![Mutharika interact with investors after the meeting at State House]()
President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday held talks with a group of prospective British investors who are in the country on a five-day scheduled trade and investment mission.
[caption id="attachment_93855" align="alignright" width="480"]
![Mutharika interact with investors after the meeting at State House]()
Mutharika interact with investors after the meeting at State House[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_93854" align="alignright" width="480"]
![Mutharika in group photograph with British investors]()
Mutharika in group photograph with British investors[/caption]
During the meeting held at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, the investors committed to bring foreign direct investment into Malawi especially in energy, engineering, irrigation, water development and infrastructure development.
These prospective investors are heads of companies which, according to Mutharika, have a strong reputation for quality, innovation and integrity in the United Kingdom which will help towards the social-economic growth of Malawi.
Mutharika said presently Malawi is a net importing and consuming country, but pointed out that his goal is to see the nation becoming a producing and exporting country "within a span of five years - a very ambitious goal indeed, but one that we believe is attainable".
"Malawi offers, as you will notice and experience as you go around and meet various players in our economy, unlimited opportunities for investment both directly and under a Public-Private Partnership framework.
"In order to achieve this, we need industry to substitute imports and to export, and this is where you come in," said Mutharika.
He said the country's economy has experienced consistent growth over the last few years, with agriculture being an important contributor representing 32% of GDP in 2012.
According to the World Bank, Malawi’s GDP growth has grown steadily over the last two year, and is predicted to grow to 5.1% in 2016.
"In addition to increasing domestic demand for Malawi products, there is potential for Malawi to serve regional and global markets. Malawi has duty and quota free access to the EU under the Everything But Arms (EBA) framework, Enjoys tariff preference for exports to China, enjoys duty free access to India, and preferential trade benefits from the USA under AGOA.
"Recently, Malawi signed the Tripartite agreement which makes it party to a combined market of over 700 million people and that merges the SADC, COMESA regions with the EAST African Community (EAC). Manufactured products within this region are traded duty free within this region," explained Mutharika.
He further claimed that Malawi has since 2012 undertaken a number of regulatory and institutional reforms focusing on reducing the regulatory and institutional burden to doing business.
These include streamlining processes that make it faster, easier and cheaper to start a business.
He said government has also reduced the number of procedures and time it takes to construct, occupy and connect a structure to utilities in Malawi from 18 procedures and 200 days to 10 procedures and 56 days, respectively.
"Government has also reduced scrutiny fees from 0.8% of cost of the floor area to 0.4% since the fee is not directly related to provision of services.
"Furthermore, planning approvals have been reduced from 60 days to 30 days, while the consultation process has been reduced from 21 days to 14 days," said Mutharika.
He further emphasized, "In order for us to become a producing and exporting country we require the necessary tools; that is, the requisite industry and infrastructure that will produce and support production for both import substitution and export activities, and this is why you, my dear friends, are a very important ally to Malawi".
Mutharika therefore said his government is committed to improving efficiency and effectiveness in the way the public sector supports private investors, and one of these commitments is being demonstrated through the One Stop Service Center which his administration established at the Malawi Investment and Trade Center late 2014.
"The purpose of the One Stop Service Center is to ensure that investor permits are granted at one place and in the shortest time possible so that establishment of your investment is not delayed.
"You are allowed to invest in any sector of the economy without discrimination, as long as it is in an investment area that is productive to the economy of Malawi.
"Furthermore, you are allowed to repatriate 100% of all your profits and dividends, and all your capital upon disinvestment. Our constitution protects foreign assets such that they can never be nationalized. We also party to the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) convention and to the International Center for the Settlement of Disputes," explained Mutharika.
Lira[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_54193" align="alignright" width="399"]
Lulu[/caption]
Lira will share the stage with Malawi’s own crooner Lawrence Khwisa, known on stage as Lulu.
Rated by The Star newspaper of South Africa as the “foremost adult contemporary female solo artist in South Africa”, Lira is an 11 times South African Music Award (SAMA) winning Afro-Soul vocalist whose music is a fusion of soul, funk, and Afro-jazz.
