Blantyre United resurrected from their embarrassingly 5-0 loss to champions Silver Strikers some weeks to defeat Azam Tigers in match played before an almost empty Kamuzu Stadium on Friday.

The game itself was dull, characterized by aerial balls.

Blantyre United, also popularly known as ‘Mphembedzu’  who were missing the services of their hit-man Brown Mizeyi , who is nursing an injury  left the spectators with many questions as they failed to play their usual entertaining  football .

Second half started on a high note s barely 20 seconds from the kick-off, Tizgowere Kumwenda’s
counter attack after Tigers defenders lost possession gave him a chance to dribble Kondwani Lufeyo before releasing a beauty into Tigers net.

Azam Tigers players dejected after their defeat…Photo Jeromy Kadewere

The goal resulted in Tigers coach Leo Mpulula to watch most part for the proceedings on the touch line trying to pep-talk his players and lift them but it paid no dividends.

Mpulura, who accepted their defeat, blamed his striking force for being too much respectful to the opposite side.

Blantyre United coach Elijah Kananji said he was delighted with the win, saying though they are not in contention for the title, a respectable third place with be good news for them.

United only needs a point in their Saturday’s encounter against EPAC FC for them to finish the 2012-2013 TNM Super League season on the third position.

One could think that Abraham Kamwendo is punching his opponent…..Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Sparrow Msowoya showing some skillls….Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Blantyre United coach Elijah Kananji : OK weith third position..Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Azam Tigers bench comprised of Leo Mpulura, Macdonald Yobe and Abambo Robin Alufandika….Photo Jeromy Kadewere

The K4 million First Merchant Bank (FMB)  Under-20 Football Cup will kick-off on March 2, 2013 in all the three regions of the country with an expectation to unearth hidden talent from the youths.

This was disclosed by vice general secretary for National Youth Football Committee Thokozani Chimbali on Friday, February 22, 2013 during the cup draw, which was conducted at BAT Ground in the commercial city of Malawi, Blantyre.

Chimbali said the  cup is expected is to help in  unearthing hidden talent of boys in districts as the cup will be competed with teams from Dedza, Zomba, Nkhata-bay, Mzuzu, Lilongwe and  Blantyre.

“It is our aim that at the end of this tournament we should identify youngsters who can be incorporated in our Junior Flames. We have many hidden talent in our districts and with the FMB Cup we are hopeful that it will help in exposing  many talent,” said Chimbali.

The FMB Bank Cup will unearth hidden talent….says Thokozani Chimbali

Chimbali also clarified on why they have introduced  the cup  despite FMB National Regional Youth Leagues.

“ The money which we were supposed to use last year for FMB Bank League is the one we have used for this cup since last year we failed to launch the league due to the death of  President
Bingu wa Mutharika.”

The Cup, which is expected to wrap-up on April 6, 2013 will comprise of 16 teams from each region on a knock-out basis before the quarter finals.

Chimbali said for the winner on the district level will receive K100, 000 with the loosing finalists receiving K50, 000 while for the regional champions they will smile all the way to the bank to pocket
K200, 000.

Man of the match on regional level will be assured of getting K15, 000.

However, teams from the Southern region can as well start preparations following Friday’s draw which were Griffin Youngsters being paired with Mtopwa Super Pirates while Namiwawa will date Golden Boys.

The Following is the FMB Bank Under-20 Draw:

1.      Griffin Youngsters vs Mtopwa Super Pirates.
2.      Sporting Leopards vs Bangwe Babies.
3.       Namiwawa vs Golden Boys.
4.      Acuadi vs Kangaroo.
5.      Wanderers Youth vs Malani.
6.      Mpanje vs St Andrews.
7.      Izi Izo vs Nswalamba FC.
8.      Chitawira Rangers vs Black Spiders.
QUARTER FINALS
A.Game 8 vs Game 7
B.Game 2 vs Game 3.
C.Game 6 vs Game 5.
D.Game 1 vs Game 4.
SEMI-FINALS
-Game C VS B
-Game A VS D.

During the FMB Under 20 draw at BAT….Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Some of the representatives from the teams during the draw….Photo Jeromy Kadewere

The sponsor of Mtopwa Super Pirates reacting to the draw….Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Youth and Society, a local NGO, has bemoaned government’s negligence in dealing with pertinent issues rocking Mzuzu University (Mzuni) saying its continued passive role does not only frustrate service delivery but also diminishes the confidence the citizens have in the Presidency.

President Dr. Joyce Banda is Mzuni Chancellor by virtue of being the Head of State.

“We note with great concern that…there has been very little political will from government to help the institution,” Youth and Society said in a statement co-signed by Board Chairperson Emily Mkamanga and Executive member Timothy Kumwenda.

Mzuni annually needs MK2.5 billion for its full operations but gets MK1.5 billion instead.

President Banda, Chancellor of Mzuni

“We are shocked to note that Mzuni continues to get a meager and constant budgetary allocation since 2008 despite tremendous growth and numerous economic changes that have taken place,” Youth and Society said.

Mzuni Council’s conduct

The Youth body also bemoaned the under par conduct of the Mzuzu University Council headed by Professor Brown Chimphamba for its failure to provide prudent leadership and direction.

“We are dazed by developments that have stalled the recruitment of the Vice Chancellor allegedly due to breach of recruitment procedure by the Council. We condemn the Council’s failure to competently conduct the recruitment process to fill the position of the Vice Chancellor.

The Council deliberately lied to President Banda that the statutory process it conducted to identify the Vice Chancellor was faulty because no candidate was successful.

But interview results conducted on 28th March, 2012, indicates that a clear winner emerged in the name of Associate Professor Golden Msilimba and there is documentary evidence that the Council unanimously agreed to endorse Msilimba to the President as the new Vice Chancellor.

