A woman living with diabetes travels all the way from her home district of Dedza to the Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe only to be turned away as the health facility has no medicines for treating the disease, worse still she has to spend a hard earned income to pay bus fares. This is the current situation around the country, so how are the lives of patients with diabetes going to be safeguarded?

Diabetes is one of the non communicable diseases affecting the country’s productive population, results from a 2009 STEPS survey conducted by the World Health Organization shows that there is a prevalence of 5.6%, meaning that in every 100 people 6 of them have the disease, yet the disease has not received much attention unlike communicable diseases such as HIV and AIDS, whose drugs are found almost every where.

Malawi has a long history of drug stock outs with the Central Medical Stores leading the process of procuring drugs. Since the store was transformed into a trust, it still seems to continue struggling and cannot end the drug shortages hitting the country.

Diabetes Association of Malawi, president, Timothy Ntambalika speaking at the 2012 commemoration of World Diabetes Day called upon the Ministry of Health to act urgently on the shortages of various diabetic drugs such as Metformin, which now cannot be accessed from pharmacies at government health facilities both in Mzuzu, Kamuzu and Queen Elizabeth Central hospitals.

March of diabetes awareness in Malawi

“Our major concern as people living with diabetes is that there is an acute shortage of drugs in the country, some people have to buy drugs from pharmacies which are very expensive, while such people even have no money”, laments Ntambalika.

He adds that the shortage of diabetic drugs is further complicated by human resource constraints whereby during Tuesday which is a diabetes clinic day, most patients are frustrated to discover that health workers specialized in diabetic care have been shifted to other departments and often get attention from medical students who might not have expertise in diabetes management.

Emmanuel Khomani is a member of the Diabetes Association of Malawi and a patient, he agrees with Ntambalika that the country has a serious shortage of diabetic drugs and also appeals to government to do all it can to reduce this problem.

“ The biggest challenge to patients with diabetes right now is the shortage of diabetic drugs, now that we have a financial crisis, the medicines are very scarce and patients are going to die if no action is taken urgently”, he noted during the sidelines of the World Diabetes Day Commemoration.

He observed that the shortage of diabetes drugs in the country could be addressed if government quickly courts donors and other development partners to come in swiftly and take the issue as a matter of urgency, although there are other pressing disease burdens which also require attention.

According to the International Diabetes Federation, globally there are 4.6 million deaths annually attributable to diabetes and in some countries children and young people die for lack of insulin without ever being diagnosed. Diabetes ranks in the top 10 causes of disability worldwide and undermines productivity and human development.

The federation observes that if no action is taken, the number of people with diabetes is predicted to rise to from over 366 million in 2011 to 552 million by 2030, or one adult in ten.

Another patient, Charles Saidi who is the Central Region treasurer of the Diabetes Association of Malawi points out the need for health policy makers to refocus themselves and address NCDs such as diabetes by ensuring that medicines are in good supply.

“Just imagine diabetic drugs such as Metformin have completely stocked out in all government hospitals, in Lilongwe at Kamuzu Central Hospital, an American national who has diabetes donated Lentil some few weeks ago, but the drug run out in a few hours”, He says.

Saidi adds that the shortage of diabetic drugs in the country has reached a crisis level in which some unscrupulous vendors could find a loophole and capitalize on the shortage to sell diabetic drugs that have expired thereby put lives of patients on danger.

“ There is a danger that some vendors could have already started selling poor quality drugs for treating diabetes, which is now putting many of our lives as patients on great danger”, Warns Saidi.

Director of the Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Dr. Andrew Gonani acknowledges that the country is facing a critical shortage of diabetic drugs and assures diabetic patients not to panic as the government is working extra hard with the Central Medical Stores to reduce the drug stock outs.

“I can assure you that the Ministry of Health is working hard with the Central Medical Stores to increase the supply of diabetic drugs which will reduce stock outs from health facilities, we are also working towards an emergency procurement mechanism to get these drugs urgently”, He said.

Diabetes type 1 is caused by genetic factors such as lack of insulin which is secreted by the pancreas in a human body and leads to glucose intolerance, as blood sugar level rises and can damage body organs such as the feet, eyes and legs.

Many leg amputations are caused by the disease whose other risk factors also include physical inactivity and unhealthy diets. Type 2 of diabetes occurs when there is insulin resistance by cells, while gestational diabetes (GDM) commonly occurs in pregnant women and has not received enough attention in many Low Middle Income Countries, including Malawi.

The International Diabetes Federation in a recent study linking diabetes and climate change suggests that food insecurity in many developing countries caused by droughts and other other extreme weather events is fuelling diabetes as people cannot access a lot of fruit or vegetable diets which are very vital, while the habit of people in urban areas eating fast food is growing due to changing lifestyles.

Malawi will for the next three years, starting this month, serve on the Executive Board of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) following its election to the Board late last year.

Making the announcement in New York on Wednesday, Malawi’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mrs. Esther Mcheka Chilenje Nkhoma said this is an exciting time for Malawi to take up this leadership position on a UN entity.

“UN Women established a country office late last year in Malawi,” said Chilenje-Nkhoma, adding that, “This is also important for Malawi as it is serving on the Commission for Social Development, while at the same time implementing numerous social empowerment policies, empowering communities and leveraging national development in the country.”

UN Women was created in July 2010 through a UN General Assembly resolution thereby taking a historic step in accelerating the Organization’s goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Mcheka Chilenje at the UN headquarters

It came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact, merging and building on the important work of previously distinct entities of the UN system, which focused exclusively on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

These entities include, the Division for the Advancement of Women, the International Research and Training Institute of Women, the office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women and also the United Nations Development Fund for women.

The UN Women Executive Board is made up of representatives from 41 countries around the world who serve on a rotating basis and they are selected on the following basis: 10 from Africa, 10 from Asia, 4 from Eastern Europe, 6 from Latin America and the Caribbean, 5 from Western Europe and 6 from contributing countries.