Unveiling Lira at Chameleon during a curtain-raiser show by Nesnes and Eunice Mhango, Head of Personal and Business Banking Margaret Kubwalo Chaika said the bank is proud to be hosting Lira during the concert.
“Lira is a musician who is on top of her game in contemporary music in South Africa. She leads the pack of Afro-pop and jazz divas on the continent and her resume as a platinum award-winning musician speaks volumes about her repertoire,” she said.
In an audio message to her fans in Malawi, released by Standard Bank Lira says she looks forward to her performance.
“This is Lira. I am so excited to be performing at this year’s Blue Mingoli concert on the 24th of October. I have heard a lot about the warm heart of Africa and what it has to offer and I’m truly honoured to be invited to headline this event.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all the supporting acts all of the best. I am confident that together we will give a memorable concert. See you there!” she said.
Kinnah: Coming back home[/caption]
Kinnah claimed he was pressing the club on their failure to fulfil some contractual obligations and also beef up the squad hence the decision to sack him.
But the club has said the decision to sack Kinnah is based on the team’s poor start to the season as they have lost all their three PSL games so far this season.
Kinnah said: “Yes there has been poor results but the they are to blame for the team’s poor showing because they sold some key players and made R4 million [about K172 million] and I asked them to invest the money by buying quality players which we clearly lacked, but they were hesitant and as a result the team could not perform.”
The Malawian mentor said Star were not happy that he was pressing them on” some contractual obligations which they were not fulfilling.”
He also accused the South African club of not treating him fairly considering what he did for them last season by taking the team from the murky waters of relegation to ninth position.<
“When I took over, the team was at the bottom of the table [16th] and we won five straight matches and lost only one to finish on ninth position, but I guess it is one of those things,” he said.
Kinnah now said he is returning home and “life must go on,”
Stars are reported to have replaced Kinnah with German Ernst Middendorp.
Free fall Kwacha[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_93841" align="alignright" width="600"]
Weakening Kwacha[/caption]
Central bank spokesperson Mbane Ngwira explained that the devaluation has been induced by huge demand for forex and at the same time market speculation as Authorised Dealer Banks are hoarding forex in anticipation for better rates at a later stage.
Analysts say some major cause of forex shortage is the long-term fertiliser subsidy programme. With all its good intentions—to end hunger thereby contributing to poverty eradication, the subsidy requires thousands of drums of forex to import. Since the programme started in 2005, Malawi has been spending not less than K20 billion annually on the programme.
The country’s import bill for fuel, cement, metal bars and other construction materials has spiralled, victims of our own growth.
The other cause is the unscrupulous business people who siphon forex out of this country through fraudulent import transfers, hoarding, fake holiday packages and by literally zipping US dollar bills in the trousers while on foreign trips.
The fourth cause which has been controversial before is the state travel bill.
In the opinion of economist and 
Mutharika in group photograph with British investors[/caption]
During the meeting held at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, the investors committed to bring foreign direct investment into Malawi especially in energy, engineering, irrigation, water development and infrastructure development.
These prospective investors are heads of companies which, according to Mutharika, have a strong reputation for quality, innovation and integrity in the United Kingdom which will help towards the social-economic growth of Malawi.
Mutharika said presently Malawi is a net importing and consuming country, but pointed out that his goal is to see the nation becoming a producing and exporting country "within a span of five years - a very ambitious goal indeed, but one that we believe is attainable".
"Malawi offers, as you will notice and experience as you go around and meet various players in our economy, unlimited opportunities for investment both directly and under a Public-Private Partnership framework.
"In order to achieve this, we need industry to substitute imports and to export, and this is where you come in," said Mutharika.
He said the country's economy has experienced consistent growth over the last few years, with agriculture being an important contributor representing 32% of GDP in 2012.
According to the World Bank, Malawi’s GDP growth has grown steadily over the last two year, and is predicted to grow to 5.1% in 2016.
