Nthanda Times

Nthanda Times Reporter

  • Government to Government fuel deal to ease fuel shortages- Matola

    Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola, has said fuel scarcity in Malawi is expected to improve with the arrival of a vessel carrying 51 million litres of petroleum products from Tanga in Tanzania.

    Speaking after inspecting the vessel, the Minister said the shipment would significantly help reduce the fuel crisis.

    A ship that has carried 51 million liters of fuel for Malawi pic by NOCMA

    According to Matola, all processes have been finalised, and the products’ transfer will begin on Saturday.

    He anticipated that fuel would arrive in Malawi on Thursday next week.

    Matola commended President Dr Lazarus Chakwera’s decision to shift procurement from an open tender to a government-to-government arrangement, which enabled the purchase of the 51 million litres.

    Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola during the inspection in Tanzania pic by Gift Chiponde

    “The vessel is already in the process of discharging the product,” said Matola.

    National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Meklas Reuben, stated that they will ensure smooth operations as the appointed agent for managing the government-to-government arrangement.

    “This development offers hope to Malawians who have been struggling with fuel shortages that have disrupted transportation, commerce, and daily life,” Reuben stated.

  • Wanderers terminates head coach Meck Mwase’s contract

    Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club has officially terminated the contract of head coach Meck Mwase after he reportedly failed to report for duty without notice since November 4, 2024.

    The decision follows Mwase’s unexplained absence after the team’s loss to Silver Strikers in the Airtel Top 8 Semi-Final.

    In a press statement, Wanderers disclosed that Mwase has not been attending the team’s training sessions, and efforts to reach him have gone unanswered.

    “This decision follows a period during which Mr. Mwase has been absent from his duties since November 4, 2024, without notifying the Club or obtaining approval. Despite multiple efforts by the Club to contact him, there has been no response. Given these circumstances, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club has made the difficult but necessary decision to terminate Mr. Mwase’s services with immediate effect,” reads part of the statement.

    MWASE – His contract has been terminated

    To ensure stability, Wanderers says that interim coaching arrangements are being implemented to maintain the club’s continuity and competitive edge.

    “We extend our gratitude to Mr. Meck Mwase for his contributions during his tenure and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” the statement added.

    Our efforts to get feedback from Mwase proved futile as his number was not reachable at a time of publication of this story

    Mwase, who took over after the termination of Ramadhan Nsanzurwimo, was tasked with leading Wanderers to secure at least two cups and the league title.

    However, he lost in both the Airtel Top 8 Cup semi-finals and the FDH Cup quarter-finals, against Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, respectively.

    Currently, Wanderers hold second place in the TNM Super League standings, with 50 points after 25 games.

  • Pictorial: Jamaican Reggae Star Burning Spear in Malawi

    Legendary Jamaican Reggae sensational Burning Spear arrived in Malawi on Thursday promising his fans fireworks during the highly anticipated show on Saturday 26th October in Malawi’s Capital City Lilongwe. This is the star’s last performance in Africa.

    The artist is in the country courtesy of Sound Addicts Live and some of the local acts include Malawi’s reggae outfit Black Missionaries, Skeffa Chimoto, Sangie and Born Afrikan among others.

    Some of the highlights during his stay in Malawi includes a courtesy call to the Malawian Leader Lazarus Chakwera where he gifted him with a guitar and the President also gave him a gift welcoming him into the country.

    The reggae maestro also visited Mkwichi Secondary School where he donated some learning materials to form four students and also some lunch money before playing some games with them.

    More in this pictorial courtesy of Sound Addicts Live..

    An all star group photo with President Lazarus Chakwera and some of Spear’s band members
    Spear presents a gift to President Lazarus Chakwera at the Kamuzu Palace
    The Jamaican artist interacts with Presidential Advisor on Arts and Culture Q Malewezi (In black suit) after his meeting with the President
    A welcome party captured at the Kamuzu International Airport
    Spear captured on his arrival in Malawi
    The Reggae sensational speaks to the press

  • UTM Nat. Executive Committee meeting in limbo over Kaliati’s arrest 

    A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the way forward towards UTM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which was scheduled for Friday 25th October in Lilongwe following the arrest of its Secretary General Patricia Kaliati on Thursday.