“We would like to call upon the Council to quickly resolve the differences that have rocked the recruitment of the Vice Chancellor by ensuring that efficiency, transparency, fairness and justice is observed in the recruitment process,” reads the statement in part.

Call for new Council

Youth and Society has since asked government to consider that Council members serve for a fixed number of years and not any open term as is the case now.

“This will help to inject fresh accepted wisdom into the university’s leadership. Some members have been Council members for almost a decade, a situation that has brought laxity and inefficiency,” it said.

They singled out Prof Chimphamba and Mzuzu Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Boss Harriosn Kalua as some of the Council members dragging Mzuni down because they have been in Council for as long as the existence of Mzuni.

Similarly, last month, the Civil Society Education Coalition (CSEC) did not mince words. It asked President Banda to immediately reconstitute the Mzuzu University Council saying the path of policy direction that the Council is taking, is by all measure vindicative of its failure to practice good governance.

“Why should the Council be so mean as to allow the university to run without the Vice Chancellor for three years? Mzuni Council, amidst all the developments, can only be said to have lost direction which unfortunately compromises the provision of quality education at the institution,” CSEC Executive director Benedict Kondowe.

Government seriousness needed

The Youth body said unless serious steps are taken to address numerous issues rocking Mzuni, students’ education rights cannot be guaranteed and the institution cannot meet its reason for existence in a manner expected by the general public.

“We would like to call upon government to critically consider the current plight of Mzuzu University and make necessary decisions including increasing budgetary allocation to Mzuzu University, and strengthen the University leadership,” it further said.

The organization then called upon students and student leadership to guard against any violation of their education rights in any form and hold the system accountable.

“Student’s education rights at the University continue to be under serious threat in the face of weak University leadership and lack of sound political will from the political leadership.

“We are aware of the unusual and unjustified seven months vacation Mzuni students were given allegedly due to financial crisis currently facing the University despite the university not being transparent about it. We are also aware of the dwindling welfare of both students and lecturers at Mzuni which has harsh bearing on the quality of education,” said Youth and Society.

Last year the Mzuzu High Court stopped Chimphamba from head hunting for a Vice Chancellor after he also deliberately disregarded interview results conducted on 28th March, 2012.

“It is evident from the actions of Mzuni Council especially the Chairperson, Prof Brown Chimphamba that the issue at hand is not about the competence of the candidates. I suspect that the Council might have its own favored candidate whom perhaps the eminent panel for the interviews did not even invite or that the person performed badly.

“The argument about the interviews using wrong methodology lacks substance to mention the least as the Council should have known which methodology was appropriate for the interviews way before interviews were conducted.” Kondowe said.

Judicial review

But Msilimba is also unrelenting; he is again seeking relief from the Court in the form of a judicial review to force Mzuni to pick the statutory process of the selection of VC from where it was left to its finality.

In a notice of application for judicial review filed at the Mzuzu High Court, Msilimba argues that the decision of Mzuzu in delegating the powers to decide on re-advertisement of the post of VC to the President is a clear abdication of duty of Mzuni under the Mzuzu University Act.

Msilimba wants to the Court to declare that Mzuni decisions be declared unlawful, unconstitutional, unreasonable and procedurally improper.

Nomadic politician Gwanda Chakuamba has hit back at Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president John Tembo’s refusal to accept him rejoin the party after dissing him that he is a political vagabond.

Chakuamba announced Thursday that he has rejoined MCP, a party he ditched in 2004 following leadership disputes in the party to form the Republican Party

But Tembo said he would not welcome Chakuamba back in the MCP fold, saying he is a vagabond “who will never change.”

However, Chauamba shot back:“I am not a vagabond and I will not be.”

Gwanda: I am not vagabond

Chakuamba stressed that he was returning to MCP, the party he was led and represented in a presidential elections.

He said: “I am joining MCP as an ordinary member.”

“I am free to join a party of my choice that is MCP,” said Chakuamba.

Chakuamba, who has lost his political clout because of his unstable political stand, claimed he has eased to be a member of his New Republican Party.

Many political observers said, Chakuamba is now a “political spent force” and is reducing himself as a “mercenary”.

He used to command respect in the Lower Shire but now is no longer influential in the area as Sidik Mia, is now the strongman there.

Neurologist George Nga Ntafu, who dumped the former ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) has snubbed the offer to join the New Labour Party (NLP) and joined  the ruling People’s Party (PP) instead.

NLP is led by former UDF members Friday Jumbe, Sam Mpasu and Joseph Kubwalo.

The invited Ntafu to join their party, but he has snubbed them opting to join PP. Jumbe’s party is said to be a party working for PP as well.

According to PP general secretary Henry Chibwana, Ntafu’s presence at the party’s functions is “revealing” that he has joined it.

“His presence alone tells a story,” said

Mtafu: Of the infamous ‘Agalu Inu’ remarks

Ntafu himself confirmed that he could not the Jumbe party.

While in UDF, Ntafu and Jumbe were in different factions.

Ntafu led a faction which propelled Atupele Muluzi as the presidential candidate in 2014.

He at one point overthrew Jumbe as UDF acting leader, a move that was declared a “failed coup d’état”.

Jumbe’s faction then also elected former Vice-President Cassim Chilumpha as its national chairman. But the reticent law scholar, who is currently parliamentarian for the central district of Nkhota Kota, dumped UDF and joined PP where he was duly elected at the convention as its vice president.

Political commentators  argue that  Ntafu’s political career was soiled  after  his brief exclamation in Parliament: ‘Agalu inu!” (when he asking his colleagues, whom he labelled as dogs, to lend him an ear in a heated argument).

