A leading natural soap manufacturer, Hirwa General Dealers (HGD), has announced the appointment of upcoming music sensation Emmie Deebo as its brand ambassador for the next six months.
The partnership, worth K80 million, was unveiled on Thursday during the launch of HGD’s new product, Pink Beauty Soap, in Lilongwe.
The partnership is managed by Akometsi, an entertainment company that specializes in brand management and event organization.
According to HGD’s Director of Communications,Klaus Chikufenji, the company chose Emmie Deebo due to her significant influence on the local music industry and her ability to connect with the youth.
“We are thrilled to partner with Emmie Deebo, as she embodies the energy and spirit of our brand,” Chikufenji said.
On her part,Emmie Deebo expressed her gratitude and excitement about the partnership.
“It is an honor to associate with a reputable brand like HGD. I look forward to promoting Pink Beauty multipurpose soap and other HGD products across Malawi,” she said
As part of the partnership, Emmie Deebo will record two songs about the brand and engage in various promotional activities, including road shows and social media challenges on platforms like TikTok.
HGD’s decision to partner with Emmie Deebo demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting local talent and promoting Malawian artistry.
Malawi leader president Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has inaugurated Malawi Rural Electrification Programme phase 9 in the area of Group village headman Dzilipaine Traditional Authority Maseya in Chikwawa.
Addressing the gathering at the Nkudzi full primary school, President Chakwera said he was impressed to witness the commissioning of MAREP 9.
The president said he wants equal distribution of development projects without looking at regional boundaries.
Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola commended Dr Lazarus Chakwera for lighting up Nkudzi Primary school.
Matola said people will be able to improve their social and economic lives.
The Malawi Government has been implementing Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) with an aim of increasing access to electricity for the rural and peri-urban areas in order to transform the rural economies and reduce poverty amongst the rural masses and contribute to Government’s agenda on poverty reduction.
The programme started in the 1980s with Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) Ltd as the implementing entity. The program was implemented through own financing and donor funding. Following the commercialization of ESCOM, the Malawi Government took over the
Marep 9 is funded through a rural electrification levy in the petroleum pump price build-up and other financing windows.
The National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has warned Malawians living near lakeshores and riverbanks to brace for flash floods during this year’s rainy season.
NWRA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dwight Kambuku made the announcement during a media tour, visiting communities impacted by rising water levels in Lake Malawi on Tuesday.
Kambuku said that between October this year and November next year, water levels are expected to increase significantly, with projections showing the lake could reach 475.22 meters above sea level by December 1, 2025.
Kambuku
He advised residents in flood-prone areas to relocate ahead of the upcoming rainy season.
On his part part,Mangochi Municipal Council CEO Ernest Kadzokoya echoed the warning, stressing that certain flood-affected areas remain dangerous.
He urged people not to return to these locations, as the situation is expected to persist until next year.
Currently, 26 households displaced by flash floods are sheltering at Ngalamo camp in Mangochi.
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing the rail transportation networks, which were neglected by previous administrations.
Chakwera was speaking on Wednesday at Marka Border Railway Station in Nsanje,when he received the fuel train carrying 1.2 million liters of petroleum products from Beira, Mozambique.
The Malawi leader emphasized that the resumption of railway services will significantly enhance the socio-economic development of Malawi.
He said:”Many people doubted my administration’s ability to revamp the railway line, but today, I am proud to see it functional.”
The president noted that the train’s arrival in Lilongwe last month marked the end of a 21-year suspension of fuel transportation services.
Chakwera assured the nation that his administration is committed to implementing long-lasting development projects, asking communities to be patient.
On his part,Minister of Transport Jacob Hara hailed the train’s arrival as a milestone in transport infrastructure development, highlighting its positive impact on rural masses through reduced goods prices.
Board Chairperson for National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA),Colleen Zamba, welcomed the train’s arrival, citing the benefits of cheaper railway transport in reducing fuel importation costs.
Traditional Authority(T/A) Ndamera praised the current administration for its commitment to development projects across all regions.
The re-operationalisation of the Marka-Beira railway line, a crucial transportation link between Malawi and the Indian Ocean, has raised hopes of significantly reducing the time it takes to haul fuel into the country. This development is expected to have wide-reaching benefits for the landlocked nation, improving not only the fuel supply chain but also boosting economic growth and trade.
The Marka-Beira railway line connects Malawi to the port city of Beira in Mozambique, a vital gateway for the country’s imports and exports. The railway had been dormant for several years due to infrastructural damage and political instability in the region. However, its recent rehabilitation and reopening signal a strategic step towards enhancing Malawi’s transport infrastructure.
For a country that heavily relies on road transport to import essential goods like fuel, the re-operationalisation of the railway presents a faster, more efficient, and cost-effective alternative. Historically, fuel haulage into Malawi has been plagued by delays, which often contribute to fuel shortages and rising costs in the country.
With the railway back in operation, the time taken to import fuel from Beira to Malawi is expected to drop significantly. This is due to the railway’s ability to move large quantities of fuel in shorter periods compared to the traditional road haulage system, which is slower and susceptible to traffic congestion, bad road conditions, and border delays.
Energy experts anticipate that fuel transportation costs will also be lowered, as rail is generally cheaper than road transport for bulk goods. This reduction in cost could lead to lower fuel prices in the country, which would be a welcome relief for businesses and consumers alike, especially in an economy that has been grappling with rising fuel prices.
The reopening of the Marka-Beira railway line holds numerous benefits beyond fuel transportation. For Malawi, this railway connection to the Indian Ocean presents an opportunity to increase trade volumes, as the route provides quicker access to international markets. Agricultural exports, which form a significant part of Malawi’s economy, stand to benefit greatly from faster and more reliable transportation.
The railway is also expected to reduce the wear and tear on Malawi’s roads, which are often burdened by heavy truck traffic carrying fuel and other goods. By alleviating pressure on road infrastructure, the railway will allow for longer-lasting roads and reduced maintenance costs.
In addition, the improved fuel supply chain could spur development in Malawi’s industrial sector. Reliable and consistent fuel availability is critical for manufacturing, transport, and energy generation, all of which are key drivers of economic growth.
The re-operationalisation of the railway line is also a testament to improved regional cooperation between Malawi and Mozambique. The railway represents a vital part of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) regional infrastructure development agenda, which seeks to promote cross-border trade and regional integration.
Mozambique’s Beira Port is one of the most important transit points for several Southern African countries, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The railway’s reopening enhances Beira’s capacity as a regional trade hub, further cementing its strategic importance.
The reopening of the Marka-Beira railway line has set high expectations for a faster and more efficient fuel haulage system in Malawi. This long-awaited development is not only expected to reduce fuel transportation time but also lower costs, enhance trade, and relieve pressure on the country’s road infrastructure. If properly managed, the re-operationalisation of the railway could be a game-changer for Malawi’s economy, providing a crucial link to international markets and fostering regional integration. As Malawi looks to capitalize on this development, the country’s economic future appears brighter with improved transport logistics now in place.
