Monday, March 17, 2025
الرئيسية بلوق الصفحة 113

FDH Bank boosts regional football teams’ confidence

Chimchere (left) presents balls to The Boyz Vice Chairman Brave Kapingiri

Sixteen regional football league teams that qualified for the FDH Bank Cup round of 32 on Friday got the much-needed confidence boost ahead of this weekend’s clashes after receiving K23 million worth of support from the sponsors, FDH Bank plc.

During a symbolic presentation ceremony in Blantyre, the Bank gave each team a set of uniform for 309 players, two soccer balls and K500 000 starter-pack as the regional league outfits joined 16 top-flight league teams in battle for slots in round of 16.

The 16 regional teams made the grade to compete at the national level after emerging the best in regional preliminary round encounters that attracted 58 outfits while the elite-league teams were exempted.

Chimchere (left) presents a dummy cheque for Kadona Stars

“As these regional league teams get into this national battles, they need adequate resources to competently compete against top league outfits,” FDH Bank senior manager (marketing and communication) Ronald Chimchere said.

“It was not easy for these teams to make it this far. As a bank that is very passionate about football development in particular and sports in general, we feel this equipment and money would be a boost as the regional sides fulfill their next fixtures.”

Kadona Stars general secretary Kelfas Makaranga Ngwira and his Immigration FC counterpart Ernest Muza,  whose sides were expected to face-off at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre yesterday, explained that the equipment and the cash were a big motivation to the team’s.

“We are very grateful to FDH Bank for this timely support, which will boost our confidence as we get into round of 32 battles,” said Ngwira, whose Nkhata-bay-based outfit has made it to the national stage on its debut season.

The 2022 edition of the FDH Bank Cup, which is sponsored to the tune of K90 million, kicked off in May and is scheduled to crown the champions this September.

Silver Strikers are the defending champions after they beat Ekwendeni Hammers 2-0 in last year’s final at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

APM SPEAKS TO VOA: Dresses down Chakwera’s propaganda on albino killings

Malawi’s Former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika will be live on Voice of America (VoA) DSTV Channel 853 on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

The exclusive interview will start at 18:05hrs (6:05pm-local time) on both days.

Among others, the former Malawian leader Professor Mutharika is likely to clear President Lazarus Chakwera’s propaganda implicating him in albino killings.

This follows plans by Director of Public Prosecutions and the Malawi Police Service (MPs) to open a criminal case against Mutharika and his former chief adviser Dr. Heatherwick Ntaba in connection to the killing of albinos.

However, recently Professor Mutharika denied allegations linking him to the killing of people with albinism in Malawi, accusing government of attempting to divert people’s attention from economic woes rocking the Southern African nation.

Mutharika further said that during his reign, he set up a taskforce and, later, a commission of inquiry to investigate make findings and recommendations on any matter incidental to and connected with the attacks, abduction and killings of persons with albinism.

Bayer Malawi launches crop protection K-Obiol product

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Ng’ombe shows the bottle of K-obiol product

Bayer Malawi has launched a new product, K-Obiol that protects maize from grain borer (Nankafumbwe) for up to 6 months, giving farmers the best value they can get on the market.

Launching the product  Mtsindo Village in Traditional Authority Khongoni at Malembo, Lilongwe district on Wednesday, Bayer Malawi Country Lead Chikondi Ng’ombe said they are aware that the market has crop protection products but they look at the safety of the product, value for money, length of protection and effectiveness of the product.

“Using advanced technologies tried and tested globally we have a product that protects maize from grain borer (Nankafumbwe) for up to 6 months. One bottle weighing 200 grams has the power to protect 6 bags weighing 50Kgs each for a period of six solid months. Beyond the length of protection the product is odorless and safe. This is by far the best value one can get on the market,” said Ng’ombe.

Ng’ombe unsealing a bottle of K-obiol to symbolize the official launch of the product

She said in keeping with Bayer’s brand proposition of ensuring good health for all and hunger for none through crop science, they launched the product which will help farmers realize more from their yields.

