The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Malawi (UNIMA), Sunduzwayo Madise, has called on the government to consider reducing taxes on smartphones to make them more accessible to students for educational purposes.
He made the remarks on Monday at UNIMA in Zomba during a workshop promoting online learning, which also featured the Malawi Institute of Education (MIE).
Madise
Madise noted that the high cost of smartphones is a major barrier to access for many students.
He gave examples of how students in remote areas such as Nthalire in Chitipa, Nyezelera in Phalombe, Marka in Nsanje, and other distant regions could benefit from online learning from their homes if they had access to smartphones.
“UNIMA is ready to train lecturers in online teaching methodologies,” said Madise.
On his part,Director of Higher Education in the Ministry of Higher Education, Zizwa Msukuma, said the ministry is committed to facilitating access to education through modern online technologies.
The Saulos Klaus Chilima (SKC) Foundation has supported St John’s Mission Hospital with K7.2 million to be used to rehabilitate one of its ambulances which has frequently been breaking down.
Speaking after the donation Joshua Varela, a Trustee for SKC Foundation, said the hospital, one of the oldest in Mzuzu, is facing numerous challenges, and the Foundation felt compelled to contribute towards addressing some of them.
Varela said they considered the importance of the hospital to Mzuzu and the Northern Region in general hence the support.
He said the foundation is also focused on supporting communities in areas such as health, education, environment among others.
“They have a list of challenges and we chose to fix the ambulance because we felt it will serve a lot of people. Our board in March this year passed a resolution to fix the ambulance,” he said.
In her remarks, St John’s Mission Hospital Director Jessie Chihana commended the Foundation for the gesture which came about after the hospital sounded an SoS in February this year during its Open Day.
Chihana said there have been instances where the ambulance broke down en-route to a referral hospital while transporting patients, posing serious risks.
“Currently we do not have a washing machine, our staff manually wash patients’ clothes using sticks, which is tiresome. But we thank God for organisation’s like SKC Foundation for remembering us in our challenges. The support will go a long way to improve service delivery at this hospital,” she said.
Also present at the event were Wales Singini, Chairperson of the hospital’s Finance and Audit Committee, Father Tony Mfune and members of the hospital staff.
The SKC Foundation is a non-partisan and non-political organisation aiming at fulfilling the vision and goals of the late Vice President Saulos Chilima was launched on 12 February 2025.
Among some of its objectives the Foundation supports education for underprivileged students in Malawi, providing aid to those in need during unforeseen crises, encouraging self-sufficiency among Malawians, promoting youth leadership development and also promoting collective mindset change.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) members in Mzuzu today held a colourful parade to welcome President Dr Lazarus Chakwera to the city.
The parade, marked by singing, dancing, and waving of party flags, showcased the party’s strong presence in the Northern Region.
Supporters dressed in MCP regalia lined the streets, chanting slogans in support of the president and his leadership.
The atmosphere in the city was electric, with hundreds of people joining the procession from various townships around Mzuzu.
Traffic came to a standstill in some areas as the parade moved through the main roads, drawing the attention of onlookers and passersby.
MCP regional and district leaders led the procession, showing unity and mobilizing the party faithful ahead of the president’s engagements in the region.
Some supporters carried placards with messages of encouragement, while others held portraits of Dr Chakwera.
The event was also seen as a show of political strength, especially as the country edges closer to the 2025 general elections.
President Chakwera is expected to carry out a number of official duties during his visit to the Northern Region, including developmental inspections and community engagements.
Local authorities applauded the peaceful nature of the parade and commended party supporters for maintaining order.
Security was tight, with police officers closely monitoring the event to ensure safety for all participants.
The MCP parade in Mzuzu reflects the continued efforts by the party to consolidate its support base across all regions of Malawi.
Malawi’s vibrant beauty scene is getting a boost as the Miss Malawi pageant returns after a three-year break. Organizers say the event’s absence was largely due to financial constraints, but they’re optimistic about its potential to drive economic growth through tourism.
The pageant’s co-chairperson, Godfrey Kambewa, believes the beauty industry can be a significant contributor to the country’s economy if given the right support.
“We’re calling on stakeholders to invest in this sector,” Kambewa says, adding that, “With the right backing, we can make Miss Malawi a flagship event that showcases our culture and beauty to the world.”
Young Malawian women are now eligible to register for the competition, which promises to be an exciting showcase of talent, beauty, and culture.
The event’s return is a welcome development for the country’s tourism sector, which could benefit from the exposure and promotion that comes with hosting high-profile events like Miss Malawi.
In a dramatic twist to the ongoing certificate fraud case involving Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Deputy President Alfred Gangata, the courtroom was stunned when the key witness, Andrew Mphamba, revealed he was lured into sitting national exams on Gangata’s behalf with promises of wealth — only to be abandoned with nothing to show for it.
Taking the stand on Monday, Mphamba confessed that he had impersonated Gangata during national examinations.
According to his testimony, Gangata and his associates assured him of a better life in return for his services.
“I was promised riches.
They said I would never struggle again,” Mphamba told the court, his voice echoing through the tense courtroom.
“But I got nothing — absolutely nothing.”
The witness claimed he was approached by individuals linked to Gangata who laid out a grand vision of how his loyalty and help would be handsomely rewarded.
However, once the exams were completed and the deed was done, Mphamba said communication ceased, and all promised benefits vanished into thin air.
He recounted how, at first, he felt proud to be considered for such a “high-level” task and thought it would be the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
But instead, he now finds himself entangled in a legal battle, exposed to public shame, and left to carry the weight of a fraud he claims was orchestrated by those above him.
“I risked everything thinking I was entering a better life,” he lamented.
“Now I’m left to face the consequences alone while those who used me walk free.”
The courtroom was gripped as Mphamba detailed the alleged manipulation, portraying himself as a young man who was taken advantage of by powerful individuals seeking academic shortcuts to advance their political careers.
He admitted guilt but pleaded for understanding, claiming he was naïve and blinded by the hope of social mobility.
Legal analysts suggest that the case could have significant ramifications not only for Gangata but also for the broader perception of integrity within Malawi’s political elite.
If Mphamba’s testimony holds under cross-examination, it could expose a troubling network of academic fraud linked to political ambition.
Meanwhile, the prosecution is expected to summon more witnesses to corroborate Mphamba’s claims, while Gangata’s legal team is preparing a strong defense to challenge the credibility of the allegations.
As the case unfolds, Malawians are watching closely, with many expressing frustration over the growing reports of dishonesty and corruption among political leaders.
For Andrew Mphamba, what was once a secretive act for someone else’s benefit has now become a personal nightmare unfolding in full public view.
This story, still developing, paints a vivid picture of the desperation, manipulation, and fallout that often accompany the abuse of power for personal gain.
