Barely hours after the Copyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA) disbursed annual royalties to local artists, questions arose on social media over the absence of award-winning musician Patience Namadingo from the beneficiaries’ list.
Speculation quickly spread online, with some accusing COSOMA of favoritism in the distribution of funds.
Namadingo
In response, Namadingo took to his official Facebook page to clarify the matter, stating that he did receive his share of the royalties but had personally requested that the payment be handled privately.
“COSOMA gave me my portion, but I chose for it to be done confidentially, for reasons best known to me,” Namadingo wrote.
Despite the clarification, many Malawians remain skeptical. Some believe Namadingo is attempting to downplay the controversy, while others insist that proof such as a picture of the cheque or payment records is necessary to convince the public.
The debate continues to stir conversations online, putting both the artist and COSOMA under public scrutiny.
This Saturday, the city of Nottingham will host the much-anticipated Malawi Summer Ball, organised by the MCP UK Wing. Promising a night of culture, music, and unity, the event is set to be a highlight for Malawians in the UK.
According to Nic Thindwa, Director of Communications for the MCP UK Wing, the Summer Ball is a celebration of Malawi, particularly as the country prepares for general elections in September.
“The Summer Ball symbolises our unity as Malawians. That’s why, despite being organised by MCP, it is open to all Malawians, regardless of political affiliation,” Thindwa explained.
Felix Banda, Director of the MCP UK Wing, echoed the call for participation, urging the Malawian community to come together for the occasion. “This is a well-planned event to celebrate Malawi. We will have Malawian food, Malawian music, and live performances from talented artists,” he said.
The event will feature live music performances by Malawian artists, offering attendees a vibrant taste of home. It will be held at Basford Miners Welfare Centre, 55 Golderest Road, Nottingham NG6 8PT from 6 PM to midnight.
Tickets are priced at £40 per person or £70 per couple, offering an affordable opportunity to enjoy an evening of cultural pride and entertainment.
For Malawians in the UK, the Malawi Summer Ball promises to be a memorable night of unity and celebration—don’t miss out!
Minister of Lands, Deus Gumba, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to bringing land services closer to the people while warning citizens against acquiring land through illegal means.
Speaking during a press briefing in Area 43, Lilongwe, Gumba said government has deployed land clerks to all 319 traditional authorities and stationed 38 land officers in district councils to ensure that Malawians can easily access reliable land information and services.
Gumba
He stressed that this decentralization drive is aimed at curbing corruption, ending land disputes, and providing fair access to land resources.
At the same time, Gumba cautioned against the growing tendency of individuals constructing houses and business structures without approval.
He noted that such practices not only fuel land wrangles but also compromise urban planning and safety.
In recent weeks, the Ministry of Lands, in collaboration with the Malawi Defence Force and Lilongwe City Council, has demolished illegal structures in prime locations such as Area 43 and Area 10.
Gumba explained that some plots were reserved for public infrastructure while others were unsafe for human settlement.
He urged Malawians to follow proper procedures when acquiring land by approaching government offices, local councils, or the Malawi Housing Corporation.
“Land belongs to all of us, but we must respect laws that govern its use if we are to build a safe and organized nation,” Gumba said.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets secured a solid 2-0 victory over Mzuzu City Hammers in a match played at Rumphi Stadium on Thursday.
Chikumbutso Salima broke the deadlock in the 77th minute, taking advantage of a defensive lapse by the Hammers after they failed to clear Andrew Jovinala’s cross from a free kick.
Hassan Kajoke put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time, heading home from Salima’s assist after Peter Banda’s free kick into the box caused more confusion in the Hammers’ defense.
The victory keeps Nyasa Big Bullets in second place with 30 points from 13 matches, three points behind league leaders Mighty Wanderers FC, who also have 13 games under their belt.
Meanwhile, Mzuzu City Hammers continue to struggle, remaining in 15th place with just 8 points from 13 matches following their defeat to Bullets.
In a significant boost to Malawi’s poultry industry, over 150 small-scale poultry farmers in Lilongwe have been selected as the first beneficiaries of an innovative empowerment programme launched by Central Poultry (CP), the country’s leading poultry producer.
The initiative, which provides farmers with chicks, vaccines, feed, and technical support, aims to address the challenges faced by aspiring poultry farmers who lack the resources and expertise needed to succeed in commercial chicken farming.
The programme, currently in its pilot phase, targets farmers from Area 23, Area 18, Njewa, and Chitedze in Lilongwe.
According to CP’s head of marketing, Mike Makwakwa, the initiative is designed to build resilience among local farmers and help Malawi meet its growing demand for poultry products, which has consistently outstripped supply.
He said: “This is about empowering farmers to thrive in a sophisticated agricultural sector while addressing the country’s poultry shortage. ”
Under the programme, farmers receive inputs as a non-interest loan, which they can repay by selling their grown chickens to CP for slaughtering and packaging or by selling them independently at market prices.
“This flexible repayment model ensures farmers can sustain their businesses while contributing to the local economy,” Makwakwa added.
The initiative is part of CP’s broader vision to scale up poultry farming across Malawi.
One of the poultry farmers Josphine Kambanizithe from Area 23 thanked CP for the technical support, saying over the years she has been failing to raise chicken profitably.
She said: “You know keeping these chickens is not easy as they need alot of care so with this support I am sure I will make my first K1 million by the end of this year.”
According to CP following the pilot in Lilongwe, the plan is to expand the programme to other districts, targeting not only individual farmers but also vulnerable groups and community-based organizations with an interest in poultry farming.
“Beneficiaries are identified through collaboration with traditional leaders [chiefs] and agricultural extension workers, ensuring that support reaches those most in need,” Makwakwa said.
Malawi’s poultry sector is a critical component of the country’s agricultural economy, providing a source of income for many rural households and contributing to food security.
However, the industry faces significant challenges, including high input costs, limited access to quality chicks and feed, and a lack of technical knowledge among small-scale farmers.
These barriers have resulted in a persistent gap between domestic poultry supply and demand, leading to reliance on imports and higher prices for consumers.
Central Poultry’s initiative aligns with Malawi’s National Agriculture Policy, which emphasizes agricultural commercialisation and empowerment of smallholder farmers. By providing inputs and training, the programme not only supports farmers’ livelihoods but also contributes to the government’s goal of reducing poverty and achieving self-sufficiency in poultry production.
The selection of Lilongwe as the pilot location is strategic, given its proximity to urban markets and its significant population of small-scale farmers.
Areas like Njewa and Chitedze are known for their agricultural activity, making them ideal testing grounds for the programme.
The inclusion of vulnerable groups and community-based organizations in future phases reflects a commitment to inclusive development, addressing gender and social disparities in access to agricultural opportunities.
This initiative also comes at a time when Malawi is grappling with economic challenges, including inflation and currency depreciation, which have driven up the cost of agricultural inputs.
By offering non-interest loans, CP’s programme mitigates financial barriers, enabling farmers to invest in their businesses without the burden of high repayment costs.
If successful, this pilot could serve as a model for other agricultural sectors in Malawi, demonstrating how private-sector partnerships can drive sustainable development and economic empowerment.
As the programme scales up, it has the potential to transform Malawi’s poultry industry, creating jobs, improving food security, and reducing the country’s dependence on imported poultry products.