"In addition to increasing domestic demand for Malawi products, there is potential for Malawi to serve regional and global markets. Malawi has duty and quota free access to the EU under the Everything But Arms (EBA) framework, Enjoys tariff preference for exports to China, enjoys duty free access to India, and preferential trade benefits from the USA under AGOA.
"Recently, Malawi signed the Tripartite agreement which makes it party to a combined market of over 700 million people and that merges the SADC, COMESA regions with the EAST African Community (EAC). Manufactured products within this region are traded duty free within this region," explained Mutharika.
He further claimed that Malawi has since 2012 undertaken a number of regulatory and institutional reforms focusing on reducing the regulatory and institutional burden to doing business.
These include streamlining processes that make it faster, easier and cheaper to start a business.
He said government has also reduced the number of procedures and time it takes to construct, occupy and connect a structure to utilities in Malawi from 18 procedures and 200 days to 10 procedures and 56 days, respectively.
"Government has also reduced scrutiny fees from 0.8% of cost of the floor area to 0.4% since the fee is not directly related to provision of services.
"Furthermore, planning approvals have been reduced from 60 days to 30 days, while the consultation process has been reduced from 21 days to 14 days," said Mutharika.
He further emphasized, "In order for us to become a producing and exporting country we require the necessary tools; that is, the requisite industry and infrastructure that will produce and support production for both import substitution and export activities, and this is why you, my dear friends, are a very important ally to Malawi".
Mutharika therefore said his government is committed to improving efficiency and effectiveness in the way the public sector supports private investors, and one of these commitments is being demonstrated through the One Stop Service Center which his administration established at the Malawi Investment and Trade Center late 2014.
"The purpose of the One Stop Service Center is to ensure that investor permits are granted at one place and in the shortest time possible so that establishment of your investment is not delayed.
"You are allowed to invest in any sector of the economy without discrimination, as long as it is in an investment area that is productive to the economy of Malawi.
"Furthermore, you are allowed to repatriate 100% of all your profits and dividends, and all your capital upon disinvestment. Our constitution protects foreign assets such that they can never be nationalized. We also party to the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) convention and to the International Center for the Settlement of Disputes," explained Mutharika.
Chizondi (left) left leading in Mr Bossman.[/caption]
Chizondi, brother to the band’s leader Anjiru Fumulani, thrilled many with his exquisiteness in the performance of the hit‘Mr. Bossman.’
Mr. Bossman is one of the two English songs in the band’s ten-stuffed album.
Fans broke into an extraordinary jovial mood when Chizondi took to the microphone, moving away from the keyboards – his abode.
Chizondi told Nyasa Times later after the show that he was “happy” their fans liked his performance.
He said he has always been “encouraged” by band members to take leading vocals seriously.
The album, which can also be described as full of “surprises”, is their eighth since the death of Evison Matafale – the band leader.
It also features hip-hop artist Annie Matumbi and according to Anjiru the album has sold more than 7 000 copies in a month.
Teaching pupils under a tree which is used as their class[/caption]
Theoretically, in the twenty first century, the concept of school embraces the aforementioned elements on top of other necessities like desks and chairs for every child, notebooks, chalks and chalkboards and other essential teaching and learning resources. Furthermore, the accepted wisdom is that there is supposed to be personal attention of each learner from the teachers. And mostly learning is supposed to take place at all levels of education with the whole ministry responsible for such in place.
Practically the above postulation is mostly a wishful thinking of most rural school going children and dropouts. Mostly what takes place is contrary to what many expect. To most of the learners in the typical rural areas things like text books, notebooks, desks and chairs and four walls of a classroom are but a luxury they long to see as part of their learning process.
Even to most teachers of rural primary schools, teaching is tough as they have to do without the basic teaching and learning resources such as textbooks. A teacher’s desk is even a thing that will distract the attention of many learners as they have never seen one. A teacher’s house in the rural setting is mostly a nightmare which leaks when it is raining and falls short of basic security standards.