“A few months ago, we also introduced Auxo – an effective solution that deals with herbicides (weeds) to reduce input costs of labour. At Bayer, we ultimately desire and dream to see a better world where there is good health for all, and hunger to no soul,” said Ng’ombe.

A Farmer Dickson Misi who has been using another Bayer Malawi product maize seed Delkab hailed the company for the K-Obiol product saying he will reap more from both the seed and the crop protection product.

“I want to thank Bayer Malawi for providing both the seed and the crop protection product which has helped me to take care of my family including supporting my children with their secondary education,” said Misi.

It’s Here! BIG BROTHER NAIJA Season 7 Premieres July 23 on DStv and GOtv

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Africa’s Most Popular Reality Show, Big Brother Naija, will return for its seventh season this July with a double launch show on Saturday, 23 July and Sunday, 24 July 2022.

Both shows will air from 7pm on Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban and Africa Magic Family channels and the 24-hour show on DStv channel 198 and GOtv channel 29. BBNaija fans across Africa will also watch the show live via the African online streaming service, Showmax.

BBNaija is staying true to its reputation of having the biggest cash prize for any reality competition on the continent. This season’s winner will take home a grand prize worth $240,000 (USD) that includes $120,000 (USD) cash and other exciting prizes.

For the seventh season, the show will witness a return of a few pre-COVID 19 elements including the fan-favourite ‘Ninjas’ and a live studio audience. Fans can also expect a line-up of more engaging tasks, unpredictable twists and Big Brother’s wit. In addition, 30 fans of the show will also win $2,400 (USD) each in the Fave Lock-In promo exclusive to DStv and GOtv customers.

The show will also retain its voting style from last year. Voting will only be on the Big Brother Naija website, mobile site, and the MyDStv and MyGOtv apps for active customers. The number of votes each subscriber gets will be determined by their subscription packages, with DStv Premium and GOtv SUPA subscribers receiving the most votes.

DStv customers who would like to opt out of viewing the show can do so by sending “(Smart card number) [space] BBOUT” to 30333, while GOtv customers can do the same by sending “(IUC Number) [space] BBOUT” to 4688. Additionally, customers can activate the parental control option on their DStv and GOtv decoders for viewers younger than 18 years.

To find out more about BBNaija Season 7, visit www.africamagic.tv/bigbrothernaija.  Follow the official Big Brother Naija social media pages for news and updates with the hashtag #BBNaija on Twitter @bbnaija, Instagram @bigbronaija and Facebook www.facebook.com/bigbrothernaija .

FDH Bank gives K7.3 billion dividend to shareholders

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FDH Bank AGM in session

Listed and home-grown bank, FDH Bank plc has declared a final dividend of a whooping K7.3 billion from the 2021 financial results which will be paid to its shareholders in two weeks’ time.

In a statement signed by the bank’s Company Secretary Juliano Kanyongolo, the Bank said during its 15th Annual general Meeting (AGM) held on 27 June 2022 in Blantyre, it was agreed to pay the final dividend of K2 billion.

“This dividend brings the total dividend in respect of the year ended 31st December 2021, to K7.3 billion (K1.05 per share), having already paid a first interim dividend of K2.3 billion (K0.33 per share) on 27th August 2021 and a second interim dividend of K3 billion (K0.43 per share) on 14th January 2022.”

“The register of shareholders will be closed from 8th July 2022 to 11th July 2022 both dates inclusive, and no transfers will be registered during that time.”

“The dividend will be paid on 22nd July 2022 to shareholders appearing in the register of the Company as at close of business on Friday, 8th July 2022,” said Kanyongolo in the statement.

FDH Bank Board Chairperson Charity Mseka

During the AGM, FDH Bank Board Chairperson Charity Mseka said the Bank made a profit of K11.7 billion in the financial year ending 31 December 2021.

“The Bank continues to make significant investment in banking technology to continue offering cutting edge innovative digital product solutions and drive financial inclusion for the unbanked and underbanked populations,” said Mseka.

FDH Bank Plc has a wide network of 51 service centres across the country, 92 ATMs, a wide network of Banki Pakhomo Agents and a portfolio of award winning digital products.

