The  state-funded Malawi Human Right Commission (MHRC) has told government and the country’s police service not to make any attempts to stop the January 17 demonstrations and said instead state agents should ensure that there is enough security during the demonstrations to avoid a repeat of July 20, 2011.

Twenty people lost their lives and property worth millions of kwachas was damaged after the demonstrations went out of control culminating into a free for all looting and clashes between the marchers and the Police.

The body says the right to assemble and hold demonstrations peacefully and unarmed is a human right and fundamental freedom protected under Section 38 of the Constitution, giving a boost to organisers to  demonstrations against economic hardship in Malawi.

“The Commission condemns the display of lack of respect for the right…by some concerned parties, that has characterized the period running up to the planned demonstrations,” MHRC said in a statement made available to Nyasa Times.

MHRC then warned the general public, authorities and people opposed to the demonstrations to exercise tolerance and desist from inflammatory remarks and any attempts aimed at dissuading people in favor of the demonstrations from participation in the demonstrations.

“The Commission calls upon government to ensure that the organisers of the demonstrations are not unlawfully prevented or prohibited from holding such demonstrations provided the planned demonstrations have followed procedures prescribed by law,” said Kalinde in a statement released on Monday.

Recently, vendors in Mzuzu warned organizers Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) not to pass by or use any of their 17 markets saying if they do so they will be responsible for the consequences.

Mrs Sophie Asimenye Kalinde: MHRC chair says human rights must be exercised

The vendors did not specify what action they will do if CAMA defy the directive but said they will be very alert on the day. This comes after reports that a government minister has funded the vendors and some youth for beer parties on January 17 to act against protestors.

“The general public must ensure at all times that human rights, including the right to assemble and hold peaceful and unarmed demonstrations, are exercised with due regard and observance of the attendant responsibilities,” MHRC Chairperson Sophie Asimenye Kalinde said.

The Commission observed that the emerging developments to some extent replicate the trends that led to the disastrous consequences of the 20th July, 2011 demonstrations as exemplified by the deaths of 20 people.

“In particular, the Commission has noted with concern that relevant duty bearers including some public officials and some political players have made statements that display lack of respect for the right,” Kalinde said.

MHRC has since called upon government to ensure that the organizers of the 17th January, 2013 demonstrations are not unlawfully prevented or prohibited from holding such demonstrations provided the planned demonstrations have followed procedures prescribed by law.

She said the right to assemble and hold demonstrations is a human right and fundamental freedom protected under the Constitution and other international instruments.

CAMA  issued a six-point petition to be presented to the President, raising issues of their concerns.

The points included immediate stop of flotation of the kwacha, a freeze on foreign and local travel by the President, her Vice-President Khumbo Kachali and the Cabinet, declaration of assets by the President and the trimming of the Cabinet.

Malawi’s opposition People’s Transformation Party (Petra) on Monday the 3rd Liberation Movement for Malawi in Blantyre with promises of delivering real change to the country’s treacherous political landscape.

Chibambo, a lawyer by profession, described the struggle for independence and multiparty democracy in 1964 and 1994 as first and second liberations respectively.

He said 2014 Malawi needs the third liberation, saying their vision is to see Malawi become economically independent and exploitation free.

“Malawi has for many decades now been gripped in economic bondage of gigantic magnitude. This pathetic and heart-rending reality has been fastened to the people of Malawi despite the country changing leaders and governments since 1964, 1994, 2004 and most recently 2012,” said.

Chibambo: Third liberation

“The country notwithstanding that it is richly endowed with a vast body of fresh water, exquisite scenic sites, good soil and natural resources to date remains classified as one of the poorest in the world with the majority living on less than a $1 dollar a day as economists have pronounced,” observed Chibambo.

Chibambo said the devaluation of the Kwacha in May last year by President Joyce Banda’s government pushed up further the economic hardships.

“The kwacha has lost the value by over 100 percent,” he claimed.

Chibambo said PETRA believes in a governance system that is compassionate and caring, a government system that is not cruel with their slogan of Month.

He said the party will be of truth and freshness that the Malawian people have been longing for.

“We shall in the coming days, weeks and months be sharing with Malawian people the various strategies we have developed for achieving the 3rd Liberation. Petra has the solutions. It’s our country; it’s our destiny,” Chibambo sais.

Atupele Muluzi, presidential candidate of the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) for next year’s elections kicked off 2013 with a whistle stop political meetings of some parts of Blantyre rural, specifically Lirangwe and Lunzu where thousands gathered despite being soaked in the rains to hear about the UDF’s agenda for change and renewal.

Machinga North East Member of Parliament (MP), 34, who has pledged civilized politics, used the meetings to outline the UDF’s roadmap leading up to 2014.

Atupele, son of former president Bakili Muluzi who ruled Malawi from 1994 to 2004, informed the crowds that UDF is reorganizing itself as “a movement aimed at spearheading transformational change in the country in order to help the people of Malawi fulfill their dreams and aspirations.”

“By the year 2014 Malawi would have attained 50 years as an independent nation. My generation would like to see Malawi embark on a new path to a better future,” said Atupele who resigned from the Cabinet last year where he served as Minister of Economic Planning and Development since April 2012.

Atupele telling crowds in Lunzu: New UDF will give the change you can trust

“We need to begin the journey of political and economic transformation of our country. We need to wage war on poverty, greed and corruption,” said the presidential hopeful as the crowd, dressed in yellow, shouted in unison: “Atupele yemweyo!”

He slammed corruption, wrongful enrichment and greed, saying there was a real need for a rescue operation for Malawi from misery.

“We need a new Malawi where government is transparent and accountable to the people and where economic development benefits the many and not just a few,” said Atupele.

“That process begins by providing a clear vision and plan for Malawians that will unlock our country’s great potential and ensure all Malawians benefit from growth and success,” he added.

He said “the new UDF’s quest is to help all Malawians to reach their potential” and told the crowds that his party is “ready and prepared to provide new leadership.”

