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St Andrews International Primary School celebrates global cultural  diversity cultural

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By Jones Gadama

St Andrews International Primary School on Saturday hosted a vibrant and enriching International Global Cultural Fare, bringing together students, parents, and community members from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the richness of global cultures.

The event marked a significant departure from past years, when the school’s cultural fare focused solely on African cultures.

This year, the school took a bold step to showcase cultures from around the world, highlighting the importance of global understanding and appreciation.



The event was a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and flavors, with participants displaying their cultural heritage through traditional food, language, dressing, music, and dance. Visitors were treated to a culinary journey around the world, sampling dishes from Asia to Europe, Africa to the Americas.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of exotic spices, and the sound of laughter and chatter in multiple languages.

According to Mrs. Phillips  Deputy Head of St Andrews International Primary School, the decision to expand the cultural fare to a global scale was deliberate.

“We felt it was fitting to take our cultural celebration to the next level, showcasing the diversity that exists within our school community and beyond,” she said in an interview with this publication. “By embracing global cultures, we hope to foster greater understanding, tolerance, and appreciation among our students and the wider community.”

One of the participants, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her excitement about the event, saying, “It was a very good event that will stay forever.
People from all walks came and witnessed and showcased their culture.I loved seeing the different traditional dresses and hearing the various languages spoken.”

The event featured a range of cultural performances, including traditional dances, music, and storytelling. Students and parents alike took to the stage to showcase their cultural heritage, captivating the audience with their energy, passion, and pride.

The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to engage with different cultures, ask questions, and learn about customs and traditions from around the world.

The International Global Cultural Fare was a resounding success, with attendees praising the school for its efforts in promoting cultural diversity and understanding.

As one visitor noted, “Events like this bring people together and help break down barriers. It’s wonderful to see the school taking the lead in promoting global citizenship.”

The event concluded with a grand finale, featuring a showcase of cultural performances and a display of traditional attire.

The atmosphere was electric, with attendees beaming with pride and enthusiasm.

St Andrews International Primary School’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and understanding is evident in its innovative approach to education.

By embracing global cultures, the school is equipping its students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

As the school community looks to the future, it’s clear that the International Global Cultural Fare will remain a highlight of the academic calendar.

The event has set a new standard for cultural celebrations in the school, and its impact will be felt for years to come.

In the words of Mrs Phillips,school’s deputy head, “We’re proud to have taken this step towards promoting global understanding and appreciation. We hope that our students will carry the lessons they’ve learned from this event with them throughout their lives, becoming ambassadors for cultural diversity and understanding in their own communities.”

St Andrews International Primary School celebrates global cultural  diversity cultural

0

By Jones Gadama

St Andrews International Primary School on Saturday hosted a vibrant and enriching International Global Cultural Fare, bringing together students, parents, and community members from diverse backgrounds to celebrate the richness of global cultures.

The event marked a significant departure from past years, when the school’s cultural fare focused solely on African cultures.

This year, the school took a bold step to showcase cultures from around the world, highlighting the importance of global understanding and appreciation.



The event was a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and flavors, with participants displaying their cultural heritage through traditional food, language, dressing, music, and dance. Visitors were treated to a culinary journey around the world, sampling dishes from Asia to Europe, Africa to the Americas.

The air was filled with the sweet scent of exotic spices, and the sound of laughter and chatter in multiple languages.

According to Mrs. Phillips  Deputy Head of St Andrews International Primary School, the decision to expand the cultural fare to a global scale was deliberate.

“We felt it was fitting to take our cultural celebration to the next level, showcasing the diversity that exists within our school community and beyond,” she said in an interview with this publication. “By embracing global cultures, we hope to foster greater understanding, tolerance, and appreciation among our students and the wider community.”

One of the participants, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her excitement about the event, saying, “It was a very good event that will stay forever.
People from all walks came and witnessed and showcased their culture.I loved seeing the different traditional dresses and hearing the various languages spoken.”

The event featured a range of cultural performances, including traditional dances, music, and storytelling. Students and parents alike took to the stage to showcase their cultural heritage, captivating the audience with their energy, passion, and pride.

The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to engage with different cultures, ask questions, and learn about customs and traditions from around the world.

The International Global Cultural Fare was a resounding success, with attendees praising the school for its efforts in promoting cultural diversity and understanding.

As one visitor noted, “Events like this bring people together and help break down barriers. It’s wonderful to see the school taking the lead in promoting global citizenship.”

The event concluded with a grand finale, featuring a showcase of cultural performances and a display of traditional attire.

The atmosphere was electric, with attendees beaming with pride and enthusiasm.

St Andrews International Primary School’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and understanding is evident in its innovative approach to education.

By embracing global cultures, the school is equipping its students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

As the school community looks to the future, it’s clear that the International Global Cultural Fare will remain a highlight of the academic calendar.

The event has set a new standard for cultural celebrations in the school, and its impact will be felt for years to come.

In the words of Mrs Phillips,school’s deputy head, “We’re proud to have taken this step towards promoting global understanding and appreciation. We hope that our students will carry the lessons they’ve learned from this event with them throughout their lives, becoming ambassadors for cultural diversity and understanding in their own communities.”

The trials and triumphs of Malawian Football: Challenges and the path forward

By Burnett Munthali

Malawian football continues to face numerous challenges that hinder its growth and international competitiveness.

One of the most persistent problems is the lack of proper infrastructure, including poor stadium conditions, inadequate training facilities, and limited access to quality equipment.

