Nthanda Times

Peter Ngwenyama

  • First Lady Chakwera pledges unwavering commitment to advancing women, girls in Africa

    First Lady Monica Chakwera has pledged her unwavering commitment to advancing women and girls’ health, education and economic empowerment in African region. 

    Madam Chakwera made the pledge during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Organisation of African First Ladies in Organization of African First Ladies in Development (OAFLAD) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    Established in 2022, OAFLAD serves the purpose of mobilizing and advocating for resources and policies that promote the well-being and empowerment of women and children across Africa. It provides a platform for first ladies to exchange experiences, share best practices, and devise strategies to address shared challenges.

    She said her commitment to women and girls is not only in Malawi but also throughout the African continent. 

    “As a prominent advocate for gender equality and social justice, she actively shapes OAFLAD’s agenda and priorities as a member of the steering committee,” said the statement. 

    The statement said her participation in the celebration stands as a testament to her exemplary leadership and dedication to the advancement of women and girls’ rights and well-being in Malawi and beyond.

    The 20th-anniversary celebration was graced by the presence of first ladies from various countries, including Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Namibia, and the host country, the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    However, the organization’s primary focus lies in making economic contributions, improving health, empowering women, advancing education, and combating gender-based violence.

  • Chinese association donates K40m of medical supplies to Ntaja Health Centre

    Lvliang Jiujiu Charity Association from China has donated K40 Milli worth of medical supplies to Ntaja Health Centre in Machinga.

    The donation, which was made through the Ministry of Health, includes an ambulance, ambulance bed, two motorcycles, 10 hospital beds, 10 wheel chairs, 2 computers, cooker, microwave and a refrigerator.

    Receiving the donation in Lilongwe on Friday, Deputy Minister of Health, Halima Daudi said the donation has come at a right time as most of the health facilities in southern region are recovering from the cyclone freddy.

    “This will go a long way in alleviating problems in delivering health care services at the facility. People in the area deserves quality health care,” she said.

    According to her over 60 health facilities were affected by the cyclone in southern region.

    She said most of the facilities need support so that they provide quality health care and services to people.

    Halima Daudi (C) posing with the Chinese community members after the donation

    Daud urged the management at the centre to ensure all the donated medical supplies are kept in good care, adding that if anyone steals they will be brought to book.

    The association’s president, Zhang Ancai, said after learning that Ntaja Health Centre urgently needs to be upgraded to provide better treatment services for the local people, they called for people in Lvliang city for donations.

    “These donated materials are not only a love from the people of our city but also a vivid reflection of the friendly exchange between the two places,” he said.

    Zhang believed that the support will not only improve the treatment conditions of the facility but also effectively improve the health level of local residents.

    Machinga District Hospital Director of Health and Social services, Dr Jones Chise, commended the Chinese charity association for the timely donation as the facility is upgrading to a community hospital.

    “The facility has a huge catchment population so the support will assist a lot in providing health care services in the area,” he said.

    Chise therefore assured that the donated items will be used for intended purpose.

  • Ecobank provides K10m for 50 needy students at LUANAR

    Ecobank Malawi Ltd has donated K10 million to Lilongwe University of Agriculture & Natural Resources (LUANAR) to support 50 needy students with tuition fees through the Endowment Fund.

    LUANAR established the Fund to mobilize funds to support underprivileged students tuition and research programmes.

    Speaking during the handover ceremony held at LUANAR Bunda campus on Friday, Ecobank Head of Commercial Banking Victoria Chanza said as a responsible corporate citizen, Ecobank deeply understands the financial challenges that many underprivileged students face to have access to tertiary Education hence the donation which is in line with its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) focus on Education.

    “We are pleased to support the LUANAR Endowment Fund which we believe will go a long way in assisting many under-priviledged students get easy access to the world class tertiary education offered at this University,” adding that the dual purpose of the bank is to consolidate a modern pan-African bank that contributes to the economic development and financial integration of the African continent that Malawi is part of.

