The Chess Association of Malawi (CHESSAM) has partnered with the Malawi Schools Association (MASSA) to launch the 2025 National Schools Chess League.
The tournament aims to promote critical thinking and education through chess.
The opening stage of the competition took place on Satuday at Mulanje Secondary School, featuring schools from the Shire Highlands Education Division (SHED).
Participating schools included Addolorata Community Day Secondary, Luchenza Secondary School, St Anthony Secondary School, Mulanje Secondary School, Fomo Private, Providence Girls, and Chikhwaza.
St Anthony Secondary School from Thyolo district emerged as the top school in both boys and girls categories, qualifying for stage 2 of the competition.
The next match, stage 2-middle game, is scheduled to take place at Addolorata Community Day Secondary School in Thyolo on June 20, 2025.
The league features six education divisions: South East Education Division (SEED), South West Education Division (SWED), Central East Education Division (CEED), Central West Education Division (CWED), North East Education Division (NEDD), and North West Education Division (NWED). Nico Asset Managers is sponsoring the tournament.
The 2025 National Schools Chess League promises to be an exciting competition, promoting critical thinking and education through chess among Malawian students.
The United Kingdom has thrown its support behind Morocco’s 2007 Autonomy Plan as a viable solution to the Western Sahara conflict.
This development comes as part of a Joint Communiqué signed in Rabat by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
According to Abdelkader Naji, the Moroccan Ambassador to Malawi, who shared the news in Lilongwe, the UK’s endorsement marks a significant diplomatic milestone.
Naji emphasized that the UK’s backing reflects a growing global consensus around Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a realistic foundation for peace.
The UK’s support highlights the importance of resolving the Sahara dispute to enhance regional stability and facilitate economic integration across North Africa.
Notably, the UK Export Finance may support development projects in the region with a £5 billion commitment.
Naji stressed that the move is not just about Morocco but about unlocking Africa’s potential by removing barriers to peace, development, and unity.
The Joint Statement also acknowledged the positive momentum under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, which is seen as crucial in advancing efforts toward a lasting solution.
Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to UN-led efforts and support for a mutually acceptable political solution to the conflict.
This development underscores the UK’s recognition of the need for a collaborative approach to resolving the Western Sahara dispute.
Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda has disclosed that Malawi Government has signed financial agreements aimed at funding the long awaited Mponela Water project which in turn will boost irrigation and improve sanitation.
Chithyola Banda said this at Mlengwe community ground Mndolera constituency in Dowa during a political rally.
MCP rally at Mlengwe in Dowa
He disclosed in front of multitudes of people who gathered at the rally that last week while he was in Ivory Coast he has signed the Mponela water project with Africa Development Bank with the other project called Dambo water project.
Chithyola Banda also assured people of Mponela that there will be sufficient food as another support from World Bank is on board.
“In the parliament the budget was passed that 60 billion kwacha should go to Admarc to assist in buying maize as well as 90 billion kwacha for irrigation,” he said.
He has since encouraged people to vote for Dr. Lazarus Chakwera in the coming September 16 elections sighting that he has transformed the country in several sectors including road infrastructure development as well as electricity access as during the past administration, the Mndorela constituency used to have no electricity.
Oxfam, a prominent international organization, reports that Malawi’s economy is highly reliant on agriculture, with more than 80 percent of the population depending on it for their livelihood. Additionally, 71 percent of Malawians live below the poverty line, surviving on just $2.15 per day.
Oxfam will implement the Improving Communities’ Livelihoods Resilience for Healthy Lives project, building on lessons and approaches from the Norad-funded Rooted in Diversity project being implemented in the TA Kayembe in Dowa District, in partnership with CICOD.
This is a two-year project starting in April 2025 and ending in March 2027, targeting 1,200 households in Traditional Authority Dzoole in the district. Rapid assessments were carried out in the areas of Traditional Authorities Kayembe and Dzoole, which revealed that 80 percent of households harvest food that lasts for less than six months.