STANDARD BANK/UN WOMEN PROJECT: Mchinji women soar with Climate Smart Agriculture

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By Yamikani Sekeni

FRUITFUL PROJECT: Some of the beneficiaries pose for a photo with Standard Bank and UN Women officials

The negative effects of climate change are visible in the devastating conditions mankind is experiencing in this era. Undoubtedly, climate change has altered almost every facet of life to the extent that without innovation and adaptation, life would be unbearable.

In agricultural sphere, climate change means declines in crop yields, low livestock fertility and loss of environment. All these have a direct bearing on food and income security which are threatened. The impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, which has hit energy prices hard, is also a factor to be considered as it has a cyclic effect on agriculture productivity which also relies on fuel and other forms of energy impacted by the Russian conflict.

Commercial farming is bearing the brunt. And overall, livelihoods are greatly affected.

In all this, women play an integral role in the whole agriculture value chain. Like in many sub-Saharan countries where seventy percent of women embrace farming, Malawi’s agriculture workforce is dominated by women, hence they are more likely to be affected by climate change.

In most rural areas, there has been a paradigm shift from purely subsistence farming to commercial farming. It is impressive to see women taking up farming as business thereby contributing positively to the growth of the economy.

Despite the pangs of climate change, some women from Chioko Village in the area of Traditional Authority Simphasi in Mchinji have come out triumphant through the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) project. This is one of the numerous outcomes emanating from the partnership between Standard Bank and UN Women.

The three-year project was implemented under the theme “Contributing to the Economic Empowerment of Women in Malawi through Climate Smart Agriculture” in order to strengthen women participation in strategic decision making, financial enhancement, change in livelihood and surge in groundnuts productivity.

“The modern technologies we have been exposed to through this programme has helped us (farmers) to mitigate the impact of climate change. We have been equipped with smart agriculture practices that are maximizing crop yields and saving labour cost,” according to Genevieve Chinyamaulo one of the groundnuts farmer under Chioko Cooperative in Mchinji.

Comparatively, Chinyamaulo said that the three years she has been practicing smart agriculture have been very successful than the previous years.

Genevieve Chinyamaulo: Since our cooperative started receiving farming expertise I have been realizing bumper yields

“For the past three years since our cooperative started receiving farming expertise I have been realizing bumper yields. This has taken my social economic status to great height as I am able to provide for my family,” she said.

The knowledge imparted to the women farmers in the CSA has honed their skills in the groundnuts supply chain.

“Before the coming of Standard Bank and UN Women I used to grow groundnuts without proper skills. I was unable to determine certified seed that would effectively suit the current weather patterns influenced by the climate change,” said another farmer Dorothy Mbewe.

Mbewe added that adherence to the proper guidelines has been a catalyst of transformed life for her family.

“Three years of the partnership has been beneficial, right now I have ventured into livestock production that have come out of the groundnuts farming,” she added.

Evelesi Jemusi of Chisomo Club from the district reiterated on the need for women to take a leading role in implementing climate adaptive agriculture for a sustainable groundnuts production.

“Women should not doubt themselves in all aspect of life, we need to raise up and adopt technologies in the climate smart agriculture to mitigate the effects of climate change. We should be on the forefront to embrace these new ways of doing things to maximize crop production. We are privileged to learn issues of gender equality through the project that have empowered us,” said Jemusi.

Sentiments from these few farmers echo voices of thousands other women farmers that have benefited in the districts where the project was being implemented; Lilongwe, Mchinji and Mzimba.

Standard Bank Plc provided funding worth K350 million as well as ongoing support through financial literacy and other programmes. The contribution to the economic empowerment of women through CSA reaffirms the bank’s commitment towards enhancing gender equality.

MADINGA:Standard Bank is a keen supporter of women empowerment to help bridge gender inequality

“Standard Bank is a keen supporter of women empowerment to help bridge gender inequality. We are pleased to note that our partnership with UN Women has helped local women to realize their goals through modern agriculture,” said Phillip Madinga, Chief Executive for Standard Bank.