Atupele also said UDF will hold a policy convention to look at guidelines in job creation, food security, health, energy and water, among other issues.

“We will be announcing clear institutional arrangements, roadmap and policy issues around delivering on a New Agenda for Malawi.  We want to encourage a public discussion on our policy proposals so as to ensure inclusiveness and ownership by all stakeholders,” he said.

“We would like Malawians to be informed early on what the new UDF stands for and what it aims to deliver on whilst in government. We want Malawians to make informed choices in 2014 based on policies. The UDF intends to lead in that process,” said the presidential hopeful/

Atupele said his party’s focus will be on four areas which he said they believe are critical for Malawi’s development. They areas are: Growth, Governance, Social Protection and Peace and Security.

“We intend to ensure that our proposals incorporate the voices of ordinary Malawians. We will in the next few weeks share some of our policy proposals with the public,” he said.

The presidential candidate said UDF intend to deliver on inclusive growth and with a clear focus on transparency, accountability and fighting corruption.

“We aim to deliver on equitable resource allocation across all regions, wealth creation and employment opportunities in Malawi. We aim to introduce new social protection policies that provide safety nets for the most vulnerable in our society whilst providing peace and security to our people, “he said.

He  also confidently stressed that   UDF will bounce back into government  next year with supporters chanting “Atupele chaka cha mawa wa boma!”

UDF presidential hopeful Atupele Muluzi addressing crowds in Blantyre rural

Crowds that attended the UDF meeting addressed by Atupele in Lirangwe

Atupele accompanied by his wife Angella, UDF secretary general Kandi Padambo and UDF vice president Iqbal Omar

Atupele addressing the crowds

UDF youth member pose for Nyasa Times

Malawi’s opposition People’s Transformation Party (Petra) has added its voice to the concerns raised by African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) that the government of Malawi had made a bad choice of project given the absence of transparency and accountability in the deal.

PETRA president Kamuzu Chibambo told reporters in Blantyre on Monday that his party has given Paladin and President Joyce Banda’s administration 14 days to explain why the uranium mining deal can’t be renegotiated for the benefit of Malawians.

Chibambo, a lawyer by profession, trashed claims Paladin, a company that is mining uranium at Kayelekera Mine in Karonga district, is making losses.

He said if the Australian uranium mine was making losses.

Kamuzu Chibambo: Malawi government told to renegotiate Paladin uranium deal

“We demand the shareholders therefore to disclose how much our uranium is fetching when it is finally sold to the ultimate buyer in Australia or Switzerland,” said Chibambo, adding “ That will clearly prove the veracity of the claims continue to be made locally.”

He was speaking during the launch of the 3rd Liberation Movement for Malawi in Blantyre,

He demanded that government should renegotiate for at least a 40 percent stake and selling rights in the next 14 days.

“Within the same days, we want to know from Paladin and government as to which health facility our brothers and sisters are being taken for treatment whenever they are exposed to radiation which we know is happening? Is the treatment adequate? he said.

He also asked the government to tell measures it has put in place to avoid pollution seeping into Lake Malawi.

Recently, AFRODAD Executive Director Collins Magalasi told journalists in the capital Lilongwe that Malawi government should renegotiate for a better deal with the Paladin Company.

“Malawi government needs to look back at the contract and renegotiate for a better deal which can benefit the nation including the communities where the project takes place,” Magalasi said.

He  urged lawmakers  and civil society organisations (CSOs) to take up the issue and bring pressure to bear on the government to return to the negotiating table.

A representative of the CSOs Moses Mkandawire said:“We would like Paladin to declare all what it has sold. The government should also declare all what it has received from the uranium project since it started.”

He said they had also performed poorly in the area of corporate social responsibility.

As CSOs, he said, another deal should be made possible for the benefit of Malawians who are the real owners of the resources.

Paladin Energy international affairs GM Greg Walker is on record saying  it will be impossible to renegotiate the deal because the agreement includes a ten-year stability period “to provide comfort for project lenders and share- holders”, given Malawi’s lack of a record as the host nation of a major resource investment.

President Joyce Banda has recognized the contribution to the democratization and development efforts in the country that the private media, especially Zodiak Broadcasting Corporation (ZBS) is making.

Banda said this on Monday when she presided over the 2013 Best Girl Awards at Ludzi Girls Secondary School in Mchinji organised by Zodiak.

“Zodiak has played and continues to play a critical role in ensuring that our democracy is sustained by timely informing the people; remaining nonpartisan and providing a platform for accountability. My Government will continue to ensure that media freedom is sustained in this country,” said the President.

This was the third time the award is celebrated at Ludzi Girls secondary School, one of the best performing girls’ schools in the country.

JB poses with recepients of the awards and their guardians

“Let me take this opportunity to also congratulate the Headmistress, Sister Veronica Massa and her entire staff for producing such high calibre achievers,” said the President.

During the ceremony, three best performing students (six points) in the 2012 Malawi School Leaving Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations were awarded scholarships by the Chinese Embassy in Lilongwe to study in universities in China.

Three others who got seven points had lady luck smiling at them when President Banda announced she would be sending them on a scholarship to study in the United States of America (USA).

ZBS has been recognizing the best Malawi School Certificate of Education female students since 2006 when two female students from St. Mary’s Secondary School got the award. There are currently 8 Malawian students in China studying medicine and economics, among others, owing to Zodiak’s initiative.

“At the heart of my vision as President of the country is to lift people out of poverty through economic empowerment. One powerful way to realize this is to empower people through education. And one of the ways to ensure the benefits of education serve to develop a nation is to educate the girl child,” said President Banda.

“Ensuring our young women stay on at school will transform the nation, she said, adding this reduces the chances of early pregnancy, and ensures that women are adequately prepared to be economically active in their household later on in life, and thereby gives them a voice when it comes to family planning.

“When you are poor and not educated having children becomes the preoccupation of the family. Whereas, when you have been to school and are earning money in a job, you have options in your life. You are able to have a conversation with your husband on how many children to have and when to have them,” said President Banda.