We cannot just sit and pretend that all is rosy for the rural child’s education. We are not looking for very sophisticated education like their counterpart in designated schools. What we are looking for is at least a basic education with all basic teaching and learning facilities and resources available and not the sub standard education taking place currently. We seem to have rationalized the substandard education under a tree where most of the rural child’s early years of education are taking place. Not that it is out of school authorities’ choice; but they are forced by circumstances and their eagerness to see the child learn in the absence of enough basic education facilities. Not that the child cannot learn under a tree, but education under the tree is proving to be chaotic to qualify for quality foundational education which is being advocated—if not just a lip service. Is this the kind of education that will help build our nation?
Under the trees learners come properly bathed and clean but they go home dirty with the dust as if they have been to a certain manual work in the mines. Learning under a tree is like being exposed to a double edged sword. When it rains learning process is disturbed big time and the child is forced to go home without any learning at all because there is no roof and walls to shield them from the harsh weather conditions. When the oxcart is passing by, all the learning is distracted because the walls which could shield them from the petty distractions are invisible. When the winds are harsh learning is halted for the child to seek refuge. Education is a farce under a tree.
Under the tree, the number of learners is too huge to be handled and taught by a single teacher who mostly end their days very tired and dejected. Where the classrooms are available, they are in dilapidated form and that learners are bundled like bags of bonya posing which is detrimental to their health. Most learners do not have a privilege to know a text book because education authorities think that text books can wait but not their hefty allowances. While this is the case, authorities seems not to care at all. Under the tree, the salary delayed teacher would rather spend time gossiping with their friends as to when their salary will be deposited in their bank accounts and leave the child helpless without learning at all.
Even though the children arrive under this tree hoping they will learn how to read and write, and some basic numeracy skills; the day mostly ends only learning folklore or a song because that is the easy thing one can learn in a big group. Learners progresses into another level of an under the tree class even without internalizing the simple concepts of reading and adding figures which makes them to reach even standard four without knowing how to write their names. This is not by design but by default as the teacher cannot pay personal attention to teach each learner personally how to read or write because the learners are too many for personal attention.
Instead the teaching is in form of singing without caring whether the concepts are sinking in the learners or not. While the teacher student ratio is high, and is contributing to miseducating the rural child, other teachers who could alleviate this problem are idle because the authorities do not care whether they are of use or not. If this is not substandard education then what can we call it?
Many people will think this learning environment is normal. It should be noted that it is under this tree that the child’s foundation is distracted and distorted because the basic tenets of meaningful education are violated left right and center due to poor teaching and learning environment. If we do nothing, this will have a profound effect on us all. This poor environment has been rationalized by those in authority to make it normal. But do we really have to let this happening in the twenty first century?
Kumwembe: Names his witnesses[/caption]
Other witnesses are politicians Hophmally Makande and Friday Jumbe, Chifundo Chikaphupha, Eric Mambucha, Robert Kasamu, Christopher Meckleni and a man only identified as Felix.
Banda is currently abroad but Kumwembe has asked the courts to subpoena her to be a witness in the Mphwiyo shooting murder.
Kumwembe said he mentioned Banda because during a rally at Lunzu when she was President after Mphwiyo’s shooting, she said she knew the people behind the incident.
Mphwiyo’s shooting on 13 September 2013 led to the unravelling of the systematic looting of millions of government money dubbed ‘cashgate’.
The former soldier, who Mphwiyo identified as his shooter and Pika Manondo will start defending themselves but they want Judge Micheal Mtambo to recuse himself from the case on the grounds that he will not offer a fair trial, but he has since refused.
The judge is expected to make his ruling on whether he will recuse himself this Friday.
Up to US $30 million was minted from the government payment system, where politicians and businessmen colluded with civil servants for payments for goods and services not rendered to government.
Soon after Mphwiyo’s shooting millions of cash in Malawi kwacha, US dollars and South African Rands started pitching up in unlikely places like in car trunks, baby dolls, under beds or in pillow cases.