     To achieve this, she said, the bank believe that access to Education is the pinnacle and catalyst that can drive growth and economic development of our nation. 

    Chanza said the students if given access to quality Tertiary Education, are poised to guarantee a great economic future for Malawi.

     She said the bank will therefore endeavour to play its part to continuously support the Education Sector which is one of bank’s key Corporate Social investment (CSI) focus area.

    On his part, LUANAR Vice Chancellor, Professor Emmanuel Kaunda commended the bank for coming in to support the Endowment fund.

    “We would like to thank Ecobank for this donation. This will go long way in supporting many unprivileged students at LUANAR,” he said.

    Kaunda added that the funds have come at the right time when some of the students were at the verge of not sitting for exams especially those at our Bunda campus.

     This kind gesture clearly shows Ecobank Malawi’s passion and commitment in supporting the Education sector, he said.

    Kaunda therefore assured Ecobank that this money will be put to effective use to meet its intended purpose as it will go directly to assist in building talented future leaders of our country. Kaunda said.

    Representative of the needy students, Kondwani Gondwe said it is very emotional when students fail to write end academic semester examinations because of lack of fees.

    “Most students are chased out of examinations because they did not pay tuition fees, some even fail to get accomodations as well as food,” she said.

    Gondwe called upon the corporate world and well-wishers to come in and support the needy students to finish their education.

  • UNHCR Southern Africa delegation in Malawi to discuss relocation of refugees, asylum seekers

    A high level delegation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Southern Africa has arrived in the country on a mission to discuss with the Government of Malawi on the relocation of refugees and asylum seekers.

    The delegation will meet President Lazarus Macarthy Chakwera on Wednesday and has already met Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ng’oma and government agencies.

    Regional Bureau Director for Southern Africa, Valentin Tapsoba told reporters on Monday in Lilongwe after meeting the Minister of Homeland Security, Ng’oma and government security agencies that they have come to a conclusion that they will work together for the relocation exercise of refugees and asylum seekers to Dzaleka camp.

    ” As you know the camp is overcrowded in terms of space and social services but the government has been kind enough to identify a large site that will accommodate more people,” he said.

    Tapsoba said they will present the issue to their donor community to raise funds in order to start building the camp.

    Tapsoba addressing journalists after the meeting

    Government recently announced that it has identified a site in Chitipa where all refugees and asylum seekers will be accommodated and the Dzaleka camp will be closed.

    Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma said they have explained to the delegation that they are following the rule of law.

    “We have maintained our position to look after refugees according to the Geneva Convention and that Dzaleka remains the location of all refugees to reside,” he said.

    On a new site of a refugee camp in Chitipa, Ng’oma clarified that they are moving out of the camp to a new site because Dzaleka is too close to town.

    “We are failing to monitor these refugees because of the short distance, they travel to Dzaleka in the morning to register and back to town in the evening,” he said.

    Ng’oma said the ministry has asked for help in terms of financial support to assist in the new construction of a new project in Chitipa in which they have agreed.

    The new camp will help in reducing the congestion in Dzaleka which is housing over 50,000 people instead of the initial capacity of 12,000 refugees.

  • Malawi Govt, UNHCR set repatriate 44 refugees back to Rwanda

    The Malawi Government in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are set to repatriate 44 Rwandan refugees back to their native country.

    Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma disclosed to journalists in Lilongwe on Tuesday that the repatriation exercise will commence on Wednesday.

    “These refugees are those who have volunteered to go back to their homes mainly in Rwanda because the war is no longer there,” he said.

    Minister of Homeland Security Ken Zikhale Ng’oma addressing members of press after the meeting

    Ng’oma further said UNHCR has supported the repatriation exercise and it will commence on Wednesday.

    Those refugees from Burundi are also communicating with their country in order to go back to their country, he said 

    Ng’oma said the travel documents have been already processed for those who have made their decision.