The CSA project supports Standard Bank’s drive to create a gender-equal Malawi and aligns it with its purpose of driving the country’s growth.

“As a bank we believe that Malawi is our home and we drive her growth. Therefore, we remain committed to continue supporting women agribusiness communities for them to adopt modern equipment, knowledge and technologies as a way of contributing towards national development,” said Madinga.

Therese Gondwe, UN Women, Malawi Country Office, Program Specialist: Women Economic Empowerment Portfolio admitted that her organization recognize CSA as a Flagship Program Initiative (FPI) that have high-impact.

“UN Women appreciates CSA as a scalable initiative that deepens our efforts on Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment (GEWE). Through the CSA programme, UN Women has supported women to have increased access to good quality groundnut seed, access extension services, labor-saving technologies while participating fully and equally in decision-making around groundnut value chain,” said Gondwe.

During the onset of the programme, it was projected that 10, 000 women farmers will benefit from all the three districts. However, up to 10, 400 farmers fully benefited from the project.

“It is pleasing to note that despite COVID 19 slowing implementation of project activities we have recorded positive results. It has been a great learning process more especially in dealing with challenges that women face in the implementation of smart agriculture. We revere in the accomplishment registered this means that we reached the overall objectives of the project,” she said.

According to Godfrey Pumbwa of African Institute of Corporate Citizenship whose organizations offered extension services, the project has contributed to the resilience of women in the groundnuts production.

“We opted for groundnuts because it has Nitrogen fixation and the crop fetches more money as compared to other crops. Therefore, due to the impact of climate change we wanted to help farmers in the management of Aflatoxin to intensify production,” said Pumbwa.

The project incorporated financial literacy, issues of gender and championed the establishment of cooperatives so that their groundnuts could fetch high prices on the market.

The project that focused on Gender Responsive Climate Smart Agriculture through the groundnuts value chains, was founded on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The programme in particular focuses on SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG 5 – Gender Equality and SDG 13 – Climate Action.

NBM plc celebrates independence day with promo

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AKOSSA HIWA: Those who will not want the fuel cards, will get the cash

Listed National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc will celebrate the country’s 58 Years independence in a unique way by replacing its flags with the national flag in its buildings and a promotion which will see 20 people winning fuel cards worth K100,000.

NBM Marketing and Corporate affairs Manager Akossa Hiwa said in an interview yesterday that being a ‘proudly’ local bank, NBM plc will want to celebrate the independence with a sense of national pride.

“Internally, we will replace our NBM plc flags with the national flag for the month of July and we will have a short flag raising ceremony on the eve of independence day. Externally, we will be quizzes on our social media pages on the facts about our country Malawi starting on the independence day itself and every Friday of July thereafter,” said Hiwa.

She said the promotion, which will be on the bank’s social media pages like Facebook, will see 20 people who will get the questions right winning the Bank’s My Fuel card loaded with K100,000 worth of fuel.

“Those who will not want the fuel cards, will get the cash. We will also give out hampers with Malawian products worth K50,000 per hamper to 20 lucky winners,” added Hiwa.

She said on the day of raising the flag, bank employees will be in traditional and national attire with national colours of black red and green.

“As the Bank of the Nation, we want to take the lead in celebrating our 58 years of independence in a unique way,” said Hiwa.

NBM plc was established in 1971 as a result of a merger of Barclays Bank DCO (Dominion Colonial Overseas) and Standard Bank, has about 1000 employees and is the largest commercial bank in Malawi in terms of asset base, as well as being the most efficient and profitable.

The Bank declared a profit after tax of K34.2 billion in the last financial year ending 31 December 2021.

Veep Chilima Dares Chakwera to Strip off presidential immunity

Malawi’s Vice President Dr.  Saulos Chilima says he is ready to cooperate with Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) investigations and renewed his call to remove presidential immunity, so that Presidents can also be prosecuted for wrong doing.

“This is the time to amend the Constitution of Malawi in order to remove the immunity which Presidents of this country enjoy under section 91(2) of the Constitution so that everyone in Malawi can be prosecuted for criminal wrongdoing,” he stated. Chilima said removing presidential immunity is one of the campaign promises of the Tonse alliance and that UTM believes it is time to amend the Constitution to ensure the immunity of the President from prosecution is removed so that the holder of that office is not shielded.