Malawi’s opposition People’s Progressive Movement (PPM) president Mark Katsonga has called for an immediate resignation of President Joyce Banda and her administration to make way for early elections.

Katsonga told a news conference in Blantyre on Friday that President Banda could not go up to next year’s polls at the rate she was going, saying she should negotiate with other political parties to form a “genuine government of national unity” other than waiting for a total collapse of government.

He was commenting on the end of a two-week old civil servants strike after government on Thursday bowed down to demands to raise its workers’ salaries by 61 percent.

Katsonga said government need to explain how the pay increase will be financed because earlier Minister of Finance, Ken Lipenga had issued a statement that government will collapse if they were to meet the pay hike demands by the workers.

Katsonga: Demands President Joyce Bandat’s resignation.

“It is either the honourable Minister was lying to the nation or the administration has decided to slump Malawi into a state of bankruptcy, either of which is unacceptable. Malawians therefore deserve an elaborate clarification as to the management of this extra funding because it was the same Minister who also lied to the nation of the MRA scam,” said Katsonga.

He was referring to the time Lipenga oversaw the exaggeration of revenue figures under the Bingu wa Mutharika administration during the infamous zero-deficit budget.  He was in-charge when budget director Dr. Dalitso Kabambe ordered the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) to borrow K15 billion from local commercial banks and pretend it is government tax revenue.

As Finance Minister, Lipenga went ahead to lie to Parliament and the whole country that the weird zero-deficit budget was working but he was only exonerated by “a sham of an investigation”  headed by Vice-President Khumbo Kachali and comprised other Cabinet members  such as Lipenga’s immediate predecessor, Ken Kandodo.

And on Monday, Lipenga said government could ill afford the demanded salary increase for civil servants as meeting their current demands would see the wage bill jump by 200 percent from the current K92 billion (about $269.4 million) to K276 billion (about $766.7 million).

Katsonga said basing on Lipenga’s statement, it was proper for government to step down and call for early general elections  or else government of national unity be formed before things get out of hands.

He went further stating that the recent industrial unrest by civil servants was a clear sign of a vote of no confidence to the People’s Party administration.

“It will not be a misrepresentation to state that Malawian workers are not the most aggressive in this part of the world, and when they react in the way they have done over the period under review it signals serious wake-up call to all people in authority in the running of government in this warm Heart of Africa,” said Katsonga.

The PPM president also commented on reports that police in Lilongwe and the commercial capital of Blantyre used tear gas to break up demonstrations by hundreds of school children.

The students, from public primary and secondary schools, had gone two weeks without attending classes following the public workers’ strike.

“PPM would like to warn the government that such government negligence is so unacceptable that all Malawians are now saying enough is enough,” he said.

Katsonga also attacked President Banda for leaving the country to attend a summit in Equatorial Guinea while the country was at a standstill with the civil servants strike.

“We have seen heads of state cancelling whole trips or withdrawing from trips abroad in order to attend to issues of national concern. We think our president’s decision to leave for the Equatorial Guinea at this time was not appropriate and a clear manifestation of her disregard for the welfare of Malawians,” said Katsonga.

He said leaving the country at a time there was a crisis with about three quarters of the civil servants on strike, was the last thing the President should have done.

But President Banda justified her three-day trip, saying it is going to improve the bilateral relations between African and South American countries.

PPM President Mark Katsonga addressing members of the press…Photo Jeromy Kadewere

PPM Executive Members with their President Mark Katsonga posing for Nyasa Times after the press conference…Photo Jeromy Kadewere

Minister of Sports and Youth Enock Chihana has edged different sports bodies in the country to have strategic plans that can help guide their operations.

The minister made the remarks in Lilongwe on Friday night when he presided over the official launch of the Malawi Olympic Committee’s strategic plan at the Presidential Hotels.

Chihana said, “It is important that all sports bodies in the country should have strategic plans. We have seen different sports discipline in the country fail to implement their plans because they lack focus in their operations.”

He added, “My ministry endorses the strategic plan. It is a historical day for sports in the country. It shows MOC’s dreams that requires struggle, vision and commitment to achieve.”

Chihana: With Malawian olympians

The minister therefore edged all MOC affiliates to make the plan work by putting in effort so that the objectives are met.

“This is a plan for a better future of Malawi sports. But this plan can only work if we work hard and everyone involved in sports is committed to achieving their goals,” Chihana said.

In his remarks, MOC President Oscar Kanjala called on targeted support to various sporting disciplines.

He said, “I would like to appeal to all the corporate world and sponsors to have targeted areas to support and also assist the communities within their sponsorship because if the community is happy, sports development can be easily achieved.”

The strategic plan has six key focus areas namely; Governance, Sports development, Marketing and communication, Organisational service delivery, Olympic legacy and lastly Financial sustainability.

It is aimed at guiding MOC’s operations ahead of the Commonwealth games in Glasgow, Scotland and the 2016 Olympic games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil with the aim of achieving podium positions.

Executive Director for the Malawi Health Equity network (MHEN) Martha Kwataine has suggested that it would be proper if Malawians started paying for the provision of health service in the country in order to improve on its delivery.

Kwataine said this on Thursday in Lilongwe during a public debate which was aimed at exploring and discussing several challenges that the health delivery system is currently facing in the country owing to the changes in the political, socio and economic landscape in the past twelve months.

“In the pursuit of our mission and among other interventions, we engage policy and decision makers in dialogue. This dialogue is constantly made public so that the citizenry can effectively participate in issues that affect their lives,” said Kwataine.

