Khani, who oversaw the polls, commended supporters for conducting the election peacefully.
Other confirmed primary winners include Moses Kunkuyu (Dedza Mlunduni), Clement Mlombwa (Dedza Mphunzi), Anxious Chidovu (Dedza Chikoma), and Joshua Malango (Dedza Kasina).
However, results for Dedza Dzalanyama have been withheld due to misunderstandings, while primaries for Dedza Mtakataka are scheduled for May 9.
The MCP’s primary elections come as other major parties, such as the DPP, UTM, and UDF, have yet to conduct theirs in Dedza.
The party’s ability to hold peaceful and transparent primaries could set a positive example for other parties.
Chilondola’s victory reflects the party’s efforts to engage with its members and the community.
His pledge to strengthen the party in the constituency and region demonstrates his commitment to building a robust party structure.
The withheld results for Dedza Dzalanyama due to misunderstandings highlight the challenges parties face in ensuring smooth electoral processes.
The upcoming primaries for Dedza Mtakataka on May 9 will be crucial in determining the party’s candidates for the constituencies.
As the MCP moves forward with its primaries, other parties are expected to follow suit.
The conduct of these primaries will be closely watched, as they can impact the parties’ chances in future elections.
The peaceful conduct of the MCP primaries is a positive sign, demonstrating the party’s ability to manage its internal elections.
This could contribute to a more stable political environment, where parties focus on competing through policies and ideas rather than conflicts.
The MCP’s primary elections in Dedza mark an important step in the party’s preparations for future elections.
The confirmed winners will likely play a significant role in shaping the party’s direction and representation in the region.
Duputy Minister of Agriculture Benedicto Chambo on Friday Commissioned the operations of Dowa-Dambo Irrigation Scheme.
Speaking during the launch , Chambo said was so impressed to witness such magnificent project which will change alot of ordinary lives.
“It was just speculations, but now we have started planting. It means people will start seeing the food from this dam. This is one way that our president Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera wants the country to be food secured. So the people of Dowa are the first to prove that this nation, one day, will be food secured. We will not ever import food from anywhere, but we will export the foods,” he said.
Chambo commended the leadership at the Ministry of Agriculture which is led by Sam Kawale and the ever hard working of members of staff in the Ministry of Agriculture without forgetting the farmers.
“This collaboration will improve something very great for this nation. And I am encouraging other areas to emulate the same system that is happening here in Dowa,” said the Minister.
According to Chambo this will give the country a good future, a nation that will have a well balanced food diet from irrigation. We have been relying on land fed, but now we want to rely on irrigation. Farmers should plant three seasons. These are called cycles, because any crop has a cycle. The cycles of the crops would admire the usefulness of the farmers at this dam,” he said.
He said currently , the project has covered 400 hectares and that from these hectorage it is expected that from each hectare to harvest a minimum of five tonnes.
“So far in the country wide, we are, targeting 50,000 hectares for irrigation so this is a great achievement for our country,” he said.
Senior Chief Chakhaza Remarks
According to the senior chief , the project will go along way in helping people of his area. The chief said was happy the project has already created employment for people in his area.
About the project
Dowa-Dambo Irrigation Scheme is the eighth scheme that the Government of Malawi through the Department of Irrigation under the Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE) Programme is constructing.
With funding from the Malawi Government and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), PRIDE has already constructed the following irrigation schemes: Wowo in Phalombe, Lingoni in Machinga, Mlooka and Matoponi in Zomba, Mafinga and Marko in Chitipa district. Two schemes, namely: Mzenga in Nkhata Bay and Chipofya in Rumphi are currently being constructed with completion expected before the end of this year.
The scheme, which has 453 hectares, is being constructed by Foundation for Irrigation and Sustainable Development (FISD) and a joint venture of SAWA Group and SICO companies at a combined cost of 29.1 billion Malawi Kwacha (US$16, 652,458).
Out of the nine schemes PRIDE has constructed and is still constructing, Dowa-Dambo Irrigation Scheme is the first dambased scheme. The two contractors are constructing five (5) dams that will ensure steady supply of water for irrigation to the whole 453-ha command area.
Under Lot 1, SAWA & SICO JV is expected to put up 20 solar pumps that will support the irrigation of 160 hectares while under Lot 2 contractor, FISD is installing 40 solar pumps to take care of the remaining 293 hectares. By mid-March, Lot 2 under FISD was at 90 percent while Lot 1 under SAWA Group and SICO was at 13 percent.
President Lazarus Chakwera has emphasized the importance of accuracy, fairness, and balance in media reporting, stressing that the media and government must work together to combat misinformation and disinformation on social media.
Chakwera made these remarks during a breakfast meeting with journalists in Mzuzu, part of the World Press Freedom Day celebrations.
The President’s call for responsible media practices was welcomed by Golden Matonga, Chairperson of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi Chapter.
Matonga praised Chakwera for hosting the media, noting that it was the fourth such engagement since the President assumed office.
Matonga also announced that MISA Malawi and its partners have organized Presidential Debates ahead of the September 16 elections and invited Chakwera to participate
. “No Presidential candidate who skips these debates wins an election,” Matonga said, urging the President to take part.
In a related matter, Matonga questioned the lack of transparency regarding the names of recently pardoned prisoners, citing the importance of information disclosure.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Information Baldwin Chiyamwaka highlighted the significance of press freedom as a foundation for democracy.
The World Press Freedom Day celebrations serve as a timely reminder of the crucial role the media plays in promoting democracy, accountability, and good governance.
The arrest and prosecution of journalists in Malawi is a stark reminder of the country’s deteriorating press freedom landscape.
The cases of Horace Somanje and Mabvuto Banda in 1999, who were arrested for allegedly inciting the Malawi Army to take over the country over a story quoting opposition supporters, highlight a disturbing trend of intimidation and silencing of critical voices.
Similarly, Macmillan Mhone was arrested in 2024 for publishing a story alleging businessman Abdul Karim Batatawala faced corruption and fraud charges, and was charged with publishing news likely to cause fear or public alarm. This incident demonstrates the government’s willingness to use draconian laws to criminalize journalism.
In 2022, Gregory Gondwe was arrested for publishing a story about a “leaked memo” from the Attorney General’s office.
The police demanded he disclose his sources, and his equipment was confiscated.
This blatant attempt to compromise journalistic integrity and source confidentiality is a clear infringement on press freedom.
Dorica Mtenje’s experience in 2023 was equally disturbing.
She was detained and charged with defamation, cyber-related offenses, and offensive communication over a story she hadn’t even written or published.
Her phones were confiscated, and she was reportedly traumatized by the experience.
This incident highlights the arbitrary nature of press restrictions in Malawi.
Other journalists, such as Yasin Limu, who was assaulted and had equipment damaged during an attack by Wanderers FC supporters, Tiyese Monjeza, who was assaulted by followers of convicted Pastor Penjani Sodzera in 2022, and Francis Mzindiko, who was harassed by MCP youths for capturing footage of a dispute, have also faced violence and intimidation.
These incidents collectively undermine the rights of journalists and the ability of citizens to access accurate and unbiased information.
The Malawi government must prioritize the protection of press freedom and ensure that journalists can work without fear of reprisal.
This requires a commitment to upholding constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.
The international community is watching, and it’s time for Malawi to demonstrate its dedication to democratic values and human rights.
The people of Malawi deserve a free and independent press that can hold power accountable without fear or favor.
Anything less is a betrayal of the country’s democratic aspirations.