“One of the concrete goals of the Tonse Alliance, which has yet to be attended to, was to remove presidential immunity from criminal prosecution. This promise was pronounced under the campaign agenda of the Alliance,” he recalled.

The Veep said he appreciates that the law does not provide immunity to the Vice-President which is progressive to the fight against corruption.

“While we salute the fact that the Vice President of this country can, and must be investigated or prosecuted for criminal wrongdoing, it is completely misplaced that Presidents of this country have a veil of constitutional protection from criminal prosecution through immunity while in office,” he pointed out.

The Veep said he is ready to cooperate with investigations by ACB and will welcome an opportunity to clear his name.

“I will welcome the opportunity to respond to allegations of my alleged corrupt dealings, for which decisions have been taken without sight of the evidence, but I will do so strictly within due legal processes. To be clear, I will not fuel media trials, let alone even appear to impair the work of the Anti-Corruption Bureau,” he said.

He emphasized that UTM, a key Partner in the Tonse Alliance administration,  is in support of the fight against corruption and called on Malawians and his party followers to let ACB do its work without any interference.

However, he called on ACB to work independently without any undue pressure.

“I wish to, therefore, appeal to the entire membership of the UTM and all well-meaning Malawians to support and also let the Anti-Corruption Bureau carry out its mandate without undue interference. No one should interfere with the work of the Bureau regardless of which side of the political divide you belong to.

Corruption is evil. It is also legitimately expected that the Bureau should not entertain any efforts to be abused or misused by any quarters for whatever reason,” he narrated.

The Veep says has been quiet since he got into power because he wanted the government to be run in an orderly manner.

“I have been mostly quiet since we got into Government; not for the misbegotten reasons some may find appealing, but out of a sense of duty and responsibility for the orderly running of Government. I have not been quiet out of arrogance towards you, fellow Malawians,” he said

He says at this time he has been focusing on delivering his duties as delegated by President Lazarus Chakwera.

CHILIMA, CHAKWERA AGREED ONE TERM EACH

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Malawi’s Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima has disclosed that he and President Lazarus Chakwera signed a 10-year-agreement where each will rule the country for one term only.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday at UTM headquarters in Area 10 in Lilongwe, Chilima disclosed that contents of the agreement are that President Chakwera would not be presidential candidate beyond 2025 but cede the mantle to the running mate to become candidate.

“That subject to the decision of the national executive committees or, as the case may be, of the UTM and the Malawi Congress Party, the presidential candidate during the fresh presidential election of 23 June, 2020 shall not be the presidential candidate during the immediate next election and shall cede the candidacy to the running mate in the fresh presidential election of 23 June, 2020″ reads close number 11 of the agreement.

The veep Dr. Chilima said the agreement is binding and any departure from it amounts to political fraud.

“Beyond this, I would like to state that the Agreement was signed for a period of 10 years in which both Dr Chakwera and I would support one another to lead for one term.

“Any departure from the Agreement amounts to political fraud not only on the parties to the Agreement, but also on the popular will that mandated the Alliance in the first place,” Chilima stressed.

The Veep reprimanded those with political ambitions, saying their personal interests and ambitions should not paralyze the entire country.

“There is no wisdom in name calling, abuse, arrogance, humiliation or indeed violence for something that came into being amid smiles and a sense of hope for many generations” he lamented.

He said he is flabbergasted that power which was supposed to be shared under the Tonse Alliance has become sweet to some in MCP who are fueling political fights.

“If there is insistence from other elements within the Alliance and their advocacy for a split as we move towards 2025, the best would be to terminate the Alliance now.

“Of course the instigation and termination of the Alliance by all parties now would also amount to cheating on the popular will of the people of Malawi that mandated the Alliance to form Government,” he emphasized.

He said if others insist that there should be departure from the agreement then the alliance should be terminated now and call for fresh elections to seek fresh mandate.

