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25-Year-Old Songwriter Issabel King Debuts Soulful Album The Blue Journal



By Rahim Abdul

Rising Malawian songwriter Issabel King has officially released her debut album titled The Blue Journal, a heartfelt 12-track project that captures the emotional depths of love, faith and self-discovery.

At just 25, Issabel has managed to craft an album that blends lyrical storytelling with soulful melodies, showcasing her maturity and artistic depth.

Speaking during the release, Issabel described The Blue Journal as “a reflection of my life’s seasons the pain, hope, faith and healing that shaped who I am today.”

The album opens with Before Tomorrow, a track that sets a reflective tone on the uncertainties of life and the importance of hope. It is followed by Waves and The Moon both poetic pieces that explore emotions of longing and inner peace.

Issabel King



Midway through the record, songs like Character and At War with Time delve into the struggles of personal growth and the pursuit of purpose. One of the standout tracks, My Mother’s Prayer, pays tribute to maternal love and spiritual grounding  a song Issabel says was inspired by her late mother’s influence.

Issabel also showcases her versatility in tracks such as Eyes on You and Anchor, which blend R&B with Afro-soul elements, while Ine and M’manja Mwanu bring a touch of Malawian rhythm and language, grounding the project in her cultural roots.

The closing track, Yahweh, is a powerful worship ballad that seals the album with a message of gratitude and faith.

Music lovers can stream the full album on Vwaza Music, where The Blue Journal is already gaining attention for its emotional honesty and refreshing sound.

With this debut, Issabel King marks her arrival as one of Malawi’s promising young voices in music a storyteller whose pen and voice carry both depth and authenticity.

Mwanamveka hails FDH Bank for the K150 Million
food response donation

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By Linda Kwanjana

FDH Bank (PLC) on Tuesday donated K150Million to Malawi Government over food response programme

Receiving the donation in Lilongwe, Minister of Finance, Joseph Mathyola Mwanamveka hailed FDH Bank for the donation.

“Firstly let me register our appreciation to FDH bank for responding to our request for the support,” he said.



He said “Today, they are giving us 150 million kwacha for us to assist in buying food so mine is a word of appreciation, the word of thanks to the bank, because they have shown indeed that they are indeed a good corporate citizen, a citizen or a partner, and that you also understand that our people, they are suffering. So would want to thank the bank, and also to ask other banks to do more in future,” he said.

Mwanamveka reiterated Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika commitment that no one will die of hunger.

Speaking during the ceremony FDH Bank Managing Director , Noel Mkulichi, said the Bank decided to donate the money because there was an appeal from the Minister of Finance that indeed, the country requires support in terms of food, and therefore we thought it wise to help.

“We needed to start that process. believably, we will be the, possibly the first bank that has responded. But that’s not the end of the story. I think as we go along, depending on the  shortfall, we should be able to add more,” he said.

According to Intergrated Food Insecurity Report further states that during this period, a number of people affected are  estimated at 4 million which is 22 percent of the analysed population which will require approximately 187,000 Metric tonnes of food.

NBM plc awards 8 outstanding employees

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By Linda Kwanjana

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has honoured eight outstanding employees with platinum awards for their exceptional contribution, innovation, and dedication to service delivery across its service centres and subsidiaries in 2024.

The awards were presented during the Bank’s Staff Recognition Awards 2024 ceremony held at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe under the theme ‘Celebrating Excellence, Together We Shine’.



The top-performing employees received medals, certificates, and an all-expenses-paid seven-day holiday to Dubai with their spouses.

The initiative, according to the Bank’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Harold Jiya, is part of its continued efforts to recognize and motivate staff who demonstrate excellence in their work and uphold the bank’s service standards.

Jiya said the institution’s success in meeting customer expectations relies heavily on the dedication and morale of its employees.

“This is very significant because it is our staff that deliver to make our customers happy. This is one way of appreciating our staff, but also encouraging morale and the winning culture within our people. We believe when you celebrate success, you engrave a winning culture in people’s minds,” said Jiya.

Jiya further said the motivation and recognition drive is part of the Bank’s broader strategy to build a strong service culture by encouraging employees to go beyond routine tasks and deliver memorable customer experiences.

“We want our staff to be our heroes—the people who go beyond the norm to serve our customers and excite them. We want to recognize more of our staff and celebrate more of our teams. A motivated workforce means better service for our customers, and that’s what drives us.”

“These awards inspire others to work hard. They make the whole unit or service centre vibrant and motivated to serve customers better,” he said.

In his remarks, NBM plc Head of Digital Finance Services, William Kaunda, who also serves on the Rewards and Recognition Committee, said the Bank will continue with the initiative, adding that the process for selecting the 2025 awardees is already in progress.