Malawi’s membership on the Executive Board of UN women expires on 31st December 2013.

Former president of Ireland Mary Robinson,has said that Malawi is a blessed country to have Mrs Joyce Banda as its President,saying she is going to steer the nation into prosperity.

Robinson, the first female president of Ireland from 1990 to1997,  was speaking during a special dinner her organization – the Global Leaders Council (GLC) – organized in the administrative Capital of Lilongwe in honor of President Banda.

“We decided to hold our annual Council General assembly to celebrate your achievement as one of our own and Malawians are so blessed people to have a leader like you,” said Robinson who also chairs the GLC

Robinson told the gathering that the Council had a very successful meeting at the Kamuzu Palace where they held their annual general Assembly and thanked President Banda for opening  the doors of the palace to the organization.

Dinner time: President Banda and her guests- Global leaders council delegatrion

In her speech, President Banda thanked the GLC delegation for standing with her when she was victimized by the Mutharika administration.

“My involvement with the Global Leaders Council paved a way for me to see a bigger world when many doors were closed,” said President Banda.

The Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health is composed of eighteen sitting and former heads of state, high-level policymakers and other leaders who serve as champions to build political leadership for increased financial and technical support for reproductive health.

Through these leaders, the Council is revitalizing global political commitment to reproductive health with increased awareness and visibility of the importance of reproductive health globally, as well as more effective donor resources and policies dedicated to reproductive health.

GLC has since rated Malawi as a star in safe motherhood initiatives despite some challenges in maternal mortality and family planning..

Robinson said although Malawi’s birth rate and maternal mortality rate are still high, the country is among nations that have made progress in reproductive and maternal health globally.

The  council has leaders such as former Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga, Annie Lennox,  UK based singer- and former South African deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

One of the State House Press Officers,  Brian Banda,  said Robinson and her team are in Malawi a three day visit  at the invitation of President Banda  and  to support  her Presidential Initiative on Maternal Health and Safe Motherhood and to promote the need for increased funding from donor nations for reproductive health services for Malawi and other countries in the developing world.

They  will visit Ntcheu and Balaka to launch the Social Cash Transfer project being funded by the government of Ireland and to appreciate the Safe motherhood programmes being initiated by President Banda.

Malawi’s oldest political party, the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP), has embarked on a campaign for revival by injecting new blood as it strategizes for next year’s elections.

The party is on a membership recruitment drive, with the youth being main target, to get its old glory back.

“We have to hit the ground running,” said MCP’s senior official and Member of Parliament for Lilongwe Msozi South, Vitus Dzoole-Mwale said.

Dzoole-Mwale disclosed that MCP will hold its national convention this April and there will be open contest for all positions including that of the president.

There are speculations that the current MCP president and leader of opposition in parliament, John Tembo, has been under pressure from the young kindred in the party to let go of power and allow others to lead MCP.

But Dzoole-Mwale was non-committal on whether or not Tembo, 79  would seek the candidature to be MCP’s torch bearer for the 2014 presidential race after failing to win it in previous two elections.

Tembo in a recent meeting with young kindred in MCP

He said that the April convention to be held in Lilongwe will be a chance for young blood to take over the mantle of power.

“We want to use this indaba to have more young people join the party and take up positions,” said Dzoole Mwale.

So far the name of former Speaker of Parliament, Louis Chimango has emerged as favourite to be the front runner to succeed Tembo.

Chimango, a lawyer by training, has not publicly commented on his stand to take over the reigns of MCP power.

But Member of Parliament for Nkhotakota Central, Edwin Banda has confirmed that he wants to contest for the party’s top seat.

Banda, a lawyer and a Pentecostal cleric, says MCP which led Malawi for 31 years and ruled with an iron fist under founding president Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda would assume the country’s leadership next year with all things being equal.

Outspoken Secretary General Chris Daza is also aspiring for presidential run.

Despite attempts by so called ‘young blood’ to wrestle power from him, Tembo has remained unmoved and has instead used his long stay in politics to ‘crash-into-powder’ his challengers.

Five substations that make up Mzambazi Catholic Parish at Euthini in Mzimba district have petitioned his Grace Bishop Joseph Zuza of the Mzuzu diocese asking for the immediate removal of Reverend Father Mark Mkandawire saying the cleric’s alleged sexual relationships is denting the Catholic Church.

The substations are; Heneric, St John Bosco, St James, St Maria Guret and St Benedicto. They have also written Father Mkandawire personally asking for his immediate departure, saying he has brought shame to the Parish.

“You came to the Parish like a good Shepherd but in actual sense you are not. We do not want to see you,” they wrote.

Nyasa Timescould not get an immediate comment from the Bishop.

Bishop Zuza: Asked to take action

Last month Father Mkandawire was allegedly caught red handed having sex with Ruth Chaula, wife of the DPP losing parliamentary candidate Owen Mkandawire in the October 9th 2012 bye elections held in Mzimba Central constituency.

The cleric however dismissed the allegations as not true, saying as a man-of-the cloth he could not do that.

According to a four paged letter dated 7th January 2013 to the head of the Mzuzu Diocese, a copy Nyasa Times sourced, the Catholics also accuse Father Mkandawire of sexually harassing many other women whenever he takes them for activities in the substations.

The Parishioners have also threatened that they will stop contributing offerings to the Parish if Bishop Zuza dilly dallies in removing Father Mkandawire.

“We feel the money we give the parish is the one that makes him (Matako akana pansi) to be mobile and engage in promiscuity,” reads part four paged letter dated 7th January 2013.

“We would like to ask you for the urgent removal, suspension or dismissal of Father Mkandawire for what he has done here and has been doing here at Mzambazi Parish especially to women.”

Father Mkandawire’s service as a Priest is never short of controversy when it comes to women. A few years ago as Director of Pastoral Centre in Nkhata Bay, Father Mkandawire is reported to have  eloped  to the USA with a nun called Elizabeth Nyirenda, whom she eventually married and borne children.

