The Media Council of Malawi (MCM) is taking a strong stance on promoting freedom of expression and ensuring the safety of journalists during elections.
With support from the Malawi National Commission for UNESCO, MCM is emphasizing the crucial role journalists play in holding those in power accountable and informing the public to make informed choices.
MCM Executive Director Moses Kaufa is urging law enforcement agencies and political parties to protect media freedom, recognizing the importance of a well-informed media in the electoral process.
This sentiment is echoed by European Union Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, who stresses that a well-informed media is vital for elections.
In addition to promoting media freedom, MCM is also advocating for the safety and security of journalists during elections.
UNESCO Deputy Acting Executive Secretary David Mulera has pledged his organization’s support for this initiative.
Key stakeholders, including the MCM, UNESCO, European Union, and Malawi Police Service, have committed to ensuring media safety and freedom.
The MCM is committed to promoting freedom of expression and ensuring the safety of journalists.
UNESCO has pledged support for the safety and security of journalists during elections, while the Europea
The Media Council of Malawi’s efforts to promote media freedom and safety are crucial in ensuring that journalists can perform their duties without fear of intimidation or harm.
Noel Lipipa, the Chairperson for the Parliamentary Cluster on Legal Affairs and Government Assurance, has expressed concerns that the fight against corruption in Malawi is losing its momentum. He emphasized that Malawians believe the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is not as active as it was under the previous Director General, Martha Chizuma.
Lipipa made these comments after the ACB appeared before a parliamentary committee in Lilongwe. He questioned whether the ACB is “dead,” a perception that seems to be growing among the public. He also mentioned that the committee would be inviting ACB officials for further discussions after the budget session to address concerns about their silence and lack of activity.
Noel Lipipa
During the presentation to the cluster, Lipipa revealed that the ACB had requested K5 billion to build a 24-billion-kwacha office complex, but the Treasury had only allocated 10% of that amount, which is K500 million. He added, “The discussion with the Treasury is that they are waiting for the design to be approved, and once that happens, K4.5 billion will be allocated.”
Lipipa also mentioned that the ACB requested K2.1 billion to purchase 11 vehicles. The Treasury is currently assessing if there is space in the budget to accommodate this request. He expressed hope that the ACB would be satisfied with the approval of their budget, except for the vehicles and office complex.
Furthermore, Lipipa urged the Accountant General to ensure a payment of K703 million to the ACB by March 30th to cover rent and operational costs.
In response, ACB Acting Director General Hillary Chilomba stated that the bureau is committed to law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of gathering solid evidence before taking action against alleged corrupt individuals. He called on the public to provide evidence against suspected corrupt officials, including legislators and cabinet ministers.
A member of Parliament from Mchinji also expressed concern about the ACB’s inactivity compared to the leadership of the former Director General, Martha Chizuma. The ACB’s budget for the 2025-2026 financial year is estimated at K700 billion.
The Malawi Queens have experienced a setback in the latest world netball rankings, dropping to 8th position globally.
According to the newly released rankings, the Queens have fallen behind several other top-performing teams.
Australia maintains its top spot, closely followed by New Zealand, Jamaica, England, and South Africa.
These teams have demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication to the sport, earning them their prestigious positions in the rankings.
Wales, Uganda, and Tonga Islands have also secured higher rankings than the Malawi Queens, highlighting the intense competition in international netball.
On his remarks Sports analyst Andrew Banda, says the Malawi Queens will need to regroup and refocus their efforts to regain their former standing in the world netball rankings.
“Only hard work, the team can aim to climb back up the rankings and assert their dominance on the international netball stage”said Banda.
Ultimately, the Malawi Queens’ ability to bounce back from this setback will depend on their collective resilience, teamwork, and dedication to excellence.
Chirwa Mineral Limited, an Australian expolration company, Founder and Managing Director, Mr Cadell Buss, today met Minister of Mining, Dr Kenneth Zikhale Reeves Ng’oma MP, at Grand Palace in Mzuzu, where he pronounced his intention of rolling out heavy metal sands (HMS) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) by end of August, 2025.
The company identified Lake Chirwa basin as their mining zone. Chirwa minerals has MotaEngil in it with 30% shares. They have identified 2.4 million tones (Mt) of Total Heavy Minerals (THM) at 1.0% cut-off.
Chirwa was listed on Australian stock Exchange in 2023, have done so far airborne high-resolution magnetic and radiometric survey over 708 square kilometres to enhance drill planning on rare earth and position itself as a key player in the critical minerals sector in Malawi
Malawians have started benefiting, through training of local Malawians, jobs opportunities & infrastructure development, shortly the firm will bring about economic prosperity and forex in the country.
Standard Bank Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to women’s empowerment by sponsoring the upcoming Wealth Women Summit with MWK 10 million.
The summit, organized by Wealth Malawi, is a platform dedicated to fostering networking, learning and growth opportunities for women.
Now in its fifth edition, this year’s event will feature diverse segments, including Fashion for Knowledge, Power Pairing Sessions, and keynote speeches from influential leaders.
Tamanda Ng’ombe handing over sponsorship money to Harry Chima
In a symbolic gesture, Standard Bank Head of Marketing, Tamanda Ng’ombe, officially handed over the MWK 10 million sponsorship to Harry Chima, Managing Executive at Wealth Malawi.
Speaking at the event, Ng’ombe emphasized the bank’s dedication to championing women’s inclusion and creating a better future for the girl child.
“We are thrilled to invest in the Wealth Women Summit, an event that reflects our core belief in the potential of women and girls in the overall socio-economic development of Malawi.
This Women’s Month is an opportunity for us to participate in a global movement that looks to advance women’s inclusion, create opportunities for girls, and foster an environment where success is shared,” said Ng’ombe.
March is widely recognized as Women’s Month, with International Women’s Day falling on March 8.
The 2025 theme, Accelerate Action, urges women to uplift one another and use their influence to drive gender inclusion.
Standard Bank has aligned with this global movement by championing the concept of “Women Helping Women,” which it has adopted as its theme for the month.
Wealth Malawi’s Managing Executive, Chima, expressed gratitude for Standard Bank’s unwavering support, noting its long-standing role as a partner and advocate for women-focused initiatives.
He highlighted a key segment of this year’s summit that will address the barriers young girls face in accessing education, aiming to spark meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
“Standard Bank has always been a strong supporter of our mission to empower women. This year’s summit will not only celebrate women’s achievements but also tackle critical issues affecting young girls’ access to education. We are grateful for Standard Bank’s continued partnership in driving impactful change,” said Chima.
The Wealth Women Summit will bring together influential women from various sectors to engage in transformative discussions, build valuable connections, and drive actionable change. With Standard Bank’s support, the summit aims to amplify women’s voices and accelerate the push for gender equality and economic empowerment.
Standard Bank Malawi is a leading financial institution committed to delivering innovative banking solutions that empower individuals, businesses, and communities.
Through initiatives like the Wealth Women Summit, Standard Bank continues to demonstrate its dedication to advancing women’s economic empowerment and contributing to Malawi’s overall economic growth.