During the public debate several observations were made as being the main challenges hindering effective health service delivery in the country and they included poor management of the Locum programme, inadequate budget allocation to the health sector, drug pilferage and neighbouring countries taking advantage of our free health services in the country.

Kwataine: Health services should be paid for

“Apparently, despite of all the various interventions in place, it is clear that our health delivery system is still challenged. Government through the Ministry of Health is making efforts but then it is never enough as their resource base looks strained so many times therefore the need for Malawians to start paying for these services,” said Kwataine during the debate.

Official reports indicate that the instability of drug supply at country health facilities is resultant of influx of patients from neighbouring accessing free drugs at the health centres, who run away from paying for medicine at the public health facilities in their countries .

“During a recent visit to Nsanje District Hospital,for example, it was indicated that 40 percent of patients that access health care in the district are Mozambicans. While the ministry of Health is accepting this observation, they are blaming the memorandum of understanding which is in favour of the neighbouring countries,” said Kwataine.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Health Henry Chimbali who was also part of the debate said as a Ministry they plan and do the allocations but they do not provide the funding themselves so it is difficult for them.

“We have tried to hit the 13 percent mark out of the intended 15percent on the budget allocations but still it is never enough. Further to that, the disease outbreaks we experience within the year and the clearing of our debts contributes to the worsening of the deficit in the funding of the health sector,” said Chimbali.

Since the debate also questioned the functionality of Central Medical Stores Trust (CMSTU) which was given a new mandate and independent powers in 2011 to procure and supply drugs for almost all health facilities in the country, the trust had to respond as to why it was still failing to have the required number of drugs in its stocks.

Public relations officer for the CMSTU Hebert Chandilanga while admitting capacity challenges, assured Malawians that the process of procuring drugs was already underway and that some consignments had already arrived in the country and were being distributed to various health facilities in the country.

“Malawians should bear with us that it is not an easy task but we can assure them that we are doing our utmost and we will continue to do so. They are some laws which need to change to suit our current status as a trust for us to perform as per requirement. We also need to make sure that the staff we have has the necessary skills to perform their duties as custodians of drugs,” said Chandilanga.

Also present during the debate were Executive Director for Malawi Network of People Living with HIV (MANET PLUS) Safali Mbewe and President for the National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives (NONM) Abraham Gama.

Firebrand politician Brown James Mpinganjira, fondly known as BJ, took Mulanje district by storm on Friday when thousands of jubilating ruling People’s Party (PP) supporters gave him a rapturous welcome at his Chisitu base.

Mpinganjira, who has lately taken a low profile following his shocking defeat at the PP elective conference last year, was making a return to his home area in what he described as part of series of rallies he has lined up in a bid to strengthen the ruling party in Lomwe belt.

The Lhomwe belt which covers Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Phalombe and Mulanje is widely regarded as the bedrock of former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

BJ, a former legislator of Mulanje central constituency where he served for 15 years is one of the founding members of PP.

Brown Mpinganjira addressing the crowds in Mulanje

Speaking at the party’s Chisitu offices, Mpinganjira told hundreds that the administration of president Banda is implementing the Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) which was put in place to ease Malawians from hard economic woes.

“My beloved brothers and sisters we have been together from the time of Kamuzu, Bakili, Bingu and now Joyce Banda. We are all old enough to know what the three leaders did in terms of developments. We gave Kamuzu 31 years, Muluzi 10 full years and Bingu did his eight years in office.

“I’m glad to tell you people of Mulanje that among the leaders we have had it is Joyce Banda who has the interest of people here at heart.

“Imagine in less than 6 months into office she initiated the construction of the maternal shelter wing at the district hospital for the sake of our pregnant mothers. This simply demonstrated that the president’s heart is close to the people here,” explained Mpinganjira who was flanked by PP’s southern region campaign director a Mr. Mkwamba.

He also said it is President Banda who came to their rescue with maize relief which he personally has been distributing together with Traditional Authority Chikumbu.

On 2014 polls, Mpinganjira a one-time-star-performing cabinet minister during Bakili Muluzi’s time said it will be primitive and retrogressive to democracy for Malawians to be thinking of political dynasty.

Although he did not mention names, but it was evident from the onset that he was referring to the cases of Peter Mutharika and Atupele Muluzi who both are members from two former ruling families.

“If politics was about members of one or two families ruling this country then by now we would still have had a member from Kamuzu Banda family as president. But the reason some of us championed democracy was because we wanted to diversify the political system so that leaders are chosen on merit,” lamented Mpinganjira.

He added: “As a democrat and as somebody who fought against one party rule I will never sink so low to support any politician who pursues political dynasty agenda. In Malawi today we’re blessed to have Joyce Banda who is one of our own. She knows what poverty and suffering is all about, that’s the leader I will support and I humbly urge all of you to do the same.”

Analysts have observed that the 2014 battle will be very crucial especially if DPP’s Mutharika is allowed to sweep votes in the highly populated Lomwe belt.

During the mass rally, Mpinganjira handed out party materials to 30 area committees comprised of 128 members each.

Mpinganjira: Addressing PP supporters

Regional Campaign director Mkwamba adressing the crowd

Part of the crowd that attended Mpinganjira’s rally

AIDS-ravaged Malawi, where over a tenth of the population is HIV positive, records on average 1,000 new cases weekly, a top government official said Saturday.

“It?s a great concern to us that despite efforts by government to prevent HIV and AIDS, the country continues to register about 1,000 new cases of HIV every week,” Edith Mkawa, a senior health ministry secretary in charge of nutrition, HIV and AIDS, told reporters.

“The number is very high. It is frustrating the fight against HIV pandemic,” she said.