    UTM’s Vice President Micheal Usi has postponed the NEC meeting following Kaliati’s arrest while the party’s Publicist Felix Njawala is on record to have indicated that the political grouping is still discussing on the way forward for the gathering.

    According to the Malawi Police Service National Spokesperson Peter Kalaya, she is suspected of conspiring with others to commit a serious offence (felony).

    “MPS arrested Hon. Kaliati in Lilongwe on Thursday, October 24, 2024. The Service has evidence which implicates Hon. Kaliati and two others for the said conspiracy.

    “Details of the serious offence that she is accused of and individuals she conspired together with will be given out to the public at an appropriate time.”  reads the Police statement  

    Kaliati captured at Police with UTM’s Presidential hopeful Dalitso Kabambe (L)

    In a related development, some party supporters and politicians such as UTM presidential aspirants Dalitso Kabambe, Mathews Mtumbuka and others went to visit Lingadzi Police Station where Kaliati is being held.

    They sang songs of support for the UTM’s Secretary General.

    UTM Patron and presidential aspirant Newton Kambala alleged the arrest could be politically connected.

     “Our thinking is this is politically motivated because I’ve been very close to Dr. Kaliati; the issues which they are talking about I doubt she can be, and I doubt she can carelessly speak about wanting to assassinate somebody because this is what we have heard.

    Some of the politicians who visited Kaliati

    “But the charge that we’re hearing is felony which in my opinion it’s ambiguous without giving us proper details, so we’ve got enough reasons to believe this is politically motivated”   

    People’s Development Party (PDP) President Kondwani Nankhumwa also paid Kaliati a visit.

    “When I heard that she had been arrested, I thought it wise to come and cheer her up and to encourage her for whatever she’s going through.”

    Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) President Enoch Chihana, DPP’s Director of Women Mary Navicha, DPP’s Vice President for the Centre Alfred Gangata and its National Organising Secretary Sameer Suleman are some of the politicians that also visited Kaliati.

  • Kaliati arrested on conspiracy charges

    The Malawi Police Service (MPS) has arrested UTM Secretary General Patricia Kaliati on charges of conspiracy to commit a felony.

    The arrest was made in Lilongwe on Thursday, October 24, following investigations into a serious criminal offense in which Kaliati is suspected to have played a key role.

    In a statement, MPS National Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Peter Kalaya says the law enforcement service has evidence that Kaliati played a key role in the conspiracy which will be given out to the public in due course.

    “MPS arrested Hon. Kaliati in Lilongwe on Thursday, October 24, 2024. The Service has evidence which implicates Hon. Kaliati and two others for the said conspiracy. Details of the serious offense that she is accused of and individuals she conspired together with will be given out to the public at an appropriate time,” reads the statement.

    Kaliati will appear before a court of law within the next 48 hours, as per legal requirements.

  • POSITION STATEMENT: A CALL FOR A TRUE AGROECOLOGY-BASED FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION TO ENSURE FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND RESILIENCE IN THE CAADP STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2026-2035

    POSITION STATEMENT

    A CALL FOR A TRUE AGROECOLOGY-BASED FOOD SYSTEMS TRANSFORMATION TO ENSURE FOOD SOVEREIGNTY AND RESILIENCE IN THE CAADP STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2026-2035

    We, the participants of the two-day convening on the CAADP strategy and action plan 2026-2035 draft document (dated September 15, 2024), held in Kampala, Uganda, on October 3-4, 2024, including representatives from civil society organizations, smallholder farmers, environmentalists, researchers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, women, youth, and faith-based institutions, hereby issue this collective position statement. This statement reflects our shared vision and commitment to shaping the future of food systems in Africa, with a focus on agroecology, sustainability, and food sovereignty.

    Cognizant of the shared commitment by African leaders to agricultural transformation through  the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), initiated in 2003 and reaffirmed in the Malabo Declaration of 2014, we appreciate the multistakeholder consultative nature of the development of the post-Malabo agenda towards the CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026-2035).

    Mindful that Africa is the most food-insecure region globally, with one in five people— around 278 million—facing hunger, it is evident that existing agricultural frameworks have not met the expected targets. To address these systemic challenges, we must radically rethink our approach, prioritizing inclusive, agroecological solutions that serve the needs of smallholder farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, and rural communities.