    UNHCR Southern Africa region Director, Valentine Tapsoba said the agency has three solutions for refugees which is repatriation, local integration and resettlement but now is repatriation.

    “Those who have been for quite some time should come forward voluntarily if they want go back to their countries,” he said.

    Tapsoba: The Agency has thee options

    Tapsoba said the agency together with government is ready to help them issue the exit documents and go back in safety and dignity.

    However, government has apprehended four warlords wanted by Rwanda government.

    Meanwhile, Rwanda government and the UNHCR regional office have separately awarded Minister Ng’oma for the job well done in repatriating the warlords.

  • CFTC slaps unfair trading companies with K14m fines

    Malawi Government-subvented Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) has ordered companies to pay fines and refunds totaling K13.9 million for unfair trade practices.

    The fines include a total of K4 million in fines and MK9.9 million in refunds to consumers after holding its meetings on 9th March and 11th May 2023. 

    CFTC Executive Director Lloyds Vincent Nkhoma told journalists on Tuesday in Lilongwe that following the meeting the Commission had, they considered and adjudicated over a total of 86 cases, which included 72 cases of unfair trading practices and 14 cases of anti-competitive business practices.

    Nkhoma said these companies failed to comply with fair trading rules and regulations in the past quarter of the year, hence the need for action as they are governed by the law. 

    “Some of the cases include alleged exclusion for liability for defective goods, misleading conduct, unconscionable conduct, supply of products likely to cause injury to health or physical harm to consumers, and non-disclosure of material information,” elaborated Nkhoma. 

    Some of the 14 companies slapped with fines after complaints against are AFTO Energy Limited, Glale Enterprises, Mzuzu Sprint Printers, Ampex Courier, Sana Food Court, VIP Courier, National Bank,  Autocom Japan,  Airtel Malawi Plc, and Central Poultry. 

    Nkhoma: The companies failed to comply with fair trading rules

    Meanwhile, cases against Atsikana Paulendo Private Schools, one for Airtel and Ankolo Courier were resolved on contact and dialogue as their basis was intangible enough for the Commission to slap them with fines.

    CFTC Executive Director however expressed the need to fast-track amendment of the Competition and Fair Trading Act that was first enacted in 1998. 

    He added, “This is an overarching law as the fines stipulated do not match with the current situation following change of things overtime.”

    The Competition and Fair Trading Commission (CFTC) was established under the Competition and Fair Trading Act of 1998 with a mandate to regulate, monitor, control and prevent acts or behaviours which would adversely affect competition and fair trading in Malawi.

    Upon a person lodging a complaint against unfair trading practices at no charge, the commission institute investigations on unfair trade practices including violations of consumer rights and taking necessary steps to facilitate redress.

  • APUA DG Tella hopeful on solutions for addressing energy woes in Africa

    Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) Director General, Abel Tella, has expressed hope that power challenges faced by African utility bodies can be addressed by learning from other countries who have managed to solve them.

    Tella was speaking on Saturday on the sidelines of the 57th APUA meeting underway in Lilongwe that through sharing of experiences and ideas from utility bodies in the region can help in solving such challenges.

    “Utility bodies are facing challenges like utilization of energy sources like mining, aging infrastructure, unreliable power generation among others,” he said.

    Tella: Utility bodies are facing challenges

    Tella further said that the meeting’s special focus will be the strategic leadership and the governance of the power sector, adding that power utilities as major player should take the lead and their managers will have an open exchange with the association’s main sponsor, the African Development Bank.

    Electricity Generation Company (EGENCO) Chief Executive Officer, William Liabunya, said there is a need for countries to build more efficient and resilient utilities as they exchange ideas.

    “We will be sharing true life experiences which we are experiencing as utility bodies,” he said.

    Liabunya said Malawi has its own experiences and it will gain more from the ideas and solutions from the regional utility bodies.