As Head of State, she said she was committed to ensuring that government works tirelessly to improve education for all Malawians, in particular the girl child.

“To do this we are building girls hostels in selected schools, training more teachers and providing materials such as text books, desks and chairs, and promoting the deployment of more teachers to rural areas with an incentive of a rural allowance,” said President Banda, adding that her government is promoting girls’ education through re-admission policy, which allows girls who fall pregnant to go back to school.

Banda also said her government government will with effect from this year start awarding teachers in both primary and secondary schools as one way of promoting education in the country.

Managing Director for ZBS, Gospel Kazako said they introduced the Best Girl Child Award after the station discovered that in Malawi, “women are the most marginalized, oppressed, ignored and usually voiceless”.

“At Zodiak we believe in our women and we are sure that this country has a great opportunity to rise against the roots of any evil bred by gender inequality. We have strong belief that your government will do all it can to make palpable and tangible difference,” said Kazako.

Other speakers included Education Minister Eunice Kazembe, Sister Massa, Rem Ste-Marie, Catholic Archbishop of Lilongwe and Chinese Ambassador to Malawi, Pan Hegun.

One of the girls going on Chinese Scholarship to China

JB confers with ZBS MD Gospel Kadzako

Tears of joy of parents whose three students who got seven points are given scholaships to study in US by JB

JB poses with Ludzi Girls headmistress Sister Veronica Massa and other invited guests

A representative of the best performing students speaks

In  a  bid to provide extra excitement to Malawians who follow the English Premier League(EPL), MultiChoice Malawi has launched an English Premier League (EPL) short message service (SMS) promotion called ‘Show your true colours’ where fans will be predicting results of a selected match.

The launching ceremony was held at Sunbird Mount Soche on Friday weher

MultiChoice Malawi marketing manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda said the promotion will involve predicting results of selectedEPL matches to number  51400 starting this week.

“Every week, we will be announcing the ‘Game of the week’ and entrants will be predicting the results prior to the game through SMS that will be sent using both TNM and Airtel and details will be carried in The Daily Times every Tuesday,” said Nyirenda.

Chimwemwe Nyirenda presenting a Liverpool jersey which was won by one of the people who graced the occassion during the launch…Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Nyirenda said  the first five people that will text right predictions will automatically win prizes in the ranges of replica jerseys for EPL teams with some consolation prizes that include T Shirts and Caps.

“The first five people that will text the right predictions will automatically win the prizes,” said Nyirenda.

During the launching ceremony, some journalists like Williams Gondwa from Matindi Radio station, Malawi News Sports Editor Duncan Mlanjira, The Weekend Times senior reporter Kandani Ngwira won Super Sport T Shirts and caps.

In a related development, MultiChoice Malawi has announced winners of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations promotion whereby their customers were asked to pay three months subscription to win a fully funded trip to watch either the opening or the final game.

The winners are A.J Kaluwa and Charles Kadzidzi (both from Lilongwe) and Robert Coombes from Blantyre.

Nyirenda also said MultiChoice will beam all the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations on SuperSport live and in high definition [HD].

Matindi Sports Reporter Williams Gondwa receiving a cap from Nyirenda….Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) are looking for a new national team head coach following the exit of Kinnah Phiri, who has been fired after a string of uninspiring results.

FAM announced the sacking of Kinnah, his entire backroom staff of  deputy coach Young Chimodzi and technical director Jack Chamangwana on Saturday, some six months into their new two-year contracts extensions.

Their axe is due to the team’s poor performance.

According to FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda, the body hopes to appoint Kinnah’s “in the shortest time possible”.

FAM General Secerelary Sugzo Nyirenda: We will name Kinnah’s successor soon

Malawi travels to Namibia in March for a 2014 World Cup qualifier.

FAM said the Flames squad under new coaches “will need to thoroughly prepare” for that fixture.

Ngwira also said consultations are underway with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports as well as Sports Council on recruitment of successors.

Kinnah took charge of the Flames in 2008 and only signed a contract extension until 2014 in October last year.

He is credited to, for the first time in 26 years steering the Flames to 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, but the team has been on a free-fall since that feat.

The news conference which organizers of the January 17 nationwide consumers’ demonstrations held on Monday at Consumers Association of Malawi  (CAMA) offices  was staged to blindfold people from proving that they were paid to cancel the protests, Nyasa Times has established.

Nyasa Times reported on Saturday that the organisers have been bribed to cancel the protests.

Consumer rights watchdog is championing the January 17 demonstrations against government’s failure to address economic hardships facing Malawians due to reforms being undertaken by government.

But mystery surrounds whether the demonstrations will really take place considering the way organizers of the protests conducted themselves during the news conference which many journalists who attended described it as charade and complained for being taken for granted.

Kapito with Mdoka:  Staged presser

Drama started when CAMA’s project officer Mac Sightings Mdoka announced in his boss John Kapito’s presence that he is pulling out due to pressure from some politicians.  .

Sources close to the organizers told Nyasa Times that the briefing was pre-staged so that people should not know they have been palm-oiled  by  the ruling People’s Party to cancel the demonstrations. .

M’doka confessed he met with ruling party’s publicity secretary Hophmally Makande, but sharply denied having been bribed.

Malawi Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu denies the government has bribed organizers to suspend or cancel the January 17 protests.

But insiders told Nyasa Times that money has exchanged hands.

“What Mdoka was doing was something that was pre-arranged by those who were at the briefing including the few so called consumers who were loitering outside the press briefing room,” said one source.

They said the organizers met Sunday night to strategize on how best to approach the issues of cancelling without attracting anger from the consumers who may end up losing trust in the whole association.

“In fact Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) officials were told in advance that they should send their journalists to CAMA where some of the officials will be speaking against the protest. And it was Makande who went to MBC soon after meeting Mdoka on Wednesday at Phekani House in Blantyre,” the source added.

Mdoka told reporters he met Makande at Phekani House.

Nyasa Times understands that Mdoka -an acclaimed Malawi dramatist – offered to play the main actor in the “drama” by pretending that he is against his colleagues’ plans of proceeding with the protest.

