Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Director General Daud Suleman says Malawi needs to build its digital infrastructure by investing in broadband internet, 5G and data centres among others to allow more people have internet access.
Speaking at the Dynamic Leaders and Gate Keepers Forum (DLGF) on Thursday,Suleman, said broadband internet which is cheap and has a wide reach will help address the digital divide especially in rural areas, compared to the current mobile internet which is concentrated in urban areas.
Suleman
The MACRA DG disclosed that Malawi has 14 million registered simcards but only 1 million of those are in smart phones.
Suleman also said currently internet penetration in Malawi stands at 34 percent.
Needy students at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) say they are still receiving K175, 000 upkeep loan allowance per semester instead of K280, 000 which was adjusted by the Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board (HESLGB) in April this year.
One of the students Innocent Chimdima who is doing Bachelor of Science in Land Economy told us in an interview that the amount they are receiving is not enough to meet their daily needs at the school.
“As students, due to the current Malawi’s economy, there are numerous challenges that we are facing everyday. For example, meals on campus are about K2,000 up which is very difficult for someone who rely on loan.
“We were promised to be given K560,000 per academic year which is K280, 000 per semester. At least that was a good amount for us to survive.We were surprised to see that our bank accounts have been accredited by the same K175,000.This left all students in awe up to the extent of saying the president must intervene if not then he made a false promise to the nation and to the needy students .
“Even if for someone who stays off campus, still this K175,000 is not enough to run for the whole semester honestly.
“We are not happy with this development and it should be looked on,” he said.
He added:”We need our voices to be heard that is all. They should help us fight for it till it is possible. We just need their support and if possible to bail out some needy students who are seriously inneed of help in all corners of life, that will make us happy.”
Meanwhile, the concerned students have organized an open air dubbed ‘Ndashota ndi 210K” where they will voice out their frustration on the issue.
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Owen Chomanika on Thursday launched the Investment School of Creative Arts at Sunbird Nkopola Leisure Centre in Mangochi.
The Investment School of Creative Arts is a project being implemented by the Copyright Society of Malawi in partnership with NICO Group.
Speaking at the event, Chomanika described the school of investment as a key in ensuring that artists are attaining the required transformation in financial management, investment and monestising their craft.
Chomanika
The Deputy Minister urged artists in the country to be at the centre of self-reliance and inclusivity which the country’s vision represents.
He said the 2063 blueprint put artists at the centre as agents of mindset change and called upon the sector to embrace change.
“The first enabler of the vision is mindset change and you cannot change the mindset of the people when the sector itself is not changed.
“Your life should be able to communicate something before you say anything,” said Chomanika.
He disclosed that the government remains committed to advancing the affairs of the creative sector by setting up necessary instruments for them to showcase their works.
“We know as government we have made promises but, we are trying hard and for example we have made great advancements for National Arts and Heritage Council (NAHEC) Draft Bill. So, just watch how we progress,” he said.
Copyright Society of Malawi Board Chairperson Bishop Reverend Chimwemwe Mhango said artists have for a long time been fighting for recognition and support but have been neglected.
NICO Asset Managers Chief Executive Officer Daniel Dunga described the initiative as a great investment in the creative sector.
Some of the artists in the first cohort at the school include Gwamba, Wikise, Leslie, Sangie, Kell Kay, Johnny Zembani, Kim of Diamonds, Driemo, Che Mandota, Tuno and Khama Khwiliro.
Former Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamveka has been discharged from a misprocurement related case he was answering alongside another former cabinet minister Nicholas Dausi and others.
In the case, Mwanamveka was answering charges of abuse of office in connection to a Malawi Prison Service K18 billion procurement contract.
Mwanamveka has been cleared, on grounds of insufficient evidence of wrong doing in the matter.
Mwanamveka
On Friday,High Court Judge Violet Chipao allowed Mwanamveka and his lawyer Kalekeni Kaphale to leave the court room as hearing of the case continued.
Speaking outside the court, Kaphale said the State (Anti-Corruption Bureau- ACB) has however, stated that it may need Mwanamveka as a state witness if that need arises.
“All we are waiting for now is a discharge certificate from the Director of Public Prosecutions,” Kaphale said.
The case was about unlawful procurement of items that included socks, underwears, steel plates, cups, cuffs, belts and whistles between February 2019 and June 2020, purchased at exorbitant prices.
The uniforms and equipment were procured from One Guard FZE of United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The other accused persons are Dausi, former Ministry of Homeland Security principal secretary Samuel Madula, chief director in the same ministry Kennedy Nkhoma and senior deputy director Patricia Liabuba.
This is coming months after Mwanamveka was also discharged from a case he and two others were accused of falsifying information to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) between 2018 and 2019.
Malawi Congress Party Director of Strategic Planning Dr. Ken Zikhale Reeves Ng’oma confirms once he attains power as MCP First Deputy President he is ready to orchestrate, engage and streamline socio-economic advancements through a revolutionalised ICE Theorem.
Ng’oma made the statement in Karonga on Friday as he engages North-South and North-North delegates ahead of August 2024 elective convention.
The incoming MCP First Vice President Dr Ken Zikhale Ng’oma
The creative genius said, “Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) have full potential and capacity to grow, develop and flourish economy of Malawi beyond one’s imagination.”
The Nkhata Bay South lawmaker further clarified timely need to clear challenges rocking complete realisation of Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship in Malawi.
“We need to develop strong integrative economic pedagogical approaches. In this global village, all stampedes supressing meaningful socio-economic auxins must be dealt with including lack of financial capital, corruption and negligence to narrow up the rich-poor gap. I will make sure that both diasporas and domestics strive mutually for common good,” said Zikhale.
Remarking Ng’oma’s statement, young Malawians in Karonga had this to say, “What a creative leader! Zikhale sets the youth game in motion. A great standard setter! Business and economics are essential development aspects. He respects trade needs of all including us the youth. He is both a conceptualiser and implementor.”
