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Vice President’s Residence in Limbo: A Story of Bureaucratic Delays

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Vice President’s Residence in Limbo: A Story of Bureaucratic Delays


By Burnett Munthali

The official residence of Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Jane Ansah, has been lying vacant for over four years, a victim of neglect and bureaucratic red tape. Principal Secretary in the Office of the Vice President, Eric Yesaya, has shed light on the reasons behind Dr. Ansah’s decision not to occupy the residence in Area 12.

The house, which is supposed to be the Vice President’s official abode, has been uninhabitable since 2020 due to extensive damage caused by previous occupants. Despite repeated requests for funding to renovate the property, the process has been bogged down by delays and a lack of funds. In the 2024/2025 financial year, the budget for renovations was not allocated, despite a proposal being submitted by the Office of the Vice President.

Ansah



According to Yesaya, when Dr. Ansah was sworn in, she found the house to be in a deplorable state and opted to stay in her personal house instead. The Office of the Vice President then approached the Ministry of Lands and Housing to look for alternative accommodation, but the rentals quoted were deemed “unrealistically high” by the Vice President. The rentals for three identified houses ranged from K7 million to K15 million, a cost that was considered prohibitive.

The estimated cost of renovating the Area 12 residence has been a contentious issue, with initial assessments putting it at K2.3 billion, a figure that was later deemed excessive. A revised assessment put the cost at K820 million, but funding was not released. Yesaya attributes the delay to the government’s inability to complete the renovations, rather than any refusal on the part of the Vice President to occupy the house.

The Vice President’s decision to remain in her personal house, despite being entitled to official accommodation, speaks volumes about her commitment to accountability and prudent use of government resources. By choosing to stay in her own home, Dr. Ansah is demonstrating a willingness to prioritize the interests of the nation over personal comfort, a move that is likely to resonate with many Malawians.

Skhrizy Fires Fresh Shots at Crisp Malawi as ‘Kwakwana’ Ignites New Wave in Malawi’s Hip-Hop Scene

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Skhrizy Fires Fresh Shots at Crisp Malawi as ‘Kwakwana’ Ignites New Wave in Malawi’s Hip-Hop Scene



By Rahim Abdul

Malawi’s hip-hop arena is once again buzzing after rising rapper Skhrizy dropped a bold diss track titled “Kwakwana,” taking direct aim at Crisp Malawi, also known as Spe, of the Mario Bros movement. The release arrives at a time when fans were beginning to believe that the heated lyrical clash between IKK and Slessor had cooled down.

Just as the dust from that earlier feud seemed to settle, Skhrizy stepped into the spotlight with a statement track that many listeners describe as both daring and strategic. The song immediately sparked debate among hip-hop followers across the country.

Skhrizy



Kwakwana features collaborations with B2 Elite and Mr Jubeck Madoda, whose contributions have been widely praised by fans. Many listeners believe the two artists helped elevate the track, turning it into a defining moment in Skhrizy’s growing career.

In his verse, Skhrizy confidently declares that this is his moment to shine, delivering lines that suggest a shift in power within the local hip-hop scene. His words carry the tone of an artist determined to claim space among Malawi’s top rap voices.

One of the most talked about parts of the song is the jab directed at the A’b’a’l’e T-shirt brand, which is associated with the Mario Bros camp. The line has triggered strong reactions online with fans dissecting its meaning and intent.

The diss track quickly gained traction on social media, where several prominent figures in Malawi’s music industry began sharing and promoting it. Their posts helped push the song deeper into the public conversation.

Among those amplifying Kwakwana are well known artists such as Gwamba, Charisma, Tsa Leo and Mellz Kumpanje. Their involvement has given the track additional visibility and fueled speculation about alliances within the hip-hop community.

Content creators and influencers have also joined the wave, using clips of the song in their posts and reactions.

This has further boosted engagement, turning the diss into one of the most discussed music moments in recent days.

However, the target of the diss, Spe, has not remained silent. In a confident response circulating online, he reportedly fired back with the words, “umpeze opanga naye zakozo,” signaling that he is ready for whatever comes next.

The brief response has only added more intrigue to the unfolding drama, leaving fans eager to see whether Spe will respond with a full track or continue the battle through subtle statements.

While many supporters celebrate the rivalry as a sign of a vibrant and competitive hip-hop culture, others have expressed concern about the growing trend of artists focusing more on diss battles than on creating timeless music.

FDH Bank plc, Ekhaya renew pact with Sunday Soirée

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FDH Bank plc, Ekhaya renew pact with Sunday Soirée

By Linda Kwanjana

FDH Bank plc and Ekhaya Group have renewed their partnership with lifestyle and networking platform Sunday Soirée, a move aimed at strengthening engagement with clients while supporting the growth of young entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The renewed collaboration will see the partners host six main events throughout the year, alongside several pop-up experiences organized by the Sunday Soirée team.



Speaking during the signing ceremony on Friday, FDH Bank plc, Marketing Manager Tiyese Kaimila said the extension of the partnership follows the success recorded during last year’s events.

“We saw the value of the collaboration last year and felt it was important to continue building on that momentum.”

