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A MASO Awards opens public voting for 2025 edition

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By Rahim Abdul

The organizers of the prestigious A MASO Awards have officially announced that the public can now begin voting for their favorite artists, marking the start of this year’s award season excitement.

In a statement released by the organizing committee, Malawians have been invited to nominate and vote for entertainers who have impressed them the most in 2025. The process, which opened on October 6, will run until October 25, giving fans nearly three weeks to support their preferred stars.

According to the statement, voting will be conducted through a strictly monitored online system available on the A MASO Awards official website. Each person is allowed to cast one vote per category, ensuring fairness and transparency. To participate, voters are required to pay K100 per vote, a move organizers say will help sustain the credibility and logistics of the awards.



This year’s edition features 30 diverse categories, ranging from Best Male Artist and Best Female Artist to Song of the Year, Best Newcomer, Producer of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Music Video and Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.

The A MASO Awards, now one of Malawi’s most followed entertainment events, continue to play a major role in recognizing and celebrating local talent. Over the years, the ceremony has honored household names who have contributed immensely to the growth of the country’s creative industry.

One of the coordinators hinted that this year’s event will be “bigger and better,” with a new digital voting interface and stronger verification systems to curb multiple voting or manipulation.

“We want every fan’s voice to count fairly. Our system will ensure transparency while keeping the spirit of competition alive,” said the official.

Music enthusiasts across the country have since welcomed the announcement, describing the voting phase as an opportunity to appreciate artists who have worked tirelessly despite economic and industry challenges.

Several upcoming artists are also expected to gain exposure through the nominations, as the awards not only focus on established names but also shine a spotlight on emerging talents from across Malawi’s districts.

As anticipation builds, social media platforms are already buzzing with fans encouraging each other to vote for their favorites.

The final award ceremony, expected to take place later this year in Lilongwe, promises to be a glamorous night of music, fashion and celebration reaffirming A MASO’s reputation as Malawi’s most followed entertainment awards platform.

ICAM donates medical equipment worth K15 million to Nkope Health Centre

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By Chisomo Phiri

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM) on Tuesday donated medical equipment valued at K15 million to Nkope Health Centre in Mangochi to enhance healthcare service delivery at the facility.

The donation includes delivery beds, a desktop computer, a suction machine, gloves, assorted medicines, and trolleys.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, ICAM Vice-President MacDonald Kamoto said the initiative is part of the institution’s corporate social responsibility activities, which are tied to its Annual Lakeshore Conference.

“Each year, we hold our Lakeshore Conference here in Mangochi. When any of us falls ill, we rely on facilities like this one. This donation is, therefore, our way of giving back to the community,” said Kamoto

.

In her remarks, the health centre’s chief administrator,Winasi Boma, expressed gratitude to ICAM for the timely support, noting that it will greatly improve service delivery and patient care.

Nkope Health Centre, which operates under the Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire, provides healthcare services to about 41,000 people across 41 villages under Traditional Authority(T/A) Namkumba in the lakeshore district.

Airtel Malawi reports progress in combating fibre cable theft, vandalism

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By Chisomo Phiri

Airtel Malawi Plc has announced that its ongoing efforts to curb theft of fibre cables and vandalism of network equipment are bearing fruit, following the recent arrests of two suspects.

Speaking at a press conference in Lilongwe on Tuesday, the company’s Network Director, Mphatso Manda, said the arrests mark a significant step in Airtel’s campaign to protect its infrastructure.

“One individual was apprehended while vandalising fibre infrastructure in Area 3, Lilongwe, and has since been sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment with hard labour.



“The second suspect was caught stealing fibre cables at a road construction site in Kanengo and is currently facing prosecution,” said Manda.

He attributed the progress to strong collaboration between Airtel, law enforcement agencies, and members of the public.

“These arrests are a direct result of the vigilance and cooperation among our communities, the police, and our partners.

“We are grateful for the swift action by law enforcement and the proactive spirit shown by Malawians who recognise the importance of safeguarding our national connectivity,” added Manda.