Chilima:Reforms will not fail[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_93898" align="alignright" width="600"]
Chief Secretary George Mkondiwa left Chilima centre and Information PS Justin Saidi[/caption]
Addressing a news conference on Wednesday at Capital Hill in Lilongwe, Vice President Saulos Chilima, who is also chair of the Public Service Reforms Commission, highlighted what has been achieved so far and what the g government intends to achieve on public service reforms.
These included the approval by President Peter Mutharika to start implementing reforms in parastatals to make them more viable and contribute effectively to the socio economic development of the country.
Chilima said to ensure that the reform areas which the parastatals themselves identified to make their organisations improve performance, the first step will be to finalise the State Corporation Policy whose absence led to conflicts in mandates of some parastatals.
In the same vein, Chilima said a number of bills including the one on Public Service Appointment will be taken to parliament so that reforms that require legal backing are clearly documented and legalised.
He cited the President's acceptance to relinquish some of his appointment powers, saying once the bill is passed it will mean that people, like Principal Secretaries, will now be going through a recruitment and interview process.
Chilima disclosed that currently there are 41 Principal Secretaries apart from other Heads of Government Institutions.
He said some Principal Secretaries have retired, some are yet to retire and others have been redeployed.
“In particular, these efforts have seen some ministries which had two or three PS’s now having one. For Instance, Secretary to the Vice President is also Secretary and Commissioner for Department of Disaster Management Affairs. The right sizing process will continue until the intended reform purpose is achieved,” Chilima explained.
Chilima emphasized that the reforms will not fail because the current administration wants the civil service to be effective and modern in running its affairs.
The Vice President bemoaned lack of financial resources in the civil service commission, a problem that persists in every sector of Malawi life.
“These reforms require a hefty financial budget. I am pleased to inform you that we have had a number of meetings with Development Partners who are supporting the reforms,” Chilima stated.
He pointed out Approval of reforms in Parastatals, Decentralisation of Passport printing at the department of Immigration, Decentralisation of Teachers’ salaries, turning Green Belt Initiative into a Holdings Limited Company, Fertilizer Subsidy Programme, Parliamentary Committee on Public Service Reforms and IFMIS Enhancement Upgrade among others as some of the reforms currently taking place.
On teachers, Chilima said the decentralisation of salary payment has made it possible for teachers to receive their pay in time and that soon they will be paid at district level.
"We may even go further to pay them right in their homes through the use of modern technologies like mobile money," he said.
As another reform success, Chilima also cited the decentralisation of passport printing to Lilongwe and Mzuzu as feat that has helped Malawians to stop travelling long to access passports in Blantyre.
Soon, he said, services of Immigration, Lands, Tax, Business Registration and others will be found in Post Offices in what will be known as service centres.
The Vice President also announced that there will be a commission which will be taking care of national development plans to ensure continuity if there is change of administration.
Chilima also commended the Malawi media for publishing positive stories on reforms saying, “On numerous occasions the media has carried out positive stories about reforms on front page and on the same goodwill they have criticized responsibly. The media is a legitimate stakeholder in reforms hence it will be consulted just like any other stakeholders.”
Meanwhile, President Mutharika has extended to June 2016 the tenure of the commission to give it more time to carry out its duties.
Wanderers players showing the cup in a shuttle...Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_93905" align="alignright" width="600"]
Nomads back at Lali Lubani Road...Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_93903" align="alignright" width="600"]
Nomads parade the Carlsberg trophy -Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_93904" align="alignright" width="600"]
Nomads showacse their silverware....Photo Jeromy Kadewere[/caption]
This follows the teams 2-1 victory over their old age rivals Big Bullets last Saturday to lift the 2015 Carlsberg Cup.
Madeira said winning Carlsberg Cup is a “big morale boost” to the team as they wait to start second round of the TNM Super League and also compete in Standard Bank Cup 2015 edition.
"This will give us courage as we start the second round of the league and compete in Standard Bank Cup as I already said that we want to win trophies. It is our hope that we will have a double and then we can talk of the league title, “said Madeira.
The Nomads manager further commended the team’s smooth transition under their new coach Elia Kananji formerly of Bullets F.C.