Mkawa said Malawi, where 11.8 percent of the 14 million citizens are HIV positive, “needs urgent action to attain zero new HIV infections.”

People “are not changing their behaviours. These behaviours are fuelling the spread of HIV at an alarming rate.”

The southern African nation has 350,000 people receiving free anti-retroviral drugs, up from 5,000 in 2004.

Malawi President Joyce Banda and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Peter Mwanza have said there is insufficient maize in the country, a situation that is making life hard for people both in the rural and urban areas.

President Banda told reporters at Sanjika Palace on Saturday that the country has no enough maize.

“Let me put it on record that there is hunger in Malawi. I’m the President and I know what I’m talking about,” said President Banda.

“The only problem is that some selfish individuals are busy buying the maize from Admarc depots and later sell it at higher price, to me these are the people who have aggravated the spiraling maize prices,” explained Banda.

The President also refused to take any blame for the soaring prices of maize in the country saying it is some unscrupulous traders who are taking advantage of the situation to reap off poor Malawians.

Mwanza  also said the state grain marketer, ADMARC; do not have enough staple food maize, which people grind to prepare their meals.

“Government has decided to draw down maize from strategic grain reserves to help support the vulnerable families,” Mwanza is quoted by the official Malawi News Agency as saying.

However, in January the Minister Mwanza was quoted on Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) saying Malawi had adequate maize stocks to take the country to the next harvest season.

Mwanza: Most ADMARC depots have no maize

He indicated that the government has already started sending some maize bags to ADMARC depots.

“Our aim is to ensure that consumers will acquire the maize for their families and feed them up the next harvest season,” explained Mwanza.

He however condemned traders who he said go to buy maize at ADMARC and subsequently export it.

“We rely on maize that is grown in the country so for people to sell maize outside the country while others are suffering is bad. That is why government banned exporting maize grain,” said Mwanza.

Mwanza said the prevailing maize situation in country, ADMARC officials allow consumers to get maize in small quantities to ensure that many households are able to buy some of it.

Government has released 47,000 metric tonnes of maize from strategic grain reserves to help reduce the cases of maize shortage, at the value of $11.6 million which is about MK4.18 billion.

Presiden Banda during her relief food distribution programme to needy households repeatedly said about two million Malawians are facing hunger.

Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (Mvac) projected that 1.9 million Malawians were facing hunger.

Malawi President Joyce Banda  has said she has struck a trade deal with Equatorial Guinea President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo which will see his country importing fresh foods from Malawi.

Speaking during a news conference at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre on Saturday after her arrival from the Equatorial Guinea, President Banda said the foods under the trade deal include tomatoes, cabbages fresh beans and soya beans.

She said she had made the decision after seeing that although Equatorial Guinea is now a rich country it is falling short of agricultural products.

“I told president Mbasogo that since you have already started showing love to us by insisting that we should come here, you should therefore assist Malawi by allowing us to be exporting foods to your country. And he said that there is no problem and that they ready to even buy tomato from us,” Banda said.

The President at new briefing before departure from E. Guinea

She said the move is a step forward towards the country’s effort in seeking other crops that can competitively bring much needed foreign exchange into the county.

Banda says it’s now up to Malawi to solve logistical problems and also see if it has the capacity to meet their demand.

“Once they say we will be coming every week to buy the foods do we have the capacity to supply them? And another problem which we have is that we don’t have direct aero planes that can carry our perishables direct to Equatorial Guinea.”

She however said despite these challenges it’s time for Malawians to start mobilizing horticulture farmers across the country and start supplying them with quality seeds that would produce quality foods to avoid losing already found market.

“We should now start visiting those tomato farmers at Jenda and other areas encouraging them start producing quality agricultural products. Definitely these people will need quality perishables from us because they can even go and buy them from South Africa which is near them but will be buying from us just because they want to assist us. So it’s for us to be supplying quality foods,” she said.

She also said president Mbasogo has asked the Malawi government to organize the centre at which they will be collecting the foods from and that Mbasogo has assured her that he will soon send the delegation to Malawi  to finalize the trade deal.

Meanwhile, according to a communiqué which was read earlier on, the Malawi leader while in Malabo, met with her host Mbasago, as well as leaders and representatives from Brazil, Bolivia, Seychelles and Angola not to mention officials from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

In all the meetings which were held on the sidelines of the 3day summit, the president took the opportunity to explore various areas of interest in order to woo investors.

President Banda also announced that in one of her meetings with her Brazilian opposite number, the two female presidents agreed to go into diplomatic camaraderie and according to the Malawi leader, Brazil would be opening its first ever Embassy in Lilongwe in six months time.

She said a Guinean delegation is also visiting Malawi next month and there are higher possibilities of Malawi exporting fresh foods to the coastal West African state.

President Joyce Banda on arrival at Chileke Aiport

A young Malawian ‘man of God’ has prophesized that an unexpected political party will surprise Malawians by winning next year’s tripartite elections with a landslide victory.

The Lilongwe based Prophet Ernest Scaver of Mount Sermon Ministries says currently people are not giving any chance to the party in question to take the leadership.

“I am seeing a certain party not anticipated by people to take the government,” prophesized the man of God.

Prophet Scaver then called for Malawians to stand united in prayers as the nation braces for the first tripartite elections in just under 12 months.

Prophet Scaver

At the moment, indications are that the governing Peoples Party (PP) will face a daunting challenge from mainly two former ruling parties of Atupele Muluzi (United Democratic Front-UDF) and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) whose interim leader is Peter Mutharika.

Prophet Scaver said God had told him to tell the Malawi Government to do three things so that He can manifest His hand of mercy.

And in a related develeopment Prophet Austin Liabunya has also said  government must confess that God was speaking through His prophets in Malawi and people must respect his prophetic words.