Presenting the project to the District Executive Committee (DEC) in Dowa, Oxfam’s Program Manager for Livelihood Resilience, Steve Kuliya, said the project will be implemented with the overall objective of contributing to improved livelihood resilience and nutrition security in Dowa through climate-resilient local food systems and inclusive markets.
Kuliya said communities in the areas of the two Traditional Authorities, Dzoole and Kayembe, face limited access to agricultural inputs, low agricultural production, lack of reliable markets for their produce, and most farmers rely on vendors. He added that food insecurity remains a major challenge, negatively impacting adherence to ART as well as overall service outcomes.
He said the project’s impact area will be Traditional Authority Dzoole, specifically in villages where Sant’ Egidio is working, targeting 1,200 smallholder farmers. The project aims for these farmers to adopt sustainable, nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices.
The Manager added that the project’s activities will include promoting climate-smart agriculture, supporting the establishment of homestead gardens with fruit trees such as pawpaws, and encouraging the production and consumption of neglected and underutilized crops that are both highly nutritious and climate-resilient.
“The project will train eight horticulture groups in value addition, build the capacity of 1,200 smallholder farmers through training on food preparation, and construct one warehouse to support crop aggregation, among other activities,” said Kuliya.
He said the overall project delivery approaches will include the Farmer Field School model, drawing lessons and experiences from the ongoing Norad-funded project, with a focus on promoting the production and utilization of neglected and underutilized local food crops and plants with high nutritional value.
In his remarks, Dowa District Council’s Acting Chief Planning Officer, Yusuf Laki, called for coordination and collaboration among partners implementing various interventions in the district for the benefit of Dowa communities.
Laki advised the organization to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the council and to obtain a letter of introduction to present to the Area Development Committee (ADC) to enhance cooperation, transparency, and accountability.
Oxfam will implement the Improving Communities’ Livelihoods Resilience for Healthy Lives project in partnership with CICOD and Sant’ Egidio, with support from the Foundation Assistance Internationale (FAI) through Oxfam-Italy, amounting to 185,030 Euros.
Independent shadow MP for Mulanje South East Constituency, Tiyamike Goliyati, is facing backlash for allegedly spreading unsubstantiated news about MP Naomi Kilekwa Phiri.
According to sources, Goliyati claimed that Phiri stole maize meant for the constituency, which was directed by the government to benefit the people.
Goliyati made these allegations during a meeting with chiefs in his constituency, where he reportedly told them that Phiri and the local councillor diverted the maize, leaving their subjects suffering. However, instead of focusing on his manifesto, Goliyati went further to make personal attacks on Phiri’s character, alleging that she isn’t educated and uses someone else’s certificate belonging to her in-law.
Goliyati
In response to these allegations, Phiri expressed dismay and described them as serious and defamatory. She stated that she has been a victim of character assassination for a long time and has decided to seek legal redress.
“It’s too much, instead of selling his manifesto, he is busy castigating me, creating false stories, and this time around, I will seek legal redress,” Phiri said. “I have been defamed for so long, so we will meet in court, as I believe he has evidence.”
Phiri’s determination to seek legal action comes after repeated attempts to discredit her by Goliyati and possibly others.
This isn’t the first time Goliyati has been involved in controversy. In the past, he quit DPP primaries, citing alleged violence backed by Phiri.
The allegations made by Goliyati against Phiri are baseless and lack evidence. Phiri’s decision to seek legal redress sends a strong message that she will not tolerate defamation and character assassination.
The people of Mulanje South East Constituency deserve honest and transparent leadership, and it’s essential for leaders to focus on delivering development rather than engaging in mudslinging.
In light of these developments, it’s crucial to examine the role of leaders in promoting development and the impact of defamation on individuals and communities.
Leaders should prioritize delivering on their promises and working towards the betterment of their constituents, rather than engaging in personal attacks and unsubstantiated claims.
