Standard Bank Malawi has appointed Alex Mkandawire as its interim board chairperson with immediate effect.
The appointment follows the sudden passing of the previous chairperson, Christopher Kapanga, on August 9, 2025.
Alex Mkandawire
Mkandawire, who brings over 25 years of extensive board and corporate governance experience, was first appointed to the board by the directors in September 2020 and later confirmed by shareholders in June 2021.
His previous board roles include positions at the Malawi Stock Exchange, Platinum Holdings, Premium Group, and Global Metals and Mining.
The gospel and social media world is in mourning following the death of Rwandan gospel sensation Musabyimana Gloriose, popularly known as Gogo.
She passed away on September 3, 2025, in Uganda after a brief illness, leaving a profound void in the hearts of her fans and followers.
Gogo rose to prominence with her viral hit “Everyday, I Need Blood of Jesus,” which resonated with audiences across Africa and beyond.
Her music, characterized by a soulful voice and heartfelt worship became a source of comfort and inspiration for many navigating life’s challenges.
Her manager Bruno K, described her ministry as transformative, noting that her songs and personal devotion had touched countless lives and strengthened the faith of her listeners.
Tributes have poured in from fans, fellow musicians and social media users, many sharing video clips of her electrifying performances and recounting how her music uplifted them during difficult times.
At just 36 years old, Gogo’s passing is being felt as a great loss to the gospel music community, leaving behind a legacy of faith, hope and powerful worship that will continue to inspire generations.
Police in Limbe are strongly condemning an incident of mob justice that led to the death of a 36-year-old man, Blessings Mtutile, who was brutally beaten by a group of villagers at Matalala Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Somba, in Blantyre.
According to a statement released by Deputy Public Relations Officer Sub-Inspector Sam Kadyole, the tragic incident occurred in the early hours of September 5, 2025.
Sam kadyole
Reports indicate that Mtutile allegedly broke into a house in the same village during the night of September 4 to 5 with the intention to steal assorted household items.
Police investigations reveal that while Mtutile was inside the house the owner woke up after hearing strange movements and immediately raised an alarm, shouting for help.
The commotion alerted neighbors who rushed to the scene. Mtutile attempted to escape but was apprehended by the angry mob.
Later that morning, he was discovered lying unconscious in a nearby bush, badly injured and bleeding.
Limbe Police detectives quickly responded and rushed him to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Authorities have since opened a full investigation into the incident, vowing to track down and arrest all individuals involved in the brutal assault.
Police have emphasized that no one has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of the circumstances.
“We strongly condemn this act of mob justice. While theft and other crimes are serious issues, resorting to violence only leads to more tragedy and undermines the justice system,” said Sub-Inspector Kadyole.
Police have urged community members to report suspected criminals to the nearest police station or community policing structures instead of engaging in mob attacks.
The body of the deceased has been released to the family for burial. Mtutile hailed from Matalala Village, T/A Somba in Blantyre District.
Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza, issuing warnings to residents to evacuate as the military targets key areas in its effort to weaken control by Hamas.
According to international media, Israeli forces today destroyed a multi story building that housed numerous civilians. Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, warned Gaza residents that the “gates of hell” are opening as the country escalates its attacks, urging everyone to leave the area.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly been in talks with Egypt to close border crossings, preventing the passage of Palestinians while Israel continues its military operations in Gaza.
The current conflict traces back to October 7, 2023, when Hamas, supported by Iran, launched a deadly attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 civilians during a music festival and taking many hostages.
Israel responded with sustained airstrikes on Gaza, a campaign that has continued intermittently into the present day.
Civilians in Gaza are facing severe hardship. Many have been killed while others remain trapped in areas under bombardment. Humanitarian conditions have worsened with food and medical supplies blocked from entering, leaving children, pregnant women and families struggling to survive.
Reports indicate severe malnutrition among infants and expectant mothers facing weeks without sufficient food, drawing condemnation from multiple European nations including the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.
As the conflict intensifies, the international community is voicing growing concern over the humanitarian crisis, warning that continued military action could lead to further widespread suffering among Gaza’s civilian population.
Bwalo la Chewa Foundation (BOLA-CEFO) members have learnt with a big shock and dismay over the death of Reverend Flywell Somanje who until his death, once served as the Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation.
Details of his illness are still sketchy but at one time, some members of the Bwalo la Chewa Foundation learnt that he was suffering from stroke which paralyzed his body and the members don’t know whether he has departed the earthly world with this stroke disease.
His body Reverend Somanje was on Friday, taken from Dowa District Hospital to his home village Mitembo in the area of Inkosi Mkukuka in Dowa where he will be laid to rest on Saturday, 6th September, 2025.
Reverend Flywell Somanje-gone for good but Bwalo la Chewa philosophy continues.
The late Reverend Flywell Somanje was one of the courageous Chewa freedom fighter who wanted the Chewas to have one strong body for all the Chewas in Malawi to believe that Paramount Dr. Lundu of Chikwawa is His Royal Highness of all the Chewas in Malawi.
The late Somanje during his life, opposed strongly for the Chewas of Malawi to travel to Mkaika in Zambia for the Kulamba Annual Chewa festivals arguing that this can be done in Malawi with their Paramount Chief, Dr. Lundu.
He has been saying Kalonga had his wife – Nyangu according to the Chewa History who had two children at Mankhamba the headquarters of the Maravi Kingdom, Undi and Lundu, Undi settled in Zambia while Lundu settled in the lower Shire-Chikwawa in Malawi.
Reverend Somanje is on record having said that there is no way Paramount Kalonga Dr. Gawa Undi of Zambia be recognized as His Royal Highness of the Chewas of Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia, saying this was against the Chewa History.
He reminded Malawians that the late Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda who was the great orator, historian and a Chewa himself from Kasungu, appointed Lundu as the Paramount Chief of all the Chewas in Malawi. Reverend Somanje proposed that the Chewas in Malawi be holding their annual Kulamba or Chizangala festivals in Chewa dominated districts on rotational basis other than chiefs taking their treasures to present it to Paramount Chief Kalonga Dr. Gawa Undi of Zambia.
The late Reverend Somanje described Bwalo la Chewa Foundation as the only Chewa registered tribal group for all the Chewas in Malawi while Chewa Heritage Foundation (CHEFO) is an international organization not registered anywhere in Malawi for the Chewas of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
‘May His Soul Rest in eternal peace, Reverend Flywell Somanje has gone, but Bwalo la Chewa Foundation (BOLA-CEFO) philosophy is continuing among the Chewas in Malawi,”
