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Goshen Trust, FAMA Push for Global Partnerships to Elevate Malawi’s Film Industry



By Rahim Abdul

In a bold move to accelerate the growth of Malawi’s film industry, Goshen Trust and the Film Association of Malawi (FAMA) have begun courting major international entertainment companies, including Zee World, Netflix and Amazon, to explore opportunities for collaboration and skills development.

The initiative follows a strategic meeting held yesterday between the two institutions, aimed at identifying long-term solutions that can uplift the country’s creative sector and position Malawi as a competitive player in global filmmaking.



Prophet Shepherd Bushiri, leader of Goshen Trust, announced through his official Facebook page that the time has come for Malawians to produce impactful work rather than remain spectators in the global entertainment arena.

Bushiri revealed that during discussions with FAMA President Dorothy Kingstone, the team managed to establish direct communication with executives from top global film companies.

The intention is to invite these industry giants to Malawi to help expose local talent and strengthen technical capacity within the creative economy.

According to Bushiri, this collaboration has the potential to open new doors for Malawian filmmakers, enabling them to showcase their artistry on international platforms and build sustainable careers.

He expressed confidence that the initiative will not only enhance skills but also amplify the visibility of Malawian content across the country.

Lilongwe Police re-arrest 11 suspects moments after Court grants bail

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By Burnett Munthali

Just minutes after being granted bail by the Lilongwe Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court, 11 suspects were re-arrested by police authorities.

The individuals had initially received bail in connection with allegations of theft and property destruction in the Mbowe area of Lilongwe.

According to court reports, the re-arrest is related to additional charges involving the assault of women during protests earlier this year.



These protests took place at Memorial Tower in Area 18 and involved government employees demonstrating for various grievances.

Police confirmed that the suspects are being held to face both the original property-related charges and the newly reported assault cases.

Magistrates and law enforcement officials have stressed that the re-arrest aims to ensure public safety and accountability while legal proceedings continue.

The sequence of events has drawn attention to the complexity of handling cases that involve both civic demonstrations and criminal allegations.

Observers note that the rapid re-arrest highlights the need for suspects to strictly adhere to bail conditions and cooperate fully with authorities.

The court proceedings for these individuals are expected to continue once the police complete investigations into the assault allegations.

Legal experts have emphasized the importance of due process, ensuring that the rights of the accused are protected while victims receive justice.

The community continues to monitor the case closely, given its implications for civic protests, public order, and the enforcement of law in Lilongwe.

Authorities have called for calm and patience as the judicial system works to resolve both the property-related and assault charges.

Government scraps examination fees for public schools, private and external students still charged

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By Burnett Munthali

The government has officially abolished examination fees for students enrolled in public schools across the country.

This move is aimed at increasing accessibility to education and relieving financial pressure on families whose children attend government institutions.

The Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) has since released a detailed list of applicable fees for students who are not covered by the new policy.

According to MANEB, students attending private schools will still be required to pay examination fees in full, as will external candidates sitting for examinations outside the traditional school system.

The fee abolition applies exclusively to public school students, highlighting the government’s targeted approach to supporting underfunded institutions.

Education stakeholders have welcomed the decision, noting that the reform could improve student enrollment and retention in public schools.

However, some private school operators have raised concerns about potential disparities, arguing that the policy may create confusion among parents and students regarding fee obligations.

MANEB has urged all affected students and guardians to consult the official fee schedule to ensure timely payment and avoid disqualification.

Experts suggest that the policy could set a precedent for broader education reforms in the future, potentially expanding financial support to other categories of learners.

The government has emphasized that this initiative is part of its wider commitment to equitable education and reducing barriers to academic success for the majority of Malawian students.

Observers anticipate that the removal of fees could positively impact student performance, as families are able to redirect funds towards learning resources and school support.

The Ministry of Education has pledged to monitor the implementation closely to ensure compliance and assess the long-term effects on public education.

This policy change marks a significant milestone in Malawi’s educational landscape, reflecting the state’s proactive role in promoting access to quality learning opportunities.

NBM plc pumps K20 million into NPL’s Mother’s Fun Run initiative

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By Linda Kwanjana

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has given K20 million to this year’s Nation Publication Limited (NPL) Mother’s Fun Run initiative, aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health services across the district.

The donation will go towards medical and water, Sanitation and hygiene (WASH) improvements at Kasungu District Hospital and selected health centres in Kasungu.


Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony in Blantyre on Thursday, NBM plc Customs Road Service Centre Manager, Ivy Mshali, said the Bank’s support goes beyond financial assistance, describing it as a gesture of shared responsibility in improving maternal health care.

“These facilities are often the first and only line of care for thousands of expectant mothers and newborns. We are standing alongside NPL and other partners to ensure that hospitals are equipped, safe, and ready to serve,” said Mshali.

She noted that the contribution comes at a crucial time when the hospital handles over 200 deliveries per week, despite facing challenges such as limited beds, incubators, and sterilization equipment.

“These are not just numbers, they are stories of mothers, families, and communities. We are not only improving health care infrastructure but also restoring hope to many women in rural areas who often give birth under unsafe and unhygienic conditions.”

“The Mother’s Fun Run initiative has proven to be more than just a campaign. It is a movement that brings people together for a cause that saves lives,” said Mshali.

Commenting on the support on behalf of NPL, Nation-On-Sunday Editor, Emmanuel Luciano, expressed gratitude to NBM plc describing it as a timely and impactful contribution.

“We are very grateful to NBM plc. This is a tremendous contribution, K20 million is a lot of money and will make a significant difference in the fight against maternal and neonatal deaths. It will go a long way in promoting safe motherhood and improving maternal health outcomes in Kasungu,” said Luciano.

IMF Mission Hails Malawi Govt for successful discussions

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By Linda Kwanjana

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission which has just concluded its discussions with Malawi Government officials has discribed the just concluded discussions as fruitful.

IMF Mission chief , Justin Tyson told journalists at Capital Hill that the just held discussions have been so successful.

He said the discussions focused on near-term policy priorities. He said the Staff agreed that urgent fiscal consolidation and tighter monetary policy are needed to tackle inflation, reduce imbalances, and stabilize the foreign exchange market.

Malawi delegation and IMF officials



He said the staff commend the authorities for reactivating the automatic fuel price mechanism and encourage them to operationalize the promised fiscal discipline and revenue mobilization, starting with the mid-year budget.

The team leader, said, Recent measures to control expenditure are a positive sign. Staff look forward to continued engagement with the authorities on their macroeconomic reform trajectory.

“We commend the government’s efforts to control spending in response to ongoing fiscal pressures. We look forward to seeing how these measures are integrated into a comprehensive package that supports long-term fiscal sustainability,” he said adding, 

“We had very productive discussions with the authorities. We discussed the recent economic, financial and social developments, and as we all know, the macroeconomic challenges for the new government are significant. These include a worse than budgeted fiscal outturn of the mid year, accelerated inflation and continued pressures on the exchange rate,” he said.

The IMF Chief said Growth is projected to be modest in 2025 at 2.4% and food insecurity is elevated while public Debt dynamics remain unsustainable.

Speaking during the function, Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamveka commended IMF for the fruitful discussions held as the country navigates towards economic recovery.

Mwanamveka said currently there is no any Extended Credit Facilities (ECF) programme with the IMF as other people have been insinuating.

The Minister assured IMF that  there is economic recovery plan in place and Government is doing everything to ensure the economy is back at its lane.