Former President Peter Mutharika has donated 1 million kwacha to each pastor of the Blantyre Synod who came to page house for prayers.
The donation is seen as a strategic move to win the support of the influential religious leaders ahead of the upcoming elections.
According to sources, Mutharika has also made several promises to the Blantyre Synod pastors.
If he wins the election, 8 pastors will be appointed as Presidential advisors, 50 will be appointed to parastatal boards, and 50 will be appointed to embassies.
Additionally, some pastors will accompany the President on foreign trips.
In return, the Blantyre Synod pastors are expected to conduct sermons that critique the current government and praise Mutharika.
They are also expected to remind their congregations of the death of Chilima and to tackle the issue of rising prices of goods in their sermons.
Furthermore, there are reports of a planned revolution against some leaders within the Blantyre Synod.
The move has sparked controversy, with some critics accusing Mutharika of attempting to buy the support of the religious leaders.
Others have expressed concern that the donation and promises may compromise the independence and impartiality of the Blantyre Synod pastors.
Meanwhile Blantyre Synod has issued a press release disowning pastors who conducted prayers at page house.
“The Synod would like to publicly confirm that it neither sanctioned,approved nor in any way endorsed the said visit.The ministers concerned did so in their personal capacity and for their own personal interest.”
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has taken a proactive step in addressing food security in Malawi by visiting Lombwa Farm in the area of Senior Chief Mkanda in Mchinji.
This inspection, which took place recently, underscores the government’s commitment to promoting commercial farming as a sustainable solution to end hunger in the country.
Upon his arrival at Lombwa Farm, President Chakwera was warmly welcomed by the Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, alongside other senior government officials.
The visit is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring that Malawians have access to sufficient food.
The President’s focus on commercial farming is a strategic move to shift Malawi’s agricultural practices from subsistence farming to a more robust commercial approach.
By encouraging farmers to adopt commercial methods, the government aims to increase crop yields, enhance food production, and ultimately reduce the country’s dependency on food aid.
During the inspection, President Chakwera highlighted the importance of innovative agricultural practices and the role of technology in modern farming.
He emphasized that commercial farming can significantly improve livelihoods, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth in rural communities.
“We must harness the potential of our agricultural sector to ensure that every Malawian has enough to eat,” the President remarked, underscoring his administration’s vision for a food-secure nation.
The government has been implementing various policies to support commercial farming, including providing access to credit, modern farming equipment, and training programs for farmers.
These initiatives are designed to empower smallholder farmers, enabling them to increase their production capabilities and engage more effectively in local and regional markets.
Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale echoed the President’s sentiments, noting that the government is committed to creating an enabling environment for farmers to thrive.
He expressed optimism that with the right support and resources, Malawian farmers can become competitive players in the agricultural sector, not just locally but also internationally.
The visit to Lombwa Farm is more than just a routine inspection; it symbolizes a renewed focus on agriculture as a cornerstone of national development.
With Malawi facing persistent challenges related to food insecurity, the emphasis on commercial farming is seen as a critical step toward building resilience against climate change, economic shocks, and other adversities that threaten food production.
As President Chakwera continues to champion agricultural reforms, stakeholders across the nation are hopeful that these efforts will yield positive results.
The collective ambition is to transform Malawi into a nation where every citizen has access to nutritious food, thereby enhancing overall health and well-being.
In conclusion, President Chakwera’s inspection of Lombwa Farm represents a pivotal moment in Malawi’s agricultural landscape. By promoting commercial farming, the administration aims to tackle hunger head-on, fostering a future where food security is a reality for all Malawians.
The success of these initiatives will depend on collaboration among government, farmers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector, all working together towards a common goal of prosperity and food independence.
The Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) has issued a statement distancing itself from a group of 71 pastors who attended a prayer service at former President Peter Mutharika’s residence in Mangochi on Friday.
The service, organized by Mutharika,has sparked controversy after it is alleged that the pastors pledged their support to him ahead of the September 16, 2025, General Elections.