“This was aimed to bring confusion in the whole issue so that journalists who would be available should think that the groups is split a pretext that Kapito and the company would use to cancel the demonstrations.

“But this has partly failed and the next move now is that they have agreed that none of organizers should show up at the starting point of the demonstrations so that those who will converge should find none to lead them. This is what they called constructive cancelling of the demonstrations,” said insiders.

This vindicates what Kapito said at the news conference that he may not be physically available during the demonstrations “but the fact is the consumers from all the walks of life will be on the streets.”

Kapito, who was suspiciously jovial throughout the briefing which was supposed to be a serious matter, was not surprised when Mdoka said he is against the demonstration and instead Kapito kept on patting him on the shoulder sometimes putting his hands around him teasing him as “Judas Iscariot” and accusing him of pocketing some money from politicians.

Meanwhile, the sources say drama is far from ending as CAMA’s boss has ‘fired’ Mdoka as the projects officer, a development which has been planned to be communicated to Malawians through a statement to be issued Wednesday.

“They want to make this as a testimony that they are not part of allegations that they have pocketed money through Mdoka to cancel the demonstrations. And Mdoka would resume duties once the people’s tempers who may be angered by the disorganization of the protests calm down. In another words this is a holiday for Mdoka for the job well done”.

However, Mdoka was reluctant to respond when Nyasa Times phoned him Monday evening to confirm his dismissal.  He only insisted on asking “who has told you?” before he cut the line.

Kapito asked Anti Corruption Bureau to investigate the corruption allegations.

Among several demands, Cama wants a reversal of the floatation of the kwacha; sale of the presidential jet and Mercedes Benz vehicles for ministers; reduction in the presidential convoy, minimising presidential and ministerial travel both locally and internationally, reducing the Cabinet; checking corruption and declaration of assets by the President and her Vice-President.

The story of the historic abortive insurgency of January 1915, starts with a thrilling initial incidence in 1900 when a youthful western trained minister and college graduate at 29, arrives back home in Chiradzulu, “to labour amongst his benighted race.”

He brings home not cheap stories of gigantic vessels that miraculously floated on huge masses of water with cargo and humans, or wonders of magnificent architectural buildings hanging above each other in America. He brings home class: he displays a new taste of attire, ingenuity and an enormously boosted ego, which ofcourse is way too good for his skin color.

More surprisingly, he harbors strong, unfamiliar intolerance, and contempt against socio-economic and civil injustices and various atrocities of Chitaganya-cracy.

John Chilembwe; martyer

Through a decade that follows his return; he successfully erects churches and schools and recruits nearly 2000 young and adult native scholars. He preaches and teaches great virtues of hard-work, self-respect and self-help.

Gradually the thrill in the story dies from about 1910 when the youthful western trained minister, Reverend John Chilembwe himself, now 39, is highly challenged with the management of his head quarters, the Providence Industrial Mission (PIM) which is hit by financial crises. He also suffers personal health setbacks –he endures asthmatic attacks and declining eyesight and general health.

However, the story wears a violent face which only predicts pending radical movements and perpetual conflict as it becomes evident that humble dictates of Christianity like “if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” or “love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,” which Chilembwe the Pastor is highly versed with, won’t hold him back from retribution.

He, in the interim relieve himself of his ministerial cloak and white collar, and quickly invents a contrary situation-befitting gospel; “love your neighbor, only if he is not British”. It is clearer now than ever before, that he won’t turn the other cheek, instead will slap back, despite his deteriorating financial muscle and general health. He, in an act of defiance, encroaches on a Whiteman’s estates and erects his churches, which the estate manager William Jervis Livingstone deliberately sets on fire.

Perhaps, from his PIM office, his gaze wanders through the window and catches the sight of heavy clouds of thick dark smoke hanging in the atmosphere on very familiar spots. Overwhelmed with shocking disbelief, he rushes to his churches aflame. He presses through the crowds to take a closer look. He does not ask the bystanders gathered around the scenes about the incarnate of the devil that has set his churches on fire. He gnashes and bites his lower lip firmly and shakes his head like a mad bull, as he impatiently watches his smouldering churches collapse into heaps of charcol and ash. He desist from immediate retaliation, but locks up the bitterness against William Jervis Livingstone inside the cage of his ribs, where a stack of grudges against him survive with every beat of his heart awaiting the rightful moment of blazing vengeance.

The fading excitement is revivified from around 1912 until January 1915 when Chilembwe is compelled by his abhorrent stance against the colonialists and the pressing need for liberation of his people to involve himself politically. Tension steadily rises in the wake of World War One in 1914, when ugly scenes of the war surface and Chilembwe can no longer contain prevalent disdain of the colonialists against his people; the limits of his patience are hurtfully overstrained.

He writes to the Nyasaland Times newspaper to publicly reprove the continuous involvement of Nyasaland Africans in the King African Rifles which is to him a sheer ploy that ensnares his countrymen to own slaughter; hundreds of thousands of Nyasaland soldiers shed blood, and get crippled for life, and die like chicken for a war and cause not theirs.

Due to the political implications of the letter, it is banned from publication by the war-time sensor and Chilembwe is consequently blacklisted with his immediate followers and scheduled for exile to Mauritius in December 1914, just few days before the insurgency.

The story reaches the climax, in the misty dark night of Saturday, January 23, 1915. The night is dead and the damp smell of mother earth hangs in the humid air, but reverberations of cricket’ chirping sounds and footsteps of bare feet rapidly thumping the ground break through the silence. A squad of half naked men, force their way through the thick green bushes; they wear ferocious faces and their hair is rough and messy.  With firm grips on their spears, they storm into Bruce estates and attack the notorious estate manager, Livingstone in his house. They decapitate him with a big axe, abduct his wife and 5year old daughter, and exit the house with the blood dripping head.