The Catholics also vented their anger at Bishop Zuza saying he is failing to act despite Owen Mkandawire seeing him in person and giving his side of the story including material objective evidence.

They feel “ignoring wrong-doing encourages more wrong-doing.”

Ironically, Owen Mkandawire is the Parish’s Finance Secretary hence Father Mkandawire had been a regular visitor to Owen’s house.

Mkandawire claims that there is a video recording of the Priest with his wife in uncompromising situation.

Economic Planning Minister Goodall Gondwe, appointed recently by President Banda   to help fix a sputtering economy, has sought to justify his decision in the 2004/2005 fertilizer subsidy deal where it is alleged that he meddled in the award of a contract to a Saudi Arabian company.

Gondwe was found by the country’s Anti-Corruption Bureau to have acted corruptly in a fertiliser deal [2005/05 farming season] that cost Malawi $6.8 million. He is, however, yet to be prosecuted.

He told state run MBC television through Malawi wa Lero program that he has no regrets for his decision, saying he had done “the right thing for Malawi”.

“It is true I have been under ACB probe for the past seven years over the awarding of contract to a Saudi Arabian company to supply fertilizer for the subsidy programme. But as you are aware that year it was our first time as a new government and as a country to start implementing the farm input subsidy programme.

Goodall Gondwe; I did the right thing for Malawi

“As such, I and the late president Bingu wa Mutharika had to make very swift decisions to save the programme as it were heading for a disaster. To avoid such a disastrous scenario I had to bypass government’s bureaucratic rules just to make sure that the programme sees the light of day,” he said.

“So I have no regrets over it and I did what I felt necessary for my country and the people of Malawi,” said a visibly confident Gondwe.

Gondwe, a former IMF vice president for Africa region, presided over years of economic growth which averaged 7 percent, reduced inflation to single digits and oversaw debt cancelation under the HIPC initiative before late President Bingu wa Mutharika dropped him from cabinet over graft allegations.

Discharged                                                  

Meanwhile, Gondwe disclosed through the program hosted by Wadza Otomani that the graft busting body has since informed him about its decision to discontinue with the probe.

He said despite not being formally charged, he has always maintained his innocence on the matter.

“Problem with our media is that whenever there is news that you are being probed, it is seen as trial on its own but it is part of ACB’s responsibility to probe people and if they find that there are indeed irregularities then you are charged with corruption. I’m happy that the case is now water under the bridge,” added Gondwe.

When contacted ACB senior publicist Egritta Ndala refused to comment on the issue through telephone interview saying it is the bureau’s policy to respond to media questions through a written questionnaire.

According to a leaked report by ACB which has not been made public, Gondwe, probably the most popular former finance in the post democracy era, ignored advice from government’s technical advisory committee and went ahead to award the contract Pioneer Chemicals a Saudi firm, despite being told that the company was small and no capacity to supply over 70 000 metric tonnes of fertilizer.

The report further says the minister together with other two senior officials namely, Dr Milton Kutengule then secretary to treasury and Nebert Nyirenda who was director of Public Enterprises Reform and Monitoring Unit (PERMU), coerced Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) management to procure 35,000 metric tons of Urea fertilizer and 35,000 mt of 23:21+4s against the country’s set public procurement laws, regulations and procedures.

By then there was a recommendation in place for the government to buy the commodity from South Africa and it still remains misty as to why Gondwe insisted on awarding the contract to the Asian company and not the South African firm.

Interestingly, a few months later Gondwe was proved right as his preferred choice, Pioneer Chemicals, only managed to supply half of the consignment and this led to Malawi government losing over $6.8 million.

Sensing a potential jeopardy of the programme, Malawi government then was forced to source the remainder within the country, according to ACB report accessed by Nyasa Times.

The Accountant General therefore proceeded to award contracts to five local companies namely, Farmers World were awarded the contract to supply 20 000 tonnes, Export Trading supplied 5, 000 tonnes, Rab Processors 3 000 tonnes, Nyiombo Investments Limited 6,000 tonnes and Agrimark got 1,000 tonnes to supply.

In the report however, the ACB failed to prove beyond any doubt that the former finance minister got kickbacks from the Saudi company. But still, his decision cost the Malawi government billions of Kwachas, according to the report.

Nation Publications Limited (NPL) sports journalist, Peter Kanjere on Thursday withdrew criminal charges against Azam Tigers FC coach, Leo Mpulula after the two opted to settle the matter out of court.

Kanjere, two weeks ago reported Mpulula to Blantyre Police for slapping him on the face following  following an article the reporter is alleged to have written headlined “Leo I don’t miss your voice” published in Nation on Sunday’s ’Sunday Shot’ column of December 23, 2012.

This followed a self-imposed media blackout the coach issued on all media institutions citing unfair reporting of his team’s recent sluggish performance.

The Police later arrested and charged the outspoken coach with assault and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. The charges have been dropped after legal counsels for both parties agreed to settle the issue out of court.

Leo Mpulula: Charges dropped

“Indeed the case has been closed following a request by the complainant to have the charges withdrawn against Mr. Mpulula,” Blantyre Police Public Relations Officer, Lameck Thembachak confirmed to Nyasa Times.

Mpulula’s lawyer, Chance Gondwe said the charges, which are criminal in nature have been withdrawn unconditionally.

“I understand the agreement to have the issue settled out of court was reached by lawyers of both sides privately,” Gondwe told Nyasa Times.

In an interview, Kanjere refused to comment on the issue, saying “I would rather remain silent on the issue. I don’t want to comment anything. I have decided to take low profile on that matter”.

Despite many calls for dialogue and appeal for Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) to call off the January 17 demonstrations, CAMA boss John Kapito says he will go ahead with street protests against the Joyce Banda’s government failure to address the ailing economy.