The government, said the prophet, must also organise a special day for national prayers and announce it as a public holiday with only his prophets being invited to lead the gathering.

At the gathering, the Prophet said the Malawi leader shall stand and confess that “Jesus was indeed Lord over Malawi.”

“Lastly Her Excellency President Joyce Banda has to confess that indeed she turned away from God by tolerating evil things to happen in her administration by accepting bad advices and repent so that she can live and be like before when she was evangelizing the Gospel. Let her improve her spiritual life,” explained the prophet.

“Then put this day to be remembered as a public holiday. Everyone should gather every year with all government leaders for national prayers.”

In June 2012, Prophet Scaver also prophesied about the death of mutiny leader in Madagascar and the alliance of political parties against the former government both of which came to pass.

Peoples Party (PP) Vice President Dr Cassim Chilumpha has intensified  quest to build the party’s membership in the central region ahead of next year’s elections.

Chilumpha has been holding political rallies across the region and recruiting members from other political party, to tighten the grip of power for PP and President Joyce Banda in the centre.

Speaking at his recent rally in Lilongwe Area 25 township, Chilumpha, who served as the country’s vice president,  said  Malawians should rally behind PP and President Banda, pointing out that the country is on the verge of economic recovery following the broad measures taken by Banda’s administration.

“Those who doubt this leadership they are the ones who are not for the betterment of this nation. If you can look at things with a sober mind you have to know that the steps taken by this leadership will start to bear fruit very soon. Fuel is now available in most of the pump station as well as many things.

Chilumpha dancing at  one of the central region PP RALLIES

“The President is trying her best, this short period is not enough for all the problems we inherited to vanish. You can’t give Panado to a sick baby and expects the results instantly, but you have to realize
that things are working,” he said to a large crowd that gathered.

Chilumpha was accompanied by George Zulu, PP Director of Campaign Kalazi Mbewe and Parliamentarian Bauleni M’mana who is also Second Deputy Director of Youth in PP among others.

In his remarks, Mbewe said the 2014 elections are not for leadership change but to strengthen PP leadership.

“We should look at the coming elections not to change the current leadership but to give it the required mandate and power to govern this country.

“The directive which our president has taken is for the betterment of this nation, we can’t sacrifice our lives by removing a performing government and go for failures. All we need is give dive
the president the authority to lead us,” he said.

Over the past weeks, Chilumpha, the reticent law scholar who was dropped in Banda’s cabinet, and his central region team has been conducting rallies to strengthen the PP.

President Joyce Banda will from Monday re-launch crop inspection tours which used to be the country’s first head of state Kamuzu Banda’s trade mark in his 31-year reign.

According to a statement issued by State House made available to Nyasa Times, President  Banda will  on Monday undertake the crop inspection and agriculture diversification project tour in the areas of T/A Kapeni and Makata, respectively.

But members of the civil society have warned that although the crop inspection tours are vital in encouraging agriculture, Banda should be cautious and not take advantage of the tours to promote her Peoples Party (PP) using government resources.

State House Press officer, Tusekele Mwanyongo, said in the statement that after inspecting the crops, President Banda will later in the afternoon hold a rally at Mudi primary school ground.

President Banda: Crop inspection

“At Undani village T/A Kapeni the President will inspect groundnuts and sweet potatoes under the Presidential initiative on legumes.

“At Chanika village T/A Makata, she will inspect a farm using inorganic fertilizer under Farm Input subsidy programme and goat production under presidential initiative on small stock,” State House statement said.

Finance Minister Ken Lipenga could not comment when asked if crop inspection tour was budgeted for.

Kamuzu launched the crop inspection tours as a means of encouraging farmers and assess the crop situation in the country.

But after sometime Kamuzu and his Malawi Congress Party (MCP) started using the tours as a political platform and also as a means of fundraising for the party through contribution in form of presents given to  the former leader wherever he went.

Late president Bingu wa Mutharika adopted the crop inspection tours in his first term but later abandoned it.

Executive director of Malawi Watch, Billy Banda said although the crop inspection tours are necessary as they inspire the farmers,  President Banda should strive to draw a line between his party and government to avoid using government resources in the promotion of PP.

The human rights campaigner also observed that the cost of these tours are exorbitant and tend to drain government resources.

Institute for Policy Interaction Executive Director Rafik Hajaj said  crop inspection tours is “job for the minister of agriculture.”

President Banda has  repeatedly said about two million Malawians are facing hunger.

Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (Mvac) projected that 1.9 million Malawians were facing hunger.

Malawi’s top female boxer Agnes Mtimaukanena has successfully defended her World Boxing Forum (WBF) African belt after beating Hapiness Nkhoma in an exciting fight at Nankhaka stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.

Nkhoma made her way into the ring with Zahara’s song  Loliwe blazing through the speakers cheered on by the crowd. Then Mtimaukanena emerged with her coach hoisting her belt high to the sound of Rich Mullins’s Awesome God.

The challenger, Nkhoma started the 10 round title fight with a bang dominating Mtimaukanena in the first round with a carefully thrown jabs leaving the belt holder with a swollen face but Mtimaukanena used her experience to perfection and managed to stay up.

Nkhoma seemed to have used up much of her energy in the first round and the champion hit back from round two as Nkhoma resorted to holding her opponent to get some rest and kill time and had to be warned by referee Jerome Waluza.

Scaling heights: Mtimaukanena pose with her WBF Africa belt after the fight – Pic by Roy Nkosi/Mana

The later rounds were affected by showers but even with a slightly wet surface, none of the boxer seemed to be willing to take advantage and go for the Technical Knock Out.