They bump into Duncain MacCormick at the door, also an employee at the Bruce estate and neighbor of Livingstone who approaches the veranda of Livingstone’s house to patrol his residence upon hearing noises from the place. But one of the men greets the unarmed MacCormick with a swift thrust of his spear into his chest. MacCormick instatly falls dead on the veranda and a stream of warm blood gushes out of his hollowed chest. Just like Livingstone’s body inside the house, MacCormick’s body lies in a pool of blood except that it still has a head.

In obedience to a direct order from Chilembwe himself, the men spare white women and children but abduct and parade them along swampy paths meandering through thick bushes towards PIM headquarters at Mbombwe where Chilembwe anxiously awaits their arrival –especially the arrival of Livingstone’s head.

The very night, Chilembwe’s amasses another larger group of fighters at his PIM headquarters and orders them to head for Blantyre. Their mission is loot the armoury situated at the center of the highly fortified African Lakes Corporation and secure guns and ammunition. Chilembwe’s rationale behind the stealing of guns, which his men can’t fire, and the desperate attempt to steal the guns having already engaged the enemy beats every logic or military tactic.

The group of thieves journeys the night through and arrives in Blantyre during the early morn hours of Sunday, January 24. Unlike the glorious triumph at Bruce Estate the previous night, Chilembwe’s men are fired upon at African Lakes Corporation. They flee with their spears, digging their bare heels in filthy muddy swamps, and manage in their haste, to secure not more than five guns and a handful of ammunition. Some members of the group are apprehended and later shot dead.

Monday, January 25 is probably the worst of Chilembwe’s days on earth.  In the solitude of his Church, he walks aimlessly from one corner to another holding his loaded head between his hands. Chilembwe’s head abandoned on the pulpit stares at him mockingly with an open mouth. He frowns at the disturbing news of loss and lack of local support for the uprising which relentlessly bombard his ears and echoes tormentingly across avenues of his mind.

Overcome by extreme lethargy, He hastily sneaks out of PIM on Tuesday, January 27and flees towards the Mozambican border. He successfully stays at large for one week, but is eventually shot on the ran, on Tuesday, February 3, 1915. He dies on the spot, still in his youth at 44. His followers and participants in the uprising, much of whom are his church members get executed.

Going through this story, especially the serial events of the uprising itself, from the brutal decapitation of William Jervis Livingstone  until  Chilembwe’s lethargic retreat and the execution of his 200 followers, I can only embrace one conclusion that the story of Chilembwe’s insurgency is told and analyzed through skewed views.

We approach the story with a preconception of a heroic, nationalistic freedom fighter and an altruistic martyr who deserves nothing less than limitless praise and sympathy. While this conception of Chilembwe could be true, I feel it is overemphasized at the expense of factual history of what he actually accomplished or more precisely failed to accomplish and why?

Chilembwe’s  January, 1915 uprising was  probably not just about nationalism, bravery and a cause of liberation; he might have suffered from a high degree of panic, as he revolts a few days after he learns about his pending exile. He probably wished to strike while he could, also considering his waning general health, he could not wait for a proper time in the future that looked dim.

He also was overwhelmed with vendetta and vengeance. That is why he brutally murders Livingstone first before anything else and displays his head on the pulpit to his native congregation during a Sunday morning service in his church on January 24. He had longed for Livingstone’s head for a long time, for burning down his churches and mistreating his people.

He knew he would die, but he would rather die on Nyasaland soil, than endure the humiliation of exile- and death would be a deserved honor, if he sends Livingstone ahead of him.

Due to the panic and vengeful motive, the uprising was poorly planned, poorly communicated, and executed with the highest degree of mediocrity.

Feedback: lsibande2004@yahoo.com

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chilembwe

http://peterbaxterafrica.com/index.php/2010/12/28/john-chilembwe

G.shepperson, T. Price; Independent Africa: John Chilembwe and the Origins, Setting and Significance of Nyasaland Native rising of 1915. The University Press, Edinburgh 1958

Massive corruption involving top management at the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) has forced its Financial Controller, Andy Kamwala, to relinquish his position in protest, Nyasa Times can reveal.

The scam primarily centers on the Director of Finance (DOF), Felistus Chikusilo, Controller of Administration, Ronald Mateyu and former Director of Programs, Chimwemwe Banda.

According to our impeccable sources at the public broadcaster, Kamwala has been forced to resign from his position after crossing paths with his boss Chikusilo following the massive fraud and financial mismanagement that has been taking place at the corporation.

The news is that Chikusilo had directed Kamwala, a charted accountant, to have the organization’s management accounts doctored for presentation to its external auditors which he firmly opposed.

Chimwemwe Banda: Implicated

The doctoring of the accounts, according to our source, was to conceal millions of unspecified Kwachas which have been swindled by three people.

The source said the Financial Controller refused to re-work and endorse the doctored accounts statements prompting Chikusilo to stop working with him and instead used his juniors to doctor them.  In protest against malpractice, Kamwala has just decided to resign from his post.

‘‘The accounts statements had narrations on unauthorized expenditures called ex-gratia which was being used to pay the Director of Finance, former Director of Programs and the Controller of Administration as payments for apparently working on the TVM/MBC merger project. Chikusilo ordered those narrations, among others, to be removed from the accounts,’’ he explained.

The informant, who works in the accounts department at MBC, further revealed that the three officers were the only staff members being paid using the so called ex-gratia facility.

‘‘What was happening was that the Controller of Administration would write the requisition for payment, the Director of Programs would approve them and the Director of Finance would pay. The very same three people involved in the process of payment were the only recipients of the money,” added the source.

When contacted for his comment, Kamwala confirmed resigning from his MBC but was non-committal to confirm the circumstances saying he has found another job.

“Yes, I have resigned but as regards the fraud allegations I have no comment, right now I am busy working on handover notes,” Kamwala said.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports indicate that MBC’s Director General Dr Benson Tembo has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kamwala’s resignation.

The corruption news has been making headlines in the corridors of the public broadcaster- which has for many years pretended to be operating very tight budget- with many members calling for the Ant-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to immediately jump in.

