Malawi’s vibrant beauty scene is getting a boost as the Miss Malawi pageant returns after a three-year break. Organizers say the event’s absence was largely due to financial constraints, but they’re optimistic about its potential to drive economic growth through tourism.
The pageant’s co-chairperson, Godfrey Kambewa, believes the beauty industry can be a significant contributor to the country’s economy if given the right support.
“We’re calling on stakeholders to invest in this sector,” Kambewa says, adding that, “With the right backing, we can make Miss Malawi a flagship event that showcases our culture and beauty to the world.”
Young Malawian women are now eligible to register for the competition, which promises to be an exciting showcase of talent, beauty, and culture.
The event’s return is a welcome development for the country’s tourism sector, which could benefit from the exposure and promotion that comes with hosting high-profile events like Miss Malawi.
In a dramatic twist to the ongoing certificate fraud case involving Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Deputy President Alfred Gangata, the courtroom was stunned when the key witness, Andrew Mphamba, revealed he was lured into sitting national exams on Gangata’s behalf with promises of wealth — only to be abandoned with nothing to show for it.
Taking the stand on Monday, Mphamba confessed that he had impersonated Gangata during national examinations.
According to his testimony, Gangata and his associates assured him of a better life in return for his services.
“I was promised riches.
They said I would never struggle again,” Mphamba told the court, his voice echoing through the tense courtroom.
“But I got nothing — absolutely nothing.”
The witness claimed he was approached by individuals linked to Gangata who laid out a grand vision of how his loyalty and help would be handsomely rewarded.
However, once the exams were completed and the deed was done, Mphamba said communication ceased, and all promised benefits vanished into thin air.
He recounted how, at first, he felt proud to be considered for such a “high-level” task and thought it would be the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
But instead, he now finds himself entangled in a legal battle, exposed to public shame, and left to carry the weight of a fraud he claims was orchestrated by those above him.
“I risked everything thinking I was entering a better life,” he lamented.
“Now I’m left to face the consequences alone while those who used me walk free.”
The courtroom was gripped as Mphamba detailed the alleged manipulation, portraying himself as a young man who was taken advantage of by powerful individuals seeking academic shortcuts to advance their political careers.
He admitted guilt but pleaded for understanding, claiming he was naïve and blinded by the hope of social mobility.
Legal analysts suggest that the case could have significant ramifications not only for Gangata but also for the broader perception of integrity within Malawi’s political elite.
If Mphamba’s testimony holds under cross-examination, it could expose a troubling network of academic fraud linked to political ambition.
Meanwhile, the prosecution is expected to summon more witnesses to corroborate Mphamba’s claims, while Gangata’s legal team is preparing a strong defense to challenge the credibility of the allegations.
As the case unfolds, Malawians are watching closely, with many expressing frustration over the growing reports of dishonesty and corruption among political leaders.
For Andrew Mphamba, what was once a secretive act for someone else’s benefit has now become a personal nightmare unfolding in full public view.
This story, still developing, paints a vivid picture of the desperation, manipulation, and fallout that often accompany the abuse of power for personal gain.
The northern chapter of the Nyika Media Club is hosting a dinner celebration to honor its journalists who received awards from the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter.
The event recognizes the journalists’ outstanding work and dedication to quality reporting.
Feston Malekezo, chairperson of the Nyika Media Club’s northern chapter, says the celebration aims to motivate and appreciate the award-winning journalists.
The journalists, from various media houses, were recognized for their exceptional work in a ceremony held earlier this month.
The dinner will be held at the Grand Palace Hotel in Mzuzu, providing an opportunity for the club to express gratitude to its members for their hard work and commitment to journalistic excellence.
The event highlights the importance of acknowledging and celebrating achievements in the media industry.
Member of Parliament for Lilongwe City South Constituency Ulemu Msungama has commended Malawi Leader President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s Government for the launch of Area 23 – Chipasula Road Project
Speaking during the launch before thousands of his supporters who came to witnes the cermony, Msungama urged the contractor to employ people from the same constituency than importing them from other districts.
Ulemu Msungama
“I am very happy for this project , today looks to be my another birth day. However I call upon the contractor to employ people from this area,” he said. Msungama described the road as very strategic for the people of area 23 and Chipasula.
According to the Lilongwe City Council project will cost the Malawi Government coffers K2Billion.
This is the road which Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Governorment constructed through Plem Construction but lasted only one year before being washed away due to shoddy work by that Company.
Mayor for the Lilongwe City Council Esther Sagawa has since commended Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for making the project possible.
Sagawa asked people in the area to own the project while urging the contractor to work with speed.
“My message that I am giving to the people of this area is that this is for us. This development has been given to us. We need to own this project , and we need to be one of the people that are going to be taking care of even the equipments that are going to be used by our consultant as well as our contractor,” he said.
During the cermony, Sagawa urged the contractor to do a good work.
“I have also passed on the message to the contractor that we don’t want a job that has to be redone in every year or two years to come. We want something that is solid, and we want something that is giving us quality as it is supposed to be, because they have to give us a value for money that we have given we are giving them,” He said.
During his term as MP for the area Msungama has already initiated construction of big projects such as Chilinde Rural Hospital, and Nchesi Area 23 Road which is one of the most durable roads in Lilongwe.
As the highly anticipated trial of music mogul Sean “P. Diddy” Combs begins, a legal expert has offered insight into the possible verdicts and legal ramifications the embattled star could face.
The trial, which stems from multiple disturbing allegations, has drawn widespread media attention and public scrutiny, marking a significant moment in the ongoing fight against sex trafficking and abuse in the entertainment industry.
On May 5, Combs appeared in court for the commencement of the criminal proceedings, with jury selection underway and the trial scheduled to officially begin on May 12.
The case is expected to last between eight and ten weeks.
The 55-year-old rapper and businessman is facing five serious criminal charges: two counts of sex trafficking, two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, and one count of racketeering.
The charges follow a string of allegations and civil lawsuits against Combs, including claims of sexual assault, with some dating back several years.
These lawsuits, although separate from the criminal proceedings, paint a troubling picture of alleged abuse and exploitation, with several accusers describing a pattern of coercion, manipulation, and violence.
Legal analysts believe that if convicted on all charges, Combs could face a lengthy prison sentence, potentially spanning decades.
The racketeering charge alone carries significant weight, as it suggests a coordinated, organized effort to commit multiple crimes, elevating the severity of the prosecution’s case.
Sentencing in such cases typically reflects the cumulative gravity of all offenses, especially if the court deems the actions premeditated and systematic.
One legal expert noted that while the defense is expected to argue issues of consent and credibility of the witnesses, the prosecution will likely rely on corroborated testimony, digital evidence, and patterns of behavior to build their case.
“Given the breadth of the allegations and the serious nature of the charges, this could become one of the most consequential celebrity trials in recent history,” the expert stated.
Beyond the criminal trial, Combs is still entangled in multiple civil lawsuits from alleged victims, which could lead to substantial financial penalties and further tarnish his public image.
Even if acquitted of the criminal charges, these civil cases could cement the perception of guilt in the court of public opinion.
As the trial unfolds, all eyes will be on the courtroom to see whether Combs can mount a viable defense or if the prosecution’s evidence will ultimately bring about a dramatic fall from grace for the once-revered media icon.