“Come 2026, first quarter, we should be able to know who has won the 2025 excellence awards. We have seen a huge competition and a hardworking spirit among the employees, and this is what we want as a Bank,” said Kaunda.

One of the awardees, Client Coverage Manager, Nicholas Musaiwa described the recognition as both an honour and motivation to continue excelling.

“It feels so great, thank you so much to management of NBM plc. This is a great honour and privilege,” said Musaiwa.

He attributed his success to teamwork and shared values across the organization.

FCB plc donates K70 million to Beit-Cure fundraising drive

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By Linda Kwanjana

First Capital Bank (FCB) plc has supported the Beit-Cure Children’s Hospital’s fundraising initiative by donating K70 million.

Beit-Cure organised a fundraising dinner at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre on Saturday under the theme ‘Healing Journeys: Bringing the gap of hope’, where FCB plc made the donation.

Speaking during the ceremony, FCB’s Head of Marketing and Communications, Twikale Chirwa said it is the Bank’s duty to complement government efforts in providing world-class health services free of charge.



“True development is measured not only by economic growth, but by how much we care for the most vulnerable among us. Our commitment to this noble cause reflects the core values that define our Bank and our dedication making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve,” said Chirwa.

He emphasised that health remains a key focus area of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and commended Beit-Cure for performing over 30,000 surgeries, transforming the lives of many children across Malawi.

“Beit-Cure’s work continues to touch the lives of children across Malawi, offering them not just medical care, but the gift of mobility, confidence and renewed hope. That is something truly priceless,” said Chirwa.

In addition to FCB’s contribution, Rasik Kantaria, a partner of FCB, together with the Bank’s founder Hitesh Anadkat and his wife Meeta Anadkat, donated an additional K80 million towards the cause.

In her remarks, Beit-Cure’s Executive Director Rhoda Jura Kriek, commended FCB plc for the donation.

She raised concerns about the challenges vulnerable children face in communities, including stigmatisation and fear.

Kriek reiterated the hospital’s commitment to providing free treatment to children with treatable disabilities.

“Our mission is simple yet profound, to heal the sick. Our surgeons and medical team restore the gift of mobility through free orthopaedic and plastic surgeries,” said Kriek.

The event was presided over by the country’s Vice President, Jane Ansah, SC, JA (Retired), who emphasised the importance of supporting Beit-Cure’s mission and called on stakeholders to continue giving.

“This is a direct call to us, to give. We are not just fundraising for a single surgery; we are funding for a complete transformative journey. Let us commit to this cause to ensure that no child is turned away because of lack of money,” said Ansah.

She commended the Beit-Cure team for their tireless efforts in improving the lives of children across Malawi



The goal of the fundraising dinner was to raise K310 million to transform the lives of 206 children and at the event, the hospital raised K275 million, leaving a shortfall of K32 million to reach its target.

FCB has partnered with Beit-Cure for over two decades, supporting its mission since establishment.

MCC Warns President Mutharika Against Failing Malawians’ High Expectations

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Council urges government to turn public confidence into tangible results amid growing hope for economic recovery


By Burnett Munthali

The Malawi Council of Churches (MCC) has cautioned that Malawians have placed immense trust and expectations in the leadership of President Arthur Peter Mutharika, warning that failure to meet these expectations could result in widespread disappointment among citizens.

Professor Billy Gama, President of the Council, made the remarks in an interview  following President Mutharika’s address in Parliament on Friday.

Gama



During his address, President Mutharika pledged to tackle the country’s deepening economic challenges and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a more resilient and prosperous Malawi.

Gama said many Malawians are hopeful that the new administration will fulfill its promises and steer the nation toward sustainable growth and stability.

He noted that the current atmosphere of optimism presents both an opportunity and a test for the government, as citizens look forward to decisive action on key issues such as job creation, corruption, and agricultural reform.

“The people of Malawi are watching closely,” Gama emphasized, adding that the government’s credibility will depend on how quickly it turns pledges into concrete results.

He also stressed that the ability of the administration to deliver on its commitments will determine whether the renewed public confidence in leadership will translate into long-term national progress.

The MCC president urged the government to work inclusively with all stakeholders — including civil society, the private sector, and faith institutions — in driving forward the national development agenda.

He further called for transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, saying that such principles are essential for restoring trust between government and the people.

As the country faces mounting economic pressures and rising public expectations, the MCC has encouraged Malawians to remain patient but vigilant, supporting efforts that aim to unite and rebuild the nation.

Professor Gama concluded by expressing optimism that with discipline, cooperation, and visionary leadership, Malawi can overcome its economic challenges and achieve meaningful progress under President Mutharika’s leadership.