“Indeed, if we were to terminate the Alliance, in honesty we would have to call for a fresh presidential election. We should not continue our journey to 2025 with two hearts: One inside and another outside of the Alliance,” he stressed.

On Tonse alliance; Chilima said Tonse partners contributed to have the Alliance win the election in the 2020 fresh polls through prayers, food, time and even money.

He thanked Chikosa Silungwe, Prince Kapondamgaga, Titus Mvalo and others for helping during the Tonse agreement.

Chilima says it is heartening that some things in the agreement have worked and also disheartening that some things remain outstanding.

In the Agreement they also agreed to promote national unity, good governance, no discrimination, mutual trust, mutual respect, integrity, and work for the interests of Malawians, among others.

“I would like to take this opportunity to assure you all that the commitment we made to be your servants remains intact. No amount of propaganda, innuendo, insult, humiliation will move us an inch. We as the UTM, are a big part of this Administration and no one must be under any illusion to believe otherwise,” he said.

He reminded Tonse alliance members that it was counterproductive to engage in political campaigns and fights three years away from another election.

“I wish to remind members of the Tonse Alliance that we NEVER at any stage promised Malawians another campaign, we promised them the Land of Canaan. And our mission should, therefore, solely be to get them there.

“If, for whatever reason, our mission is challenged, we should own up and re-engage the people of Malawi and explain why the course must change. Another campaign, 3 years away from an election, is most unfortunate, regrettable, abuse of the political process, and completely unnecessary,” he emphatically said.

The Veep disclosed that the Tonse agreement was signed on good faith and to promote transparency, mutual trust and respect among partners, national interest, and that there would always be consultations and consensus where UTM and MCP are equal partners.

STATEMENT BY Dr. SAULOS KLAUS CHILIMA ON MATTERS OF NATIONAL INTEREST

“Living True to Our Promise and Mission”

Fellow Malawians, Good morning.

I have been mostly quiet since we got into Government; not for the misbegotten reasons some may find appealing, but out of a sense of duty and responsibility for the orderly running of Government. I have not been quiet out of arrogance towards you, fellow Malawians. As the Vice President of this country, I took oath to serve my country, to serve you, fellow Malawians, and to do so by assisting His Excellency Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, in executing the duties of his office. I have to observe the limits of the powers and duties as provided for by the Constitution. I believe that is the logic of our Constitutional set up and one I am committed to observe. And so, I have rather been focussing on delivering on assignments that were entrusted to me as part of delivering on the promises we made to the nation. At all times I have aimed at meeting the expectations of the President and Malawians, even when some things appeared impossible to deliver on face value. A notable example is the Public Sector Reforms Report with recommendations, which is under consideration by the President.

Let me emphasise this: there can only be one President of the Republic of Malawi at a time. All of us must rally our support in unison as the President leads the nation on a very difficult path towards our country’s prosperity. And so, when the President speaks, he articulates Government’s policy direction. It would be remiss of me to be seen to be pulling in a different direction for political convenience, creating discord in the Executive leadership of this country and, in the process, shifting the nation’s focus from the objects for which a government exists. 

This is particularly important to bear in mind because the foundation of the present Government, being a political alliance, some may think being the Vice President is the same as being the Co-President of this country as if this is a power-sharing arrangement. It is not. The present administration got into office as a political alliance. I will return to the political alliance in a moment. What we must – as Malawians – bear in mind is that we have a nation in dire straits to lead; a nation we promised so much; and a nation whose political leadership, both past and present, owes a huge debt of development. We are way behind time and ourselves and everyday it is urgent that we act towards progress; towards a nation we say must be a middle-income economy in the next 40 years or so from today.

Today, I have to address you, fellow Malawians, because in the period of my relative silence in speech, a number of developments have emerged that have made it imperative that I address you.