Government and various stakeholders have been addressing news conferences urging Cama not to go ahead with the plans to hold demonstrations and give dialogue a chance to prevent loss of lives and property.

But Kapito said its all systems go for the mass demonstrations.

“There is a lot of interest from consumers out there to go in the streets,” he pointed out, adding “The preparations are done- we are all ready at the moment.”

Kapito: We will dialogue on the streets

He dismissed appeals for dialogue, saying government has responded to their six-point petition through political rallies with “insults.”

“Who do we dialogue with when the same government refused to respond to our concerns?  They have responded through public rallies,” queried Kapito when he spoke on Zodiak Broadcasting Service on Thursday.

“What we have seen is a lot of ridicule and insults at political rallies from political machinery of PP (ruling People’s Party),” said the consumer advocate.

Kapito said despite the “insults” and intimidation from the government machinery, organisers are not moved; saying mobilisation for mass action is “surely underway.”

He said “demonstration is also part of dialogue.”

Public demonstrations require police permission but Malawi Police has refused to say whether or not they are prepared well enough for the forthcoming anti-government protests.

But a Commission of Inquiry into the July 20, 2011 demonstrations showed that police didn’t have enough personnel to control irate protesters, a situation that forced cops to use live bullets to shoot about 20 people.

Minister of Home Affairs Uladi Mussa hinted on Zodiak that the Malawi Police does not have enough cops to ensure a peaceful protest, saying there are only about 11, 000 police officers in the country who are not enough to guarantee security once the demonstrations turn violent.

Former Secretary General for United Democratic Front (UDF), Kennedy Makwangwala has joined the ruling People’s Party of President Joyce Banda.

Makwangwala left UDF weeks after he lost his seat at the national convention. He was outclassed by former Escom boss, Kandi Padambo who got 1,479 votes against Makwangwala’s 189.

He announced on Thursday that he is now in the orange zone and pledged loyalty to President Banda.

Makwangwala: Joins PP

Makwangwala said was motivated to join the PP due to President Banda’s positive style of governing the country.

He said Malawians have embraced the ruling party on account of its development agenda.

Thousands of Malawians Wednesday converged at Kameza cemetery in Blantyre to pay their last respect to the late Margret Katimba (nee Sauka), wife to gospel star singer Thoko Katimba, who died at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital after a long illness.

At exactly 3:09 pm the body of Margret, formerly of the Malawi Broadcasting Cooperation (MBC) was lowered into her final resting place. Katimba wept uncontrollably.

A cross section of people that included musicians Mlaka Maliro, Anjiru Fumulani, Wycliffe Chimwendo and Dan Lufani attended an emotion-filled funeral.

In his eulogy, a representative from the Sauka family described Margret’s death as a backward step to the family because of the support she rendered to it.

Thoko with his brother on the left arriving at the cemetery.-Photo credit : Arkangel Tembo/Mana

“Margret was the first born in our family, she was also the first to complete her education and not only that, Margret was the first to start a job. Today it is sad that she is also the first to depart from the earth among us. She was our pillar and she has left a big gap in our family,” he lamented.

He also pointed out that Magret was behind Thoko’s success in his music career bemoaning that her absence will affect the gospel artist in many ways.

He saluted Thoko for taking good care of his wife when she was alive since there were no squabbles in their family.

Pastor Banda from Assemblies of God who preached at the funeral consoled the family by advising them to mourn their departed with hope saying it is only God who is capable of handling such a trying moment.

“Let us mourn with hope because this is not the end of Margret’s life. As believers we are sure to meet her one day in the glory of our father in heaven,” he consoled.

Some of the notable people, who graced the ceremony, were her former workmates from MBC.

Mlaka Maliro after paying his last respect..-Photo credit : Arkangel Tembo/Mana

Thoko after laying his wreath…..Photo By Arkangel Tembo

Women in tears..-Photo credit : Arkangel Tembo/Mana

Thoko in tears upon arrival at Kameza Cemetery..-Photo credit : Arkangel Tembo/Mana

A report on BBC Focus on Africa television programme monitored by Nyasa Times on Thursday captured Malawians facing economic hardships as the results of devaluation and consequent floation of the kwacha currency.

The poor – 39% of the 13 million citizens, living on less than one dollar a day – suffered much from the devaluation, which economic experts say it was a necessary evil to lure the International Monetary Fund support and donors to resume aid payments.

Courtesy of the existing hard economic times, the BBC reported that small fish called Bonya is gradually becoming Malawi’s staple food as millions of people have found solace in it for being cheap besides its easy availability in almost every market across the country.

“The smallest cheapest fish known as Bonya is usually eaten by the poorest in the society but now a main stay at every dinner table across the board,” BBC’s Lerato Mbele reported from a market in the capital Lilongwe.

Selling Bonya at Limbe market.- Photo by Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

According to BBC, experts say that the fact that more Malawians have resorted to buying Bonya is a result of how badly the economy has declined.

BBC’s Mbele interviewed Malawi’s Minister of Economic Planning, Goodall Gondwe, who said that people are becoming poorer than they were before.

“There is no doubt at all that because of the prices are increasing they have intended to be poorer than they were before and therefore something ought to be done to help them,” Gondwe, a former IMF vice president for Africa region, who presided over years of economic growth which averaged 7 percent, reduced inflation to single digits before late President Bingu wa Mutharika dropped him from cabinet.

Recently, President Joyce Banda hired him as Economic Planning Minister to help fix a sputtering economy.   Banda took office in April 2012 following the sudden death of controversial Mutharika whose relationship with Western governments and aid agencies had deteriorated after refusing to devalue the Kwacha.

The first female Head of State in the developing southern African nation has since launched a drive of measures including an economic recovery plan. Gondwe told BBC that Malawians would soon start to reap the rewards of her recovery measures.

“I think within a very short time because of what we are doing, we will have an economy that will be a thriving economy and we will infact  lead us into high double digit growth rate that we had some five  years ago,” said Gondwe.

