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Ritz Holdings Limited penetrates Zambia market

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By Chisomo Phiri

Malawi’s leading force in the logistics industry, Ritz Holdings Limited, has established a new subsidiary, ZBLG Transport Company, in Zambia, marking a significant milestone in the company’s regional expansion strategy.

The opening of ZBLG Transport Company is part of Ritz’s ongoing efforts to broaden its reach and enhance its operational capabilities that serve an increasingly diverse international market with excellence.

Innocent Nyirongo



In an interview with 247 Malawi News,Ritz Holdings Limited Commercial Services Manager,Innocent Nyirongo,said the move aligns with the company’s strategic vision of expanding its international footprint and solidifying its presence as a regional leader in the transportation industry.

“This expansion underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients around the southern Africa region and reinforces our long-term growth strategy.

“The new office will enable us to support local businesses, foster innovation, and create more opportunities for our employees and stakeholders,” said Nyirongo.

He added that the subsidiary company in Zambia serves as a gateway to numerous trade opportunities earmarked for enhancing the economic growth of the two countries.

“We are thrilled to be expanding our presence in Zambia, a dynamic and rapidly growing market.The new office is expected to generate significant growth opportunities, as it positions Ritz Holdings Limited as a link that enables Malawi and Zambia to explore potential trade opportunities,” said Nyirongo.

He said expansion reinforces the company’s commitment to sustainability and innovation as it seeks to contribute positively to the local economy.

While appreciating the power of collaboration in the industry, Nyirongo added that Ritz Holding Limited will continue partnering with other players to ensure sustainability in the sector.

“The logistics sector plays a crucial role in the socioeconomic development of countries; therefore, we believe that strategic integrations are key to fostering growth in the industry. As such, Ritz is open to working with other logistics companies as we embark on different projects in both local and international markets,” he said.     

Ritz Holdings Limited is a multisectoral Malawian private holdings company.

The corporation plays a parent role in four subsidiaries: Ritz Technologies, Ritz Oils and Gases, Ritz Partners Limited, and ZBLG Transport Company.

NICO underscores brokers’ role in expanding insurance access

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By Chisomo Phiri

Financial services giant NICO has emphasized the crucial role that insurance brokers play in widening access to insurance in the country.

Speaking at a high-level brokers’ workshop held in Lilongwe on Wednesday, NICO Life Chief Operating Officer Chimwemwe Kanyenda described brokers as essential partners in driving the growth of the insurance sector.

Chimwemwe Kanyenda



“Brokers are not just intermediaries,they are trusted advisors and advocates who help bridge the gap between insurers and clients,” said Kanyenda.

He explained that the workshop was part of NICO’s continued efforts to equip and empower brokers with the knowledge and tools needed to better serve the market.

On her part,Resilient Insurance Agency Business Development Manager, Moreen Kambalametore, welcomed the initiative, saying it was instrumental in helping brokers gain a deeper  understanding of NICO’s diverse range of products and services.

An insurance broker is someone who advises people on their insurance needs and negotiates insurance contracts on their behalf with insurers in return for a fee or commission.

Blantyre rebuilds water and sanitation systems after Cyclone Freddy setbacks

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By Rahim Abdul


Despite setbacks from Cyclone Freddy, Blantyre District is showing strong recovery in water and sanitation access, thanks to collaborative efforts between government and development partners.

Blantyre District Council has recorded an 89 percent access rate to safe water and a 72 percent access rate to improved sanitation, according to figures shared during a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) review meeting held on Tuesday.

Nelson Kumwenda, WASH Coordinator for Blantyre District Council, emphasized that the progress reflects joint efforts aimed at rebuilding damaged infrastructure and restoring essential services.



“The cyclone caused significant damage to our WASH infrastructure, reversing some of the gains made in previous years. However, support from our partners has enabled us to bounce back quickly, and we’re optimistic about the road ahead,” Kumwenda said.

He noted that while access to safe water is commendable, challenges still remain. Only 28 percent of households have access to handwashing facilities, and 72 percent still lack proper latrines  leaving communities vulnerable to waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhoea.

Partners including IsraAid, Evidence Action, Fisherman’s Rest, Islamic Relief, and others presented their findings and action plans during the meeting.