    Liyabunya: Countries to build more efficient and resilient utilities

    Liabunya said Malawi faced weather conditions like droughts and cyclones which largely affected the generation of power in the country but managed to come out through learning of ideas from such forums.

    Egenco is hosting a five- day 57th APUA conference to take stock of the activities carried out over the one year period, to discuss the status of scientific activities, projects and reforms implemented and projected in the sector, to promote the activities of
    member companies, develop South-South cooperation in order to encourage the emergence of a local African industry of electrical equipment and services to give impetus to the energy sector.

  • Wirima emphasizes need for ODeL to transform education

    Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima has emphasized the need for the country to seek the sure pathway of transforming education through Open Distance and e- Learning (ODeL).

    Wirima made the remarks on Thursday in Lilongwe during the opening of the 2023 National ODeL Symposium under the theme: An innovative, Technological and knowledge – based ODeL Ecosystem, key to Human Capital Development.”

    She said some people who have sharpened their skills and have risen in rank and status were once had an opportunity during their life time to pursue education including through ODeL.

    Kambauwa Wirima answering questions from journalists

    “ODeL offers us a sure path of democratizing education for all through its diverse means of teaching and learning as the evidence is overwhelming world over about the successful people including presidents, company executives and professors who are products of it,” she said.

    Wirima urged employers to understand and embrace the value of ODeL and provide equal opportunities to graduates of the same.

    In her remarks, USAID Education Office Director, Christine Veverka, commended government for providing e-learning education in the country.

    “As ODel continues, innovations will be increasingly important to enhance e-learning and expand access to students across the education sector,” she said.

    She described ODeL as an amazing technological innovation which is a practical solution for Malawi in tertiary and other levels of education.

    Veverka therefore pledged a continued partnership in reducing the gap in education access so that Malawians can reach the full potential.

  • Malawi revokes dubiously acquired citizenship statuses for Burundian, Rwandan nationals

    The Minister of Homeland Security, Honourable Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma, has with immediate effect revoked citizenship of 396 Burundian and Rwandan Nationals who dubiously acquired their naturalization papers.

    According to the ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Patrick Botha, revocation is pursuant to public order and security within the precincts of the laws of Malawi.

    “It is also in compliance with the Honourable Court’s decision in the case of the Republic vs Uladi Mussa and others being Criminal Case Number 2 of 2017,” he said. 

    Botha disclosed that the law enforcement agencies in their coordinated effort will be effecting immediate deportation of the individuals concerned.

    In accordance with the law, he said, government will continue to review and deprive Malawian Citizenship for all those individuals that did not comply with stipulated legal process.

    Currently, government and its security agencies are still rounding up refugees and asylum seekers who have no authorized documents on staying in Malawi.

    According to statistics from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Malawi has 53,000 refugees and asylum seekers.

  • Leadership Program to improve quality of education in schools–Wirima

    Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima has disclosed that the School Leadership Programme (SLP), which is under the Malawi Education Reform Program (MERP), will play a crucial role as a catalyst for improving the quality of education in schools.

    Wirima was speaking on Tuesday in Liwonde during the official opening of the main training of the SLP, an initiative that heralds a new commitment to educational excellence.

    Wirima said the program will shape the future of the basic education system as well as empower school leaders to lead with vision, compassion and innovation.

    “Through this program, we are making a resolute investment in our school leaders the guiding lights who shape the educational experiences of our students,” she said adding that “we understand that effective leadership is the bedrock of thriving education system,” she said.

    Kambauwa granting members of press an interview

    Wirima said it is the solemn duty of her ministry to equip school leaders with require skills, knowledge and support to lead lead with excellence.

    “We recognize the tireless dedication and invaluable contributions of our school leaders and educators. We are committed to supporting their professional growth and development,” she said.

    The Minister therefore called on for collaboration in order to achieve the educational goals as well as Malawi vision 2063.