Musician Abiti Najere has made a heartfelt appeal to event organisers, asking them to start considering her for live performances.
In a message posted on her entertainment page, the singer expressed deep frustration over being repeatedly sidelined despite her efforts and dedication to her craft.
According to Najere, many organisers overlook her when selecting artists for shows, something she says has been happening since she began her music career.
Abiti Najere
“Invite me to your shows! Many artists keep leaving me out. Since I started singing, I have never been invited to perform at a show,” she lamented.
She added that the constant exclusion has left her emotionally drained and questioning her place in the industry.
“I work very hard and I’m always trying my best to entertain Malawians with my music. But it is painful and heartbreaking that most artists never include me. Sometimes I even think of giving up music,” she wrote.
Industry observers say Najere’s plea highlights a broader challenge faced by many emerging artists in Malawi, who struggle to break into major platforms dominated by established names.
Some commentators argue that organisers should embrace diversity and offer opportunities to rising talents to strengthen the industry as a whole.
Fans have since rallied behind Najere, encouraging her not to give up and urging event organisers to recognise her potential and dedication.
Telecom Networks Malawi (TNM) on Thursday evening celebrated 30 years of innovation and digital transformation at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre,with the company reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to modern communication technologies across the country.
Speaking during the celebration, TNM Chief Executive Officer(CEO ) Michel Hebert highlighted the company’s achievements over the past three decades and its vision for the future.
“The highlight of TNM’s 30-year existence is that we have brought innovation to make people’s digital lives better. We brought the Internet to millions, enabled phone calls for millions more, and introduced mobile money services that allow people to send and receive money anywhere in Malawi and even internationally,” he said.
Hebert
Hebert added that TNM has consistently been at the forefront of Malawi’s telecommunications revolution, pioneering key technologies that have connected people and communities nationwide.
“For the past 30 years, we have been the first to introduce many of these technologies. Even today, we continue to bring the best innovations from around the world to Malawi to make people’s lives better,” he said.
Looking ahead, Hebert said TNM plans to continue investing in infrastructure to extend coverage beyond urban centers.
“We currently cover about 85 percent of the population. Our goal is to reach the remaining 15 percent using more cost-effective technologies such as solar-powered and simplified communication systems, while still providing access to digital services for everyone,” he said.
The TNM CEO also noted the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of telecommunications and digital services.
“AI is transforming the way we operate,from financial services and network management to customer support, gaming, and entertainment. We plan to develop AI capabilities locally by setting up innovation hubs and AI labs next year. These facilities will help Malawians learn how to create AI-based solutions that meet local needs,” he said.
On the company’s financial performance, Hebert expressed optimism, revealing that TNM has experienced significant customer growth.
“We have added almost 1.2 million new customers within a year, and we expect this growth to continue.While I cannot disclose specific figures, we expect to double our performance compared to last year,” he said.
Hebert emphasized that TNM’s profits are reinvested in Malawi, benefiting both the company and its shareholders.
“All our profits stay in Malawi. They are either reinvested into our networks or distributed to our shareholders, who are 100 percent Malawians including pension funds and individual investors. We recently began issuing dividends about two months ago, and we plan to continue doing so every six months,” he said.
However, Hebert also pointed out that foreign exchange shortages remain one of the company’s biggest challenges.
“Like many other businesses in Malawi, our major challenge is the shortage of foreign currency, especially the US dollar. We invest billions in equipment, software, and network support from international suppliers, and we must pay them in foreign currency. If we cannot, it affects our ability to expand and maintain services,” he said.
On his part,Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Shadric Namalomba, who was the guest of honor at the event,applauded TNM for its 30 years of contribution to the country’s digital transformation, describing the company as a true pioneer in Malawi’s telecommunications industry.
The minister noted that TNM was the first company to introduce several groundbreaking technologies in Malawi, including the first mobile phone service, the first SMS platform, and the first 3G and 4G networks.
He said TNM’s growth over the years has gone hand in hand with the nation’s own technological progress.
“The government of Professor Peter Mutharika commends TNM for its innovation and encourages continued collaboration among all operators to achieve universal connectivity and build a vibrant digital economy,” said Namalomba.
He urged TNM and other operators to expand coverage to remote areas and make mobile and internet services more affordable for all Malawians.
The minister also challenged the company to improve service reliability, particularly in reducing dropped calls, and to explore opportunities to export telecom services to neighboring countries to help generate foreign exchange.
Namalomba further pledged government support in creating a conducive business environment, including reviewing the tax structure affecting the telecommunications industry.
“We are open to dialogue on developing a win–win framework that encourages investment while ensuring affordability for consumers.Together, we can leverage the foundation laid over the past 30 years to build a truly connected and digital Malawi,” he said.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc says all is set for the launch of the inaugural Mo626 Varsity Games at Mzuzu University (Mzuni) this Saturday.