Pastors at Page House
The statement, co-signed by Reverend Humphreys Zgambo, Blantyre Synod Moderator, and Reverend Anderson Juma, General Secretary, emphasizes that the Synod remains non-partisan and did not sanction or approve the pastors’ visit.
According to the statement, the pastors attended the service in their individual capacity and not as representatives of the Synod or their congregations.
Blantyre Synod church has over 1.2 million members and plays a vital role in the country’s social and political landscape.
President Dr. Lazarus MacCarthy Chakwera has promised to launch a youth innovation grant that aims at providing the youth with loans to be used in different areas including agriculture, education, and tourism among others.
The President disclosed this on Friday during a live youth engagement event at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, where the youth had an opportunity to ask questions on the State of the National Address delivered in Parliament on Friday last week.
He explained that youths must be at the forefront when it comes to the developments of the country to make a difference by involving themselves in different entrepreneurship skills through loans obtained from the government under National Economic Empowerment Funds (NEEF) and other stakeholders while answering a question from Memory Ngwira who represented young entrepreneurs.
“The introduction of youth innovation grant will help to engage youths in different sectors including agriculture, economics, and tourism by working together with different stakeholders such as the World Bank, microfinance institutions and others that facilitate finances for youths.
“Government will also ensure that NEEF loans are granted to youths to boost their entrepreneurship and businesses,” he explained. The president also acknowledged that there are unemployed youths who need support through social welfare development.
Answering the question concerning the Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB), the president assured youths that government will increase funding to the organisation so that it can continue to operate independently for it to fight corruption.
“I want to encourage youths to be whistle-blowers if they have any issues regarding corruption in the country by working together with the ACB and other justice organisations to build a free corruption Malawi “Government is also committed to ensure that youths are engaged in the health sector by addressing different issues such as mental health and sexual reproductive rights and also government will ensure that health care remains affordable for all,” he said.
The President then assured the youth that government will continue to provide high-quality teaching and learning materials which includes the construction of school blocks, laboratories, libraries and others.
The city of Chipata was brought to a standstill today as thousands of people lined the streets to witness the grand and colorful movement of Inkosi Yamakhosi Mphezeni from Ephendukeni to Laweni.
The event, steeped in tradition and cultural significance, drew the attention of locals and visitors alike, marking yet another historic moment in the Ngoni leadership.
The movement of Inkosi Yamakhosi Mphezeni is a key ceremonial tradition that symbolizes the transition of leadership activities and royal authority between his two palaces.
This cultural event holds deep meaning within the Ngoni community, as it reflects their long-standing heritage, respect for their leader, and the preservation of their customs.
From the early hours of the morning, the city was abuzz with excitement as traditional dancers, drummers, and warriors clad in their famous animal-skin regalia showcased Ngoni cultural pride.
The streets of Chipata were filled with rhythmic beats of Ngoma drums, and chants of praise echoed as the paramount chief’s procession made its way through the city.
The scene was further adorned by colorful traditional attire worn by men, women, and children who came out in large numbers to be part of this significant day.
At the forefront of the procession was Inkosi Yamakhosi Mphezeni himself, carried in royal splendor, surrounded by his council of elders and warriors.
The movement from Ephendukeni to Laweni is not just a change of location but a deeply symbolic act that marks the continuation of the chief’s rule, his governance over the people, and the strengthening of cultural bonds among the Ngoni.
Dignitaries, government officials, and traditional leaders from across Zambia and beyond also attended the event, paying homage to Inkosi Yamakhosi Mphezeni and affirming the importance of traditional leadership in contemporary governance.
Their presence underscored the role of culture in fostering unity and identity among the people.
As the movement concluded at Laweni, the celebrations continued with traditional songs, feasts, and speeches that reiterated the significance of the event.
Elders reminded the younger generation of the importance of safeguarding Ngoni customs and ensuring that such traditions are passed down to future generations.
The grand procession today was not just a spectacle but a reaffirmation of the Ngoni people’s strong cultural identity.
The City of Chipata, in all its modernity, stood in unity with tradition, proving that the past and present can coexist in a way that honors history while embracing the future.