However,   Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) has called for nationwide demonstrations, set to take place on 17 January, to protest the rising cost of living.

“These reform measures are hurting consumers,” said CAMA boss John Kapito.

He is calling on government to control the movement of the kwacha as well as the suspension of the fuel pricing mechanism.

Kapito is challenged by CEO for Malawi Confederation of Chamber of Commerce, and Industry (MCCCI) Chancellor Kaferapanjira, who notes that the economy was already showing signs of revival, saying the Banda administration needs “time to implement some of the measures put in place.”

Hundreds of street children and perpetual beggars in Malawi’s major cities and towns have ignored an ultimatum government issued to them to be off the streets with some challenging that nobody has the knack to drag them out of their “revenue collecting” base.

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare reiterated recently that street begging remained illegal in the country and ordered all beggars out of streets by December 21, 2012.

The ministry warned it would prosecute those still found loitering and begging after the ultimatum.

It also stressed that by December 21, 2012 all child street beggars and other habitual beggars who use kids to beg in the streets would be forced out of the streets by law enforcers if they chose to defy the order.

Girl making a begging gesture: Many of the children end up on the streets as a result of poverty

But Nyasa Timesspot check over the week revealed that street kids and beggars in the commercial capital Blantyre were still enjoying quality time in the streets.  And those talked to did not show any signs of moving out of the streets anytime time soon.

In Lilongwe and Mzuzu, it was also business as usual for the alms-seeking Malawians as they freely plied their trade without any intimidation.

“Whoever issued the ultimatum was a big joker and tell that person he or she has no right to remove us from the streets because this is our office. They should mind their offices and we mind ours,” challenged one teenager, who said was Manenga from Safarao in Ndirande.

On Thursday, Nyasa Times reporter counted over 80 street children and beggars around Blantyre streets of Haile Sellasie, Victoria Avenue and Glyn Jones as well as at the Mibawa minibus stands, flea market and main market.

“I don’t know about what you are talking about. They want to remove us to where? I don’t know but may because I have been here several years, actually all my three boys were born here so moving out of it, I doubt,” said Marita, a partially visually impaired lady.

The begging lady, who said did not know her exact age but comes from Lirangwe in Blantyre, said she would not tussle authorities once they come to remove her.

“But they must know they will have to provide me with my needs so that I take care of my family, otherwise they should forget that I can leave this place, and when am moving out I will say am going where,” she queried.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Dr. Mary Shawa observed that it was annoying that most of the street children were sent by adults, some of whom were very able people.

“What is worrisome is that most of these kids are employed by adults to be begging in the streets and some are even sent by their own parents.” noted Dr. Shawa.

However, while some people have welcomed the exercise, others deem it as wastage of resources, arguing government should first find out why there is such a worrisome proliferation.

But Shawa has defended that the aim of removing the kids off the streets is to protect them from various forms of abuse they face in the streets.

The eviction campaign mostly targets Malawi’s three big cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.

A few days after the announcement, Malawi police raided the streets removing child and other habitual street beggars in Lilongwe, Blantyre and Mzuzu.

Apart from begging, experience has shown that these children, who move in gangs, are also behind city robberies and harassment of women.

Brewers of Malawi’s popular opaque beer, Chibuku Products Limited (CPL), have taken one innovative step ahead by introducing a new one litre bottle.

CPL, a subsidiary of South African’s SABMiller, secretly presented the new disposable plastic bottle first to Blantyre imbibers on New Year’s Day in addition to the age-old one litre cartons and scuds.

However, CPL’s innovation has received mixed reactions from imbibers who are already using the new pack.

While a few appear to have no problem with the innovation, majority have quashed the new product, arguing the company needed to do more work before launching the bottle as it falls short of hygiene standards.

The new Chibuku Scud- photos by Wadyokope Chiwaya

Some imbibers  Nyasa Times found at the famous Kabila Tavern, also known as Zingwangwa, took to task CPL sales team that was delivering the well-liked and cheap “hard stuff” arguing the new bottling system was no different from the old returnable one litre Chibuku Scud.

Issue at hand is that until a few weeks ago, Chibuku Scud had no seal on the “neck” (between the cover and bottle) a development that reportedly resulted in some unscrupulous beer sellers to cunningly open it and drain some beer.

The said thieving traders would then produce two scuds by adding water to the beer to multiply the quantity.

But after a protracted barrage of complainants, CPL finally gave in and started sealing the scuds, which were introduced some six years ago.

And because of this, imbibers feel the new bottles, which also have no safety seals, have been made vulnerable to the cheating beer vendors.

Some patrons told Nyasa Times they had already forwarded, through the tavern chairperson, their disappointment to CPL management over the pack.

They warned that they would boycott the bottle if management does not consider their appeal to have the cover sealed so as to protect the beer from being “polluted”.

“It’s a good innovation from them [CPL] but in the absence of the safety seals it makes everything worthless,” one regular customer at Kabila Tavern told Nyasa Times.

The company’s unveiling of the one litre bottle is seen as a way of sustaining business for the company after it nearly “stopped production” due to scarcity of traditional cartons.

CPL officials told the public the company was failing to meet demand because, just like many other firms, the issue of forex shortage affected their suppliers (of cartons) such that they could not meet the requirement resulting in CPL importing the material from Zimbabwe.

Many consumers became sceptical with the company’s survival after it started importing the cartons bearing the words Keep Zimbabwe clean.

This forced CPL to issue a statement explaining the strange development to Malawians, particularly its customers who enjoy the locally made brew.

“As a result of the shortages, we have been forced to procure some Chibuku cartoons from our sister company in Zimbabwe, Delta Beverages,” read part of the statement which was released by the company’s Corporate Affairs Manager Wiseman Chauluka.

With the introduction of the bottled Chibuku beer, CPL now sells its brand in three different packs which include Chibuku scud and the popular carton.