The High Court in Lilongwe has started reviewing a court ruling by Magistrate Esther Phiri on a case where Samson Banda and Rosemary Nkhoma who were answering charges of causing grievance harm and possession private parts belonging to 45 year old Salim Ayidi.

Phiri, in December 2012, had sentenced Banda to 8 years imprisonment with hard labour on the first count of causing grievance harm and had acquitted Nkhoma on the same count.

She had however, fined the two K2000 on the second count of possessing private parts.

“The High Court on 11 January 2013 started reviewing the case in Lilongwe. Contact Central Regional Police Prosecution Officer Stewart Kaitano who was handling the case for more details,” said John Namalenga, Central Region Police Public Relations Officer (PRO).

Nkhoma: Was acquitted

Kaitano confirmed the development saying the High Court had called for documents for the case to review the sentencing.

“The high court has called for a review of the case. They are reviewing the sentences where the first defendant (Banda) was sentenced to 8 years for causing grievance harm and ordered to pay a fine of K2000, while the second accused (Nkhoma) was acquitted on the first count and fined K2000 on the second count. We are not part of the review process as it is done by court officials,” said Kaitano.

According to the central region police PRO, the state is not satisfied with the judgement passed by the lower court.

Banda and Nkhoma were arrested in Salima early April 2012 in connection with the mutilation of Ayidi’s private parts.

Nkhoma, a business woman had informed the police that Banda was offering her private parts but the police later arrested her too as an accomplice.

The case was transferred to Lilongwe after residents of Salima threatened mob justice on the two during the trial.

Red Lions coach Collins Nkuna has confirmed that their enterprising midfielder Dave Banda has been frozen out of his squad due to indiscipline charges.

Banda has not been featuring in the Zomba-based soldiers’ squad for their TNM Super League campaign for some time now.

Responding to a question by Nyasas Times reporter on the whereabouts of Banda, coach Nkuna said the player will not feature for the rest of the season for indiscipline.

“Dave is drinking beer like there is no tomorrow, and let me say it here that he will be out of our camp for the rest of the season,” said Lions coach.

Dave Banda: Frozen out

He is a problem because he is doing the same thing he did during Flames camp sneaking out to booze,” said Nkuna.

Banda was dropped from the national team squad for allegedly sneaking out of camp at Chiwembe Technical Centre in Blantyre.

He was later recalled after appearing for a disciplinary hearing.

Just as you begin to think that the dispute about including male circumcision as part of HIV/Aids prevention has ended, a sceptic “rocks the boat” and the debate appears to start all over again and; some people begin to wonder whether “to cut or not to cut”

According to the male circumcision advocates, male circumcision is the most compelling evidence-based HIV/Aids prevention strategy to emerge since the results from mother-to-child HIV/Aids transmission clinical trials. They point out that although male circumcision does not provide absolute protection (reduces the risk of HIV infection by about 60 per cent), implemented as part of a prevention package that includes HIV counselling and testing, treatment of sexually transmitted infections and promotion of safe sex practices; there would be a reduction in HIV/Aids infection.

Medical guidelines circumcision can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and cut the risk of penile cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. Photograph: David Levene

Da’ T.R.U.T.H., one of United States celebrated Christian rappers, will next month perform in Malawi’s commercial capital Blantyre.

The gospel lyricist, born Emanuel Lee Lambert Jr., is on an African Tour from 8-25 February and among other countries, he will hold live concerts in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa.

Nyasa Times has learnt that in Malawi, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. is scheduled to perform live on the afternoon of 17th February at College of Medicine Sports Complex in the commercial city.

The Malawi concert is being facilitated by I.D Projects, a media and events management company based in Blantyre, who confirmed the news.

Da_ T.R.U.T.H. on an African Tour. Photo by 1800gospel.com

The firm’s Lusayo Mhango, though saying it was too early to divulge more information, said “The rumour is true. The venue and dates [have been] confirmed”.

A 2007 to 2010 Stellar Award winner for Rap/hi-hop Gospel CD of the Year as well as Grammy award nominee, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. has performed before millions as a rapper and urban missionary since the age of 16.

The rapper, who has toured with Kirk Franklyn and Mary Mary, is set to release his 6th album titled Love, Hope, War.

“He will be touring Africa following the release of his latest album Love, Hope, War on 29th January 2013,” said Mhango.

Da’ T.R.U.T.H. will be the sixth renowned U.S. Christian rapper to visit Malawi in two years after Lecrae, Flame, Trip Lee, Tedashii and KB also performed in the country in 2011 courtesy of I.D. Projects.

I.D. Projects has also worked with Malawi’s own artists among them Wambali Mkandawire and Gospel, among others.

Academic and rights activist Dr  Jessie Kabwila-Kapasula says she is set to travel from the old capital Zomba  to Blantyre to take part in Thursday’s consumers’ demonstrations to protest a harsh economic environment.

Consumers watchdog, the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama), has organized the demonstrations which largely seek to push President Joyce Banda’s administration to reverse economic problems facing Malawians mainly because of devaluation and floatation of Malawi Kwacha.

Kabwila, a University of Malawi professor at Chancellor College in the eastern city of Zomba.  told Nyasa Times that she will lead a grouping of about 40 people from the eastern City of Zomba who have so far officially registered to accompany her to Blantyre for the protests.

“People who have contacted me so far are about 40 who are willing to travel to Blantyre, but there were so many people who have come asking that we should do it here in Zomba because they really wanted Zomba the place where the president comes from to register their concerns,” she said.

Jessie Kabwila: Ready for demos

She said they could not hold protests in Zomba because they have not yet taken permission from police and city officials.

Kabwila, who championed the academic fight during the late president Bingu wa Mutharika’s administration, said she can’t wait taking part in Thursday’s demonstrations considering problems which Malawians are facing.

“It’s demonstrating about the pain I am feeling because of devaluation what I can assure you is that, for me, whether there is a group or not I will be demonstrating on Thursday,” said the fearless activist.