A walk down memory lane

Firstly, I would like to humbly invite you, fellow Malawians, on a brief memory lane for our reflection. Over the last 28 years, we have had so many false starts as a country. At each instance, we have had the delusion that we probably had just found the missing formula for unlocking the gateway to our long-awaited prosperity. Sadly, when we believed that we had taken one step forward, we have found ourselves taking two steps backwards. Indeed, exciting moments that have made us believe in the redemptive power of our shared aspirations, have been followed by the dark clouds of uncertainty over the whole democratic project and the prosperity it is meant to deliver for us.  We are a nation that is blessed and cursed by two opposing forces: the blessing of men and women in charge of State and non-State institutions who exert their lives to achieve our desired prosperity on the one hand; and the curse of destructive and selfish actions of a cabal of similarly placed men and women who do not share the common cause for a better Malawi but only look after narrow, parochial interests based on family, tribe and blatant cronyism. In this latter group, there are those who prioritise the politics of a moment over the common interests of Malawians. And so, for the sake of gaining, retaining or consolidating political power, the interests of the nation are perpetually subordinated and sacrificed and we waste a

great deal of effort on political posturing and pulling each other down. Because we have done this for too long, we have not focussed on meeting our aspirations for the prosperity which we only hear our neighbours and humanity at large are enjoying. This is our sad reality, one which we must constantly be aware of, and one which we must deliberately work on changing, if we are to ever rally support for, and encourage those, who mean well for our country.

But may I convey a little message of encouragement and hope, Fellow Malawians. And I convey this little message amidst all the seemingly dark and hopeless state of our nation and our lives. Amidst the paralysing politicking we engage in, we have, and should remain steadfast and vigilant, in our resolve and desire for a better homeland, a better life for all of us, right here in our country and in our lifetime. We owe this to ourselves, and generations to come. 

We have demonstrated remarkable vigilance many a time, and mostly recently, in the events of the run-up to the 3rd February, 2020 and 8th May, 2020 judgements of the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal respectively, culminating in the fresh presidential election on 23rd June 2020. The fresh presidential election saw the exercise of true popular will in the election of a leader. That was a remarkable national project of political unity that enlisted the participation of a great majority of the nation without regard for colour, tribe, religion, geography or political choices. In a true sense of the word, by that project, we ushered in our fifth administration under the Second Republic; anchored – as it is – on what has proved to be our strong constitutional and democratic order that immediately before these events was on the deathbed at the hands of those who saw themselves well above the law. The participants in that national project will forever deserve our salutations and our respect! 

Regarding The Fight Against Corruption

Fellow Malawians, UTM – as one of the partners under the Tonse Alliance – remains committed to the fight against corruption in this country. We are aware of the negative economic impact that this vice has on whole societies and many countries, including Malawi. This is why during the campaign period, we, in UTM, strongly advocated for the amendment of the section 91(2) of the Constitution of Malawi which provides undue

protection to the occupant of the office of the President of this country. The provision provides for the immunity of the President from criminal prosecution. While we salute the fact that the Vice President of this country can, and must be investigated or prosecuted for criminal wrongdoing, it is completely misplaced that Presidents of this country have a veil of constitutional protection from criminal prosecution through immunity while in office. One of the concrete goals of the Tonse Alliance, which has yet to be attended to, was to remove presidential immunity from criminal prosecution. This promise was pronounced under the campaign agenda of the Alliance. This is the time to amend the Constitution of Malawi in order to remove the immunity which Presidents of this country enjoy under section 91(2) of the Constitution so that everyone in Malawi can be prosecuted for criminal wrongdoing. 

The fight against corruption must be attended by all the integrity that is necessary for its legitimacy. We believe that where there is suspicion for wrong-doing, law enforcement agencies must be left to do their job in accordance with the law. And the law must thereafter take its course without fear or favour of anyone. That remains our commitment to the people of Malawi and there are no two ways about it. 