Apart from Malawi, the country’s popular opaque beer is also brewed and sold by Chibuku sister companies- operating under SABMiller- in Ghana, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania.

The original and well known Chibuku packet

Mangochi Second Grade Magistrate’s Court has convicted a woman and sentenced her to serve one year and half prison term upon finding her guilty of concealing birth.

The offence of concealing birth of a child contravenes section 232 of the penal code and attracts a maximum punishment of five years imprisonment with hard labour when one is convicted.

The court heard that the accused, Anjimile Amin committed the offence on December 30, last year when she, in collaboration with her husband, decided to kill the infant.

“Facts obtained on the ground are that the accused, your worship, had been living with Ali Imedi Kamkwasi as husband and wife for two years,” police prosecution witness, Inspector Efford Kamphonje told the court.

Kamphonje further told the court that in the process, the woman conceived from another man whilst the husband was away from home on a fishing errand where he took some time before returning home.

“On his return, the husband became suspicious of the pregnancy and when he confronted the wife she denied being pregnant,” Kamphonje said.

The court also heard that when labour was due, the accused went to her garden where she delivered where she was followed by her husband after discovering that she was taking too long to return home.

Kamphonje told the court: “As a family the couple connived to conceal the birth of a child by burying the newly born baby in the garden.”

It was also learnt in court that members of the community tipped Group Village Headman Binali Litufu about the incident. The village head later referred the matter to Makanjira Police Post leading to the arrest of the couple on New Year’s Day.

Anjimile Amin pleaded guilty and admitted to the charge of concealing birth of a child. The court, therefore, convicted her on her own plea of guilt.

In mitigation, Anjimile Amin asked the court to exercise leniency when passing sentence owing to the fact that she had been driven to engage in the act to save her marriage and that she also has the responsibility of looking after some children from her first marriage.

However, passing sentence, Presiding Magistrate, Pyson Mwenyali observed that the offence committed by the accused was serious in nature, especially considering that there was life of a person involved as such deserved a custodial sentence to stop the malpractice once and for all.

“The maximum penalty for this offence is five years IHL, however, since it is said that the convict is a first offender the court has sympathized with you and therefore I sentence you to 18 months IHL,” pronounced Mwenyali.

Meanwhile, the court has since adjourned hearing of the case to a later date involving the husband who pleaded not guilty and denied the charge to allow the police parade witnesses against him.

Anjimile Amin, 36, hails from Binali Litufu village in the area of Senior Traditional Authority Makanjira in the district.

There was drama at Blantyre Magistrates Court on Friday morning when a woman who snatched a month-old baby, Upile from the hospital cried for forgiveness from the biological mother, Bridget Taombe before she was convicted and sentenced to 60 months (five years) imprisonment with hard labour (IHL).

Nancy Lamulani 24, pleaded guilty of abducting a child before principal resident magistrate Innocent Nebi.

Nyasa Times reported this week that Lamulani and her husband, Edward 32 were arrested on Monday in Mbayani Township in connection to the theft of baby Upile, who was reportedly stolen last week Friday at Zingwangwa Health Centre, Blantyre.

She stole the baby after manipulating mother, Taombe 20 years old-who  had gone to the health centre for an antenatal clinic.

Lamulani maneuvered to get hold of the child by convincing Taombe to help changing the baby’s diaper, and taken by the warm gesture, the mother accepted but Lamulani later fled with the infant.

Taombe with husband: Happy to get justice and daughter back

Trial

Lamulani and her husband, Edward, were charged with fraudulently taking, retaining and concealing a child without the consent of its parents which is contrary to Section 167 of the Penal Code. They were answering the charges separately.

In mitigation, Nancy asked for forgiveness from Taombe, arguing she had no intention to harm the baby but only wanted to raise her.

“I apologize to the parents of the baby. They should forgive me because I have a child of my own and I don’t know what happened. My intention was to raise the baby as my own and not to harm her,” pleaded Nancy Lamulani.

She then complained of ill-treatment by the Police, claiming she was drenched in urine and beaten before taken to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) for DNA testing.

However, Taombe refused to show any sympathy to the thieving woman.

“If she wanted to have a baby, she would have used formal process to adopt one. But she stole my baby and I can’t forgive her for that,” said Taombe who had some reservations on the court’s ruling.

“I was expecting a stiffer punishment, but all the same I have accepted the court ruling. The most important thing is that, my baby is alive and in good health. I thank God for that and all those who helped to apprehend the culprit”.

Making the ruling, Senior Residence Magistrate, Innocent Nebi said the sentence is effective from the day of arrest and should serve as a warning shot for those of similar intentions.

Meanwhile, Nancy’s husband, Edward has been given bail by the same court and is expected to answer charges of concealing the stolen child knowingly.

“We are grateful to the people who managed to tip us following the public appeal we made on the stolen baby. The general public assisted us to apprehend the culprits,” Nicholas Gondwa Southern Region Police spokesman said.

Bridget Taombe is a resident of Green Corner along Chikhwawa road.

Blantyre-based young entrepreneur, Mike Chilewe Jnr, has teamed up with music producer Percy Manyozo, popularly known as Pro Pee to establish a new record company called Transformers MUSIC.

Chilewe is the son to one of the country’s tycoon Mike Chilewe of Mike’s Trading Company while Manyozo, owner of Pro Pee Records, is an urban music maker who has among other hits produced Maskal’s Udalire, Piksy’s Unamata and Armstrong’s Ndamusowa.

Before the partnership, the young Chilewe, who also runs Globe Media, had established SOC Media Group, which signed Lilongwe-based hip-hop artist, Gwamba, last year.

In an interview with Nyasa Times, Pro Pee confirmed the two were partners who were poised to work together in promoting artists in the country and Malawian music in general.

Chilewe Jnr (R) and Chilewe Snr (L) expanding venture

“He is the financial controller and I have experience in music so I figured the combination can do unlimited things as far as Malawian music is concerned,” he said.