“I don’t think it takes a rocket scientist to see that Malawians are suffering under this economy. It doesn’t need an experiment in a lab, it is obvious. Just go into any shop just go anywhere and ask Malawians they will tell you that things si zilibwino (are not well)”.

She says those who are pulling out from the protests need to ask themselves whether they are giving up on what Malawians are feeling because, she says, the reality of the matter is that organizers need to stand up for what citizens are going through.

“And given my history, you know where I am coming from in terms of academic freedom saga. There were people who were leaving it, there were people who were going on the radio saying they did not stand for it but that did not stop us, we continued and we won.”

However, she was cautious commenting on bribery allegations on some organizers of the January 17 protests saying some people have a tendency of accusing organizers of various demonstrations of being bribed in one way or another without justification.

“If people say they have been bribed, I was also accused of the same thing when I was standing for academic freedom. I think Malawians need to understand that as citizens we have come of age we are able to speak our mind without someone paying us anything,” she said.

But Kabwila said it would be very unfortunate if the bribery allegations prove to be true.

“But if those who are leaving the demonstrations are being bribed. I think it is very unfortunate for people to come and try making names out of poor people.”

Kabwila asked the government to respond positively to the issues raised in the petition they are expected to present to them on Thursday.

She said if government will not listen, the consumers will reconvene to decide the way forward.

“But I would like to think that we are dealing with the government that is a listening government; that understands that it is the government that was put on trust by Malawians. So if Malawians say we are not happy with this part, they have to understand.”

State-funded Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has since asked government to desist from preventing people from participating in the demonstrations.

Cama executive director John Kapito said the organisers have actively engaged the police to ensure peaceful demonstrations.

And Malawi Police Service (MPS) national spokesperson Rhoda Manjolo said the police were already working hand in hand with the organisers as well as district commissioners to ensure that the demonstrations are peaceful and lawful.

Among other things, the consumers’ grievances include a demand for a reversal of the floatation of the kwacha; sale of the presidential jet and Mercedes Benz vehicles for ministers; reduction in the presidential convoy, minimising presidential and ministerial travels both local and international, the bloated cabinet; checking corruption and the declaration of assets by the President.

Football Association of Malawi  (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu has said fired Malawi national football coach, Kinnah Phiri remains the country’s  football legend.

FAM terminated Kinnah’s  services last weekend.

The 58-year-old has paid the price after leading the Southern Africans into a string of uninspiring performances, the latest their 3-1 humiliation by Bafana Bafana.

“The poor run of results was of great concern and we could no longer maintain his services because there was no end in sight,” said Nyamilandu.

Nyamilandu: Kinnah legend

“The statistics speak for themselves. We all kept living against hope that we would turn the corner, but unfortunately the results were not forthcoming,” said Nyamilandu as quoted by The Nation.

He said “it would have been a great injustice to continue with him when the working environment was becoming too hostile and when trouble was brewing. So, we had to intervene and save the situation.”

Nyamilandu nonetheless pointed out that Kinnah “ is not entirely to blame” for Malawi’s poor results, saying “ the insufficient funding by Malawi Government was not helping the cause either”.

FAM president said Kinnah will remain “a legend “ for having guided Malawi to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2010.

Malawi Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jennifer Chilunga  has turned downed an invitation from Youths to officially open a week they have dedicated to remind government of the disastrous consequences Malawi will encounter if the current practices in the 55,000 hectare Chikangawa forest plantation go unchecked.

While 20,000 hectares of the 55 000 hectares forest is now under the concessionary arrangement with Raiply and seems to be well managed, the 35,000 hectares left in the hands of government is heading for extinction, the youth claimed.

The plantation is one major economic project for the Malawi’s agro-based economy through its local supply and export of timber and other value-added products.

Originally meant to be a paper project, the forest reserve supplies Malawi and her neighbors with timber, and various value-added products such as household furniture, ply woods, shutter ply and block boards, air-dry timber, cured dry timber.

Dubbed ‘Youths for green Malawi: Chikangawa, our economic treasure’ the week will run from 28th January to 4th February 2013. And activities lined up for the week include; Replanting deforested sections of the plantation , Stakeholders Engagement meetings, Environmental Open Day (Education and awareness campaign) and live public debate on radio.

Chilunga demanded fuel from Lilongwe to Chikangawa and allowances  all amounting to MK200,000 for her participation.

But the organizers Mzuzu based Youth and Society, who are struggling to raise funds to meet the total budget of activities planned at MK700,000 described the ministers demands as ‘absurd’.

Youth and Society Chairperson Charles Kajoloweka expressed ignorance over the minister’s demand’s but Nyasa Times sources in the organization confirmed the development.

Ironically, Chikangawa forest and all other forests in Malawi fall under her ministry.

“The rate at which Chikangawa forest is being unduly destroyed calls for immediate civil and political action.  There is need to reverse the situation now,” Kajoloweka said in statement released this week.

Kajoloweka said despite the economic benefits realized from the Plantation - the forest is at the edge of collapse due to wanton and unchecked deforestation.

Jennifer Chilunga : Need allowances and fuel to attend

“The Forest is being eaten away and there seem little or no solution in sight to save it from extinction. While hundreds of hectares are harvested annually, replanting is disproportionately done on very small scale. According to reports, in a good day, a licence holder can do 150 planks of different sizes per day, which are around 80 to 90 trees.

“There are more than 200 licence holders plying timber businesses in Chikangawa plantation. Wild and uncontrolled fires are also a common sight. In addition, the plantation only gets K15 million budgetary allocation against its annual budget of about K80 million to replant a thousand hectares of trees,” he explained.

I see organizations, fellow activists saying they will not demonstrate on the 17^th of January, 2013. I WILL, come thunder come sunshine, I WILL exercise my constitutional right and most of all, I want to show that the devaluation and floatation of the kwacha is negatively impacting my life, NDIKUMVA KUWAWA.