    Recognizing that the CAADP strategy and action plan 2026-2035 draft document (dated September 15, 2024) emphasizes key objectives such as using the food system approach, farmer-managed seed systems, the preservation and promotion of indigenous crops, seeds, and foods, African heritage, the inclusion of youth, women, and marginalized groups, a circular food economy, as well as the promotion of public investment in Africa’s self-driven development.

    Deeply concerned by the persistent disconnect between policy directives and the real needs of small-scale farmers, pastoralists, fisherfolk, and rural communities, and recognizing that past frameworks have often failed to adequately address the needs of Africa’s smallholder food producers—the backbone of our food systems—we note that the CAADP strategy and action plan 2026-2035 draft document (dated September 15, 2024), much like its predecessors, remains dominated by private sector and external corporate interests.

    Troubled by the discrepancies in the document, where critical strategic interventions in the objectives are written in the draft document but excluded in the plan of action, such as the promotion of farmer-managed seed systems, climate-resilient indigenous seeds, and African food systems.

    Concerned that agroecology and food sovereignty—principles and practices that resonate deeply with Africa’s small-scale producers and rural communities—are excluded in the draft document, despite all farmer organizations and CSOs requesting their inclusion through memoranda, physical meetings, and other forms of

    consultation.

    Alarmed at the inclusion of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the increasing dependency on synthetic inputs, which threaten biodiversity, food sovereignty, water, health, and the resilience of Africa’s ecosystems.

    Our Call for True Transformation

    We urge the African Union Commission (AUC), member states, and all stakeholders to seize this crucial moment and adopt a truly inclusive and transformative vision for agriculture in Africa. Specifically, we call for:

    1. The Inclusion of Agroecology as Central to the CAADP Kampala Declaration Vision: We strongly call for agroecology to be a core strategy in the Kampala Declaration to safeguard African biodiversity, improve nutrition and health, enhance soil health, increase resilience to climate and other crises, and strengthen local food systems. Agroecology presents an opportunity to transform African agriculture sustainably, with practices rooted in the knowledge and traditions of smallholder farmers.
    • Correcting the Discrepancy Between Objectives and Plan of Action: We call for immediate and decisive action to ensure that key elements of the objectives, such as the recognition of farmer-managed seed systems, farmer-led research, and African food systems, are fully integrated. It is imperative that future strategies prioritize these

    objectives to reflect the needs of Africa’s farmers and communities.

    • Genuine and Meaningful Participation for Smallholder Farmers: We demand an end to the tokenistic inclusion of smallholder farmers and allied civil society organizations in key policy processes. The post-Malabo process must ensure that the voices of small- scale food producers are not only heard but are integral to shaping Africa’s agricultural policies.
    • Establishment of an Inclusive Advisory Role for Food Producers: To address inclusivity, we propose creating an advisory council for smallholder farmers and African civil society organizations within the CAADP framework, mirroring the role currently afforded to private sector stakeholders.
    • Opposition to Genetic Modification and Corporate-Controlled Food Systems: We call for stronger biosafety protocols and protection against corporate control of African genetic resources. We reject the inclusion of GMOs and corporate-driven technologies in the Kampala Declaration. These technologies promote dependency on multinational corporations for seeds and inputs and threaten local seed sovereignty and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
    • Prioritization of Public Investment in Smallholder Agriculture: We urge a shift away from overreliance on private sector investments toward increased public investment in smallholder agriculture and agroecological practices. We call for a recommitment to the 10% public investment enshrined in the Maputo and Malabo Declarations. Investments must prioritize small-scale farmers, women, youth, and rural communities to ensure a resilient and self-sufficient African food system.
    • Investment in Farmer-Managed Seed Systems and Biofertilizers: We call for public sector investment and subsidies for farmer-managed seed systems, as well as for organic and biofertilizers, to ensure healthy soils and resilience.

    We believe that the future of African agriculture and food systems must reflect the needs and aspirations of its farmers, communities, and cultural and environmental heritage. We call upon the AUC and all stakeholders to ensure that the Kampala Declaration is not merely another document, but a turning point that puts people, communities, and the environment at the heart of African agriculture and food systems.