Many clubs operate without their own training grounds, forcing players to practice under substandard conditions that limit performance and development.


Another major challenge is the insufficient funding from both government and private sectors.

Football clubs often struggle to meet operational costs, pay players’ salaries, and invest in youth development programs.

This financial instability discourages talent retention, with many promising players abandoning their football careers due to economic hardships.

The league structure itself also presents a challenge, with inconsistent match scheduling and weak administrative capacity affecting the overall quality of competition.

Corruption and mismanagement within football governing bodies have further undermined the credibility and progress of the sport.

In addition, there is a glaring gap in talent development, with grassroots and school football receiving minimal attention and investment.

Without strong youth structures, Malawi cannot build a pipeline of skilled players for domestic and international success.

Coaching standards remain relatively low, with few opportunities for coaches to access modern training and certification programs.

Another critical issue is the lack of media coverage and commercialization of the sport, which limits revenue opportunities and fan engagement.

Yet despite these hurdles, Malawian football holds immense potential, especially given the passion and talent found across the country.

To address these challenges, there must be deliberate investment in infrastructure, including renovating stadiums and building community training centers.

The government, in partnership with the private sector, must increase funding and incentives to make football a viable career path.

Strengthening governance structures within the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and Super League of Malawi (SULOM) is also essential for transparency and trust.

Revamping youth academies and integrating football into school curricula can serve as a foundation for long-term player development.

Training and certifying coaches with up-to-date methodologies will improve the technical quality of the game.

Furthermore, enhancing media partnerships and embracing digital platforms can boost visibility and attract sponsorships.

With the right mix of vision, investment, and accountability, Malawian football can overcome its current struggles and rise to become a regional powerhouse.

The journey will be difficult, but the goal is within reach if all stakeholders commit to genuine reform and development.

Analysis: Why City Assemblies in Malawi often get it wrong

By Burnett Munthali

In Malawi, city assemblies, also known as city councils, are the local government bodies responsible for urban areas. There are four city assemblies in Malawi: Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, and Zomba. These assemblies provide local services and oversee the development of urban areas within their respective jurisdictions.

Malawi has a single-tier local government system, where city assemblies function as districts in their own right. They are made up of both a political arm (elected councillors) and a technical arm (council staff).



City assemblies are responsible for a wide range of municipal services, including infrastructure, sanitation, waste management, and local development initiatives. They also have the power to make bylaws.

Each city assembly is headed by a mayor, who is usually the elected leader of the council.

City assemblies operate under a system of delegated authority from the central government, meaning they have specific powers and responsibilities outlined in the Local Government Act.

Decentralization is a key strategy for the Malawian government, and city assemblies play a crucial role in the devolution of authority from central government to local levels.

City assemblies in Malawi frequently make decisions that fail to address the real needs of their constituents.

This chronic failure often stems from a lack of meaningful consultation with local communities.

Instead of engaging with residents and understanding their priorities, city officials tend to impose top-down solutions.

This approach leads to poorly planned infrastructure, misallocated resources, and projects that do not reflect the lived realities of ordinary people.

A glaring example is the construction of marketplaces or bus depots without considering traffic flow, sanitation needs, or access to water.

City assemblies also struggle with accountability, where decisions are made behind closed doors without transparent procurement or budgeting processes.

The absence of clear communication channels between assemblies and the public breeds suspicion and weakens trust in local governance.

Moreover, political interference plays a major role, as councillors and officials often pursue projects that serve partisan interests rather than the public good.

This undermines long-term urban development and erodes confidence in democratic processes at the local level.

Another critical issue is the lack of technical expertise within assemblies, where some members may not fully understand urban planning, engineering, or environmental impact.

This knowledge gap results in short-sighted decisions that later prove costly or unsustainable.

Compounding this is the underfunding of city assemblies, which leaves them unable to carry out even well-intentioned plans effectively.

Ultimately, for city assemblies to get it right, there must be a shift toward inclusive planning, transparent governance, and professional capacity building.

It is only through community involvement, depoliticized decision-making, and accountability that city assemblies can serve the needs of Malawi’s growing urban populations.

Three women arrested for burglary and theft in Lilongwe

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By Shaffie A Mtambo

Police in Lilongwe have apprehended three women accused of stealing household items, including a deep freezer, upright fridge, and microwave, after allegedly hiring three men to assist them in the burglary.


According to Lilongwe Police Public Relations Officer Inspector Hestings Chigalu,the suspects are  Chimwemwe Chembe, 39 years old from Lunzu Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Makata, Blantyre, Elizabeth Mkwezalamba, aged 36, from Awali Village, T/A Mthiramanja, Mulanje, and Memory Elias, 46 years old from Sikafado Village, T/A Sitola in Machinga District, were arrested following a tip-off to the police.


Chigalu added that  Chimwemwe, who stays in a house whose owner temporarily moved to Blantyre, conspired with Elizabeth to steal a microwave three days prior to the burglary.

However, Chimwemwe secretly stole the microwave and sold it without involving Elizabeth. Elizabeth then organized a burglary with a hired team of criminals, including Memory’s son, without Chimwemwe’s knowledge.

The burglary occurred on May 19, 2025, when the hired men broke into the house and stole several items, including a deep freezer, upright fridge, mattress, and beddings.

The police are currently searching for the three hired men, who are on the run.

The police are working to recover the stolen items and bring the perpetrators to justice.