On his part,Kanengo Police Station Public Relations Officer(PRO), Gresham Ngwira, whose area of jurisdiction includes one of the incidents, said the police will continue working closely with the public and private sector to prevent further acts of vandalism.

“We remain committed to partnering with the public and corporate stakeholders to ensure that anyone who tampers with critical infrastructure is held accountable.

“The sentencing and ongoing prosecution send a clear message that vandalism will not be tolerated,” said Ngwira.

Chalo Mvula shares insightful encounter with former Australian Prime Minister John Howard

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Malawian Political Strategist reflects on lessons from one of the world’s respected leaders




By Burnett Munthali

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Deputy Director of International Affairs, Chalo Mvula, has shared his excitement and reflections following an encounter with former Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

In a post shared on his Facebook page, Mvula revealed that he had the unique privilege of engaging in a meaningful discussion with the respected Australian statesman.

Chalo Mvula and Former Australian Prime Minister John Howard



He described the experience as both enlightening and inspiring, highlighting the opportunity to learn directly from someone who once led one of the world’s most stable democracies.

“I had the privilege of engaging the Former Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard,” Mvula wrote.

He further expressed his admiration for Howard’s leadership legacy and his approach to governance, which continues to inspire leaders around the world.

Mvula noted that such interactions provide invaluable lessons, particularly for individuals passionate about public service, diplomacy, and effective leadership.

He emphasized that learning from seasoned leaders like Howard helps shape perspectives on accountability, policy implementation, and national development.

John Howard, who served as Australia’s Prime Minister from 1996 to 2007, is widely regarded for his conservative yet pragmatic leadership style, economic reforms, and strong stance on national security.

For Mvula, the engagement offered a rare chance to connect theory with experience — to understand how leadership principles translate into real-world governance.

The Malawian strategist concluded his post by expressing gratitude for the opportunity, describing it as a moment of growth and reflection in his ongoing journey of leadership development.

Through this experience, Chalo Mvula continues to demonstrate his commitment to learning from global leaders and applying those insights to Malawi’s governance and political discourse.

ACB drops corruption case against Kainja

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By Rahim Abdul

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has officially discontinued the case against former Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Kainja, who was accused of receiving a bribe from British businessman Zuneith Sattar.

The alleged payment was said to have been made in exchange for a contract to supply food rations to the Malawi Police Service.

According to ACB’s Principal Public Relations Officer, Jacqueline Ngongonda, the decision follows a recent court ruling which rendered certain pieces of evidence obtained from the United Kingdom inadmissible in Malawi’s judicial system.

Kainja



The ruling, she said, significantly weakened the prosecution’s ability to proceed with the case.

Ngongonda clarified that the move does not amount to a total acquittal. She stressed that under Malawi’s legal framework, the ACB retains the right to reopen the case within six months should new admissible evidence or legal grounds emerge.

“This is not the end. It simply means we are pausing the prosecution process while we review the implications of the court’s decision,” she explained.

The case against Dr. Kainja was first instituted in June 2023, marking the beginning of a high-profile legal battle that drew widespread public attention.

It was part of a broader investigation into alleged corruption involving Sattar, whose business empire had secured several lucrative government contracts in sectors such as defense and law enforcement.

Dr. Kainja, who served as Malawi’s top cop until his dismissal in 2022, was accused of abusing his position by soliciting or accepting benefits from Sattar’s companies.

The ACB alleged that he used his influence to favor Sattar’s firms in the procurement of police supplies, a claim that the former police chief consistently denied.

Since part of the material came from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), questions arose about how such evidence could be properly authenticated and used within Malawi’s legal system.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kainja’s legal team has welcomed the ACB’s decision, describing it as “a step toward justice.” His lawyer said that from the beginning, their client maintained innocence and that the case was “built on unreliable and externally sourced evidence that had no legal standing in Malawi.”

However, anti-corruption campaigners have expressed disappointment, fearing that the discontinuation might send the wrong message about accountability among high-ranking public officials.

Some have called for transparency from the ACB on how the decision was reached and whether the bureau will indeed consider reopening the case if new evidence emerges.