    We commit to continuing collaboration and support for the successful implementation of the CAADP Kampala Declaration.

  • Chiwamba delighted with fresh mantle for poetry body

    President of Poetry Association of Malawi (PAM) Robert Chiwamba has expressed gratitude for being re-elected as head of the body saying the opportunity will help him to finish his first term projects.

    In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Chiwamba said he was delighted to lead PAM for the second term.

    “I am happy because I will finish all the projects that I started in my first term. We are working with the Cooperate Fund with which we are helping primary school leaners to write poems about natural disasters.

    “In this term of office, I will be able to finish this project,” he said, adding that his first term in office was meant to set up this office in order as this was also the time which saw PAM amending its constitution.

    He expressed optimism that PAM will achieve all planned activities for the good of poetry in Malawi.

    “This time around, we will use this second chance to achieve all that we planned in the first term. Our first assignment is to rebrand the PAM as we are in the digital technology era.

    “We are planning to open up accounts on You Tube, Facebook and all places people are found so that people can recognise PAM, “he said, adding that the association also contemplates on entering into partnership with private sector to organise series of poetry competitions.

    Chiwamba captured reciting poetry in this file footage

    Chiwamba however stated that PAM meets a number of problems including limited financial resources due to minimal resource mobilisation means.

    “We don’t have any sponsor; we rely on membership fee which is K5, 000. This is not enough but let me thank Reunion Insurance, Copyright Fund and others for supporting   the association,” he said.

    He therefore encouraged youngsters who joined poetry to be active and that they should promote their poems by putting them on different social media platforms and on radios for people to appreciate their work.

    PAM Vice President, Daniel Zabuloni said he will collaborate well with the President to serve the association and the interest of the poets in the country.

    In other positions, Arthur Muongola was elected PAM General Secretary as Chikumbutso Kaliyati took the position of Vice General Secretary,

    Charles Membe was elected Treasurer General, Raphael Sitima, Director of Fundraising, Kenneth Khondiwa, Director of Publicity while Milca Kanyenda is Director of Women Affairs.

  • Legal Affairs to probe Judge Manda’s alleged corrupt allegations

    The Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament says it has made a resolution to conduct an inquiry into the serious allegations involving High Court Judge Justice Kenan Manda.

    Committee Chairperson Peter Dimba disclosed this in Parliament on Monday arguing that it has done so as Parliamentary Committee with a very serious mandate and jurisdiction over such matters.

    “As a Parliamentary Committee with a very serious mandate and jurisdiction over such matters, we’ve today decided to make an inquiry into these serious allegations. We will be inviting the MLS who claim to have written the Hon the Chief Justice on the same and we will also welcome submissions from various individuals and institutions that went looking for Justice before the chambers of Justice Kenani Manda but were instead served with injustice like in the case of Salima Sugar Company.

    “The Malawi Judiciary has made strides and earned itself a name over the years and it’s unfair for all those gains to be wiped out because of a few bad apples.

    “It becomes frustrating to those serving the nation with integrity when crookedness is entertained and rewarded while integrity is frowned upon and at times punished. And that is not the kind of Malawi we must all strive for”. said Dimba.

    Justice Kenan Manda

    He described as a challenge when people do not face consequences for their offenses, stating that impunity thrives and when formal systems fail to arrest impunity, and the society gets tired of it, mob justice kicks in which is the situation at hand.

    Dimba disclosed that at the end of our inquiry, the Committee will report to Plenary and recommend for impeachment depending on the gravity of the trespasses noting that such Officers must be nowhere near the bench for they are a hazard to society.

    He lamented that there is no hope for the nation when the Justices dispense injustice with reckless abandon for they are permanent and the society has to endure them at the bench until they are 70 unless they are impeached by Parliament.

    There have been corruption allegations made against the High Court Judge’ conduct with lawyer and human rights advocate Alexious Kamangila being asked to retract his assertions and demands for the judiciary to be sanitized immediately. Kamangila further asserted he has sufficient information and evidence that the Judge is crooked and proposed that all judgments by the Judge should be reviewed by independent experts.