In the end, Mtimaukanena, Malawi’s first female professional boxer ,won the fight on points. First judge, William Sekeleti called it 99-98 in Nkhoma’s favour, second judge Getrude Sande and third judge Andy Muyaya called the fight in Mtimaukanena’s favour with scores of 100-95 and 100-93 respectively.

Mtimaukanena said, “In boxing you just don’t talk, you fight in the ring. I took time to observe her, she came with the intention of knocking me out in the early rounds, but with the way I prepared for this fight it was not going to happen.”

Nkhoma accepted defeat and acknowledged that Mtimaukanena is the better boxer.

She said, “I have lost to a better boxer, she has lots of experience which she used to her advantage  today. For now, I’ll have to continue my training and look for a re-match.”

In warm up fights, Bright Mdoka beat veteran Perpetual Mkandawire in a technical knockout in the first round while the fight between Osgood Kayuni and Tanzanian Sadik Mumba did not take place.

Former First Lady, Calista Chapola Mutharika, came out of her cocoon and took a swipe on President Joyce Banda, blaming her for ‘grossly’ failing to rule the country and putting Malawians in deep misery beyond reach.

She was guest of honour at Pastors Voices Fraternal conference at Assemblies of God Church in Chemusa, Blantyre on Saturday when she attacked Banda for rushing into devaluing the country’s currency by 49 percent without considering its effects, arguing her late husband and former President Bingu wa Mutharika has now been vindicated on his economic stance against devaluation.

Late Mutharika was reluctant to devalue the currency on recommendations from IMF as well as international and local economists, demanding to be given money first to cushion its effects.

But Banda, upon ascendency to power in April, 2012 following a sudden death of Mutharika due to cardiac arrest, devalued the currency and floated it as part of IMF policies for the country to access the much touted aid, which is erratically trickling in.

Callista Mutharika: I knew a mandasi [fritter] seller canot not manage the economy of the country

President Joyce Banda: Glad to be identified with market women

“When Bingu stood against devaluation, many people thought he was mad. He tried to plead with chiefs and others just to understand how it will hurt us. His interest was to protect the poor people. Zoona chisime chimadziwika ndi chakuya chikauma (you know the depth of a pit when it’s dry), now Malawians are regretting for not taking up his advice. We are now feeling the pinch,” the former first lady said.

Mrs. Mutharika also dismissed the President’s public proclamation that there is hunger in the country, arguing “There is no hunger in Malawi. How could one say there is hunger when there are no maize imports and she is sourcing her maize locally? There is maize on the local market, a sign that we have food in the country.”

She added: “The only problem is on logistics; it seems the authorities are unable to ferry the grain from one point to another, and people currently don’t have money to buy. It is first thing in Malawi to see a 50kg bag of maize selling at K7, 500. It has never happened before”.

Callista Mutharika, who once worked with Banda at Hunger Project NGO before joining politics, repeated her last year’s comic sentiment against Banda that Mai wa mandasi sangalamule dziko (aamere market woman selling fritters cannot rule the country.}

“When I said  a mandasi [fritter] seller people thought it was just an insult or shabby talk, but, I have known her from way back. Just because she once ran an NGO, it doesn’t mean she is capable to run a country.

“Subsidy program has been messed up just nine months in power, what more if they are here for years? They are giving people sand mixed fertilizer and fake coupons, something that never happened under late Bingu’s administrations. There is no discipline to manage the program”.

However, government has refused to comment on her outburst.

Minister of Information and Civic Education also government spokesperson, Moses Kunkuyu when contacted just said: “As government we cannot comment on what the former First Lady said. All I know is that President Joyce Banda is doing her best”.

During the conference, which was attended by almost 400 pastors from Southern Region, Calista gave out K220, 000 to pastors’ wives to start up a revolving fund for small-scale businesses, comically warning “Don’t start mandasi businesses, there is no any profit with the Kwacha devaluation”.

She then urged the men of God to take part in fighting for the welfare of the people and never be afraid to criticize politicians and those in authority when things go wrong.

One of the main preachers at the event, Pastor Joshua Jere, called upon the church to participate in politics, arguing it is normal for religious people joining politics.

“We have a role to play as religious models. Take a look at devaluation, floatation of Kwacha, rising cost of living and corruption; and what is the church doing, almost nothing. But these problems have not spared us. So it’s it our role to safeguard the interest of people we serve and ensure our politicians are putting the will of people first,” Jere said in his sermon.

Unwelcome visitors Mighty ‘Nyerere’ Wanderers on Sunday, February 24, 2013 gate-crashed into party at Civo Stadium and spoiled Silver Strikers’ championship celebrations after beating the newly crowned TNM Super League champions 1-0 in a thrilling encounter played before a big crowd.

Having lost 2-1 against Mafco at Chitowe Stadium the previous day, Wanderers had no choice but to get the points at Civo, hoping their bitter rivals Big Bullets would see off Red Lions, who could have grabbed the fourth place with victory against the ‘People’s team’ at Kamuzu Stadium.

Silver, on the other hand did not want to spoil the mood in their camp following last week’s 1-0 victory over Kamuzu Barracks that almost secured the title for them.

The first half ended goal-less but the hosts had the best chance in the opening 45 minutes after attacking midfielder Harvey Nkacha had smashed the cross-bar with a hard shot following a fumble by Wanderers’ goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa.

Stand-up for the champions: Silver Striker are crowned Malawi soccer kings.-Photo By Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

Came the second half, Wanderers upped the tempo and were rewarded in the 75th minute, when substitute Mike Kaziputa connected the ball home from close range after Silver’s goalkeeper Charles Swini had failed to deal with Victor Mpinganjira’s dangerous cross.

