One o f the countries top paediatricians Dr David Kazembe has died. Reports reaching us suggest he has passed away in South Africa where he was receiving treatment.
Dr Kazembe , a well-known and loved doctor saw his work winning him international acclaim, including in top-notch medical colleges and institutions in the United Kingdom and Canada
The late Dr Peter Kazembe
Back in March 2020, Dr. Kazembe it was announced that Dr Kazembe had became symptomatic, which led to the diagnosis of metastatic gall bladder cancer. He then went to Peter Johannesburg, in South Africa where he received receiving chemotherapy
Dr Peter Kazembe was also a director of the Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation in Malawi. Details of burial arrangements will be announced later
Tributes have poured today after it was announced that the long serving member of Malawi Congress Party Roseby Dinala has died. Popularly known as Mai Dinala she is known to have served the party for over 57 years after being one of the people to welcome former head of state Kamuzu when he returned to Malawi back in 1958 . She was 82 years old
Mai Dinala passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a short illness. In paying his tribute , MCP Campaign Director Moses Kunkuyu confirmed the death and said the party was saddened by the death of such a remarkable woman. The remarks were echoed by the party secretary general and Minister of foreign affairs Hon Eisenhower Mkaka who wrote on his facebook page that “ Mai Dinala was an epitome of loyalty. While many moved to them parties in government she remained loyal to MCP. As if she was waiting to see MCP back in government, she had voted on 23rd June only to depart for good today”
Mai Dinala flanked by Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima and Mama C Tamanda Kadzamila
Many Malawians used social media to express their shock and saddeness .Political activist and Diaspora member of MCP Allan Mandindi Banda shared his sadness at the loss of and described her long service as outstanding “ These are the people we should honour with statue at the party headquarters. One lesson I have learnt from theis great woman is loyalty. When you grab on something never let go until you have given your contribution and don’t be unstable chasing success”
The late Mai Dinala
Martha Chikuni , a media practitioner with MCP also wrote of Mai Dinala loyalty “ she stood strong and true . Loyal , a woman of substance”
Mai Dinala is survived by 14 children, 25 grand children and 16 great grand children. The burial ceremenoy is cheduled for Wednesday at Chitawira cemetery in Blantyre starting from 10:30am
Seasoned musician Billy Kaunda has unveiled his 13th studio album Hymns which is a collection of cover songs from different hymn books.
The musician has for long associated himself with the gospel theme as reflected in most of his compositions; hence his latest move will not surprise fans.
The album, produced and recorded by music genius Lulu at his Mathumela Studios, comprises 14 songs. Some of the titles in the album are Ndikonda Mulungu,Sing’anga Mkulu,Hossana,Akhristu Limbikani, Kwa Inu Yesu,Mtidzutse Ambuye and Wina Atikonda, among others.
Billy Kaunda
Two out of the 14 tracks, Kwa Inu Yesu and Ndidze Pafupipa have been done in acoustic version while the rest contain full instrumentation with siblings Chinsinsi and Chisomo Kambwiri providing the backing vocals.
Other prominent names that have featured in the project are Dan Sibale on the saxophone while Victor Kambana, Lulu and Billy Kaunda Jnr took turns on the keyboards. Billy Jnr and Lulu’s prowess were also used on the lead guitar and drums.
In an interview, Kaunda said as the world is still grappling with the threat of the novel coronavirus, it is paramount for people should come together and place their faith in God to see them through.
He said: “Almost everything has been tried. People have deployed a number of scientific methods, but the battle is still far from being won. In this moment we need to conjure God’s spirit so that He can come to our rescue.”
His remarks are almost reflected in the song Mtidzutse Mbuye in which he sings: “Tidzutse Mbuyetu, tiwonekeremu, muneneza kumvekazi, timvere ifetu…tidzutse mbuyetu, tipatse moyonso, mudzetu mbuye, tidzalitsenimo…”
Kaunda said as someone with a strong background in gospel music, he did not find challenges in adapting to his new terrain.
The project has also seen the introduction of Billy Jnr, who is a student pilot at Madiba Bay School of Flight in South Africa. He showed his versatility by switching from keyboards and the lead guitar in the production of the album.
Billy Jnr said he felt honoured to have been roped into the project: “I have always been into music from my days at school where I played in the band. This is probably the beginning of good things. I plan to work with my dad again.”
The album is currently being sold online. Three videos for songs Ndimkonda Mulungu,Sing’anga Mkulu and Nkwabwino Kukhulupira have already been produced.
Malawi has received a grant of JPY300 million (approximately K2 billion) from the Government of Japan to assist in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
Speaking at the grant signing ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday, Japanese Ambassador to Malawi Iwakiri Satoshi said the grant will assist Malawi Government to procure medical equipment.
“Among the medical equipment to be procured will include Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, ultrasound scanners, bed side monitors and other high-tech medical devices,” he said.
Japanese Ambassador to Malawi Iwakiri Satoshi and Hon Mlusu
The ambassador said his government remains hopeful that Malawi together with the rest of the world will win the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic if they use the grant appropriately.
Minister of Finance, Felix Mlusu, received the grant on behalf of Malawi Government and thanked the Japanese government for the support.
“Government will ensure that the grant is used properly so that it can assist the country to win the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Currently, Malawi has recorded 4,627 cases including 146 deaths. Of these cases, 1032 are imported infections and 3627 are locally transmitted.
2375 cases have now recovered bringing the total number of active cases to 2137.
The country has so far conducted 34,763 COVID-19 tests in 45 COVID-19 testing sites
Malawi National Council of Sports says it is working towards the construction of a sports complex in the city of Mzuzu where the youth could develop their different talents in sports.
Reports also indicate that Kamuzu Institute for Sports in Lilongwe will be renovated for the same cause.
Analysts have over time expressed their worry over the sorry state of Kamuzu Institute for Sports, Lilongwe Community Centre Ground, BAT Ground and Chilomoni Stadium in Blantyre, arguing that these places have a very rich history in Malawi sports.
site of the construction
The issue of a sports complex in Mzuzu and renovation of Kamuzu Institute of Sports is coming at a time when Minister of Youth and Sports, Ulemu Msungama, has said he prefers rebuilding or renovating Kamuzu Stadium to erecting a new stadium altogether at Njamba in Blantyre.
“It is only my wish as an individual. Rebuilding Kamuzu Stadium will be one way of beautifying the city of Blantyre. There is enough land there to accommodate different sporting disciplines.
“If you look at Njamba, the place is partially owned by other people who may have their own plans as well. Tonse Alliance is a listening government and we will continue to consult and receiving views until we arrive at the correct decision regarding a new national stadium in Blantyre,” Msungama explained on Radio Islam.
Acting General Secretary for the Malawi National Council of Sports, Henry Meleka, says the council is engaging Mzuzu City Council to identify land where the sports complex can be erected.
“We have been thinking of doing something in terms of sports in Mzuzu. That’s why we are now engaging those concerned with land in Mzuzu to give us some land for construction of a sports complex.
“We are also engaging the city council so that we can work together in order to have a place where the youth can gather to develop their different talents in sports,” Meleka explained on Timveni Radio.