Devaluation/Floatation and the woman condition

What happens to the kwacha, the strength or weakness of the kwacha is an issue of great concern to a feminist like me. Amongst one of the many reasons is the fact that women are the majority of poor people in Malawi. Our role in the home and society, make us the first port of calling when a person is hungry, be it is yourself, child, husband, brother, grandparent or cousin or whatever relation one can think. We are expected to find and prepare food for the family. In fact, the ability to do that often defines our identity not only as women but good ones. It does not need a rocket scientist to see that current state, the falling of the value of the Malawi kwacha, is making commodities and services expensive everyday. For many women and men in Malawi, life is very hard, basic necessities are increasingly expensive.

Jessie Kabwila- Kapasula: CODESRIA role

Electricity and Fuel Price Hikes

For Malawians who use electricity, just a glance at your December bill will show you that it has gone up tremendously. Now, there is talk of fuel going up again given the change in how we are to pay for the motor vehicle license and the automatic price adjustment mechanism. Increases in the cost of electricity and fuel, push prices of goods and services, making life very hard for the consumer.

Increase Interest Rates?

Many women and poor men depend on bank loans to do small businesses. I have recently heard of arguments that point at an increase in bank interest rates as a way for our economy to recover. Even though I am not an economist, I wonder how increasing the amount at which a poor person borrows and services a loan can be a way to recover. To me, it sounds more of an impediment, a fast way to stop people from getting the loans and increasing defaulters, rather than being a route to growth and development.

What is our Kwacha floating on?

I find the concept of floating our kwacha equally astounding and troubling. Once again, I am not an economist but what happens to the kwacha, as a Malawian, consumer and woman, concerns me. Therefore, I will question this concept from a layperson’s perspective. I know that for something to float, it needs to float on something or else it falls. Arguments advanced so far do not show that we have the necessary weight to float on. If we do not have foreign reserves to defend the kwacha, what exactly are we ‘floating’ on? For a swimmer to float, they should be able to defend themselves from those things that want to sink it, from opportunistic diseases or infections that can weaken the swimmer, as they try to float. If the Malawi economy is the swimmer, I am yet to be convinced that it has the ability to defend itself.

Please End the Floatation

As long as the Malawi Kwacha is weakening, commodities will be expensive. We need to be careful that what we are calling the short term pains of a boil, are not signs of the swimmer getting tired of trying to float and sinking. We should be careful that what we are calling a boil is actually not the beginning of a cancerous sore.

If the current impacts of devaluation and floatation are short term pains, are we sure our economy is not short term in character and therefore cannot plough through the intense shock treatment it is receiving. Instead of shocking the patient back to life, we might severely shock the patient to death.

After all, if a patient is very ill and dying of starvation, do you prescribe a heavy meal and strong intoxicating drink all at once? If one does that to a person about to die of starvation, you will surely kill them. What are calling short term pangs that must be persevered, could be signs that the patient is suffocating and about to die. For the sake of poor people who are suffering very severely from the increase in prices of commodities and services, please end this floatation of the kwacha.

January 17 2013 Demonstrations

It is for the reasons advanced above that come rain or sunshine, I will be illustrating, demonstrating the pain I am feeling from the devaluation and floatation of the Kwacha January 17^th, 2013. It is my hope that by demonstrating, I will be advancing a dialogue on this issue, helping to construct a language that says aMalawi tikuvutika, tikumva kuwawa. The more the better, alone or with company, I will be demonstrating January 17^th 2013. 

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki on Wednesday described the relationship between Malawi and Kenya as very strong historical dating back to the late Dr. Kamuzu Banda era.

Kibaki made the remarks at Civic Centre in Lilongwe after the Lilongwe City Council conferred him citizen of the city status a few minutes after his arrival in the country through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) for a two-day State visit.

The Kenyan President said he, together with other Africans was greatly inspired by Dr. Kamuzu Banda in the United Kingdom where the Africans implored the Malawi founder to come home and lead his people to freedom from colonialism.

“The relationship between Malawi and Kenya is very beautiful and as far as I can remember it was when I was studying economics in the United Kingdom that I visited Dr. Kamuzu Banda as a student,” said Kibaki, adding, “And because he had displayed a passion to liberate his people, we all encouraged him to go home and led the country.”

President Mrs Joyce Banda and President Mwai Kibaki receiving the Guard of Honor at Kamuzu international Airport soon after arrival. pic by Felix Washon, Mana.

President Kibaki said he felt greatly honored to be in the country to visit President Joyce Banda before he leaves office in two months to come.

He said Kenya had always been friendly to all the past regimes in Malawi and that the east African country would strengthen her ties even more with President Joyce Banda’s regime.

“We want to develop closer relationship and understanding with Malawi and I want you all to understand that every one of us here will take home the great honor and prestige you have accorded us,” said Kibaki gesturing to the delegation that accompanied him.

President Kibaki is scheduled to hold talks with President Banda, he will also meet Kenyans leaving in Malawi among other things.

President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya inspecting the guard of honor mounted by the Malawi Defence Force. pic by Felix Wahon. Mana

President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya receiving the certificate of free person in the city of Lilongwe from Acting Chief Executive of LL City – pic by Lisa Vintulla

The government has officially apologised to the citizens for the countrywide power blackout on Tuesday night.

Malawi’s Energy minister Ibrahim Matola  said the power blackout was caused by “technical problem” that supplied power supply across  the entire  electrified part of the country.

Matola said the government was “deeply sorry “ for the power outage.

Meanwhile, Malawi government has confirmed that it has amended the electricity deal with Mozambique to create a “win-win” situation for both countries.

Matola: Offers an apology

Malawi’s secretary for energy, Winford Masanjala, confirmed that in the new deal both countries can either import or export to each other depending on excess power.

Under the previous deal, Malawi was only allowed to import electricity from Mozambique but not export the same if it had excess power.

Currently Malawi is unable to export power because it has a deficit in its generation capacity. The country’s demand stands at 300 megawatts against production of 200 megawatts.

Both Malawi and Mozambique are members of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), a cooperation of the national electricity companies in Southern Africa under the auspices of SADC.

The members of SAPP have created common power grid between their countries and a common market for electricity in the SADC region.