“Sunday Soirée is one of the elements where we entertain our clients, but at the same time we elevate many of our SMEs and entrepreneurs, especially young entrepreneurs who are among our main customers,” said Kaimila.

He added that partnering with both Ekhaya Group and Sunday Soirée will once again create a strong platform for meaningful experiences this year.

Commenting on the partnership, Senior Operations Manager for Ekhaya Group of Companies, Mphatso Mpinganjira said last year’s collaboration highlighted the importance of creating platforms that empower emerging businesses.

“Our experience last year showed how valuable such initiatives are in supporting young entrepreneurs and giving them opportunities to showcase their products and services,” said Mpinganjira.

Sunday Soirée Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Ntilosanje welcomed the renewed partnership, saying it will enable the team to deliver high-value events.

“On behalf of my colleagues and co-founders of Sunday Soirée, last year was amazing working with both Ekhaya and FDH. The partnership went very well on both ends. And seeing that our partners have decided to renew the partnership gives us the commitment to deliver as we did last year. As they grow, we grow too,” said Ntilosanje.

The 2026 calendar will feature six major events, with the first event, Les Trois, scheduled to take place on March 29 in Lilongwe.

NBM plc pumps K5.5 million into MLS conference

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NBM plc pumps K5.5 million into MLS conference

By Durell Namasani



The National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has pumped K5.5 million towards the upcoming Malawi Law Society (MLS) Conference and Annual General Meeting scheduled to take place from March 26 to 29 under the theme ‘Climate Justice’.

Speaking during the symbolic cheque presentation on Friday, NBM plc Legal Services Manager, Pretence Sayenda, said the Bank found it important to support the conference as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Sayenda noted that the theme of the conference comes at a critical time when climate change continues to affect communities across the country.

“The topic being discussed is very important, considering how climate change is affecting all of us. As a Bank that believes in environmental sustainability, we felt it was important to be part of this conversation,” he said.

He added that NBM plc has been actively supporting communities affected by climate-related disasters, hence its interest in contributing to discussions that can shape policies and frameworks on environmental justice.



“As a Bank, we support various initiatives that respond to climate-related challenges, including disaster response. We, therefore believe that participating in forums where decision-makers discuss these issues is important in helping shape appropriate frameworks for environmental justice,” concluded Sayenda.

In his remarks, Malawi Law Society Treasurer, Kizito Kumwenda, appreciated the support from NBM plc, noting that it will complement the Society’s efforts in organising the conference.

He also commended the Bank for backing a gathering whose theme is critical to the country’s environmental development.

“We are very appreciative of this gesture from NBM plc as it will help us successfully plan and execute the annual conference.”

“Our conference is focusing on climate justice by looking at the role the legal profession can play in the realisation of climate action in the country. As a society, we recognise that climate change affects all of us, and we want to ensure that we are taking the right position in this important conversation,” said Kumwenda.

Mbeta a No-Show at PAC—Forces Move to Arrest Him?”

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Mbeta a No-Show at PAC—Forces Move to Arrest Him?”

By Durell Namasani

The heat is turning up in Lilongwe as Attorney General Frank Mbeta finds himself at the center of a political storm after dramatically failing to appear before the Public Accounts Committee today .

Mbeta was scheduled to face the committee this morning to answer tough questions regarding the controversial K128 billion purchase of Amaryllis Hotel by the Public Service Pension Fund Trust. However, Parliament received a last-minute letter from the AG’s office at exactly 8:45am—just 45 minutes before he was due to appear—claiming he had “other extremely urgent commitments” and requesting a rescheduling .

PAC members were visibly unimpressed by the eleventh-hour excuse. Committee Chairperson Steven Malondera confirmed they have now invoked Standing Order 151 to compel Mbeta’s appearance, issuing a subpoena requiring him to appear before the committee on Wednesday at 5:30pm . “As a committee we have invoked the powers granted to us by law,” Malondera stated firmly.

Frank Mbeta



But the no-show is only part of the story. Renowned political commentator and activist Alexious Kamangila has turned up the pressure by directly accusing the Attorney General of being involved in “a lot of corruption activities.” Kamangila’s allegations have added significant weight to public suspicions, suggesting that Mbeta’s reluctance to face PAC may be about more than just scheduling conflicts.

It is worth noting that Mbeta has previously denied authorizing the Amaryllis deal, claiming his office’s legal opinion has been “deliberately or carelessly misinterpreted.” He insists he never gave the green light for the pension fund to proceed with the massive hotel purchase and actually referred complaints to the Anti-Corruption Bureau . However, critics argue that if he has nothing to hide, he should have no problem facing the committee.

Meanwhile, Malawians have taken to social media in their thousands to express outrage at Mbeta’s failure to appear. The hashtag #AGMustAppear is trending locally, with citizens demanding accountability over the use of pensioners’ funds. Many are questioning why the country’s chief legal adviser would dodge a parliamentary inquiry unless he has something to hide.

Adding a disturbing twist to the drama, PAC Chairperson Malondera revealed that he and other committee members have been receiving threats from unknown individuals linked to the investigation. The matter has been reported to police, and Malondera has formally requested security protection .

The nation now waits with bated breath to see whether the Attorney General will honor the subpoena on Wednesday—or whether this standoff between Parliament and the country’s top lawyer is just beginning.

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