Evidence Action’s Yamikani Phiri highlighted barriers such as myths about chlorine, theft of equipment, and non-functional water points as key issues stalling progress.

“To counter these issues, we’re introducing new chlorine collection sites, increasing awareness on chlorine use, and engaging community promoters to drive behavior change,” said Phiri.

The District Coordination Team has pledged to continue scaling up interventions, especially in hard-hit and underserved communities, to ensure that all residents have access to safe water and proper sanitation.

Mary’s Meals SFP registers impact in primary education

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By Vincent Gunde

An international organization- Mary’s Meals, says School Feeding Programme (SFP) in primary education is registering positive impact evidenced by the data that is corrected on monthly basis and the performance of programme key indicators such as enrolment, attendance, feeding rate, pass rate, progression rate, and volunteer participation, among others.

Mary’s Meals has a vision of ensuring that all those who have more than they need, share with those who lack even the most basic things, and that every child receives one daily meal in their place of education.

The organization was established to enable people to offer their money, goods, skills, time, or prayer, and through this involvement, provide the most effective help to those suffering the effects of extreme poverty in the worlds’ poorest countries.

Updating the District executive committee (Dec) in Dowa, Mary’s Meals School Feeding Manager Jacob Khumalo, said SFP has the objectives of reducing hunger in children living in poverty who attend school, and increased access to primary education for children living in poverty.

Khumalo said SFP increase progression within primary education by children living in poverty, improved health and well-being of children living in poverty and improved livelihood for disadvantaged smallholder farmers.

He said in Malawi, School Feeding Programme started in 2002 with 2 schools in Blantyre, saying over the years, the programme has grown to 1,297 schools as of June, 2025 (1,160primary schools, 125 ECDs and 12 special schools) in 23 districts.

The Manager said across Malawi, School Feeding Programme is benefiting 1,251,009 learners, the programme is continuous depending on need saying in Dowa Mary’s Meals started in 2009 implementing SFP in 43 schools under Boma, Kanyenje, Chibwata, Kafumphe, Madisi and Kabwinja zone.

He said the programme is feeding 44,096 enrolled learners in Dowa as of June, 2025 data saying Mary’s Meals also promote hygiene and the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in the targeted 43 schools.

Khumalo said there are instruments which are used in the identification of schools to benefit from School Feeding Programme such as MVAC report, Agricultural Production Estimates survey, food security/ hunger levels, and school feeding partners, among others.

“In 2024 SFP in Dowa expanded to 3 more schools within the same zone such as Mitembo, Light of Hope and Valitsani, the assessment conducted resulted into the current expansion activities in 43 schools.” He said.

However, Khumalo said School Feeding Programme is meeting challenges in the course of implementation in schools such as insufficient firewood, unavailability of safe water in some communities, poor road network, and absenteeism of volunteers without valid reasons, among others.

MED C unites Malawi’s music giants in genre defying album

By Rahim Abdul

Malawi’s dancehall sensation MED C is making a bold statement with his newly released project, The King Against The World, a genre-blending album that unites some of the country’s most influential hip-hop and dancehall voices.

Real name Medison Kapeni, MED C steps into new territory by crossing the traditional boundaries of dancehall, pulling in three top-tier hip-hop powerhouses to create a truly collaborative sound.

Med c



His track “Ma Junior” taps into Gwamba’s lyrical depth, “Ukanangonena” features the energetic Phyzix, while “Step Father” brings a gritty edge with Achin Gattah.

But MED C doesn’t forget his roots. On “Mbendera”, he joins forces with fellow dancehall hitmaker 6th Mw, who himself recently created buzz with his own project, Mfana Wa Malawi.

Their partnership marks a celebration of Malawi’s fast rising dancehall movement.

The album boasts production credits from some of the country’s top producers BFB, J Mass, Big Trump, and Viddix, with the latter also lending his vocals to track 11, “Malo Ogona”.

Each track is carefully polished, reflecting a high production value and a clear vision to elevate Malawi’s sound on a regional and global stage.

With 10 powerful tracks and genre-fusing energy, The King Against The World is more than just an album it’s a showcase of collaboration, resilience, and musical ambition.