On his part, Kananji said the Carlsberg Cup triumph is now water under the bridge and that the focus is now on Standard Bank Cup and Super League championship.
"As Wanderers, we have already forgotten that we have won the Carlsberg Cup and that is water under the bridge. Our main focus is now on Standard Bank and winning the league championship" said Kananji.
Kananji made history over the weekend by becoming the first coach to win Carlsberg Cup twice with two different teams.
Last season he guided Bullets to Carlsberg Cup and Super League Championship.
Kananji believes the blues are perfectly placed this term to bring another cup to Lali Lubani Road.
“"I don't see why we can't win another cup,” he said. “We have a great chance.”
Meanwhile, a draw for the Standard Bank Cup preliminary and quarter final matches was conducted Wednesday in Lilongwe with Wanderers facing Mafco FC.
Kamuzu Barracks has a fixture against Dedza Young Soccer in the preliminary round of the cup next week.
Wanderers, Mafco, Kamuzu Barracks and Dedza Young Soccer made it through to the preliminary round draw through a vote by customers.
Winners from the preliminary round will join six automatic teams in the quarter finals of the cup.
The quarter final draw had a mouth watering fixture involving Moyale Barracks hosting Big Bullets whilst Silver Strikers will host Blue Eagles.
Civo Service United will host the winner between Kamuzu Barracks and Dedza Young Soccer whilst Red Lions will host the winner between Mafco and Wanderers.
Preliminary Round Draw
Mafco vs Mighty Wanderers
Kamuzu Barracks vs Dedza Young Soccer
Quarter Final Draw
Civo Service United vs Kamuzu Barracks/Mighty Wanderers
Moyale Barracks vs Big Bullets
Red Lions vs Mafco/Wanderers
Silver Strikers vs Blue Eagles
The preliminary round games will kick off on 13th September with the quarter final matches scheduled to take place on 27th September.
Semi-finals will take place on 17th October and the finals will take place on 31st October 2015.
The cup is being sponsored to the tune of MK 46 million from which MK 30 million will go to the teams.
The winner will walk away with a trophy plus cash amounting to MK 9 million. Silver Strikers are the current cup holders.
Joyce Banda: Home coming[/caption]
Office of President and Cabinet says government officials have been showing houses to former First Gentleman, retired chief justice Richard Banda, this week as they understand the former president is set to return in October.
The former president, who is also leader of the opposition People’s Party (PP), has been out of the country on private engagements since June 29, 2014 when she left for the United States of America (US).
PP publicity secretary and also acting director of administration, Ken Msonda has also confirmed about JB’s return but did not indicate the arrival date.
“ I will hold meetings with all provincial and district committees to brief them on latest developments in the party and prepare for our party founder and President HE Dr. Joyce Banda’s home-coming,” said Msonda.
While the actual date of return remains confidential, her spokesperson Andekuche Chanthunya, press aide Tusekele Mwanyongo and PP secretary general Ibrahim Matola confirmed the development in separate interviews.
Matola said he could not provide the former president’s arrival dates, citing security reasons, but said the party will announce the date soon, insisting it will be next month.
“JB is finally returning home,” confirmed Matola.
Chancellor College-based political analyst, associate professor Blessings Chinsinga, has said Banda’s return will be good for her party which is currently in civil war.
“Joyce Banda needs to return and put the house in order, otherwise, what we see is a result of power struggle because there is leadership vacuum. Let her return, or give up power and facilitate smooth transition so that someone else takes over,” urged Chinsinga in comments attributed to him in the press.
In May this year, retired chief justice Richard Banda wrote foreign missions and development partners in the country, asking them to intervene in “repeated political harassment and persecution” of his wife, JB, by the Peter Mutharika administration.
In a letter dated May 13 2015, the former chief justice said the family is convinced that “the many unsubstantiated accusations and allegations” could be a precursor to much more sinister motives.
Some of the former president’s major engagements include meeting former United States president Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) in Morocco on May 5 and receiving of her doctorate degree on May 15.