    Ready for the legal challenge: Kamangila

    On 7th October, Manda’s lawyers GOBZ & RECHTSWISSENSCHAFT demanded a written apology for their client and for Kamangila to immediately refrain from making any further defamatory statements or disseminating false information about the judge.

    “Your baseless and false statements have caused immense harm to our client’s personal and professional reputation. They have subjected him to public contempt, ridicule, and discredit, adversely affecting his standing in the community and the judiciary”. read the letter.

    They further demanded that he remits the sum of K250, 000,000.00 as compensation for the defamation and the damage caused to Manda.

    Undeterred, Kamangila the human rights advocate has since told the lawyers for the Judge to go ahead with the legal challenge.

  • SA police apprehends Malawian woman who had 100 ATM cards

    The Gauteng Police in South Africa have reportedly arrested a Malawian woman for possessing 100 auto-teller machine (ATM) cards.

    The ATM cards belong to different people, a thing that made the police become suspicious, according to the sources in the rainbow nation.

    According to media reports, the suspect is Mphatso M’bang’ombe Chithyola Banda.

    “The cards are from National, Standard, First Capital and NBS Banks. Our team in South Africa is verifying the names on the bank cards which are used to externalise forex in Malawi,” read an article on the social media.

    However, we could not verify if the suspect is related to Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda.

    This is not the first time for a female Malawian to be arrested for possessing multiple ATM cards.

    The ATM Cards

    In June 2023, five women were found with 338 ATM cards at Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe while they were coming from Dubai and Police suspect that they were using the cards to externalize forex and launder money.

    Police spokesperson has told the local media that the police have arrested the five women at the airport.

    He said the women were coming from Dubai and were found with 338 ATM cards for various local banks.

    It was suspected then that the women used the ATM cards to withdraw money in Dubai thereby externalising forex.

    “Police indeed arrested Sellina Mkandawire 39, Fatima Dziko 35, Diness Mphande 66, Hanifa Osman 33 and Angella Mphande 36,” he said.

    According to Kalaya, police suspect that the women connived with some banks and Malawians of Asian origin in their scheme.

    The women were granted bail by a court in Lilongwe yesterday.

  • Malawi’s  literature giant Willie Zingani sleeps

    On Monday, thousands thronged the St. Thomas Anglican Church in Area 18 to pay their last respects to a great journalist, literature giant and even finer gentleman William Thomas Zingani.

    Uncle Willie, as many in the media fraternity fondly called him, not only edited some fine titles over the years, or just authored impressive collection of books, or just owned his own newspapers, but he also worked for three State Presidents, had stints with corporate executive jobs without betraying the high values of journalism; without compromising the ideals that made him a pioneer for the fledgling industry at the dawn of democracy.

    He became a giant in all manner of language, yet remained one of the most humble people around.

    “We were honoured to have him as a mentor and, for many, as friend too. Now the gain is solely heaven’s”- Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi’s Chairperson Golden Matonga

    His family celebrated a man who gave himself to the service of the nation, a beacon of wisdom, was an advisor, and a fighter for justice

    Three of Zingani’s six children. Pics by Chisomo Ngulube

    His son said “Anali odziwa kucheza ndi anthu everywhere he went. He was called different names by different people. Others called him Kaka, others a Widzi. We the kids called him WT.

    “It’s a big loss, but there’s a time for everything. Especially at a time when we’d just sat down and he shared with me his retirement plans. Before those plans materialised, he was called to eternal glory”

    He also thanked the elders of the family for honoring his wish to be buried either in Lilongwe or Blantyre.

    His closest friend Mr. Mwalwanda who was with him in his last moments, said Zingani collapsed because he was provoked but he said he could not say more, but mourns a man he has been friends with since 1983.

    Too grief-stricken to say more, Mwalwanda added that Willie was a man who never wanted to pick a fight with anyone.

    Zingani’s final resting place

    The family thanked President Chakwera; former President Bakili Muluzi and all the other people who have offered supported during this difficult time.

    To some who worked with him, he is credited for sharpening their writing, editing and publishing skills.

    The legacy left by the 70 year old Zingani leaves an indelible mark in Malawi’s arts industry.

    The late author, who breathed his last on Saturday at MASM Clinic in Lilongwe, is survived by a wife and six children.