As it joins other eminent local record companies such as Nde’feyo Entertainment, Nyimbo Music and Black Rhyno Entertainment, Transformers MUSIC brought China Love rapper and singer AyCee James as well as up-and-coming artist Bucci to join Gwamba at the stable.

“These are the artists that we will work with for a start,” said Manyozo. “There are a lot of benefits but since we just starting we not promising a lot but that we will try our best to deliver and take good care of our artist and make them feel safe.”

In a separate interview, AyCee James, who started her music career in the UK and arrived in Malawi during the festive season, said she expects Transformers MUSIC to work hand-in-hand with her dream of taking Malawi’s music scene further.

“I am expecting them to help me reach out and interact with all the people that have supported my music. My dream is to see Malawian artists nominated for awards at the BET’s and to also support one another,” said AyCee, born Atupele Mahata.

The artist, who is mostly attached to renowned Nigerian artists such as M.I, Ice Prince and Dr. SID, Malawian artists should start aiming high like musicians from the West.

“When it comes to entertainment, Nigeria is far ahead. If we could collaborate with them the same way they collaborate with British and American artists, it could boost our audience, not individually but as a country in whole.

“We need to realise that when one person makes it, they are carrying our flag and we need to be right behind them to support them,” she added.

AyCee, who has another single called My Africa, observed that when Nigeria’s D’banj collaborated with one of US’ successful and renowned hip-hop artists Snoop Dogg (now Snoop Lion), it didn’t mean every American artist wanted to collaborate with D’banj but went to look for more Nigerians like Wizkid, Davido and P-Square.

And speaking about his signing under Transformers MUSIC, AyCee’s label-mate Bucci, who was previously attached to Nde’feyo Entertainment as backing vocalist for the label’s Piksy, Armstrong and Trumel, said it was an amazing experience to clinch the deal.

Real name Mabucci Mwale, the teen singer said: “I don’t take this opportunity for granted at all, so I’m looking forward to an unforgettable journey with the label.”

“My dream has always been that I do big and do so much for my family. I believe God didn’t just bless me with such a gift for nothing, it’s a blessing to bless others. I dream to go big even internationally,” added the 19-year-old.

Bucci (left) with Ndefeyo’s Armstrong

Percy Manyozo aka Pro Pee

President Joyce Banda has labelled 2013 as a year of hope for Malawians that will see the country realizing the fruits of resilience in undergoing tough economic reform and vowed to continue travelling despite her government enacting austerity measures.

Banda, who has come under heavy criticism for failing to prove her austerity measures by obeying persistent public outcry on her never-ending internal traveling, has since urged her vice, Khumbo Kachali to travel across the country to celebrate with her on achieving recovery.

She made the remarks  on Thursday during a Safe Motherhood Initiative event in Madzanje, Ntcheu where she officially opened a Cash Transfer Programme in the presence of visiting global delegates from Safe Motherhood Initiative Organization.

“Ife a PP chaka chino ndi chonjoya, ndipo tiponda paliponse(This year is for PP to enjoy and will travel everywhere). We have to celebrate and enjoy for the economic achievements we are making. And I ask the vice-president to visit every corner of the country and celebrate with PP,” said Banda.

President Joyce Banda: 2013 year of hope

Ironically, Banda’s instituted economic reforms have sparked debate with life in the country becoming hard to bear as the cost of living is high with inflation now at 33 percent.

Some quarters of the society are supporting the reforms while other sections are against them.

During the rally, the President vowed to never stop traveling and doing her charity work, which are said to be costly to the government especially at the time the country is under economic problems.

The PP regime last year put up what is called Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) to bring back the ailing economy back to its tracks but with the presence of Kwacha floatation and automatic fuel pricing method, the recovery plan is failing to achieve its intended purpose.

Government last year announced austerity measures such as a ban on external travels as controlling measure of the government expenditures.

Meanwhile, the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) joined by Council for Non-governmental Organizations of Malawi (Congoma) and some unnamed community based organizations are planning demonstrations, citing issues of floating of Kwacha, the need to sell the controversial presidential jet and Mercedes Benz cars used cabinet and reduction of presidential convoy, presidential and cabinet travel, corruption, declaration of asserts and bloated cabinet and executive arrogances.

In November 2012, Cama’s Executive Director, John Kapito gave President Joyce Banda two conditions if he is to call off the demonstrations. He asked Banda to reduce her continuous international and domestic traveling and stop aligning the local currency with other major foreign currencies.

However, Banda vowed not to stop floating of Kwacha and stop her internal travels before later admitting to have underestimated effects of devaluation.

She pointed out that 2013 will see Malawians “realize the fruits of their resilience in the tough economic reforms that we are undertaking.”

The Malawi leader said her administration wants to “eradicate poverty through creation of wealth and jobs; that’s why this year we will be counting how many jobs are being created monthly and at the end of the year we will consolidate how many jobs we have created.”

President Banda also reiterated her position that Malawi will stay the course so that results can benefit the whole nation.

Without doubt the most eagerly anticipated game of the weekend for will be at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday as Silver Striker face Big Bullets. It’s a clash that is unlikely to have huge significance in the TNM Super League title race.

An electric charge has swept through both camps as they roll up their sleeves for the Sunday nail biting combat with some mind games taking centre stage.

The People’s team, who are on the third slot in the league with 42 points from 22 games, have declared total war basing on the fact that the Bankers were responsible for their 4-0 defeat in the first round at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.

Bullets chairman, Malinda Chinyama, who admitted it would be a tough encounter said his side would be out to maintain the good home ground record.

Bullets face a tough challenge against Silver at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday

“We know the Bankers are flying at the moment and its going to be a tough game. However, we will try to be ourselves and maintain our unbeaten home record at Kamuzu Stadium since it was re-opened,” said Malinda.

Bullets coach Eding’ton Ng’onamo admitted the Sunday match will be crucial for title campaign.