The bankers’ efforts for an equalizer were thwarted by Wanderers’ three-man defence marshaled by captain Foster Namwera, who was eventually voted man-of-the-match.

Wanderers’ team manager Chiyembekezo Zidana expressed happiness that his side had bagged full points to finish on fourth position but had no kind words for Lilongwe based referee Jones Makuwira, who was
clearly behind the bankers more especially in the dying moments.

“It was a good game and we could have finished the game in the first round had the officiation been fair,” said Zidana.

His counterpart Franco Ndawa, who was in jovial mood despite the loss said he would have loved to see his team winning the game but accepted things did not go the way they planned.

“We wanted to win this match but things just didn’t go the way we planned. But I’m not worried
because we are still champions,” said Ndawa, formerly of Wanderers.

With Bullets only managing a 3-0 win over Red Lions, which was seven goals short of the target, Silver were crowned champions and presented with the glittering trophy by Youth and Sports Minister Enock Chihana.

Lucky Malata as captain receiving a trophy from Sports Minister Enock Chihana.-Photo by Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

Match action between Silver and Wanderers in which the Nomads won 0-1 but Silver still claimed the league title.-Photo by Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

Jubilation by Silver supporters after the match, who would blame them after being crowned champions.-Photo by Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

Party mood: Silver Strikers celebrate their title winning.-Photo by Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

Models showing the TNM Super League.-Photo by Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

Match officials posing for Nyasa Times with skippers of Silver and Wanderers before kick-off.-Photo by Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

Silver fans giving their team vocal support.-Photo by Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

Parading the TNM Super League trophy before the match.-Photo by Jeromy Kadewere/Nyasa Times

Head of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Unit in the Ministry of Health, Dr Beatrice Mwagomba has said 30 percent of cancer cases in the country can be prevented by living a health-care life style.

Mwagomba made the remarks on Saturday in Lilongwe during a public session held at Cross Roads hotel in Lilongwe, aimed at shedding light on cancer awareness, to mark the commemoration of world cancer day in Malawi.

“People should follow good health care, by reducing eating food that was covered with plastic bags during cooking process; because the chemicals used to produce plastic bags melt and when consumed they could cause cancer.

“Cancer can also be prevented if people reduce heavy smoking habits and excessive beer drinking and eating fatty food including groundnuts.

Masamba (left) says sunlight lays can affect people 

“Undertaking various physical exercises like taking a stroll, jogging and manual work can help build good health.”

She also said the physical exercises eliminate to a greater extent body fats, hence reducing possibilities of suffering from cancer.

Concurring with Magomba, Oncologist Dr Leo Masamba said sunlight rays can also affect people who have lighter complexion, citing Albinos who are at risk to suffer skin cancer.

“Albinos need to wear long sleeves and a hat to prevent them from direct sunlight,” explained Masamba.

Masamba also advised parents and teachers to ensure that Albinos always wear a hat even at school.

He cautioned youth to avoid indulging in early sexual activities, especially girls, saying such attitude provides opportunities for cancer.

“Girls who indulge themselves in early sexual activities and those who have multiple sexual partners are at risk of suffering cervical cancer,” Masamba said.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) in Malawi cervical cancer which is associated with Human Papillona Virus (HPV) is estimated at 2316 cases which is 33.6 percent and this rate culminated into 1621 deaths.

The incidences of cancer in the country are linked to HIV and 28 percent of HIV deaths are due to cancer.

He further said women should often go for screening from the age of 30, even if they were not married, every five years.

“Although women are encouraged to go for screening at the age of 30, but other countries are starting from 21, 23, but the age is too late. I have a right now a patient who is 21 years old, suffering from cancer,” said Masamba.

Masamba said very few women go for screening in the country.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) says it will appeal the ruling made against the then Chief Statistician for the Population and Housing Census, Willie Kachaka in a 2008 Population and Housing Census (PHC) corruption case.

In a statement, ACB Senior Pubic Relation Officer, Egrita Mdala said her organization received information alleging massive corruption in the hiring of vehicles for the 2008 PHC.

She said ACB instituted investigations into the matter where it  established that Kachaka who was then working as Chief Statistician for the Population and Housing Census ( now with Ministry of Health headquarters) had committed the offence in relation to the hiring of vehicles during the PHC exercise.

“On 8th October, 2012, the Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Willie Kachaka and  was taken to Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with one count of misuse of public office contrary to Section 25B (1) of the Corrupt Practices Act”.

ACB’s spokeswoman Egrita Mdala: We will appeal

“Lilongwe Magistrates Court on 8th February, 2013, found Kachaka guilty on both counts and convicted him. He was sentenced to five months imprisonment with hard labour but suspended to twelve months. The Anti-Corruption Bureau intends to appeal against the sentence,” said Ndala.

In a related development, a traffic police officer and another National Statistics Officer have been found guilty of fraudulent and corrupt practices.

In October, 2009 the ACB received a complaint alleging that Road Traffic Officers at Road Traffic Offices in Lilongwe fraudulently and corrupt effected change of ownership of a Toyota land Cruiser registration number MH 9999.

Following investigations established that Rodgers Mollen, Chief Motor Examiner, Masida Kumwenda, Data Capturing Clerk and Enock Mtimuni, Assistant Motor Examiner fraudulently and corruptly changed ownership of the said motor vehicle.

According to Mdala, both were charged with misuse of public office contrary to Section 25B(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act, uttering a false document contrary to Section 360 of the Penal Code and willful neglect of duty contrary to Section 121 of the Penal Code.

She then said on 30th January, 2013, they were acquitted on the first two counts and convicted on the third count. They were each sentenced to seven months imprisonment with hard labour but suspended to twelve months.