The games, bring together tertiary institutions across the country in a vibrant celebration of sporting excellence and youth development in the country.
Speaking in an interview, NBM plc’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Hiwa, said the Bank is fully ready to roll out the final component of its sports sponsorship programme.
Akossa Hiwa
“We are now at the launch of the final component of our sports sponsorship, and we are very excited because everything is set for us to head to MZUNI. As a sponsor, this is a key element not just in sports but also in youth empowerment, and we are prepared to roll out all the activities that come with it.”
“After the launch, we are ready to conduct activations in the different tertiary institutions to meet our stakeholders, engage with students who hold accounts with us, get feedback, and ensure that the brand is serving them as it should,” said Hiwa.
On their part, Tertiary Sports Association of Malawi (TESSAM) Vice President, Geoffrey Biya said preparations have also been completed, with institutions already finalizing travel, team lists, and training programmes.
Biya commended NBM plc for the sponsoring the games, saying they will help athletes prepare for the Confederation of University and College Sports Associations (CUCSA) games next year in Botswana.
“We are very excited about the National Bank Mo626 Varsity Games, which we are launching this weekend in Mzuzu. A total of 21 universities will participate, competing in football and netball, with football featuring both men’s and women’s teams,” said Biya.
BASMAL Vice General Secretary, Edda Mkombezi also confirmed that preparations on the basketball front have been concluded, with participating teams ready to hit the court
She said this year’s competition will be more vibrant, with returning teams and new entrants all prepared for the challenge.
“The Mo626 Varsity Games continue to grow in strength and impact. We are thrilled to welcome four new university teams to the basketball category, alongside defending champions Malawi Assemblies of God University (Magu) and other strong sides such as the University of Malawi (Unima) and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS,” said Mkombezi.
Early this year, NBM plc committed K1.58 annual sports sponsorship targeting three key areas of women’s football, tertiary sports, and grassroots football in the country.
The Mo626 Varsity Games were allocated K450 million.
Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League champions Scotland FC are reportedly preparing for a major squad overhaul at the end of the current season, with Malawi international Khuda Muyaba among the players who could be shown the exit door.
According to sources close to the club, management is dissatisfied with the team’s overall attacking output despite clinching the championship. While Muyaba’s experience and professionalism have been praised, insiders say his limited goal return just one strike against Bikita United has raised questions about his long-term role in the team’s plans.
Muyaba
The former Silver Strikers and Moyale Barracks forward joined Scotland FC earlier this year from Venda Academy in South Africa on a two-year deal.
However, he has spent most of the season coming off the bench, a situation that reportedly frustrated both the player and supporters who expected more firepower from the Malawian hitman.
Sources within the club have hinted that the technical panel, led by coach Tinashe Mhere, is planning to release at least 11 players as part of efforts to rebuild a more competitive and youthful squad ahead of next season’s CAF Champions League campaign. Muyaba’s name is said to be on that list.
While there has been no official communication from the club, those familiar with the situation say Scotland FC is eyeing new attacking options from within Zimbabwe and abroad to strengthen their frontline.
Meanwhile, football analysts Ibrahim Phiri said in Malawi believe Muyaba’s potential exit could open doors for him to explore other opportunities across the region with a possible return to the TNM Super League or another move within Southern Africa.
Khuda Muyaba, 31, remains one of Malawi’s most recognized forwards, having previously finished as TNM Super League top scorer and represented the Flames in various international competitions.
Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League champions Scotland FC are reportedly preparing for a major squad overhaul at the end of the current season, with Malawi international Khuda Muyaba among the players who could be shown the exit door.
According to sources close to the club, management is dissatisfied with the team’s overall attacking output despite clinching the championship. While Muyaba’s experience and professionalism have been praised, insiders say his limited goal return just one strike against Bikita United has raised questions about his long-term role in the team’s plans.
Muyaba
The former Silver Strikers and Moyale Barracks forward joined Scotland FC earlier this year from Venda Academy in South Africa on a two-year deal.
However, he has spent most of the season coming off the bench, a situation that reportedly frustrated both the player and supporters who expected more firepower from the Malawian hitman.
Sources within the club have hinted that the technical panel, led by coach Tinashe Mhere, is planning to release at least 11 players as part of efforts to rebuild a more competitive and youthful squad ahead of next season’s CAF Champions League campaign. Muyaba’s name is said to be on that list.
While there has been no official communication from the club, those familiar with the situation say Scotland FC is eyeing new attacking options from within Zimbabwe and abroad to strengthen their frontline.
Meanwhile, football analysts Ibrahim Phiri said in Malawi believe Muyaba’s potential exit could open doors for him to explore other opportunities across the region with a possible return to the TNM Super League or another move within Southern Africa.
Khuda Muyaba, 31, remains one of Malawi’s most recognized forwards, having previously finished as TNM Super League top scorer and represented the Flames in various international competitions.