“It is important and we will have to put the best fight.” He said.

The Bankers assistant Coach Hellings Mwakasungura said they were geared to face Bullets at their own back yard despite missing the services of some of the key players due to injuries.

“We are ready to face Bullets and this is a must win game because we are all fighting for the title. The only set-back is that we will have Peter Pindani and Benard Namangwiyo out of this game due to injuries,” said Mwakasungura.

The Bankers, who are on second position with 43 points from 20 games, are expected to go flat out in a bid to win TNM Super League back-to-back.

Another hot contender for the title, Blantyre United who are current league leaders travel to the capital Lilongwe this weekend where head coach Elijah Kananji is looking for nothing short of six points that will see them go eight points clear.

They face Blue Eagle on Saturday at Nankhaka before meeting relegation threatened Kamuzu Barracks on Sunday.

If United, who have 45 points, win all their remaining games they will finish with 60 points. This will be six points short of Silver Strikers if the defending champions also win all their remaining games.

Practically it means United, to be crowned champions, will have to win all their games and pray that Silver drop at least seven points out of the possible 24 on the table.

In other fixtures on Saturday, Azam Tigers will host Kabwafu at Kamuzu Stadium, as Civo United takes on Epac FC in a capital city affair.

On Sunday, Kabwafu will face another tough customers- Red lions at the Zomba Community Ground.

Push comes to shove? The financial mess of 2012 has not spared the music industry as Malawi’s major music distributor has reportedly stopped buying music from artists.

For the past 50 years, the O.G Issa brand has been synonymous with the music industry as the company was the monopoly when it came to distributing music.

O.G Issa had so much muscle that he could distribute music across the country in a single day.

But since the company diversified to furniture, plastics and matches, music has played second fiddle.

Two months ago, the music giant closed down their Limbe shop, claiming that they wanted to centralise their operations hence they were moving to their Kristwirk offices.

OG Issa shop

Defao: To step in

O.G Issa has been a central link between the musicians and the buying public.

Owned by the Hanif family, O.G Issa also run the Consumer Electronics shops in Blantyre and Lilongwe, that also sell music, music equipment and electronics.

O.G Issa general manager Salim Sattar could not be reached for comment after several attempts on his mobile phone.

But a source within the company confided in Nyasa Times that the rough economic terrain has forced the O.G Issa group to rethink its priorities.

“To be honest, things are tough and the music industry is not doing that well. We are in business. We are not a charity and we have to be economically viable,” he said.

The source further disclosed that there us a warehouse full of unsold tape covers at the O.G Issa warehouse in Blantyre which translates to cash.

“This is so because we pay the musicians for all the covers that they supply even before we sell a single tape. So this means if the tapes are not sold, we make losses because we have already made the payment. We have thousands upon thousands of these unsold tape covers which translate to millions of kwachas,” he said.

A top musician who sought to sell him music through O.G Issa was turned back last week after Sattar told him that they had stopped buying music.

“This is so unfortunate because most of us rely on selling our music through O.G Issa. Things are already difficult for us and this will make life really tough. I don’t know where we will turn to,” he said.

However, top music vendor Defao said there is no need to despair as the local music vendors will seek to fill the void that has been created by O.G Issa’s decision.

“This is good news for us locals because it challenges us and gives us an opportunity to prove our worth. We should seize the opportunity that has been created and start distributing music on our own. Music is good business,” he said.

Apart from being on the forefront of supporting Malawian music, a lot of musicians have benefitted from the system where they are awarded mechanical royalties for selling more tapes.

Top sellers such as Mlaka Maliro, Joseph Nkasa, Thomas Chibade, Lucius Banda, Black Missionaries and Lawrence Mbenjere are some of the major beneficiaries of this scheme as they have been paid millions in mechanical royalties.

The use of some sex enhancement pills such as Medogra by some young men has been criticised by one of the leading pharmacies in the commercial city of Blantyre.

According to a Sales Assistant at one pharmacy in Blantyre (name withheld), most youth who have the tendency of buying such tablets in order to satisfy their loved ones will definitely experience negative effects as they grow.

“We have such tablets in stock and we sale them every day. The only surprising thing is that young people come for the same tablets claiming their [lovers] complain of not satisfying them in bed.

“If that is the case with most youth, we would advise them to seek proper counsel from their nearest gynaecologists who will assist them accordingly,” she said.

Medogra tablets that enhance mens’ power in bed-Pic by Steven Chirombo

She added that the recommendable age for those who should use the tablets starts from 60 years upwards and not those below, unless prescribed by the medical personnel.

“If it happens that such a problem arises in a family, it is recommended for the couple to go and seek advice from the health personnel so that proper means of dealing with the problem are followed,” she advised.

She acknowledged having the youth in their large numbers to their pharmacy asking for the same tablets which she said, “We value the health of our customers and not the money. Because of the trainings our employer subject us to, we are advised to address the youth on the challenges they will likely face if they continue using such methods.”

Citing an example of a Polytechnic student who got advice from the pharmacy following his regular visits to the place, she said the student was tipped to see a health personnel who later was assisted accordingly.

“This reminds me of a Polytechnic student who used to visit our pharmacy for the tablets claiming that whenever he slept with his girlfriend, the results were disappointing as the girl kept on complaining that he failed to satisfy her.

“We advised him to see health personnel who later assisted the student rightly and now he is satisfied,” she concluded.

A young man (name withheld) in his 20s who has been using the tablets said they are good though he experiences conditions like headaches and some fast heart beats upon taking them.

“You know, women would love to see their men satisfying them in bed. Taking your time before you ejaculate is so important that allows women reach their orgasm and that is what exactly medogra does.

“Medogra gives room for more and satisfactory time for one to perform where a lady would always enjoy the activity,” said the joyous young man.

The country’s top newspapers also do fly adverts on herbs and drugs that claim to enlarge the manhood, prolong erection, cause breast firming, boost hips and tighten the vagina.