I wish to, therefore, appeal to the entire membership of the UTM and all well-meaning Malawians to support and also let the Anti-Corruption Bureau carry out its mandate without undue interference. No one should interfere with the work of the Bureau regardless of which side of the political divide you belong to. Corruption is evil. It is also legitimately expected that the Bureau should not entertain any efforts to be abused or misused by any quarters for whatever reason. The Bureau must not put its investigative or prosecutorial methods in question. For my part, as communicated through my Press Secretary last week, I will welcome the opportunity to respond to allegations of my alleged corrupt dealings, for which decisions have been taken without sight of the evidence, but I will do so strictly within due legal processes. To be clear, I will not fuel medial trials, let alone even appear to impair the work of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

Regarding The Economy

It is common knowledge now that the fundamentals in the economy are a cause of concern and we can list a whole litany of problems and their origin but what is worthy highlighting is that we all need to rally together when the whistle in blown so that everyone gets busy by being productive in this country. The three pillars under MW2063 are a solid foundation for both recovery and growth. As an agrarian economy, we will not wish our agricultural sector away. The Government has embarked on an ambitious program to establish mega farms. This is an effort we must all applaud and rally support for. It is a venture that promises remarkable returns for our economy. Beyond mega farms, we should be thinking of cascading such investment to cooperatives which should be linked to Mega Farms as their primary markets. This is where agro-business processing must commence as we aim to drive industrialisation at the local level in our country’s strata and increase our export base. The potential to create jobs for our people working in, or as members of, cooperatives is also apparent in this initiative. We have all the resources we need to turn around the fortunes of this country but we need to sober up from the excitement and anxieties of political fights; show up; and get working. Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. 

Regarding The Tonse Alliance 

The Tonse Alliance has two main partners; the Malawi Congress Party and UTM.

Inspired by our forebearers’ wisdom of unity of purpose and determination, we came together in March, 2020 to put up a common political front in what was, for all purposes, meant to be a watershed presidential election for this country. We faced a battle for the soul of this nation. The battle had to be won. We all contributed in one way or another: prayer, time, food, life, money; you name it. We even prayed to unite with those who we felt let us down. Perhaps that is part of what we mean when we say we are a God fearing nation. The unity of national purpose we demonstrated must always remind us that we are one people, anthufe tonse ndi amodzi!!

March 19, 2020 is a historic day in Malawi. The Malawi Congress Party and UTM publicly signed a Political Alliance Agreement. The signing ceremony marked the conclusion of a pulsating process involving technical teams from the two political parties. The consultations and engagement between our two teams were based on instructions that Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and I gave to them after our respective political parties had separately passed resolutions mandating us to finalise and agree on a Political Alliance Agreement with a view to fostering unity and bringing the liberation to the people of Malawi. A lot of people were involved in this process. However, let me thank the following people who put together this Political Alliance Agreement; as a representation of the aspirations of the people of Malawi and to which the political class had to respond to: Honourable Titus Mvalo, Ambassador Steve Matenje SC, Dr. Chikosa Silungwe, Mr. Lekani Loga and Mr. Prince Kapondamgaga, among other members. I would like to acknowledge the role played by Pastor Martin Thom who, while others were talking in groups, brought Dr. Chakwera and I in one place to discuss Malawi’s future.

 The UTM did not join the Alliance for political convenience. Rather, it was a profound recognition that beyond the fresh presidential election, the immense challenges that we face as a nation could only be defeated through unity of purpose, commonality of interests and harnessing all the available capacities and abilities across the nation. The Alliance represented, to the extent possible, the aspirations of the people of Malawi as we best understood them. It was an Alliance, by public demand and popular will, in the true sense of these terms. It is important that we always remember this genesis, so that we must guard against, and nip in the bud, any regressive elements that would divert our efforts to focus on fighting division and petty bickering; instead of concentrating our efforts to deliver on our promises made on the campaign trail. 

I would like to emphasise that the Political Alliance Agreement that we signed on that day was premised on trust, mutual respect and the common desire for a better Malawi.

Today, as I speak to you, Fellow Malawians, it is heartening to note that our intentions for getting into that Alliance have borne some fruits but at the same time disheartening that a few things remain outstanding and surely need resolution. 

I know that the contents of the Political Alliance Agreement have remained unknown to the wider general public. On reflection, because the Alliance is a product of popular demand and the sense of duty we felt to give ear to what the general public wanted, it is important that you have a fair idea of what was agreed to give effect to what you required of us. I will highlight a few matters from the Agreement. 

Firstly, the spirit of our Alliance is captured in the preamble of the Agreement. The Alliance is anchored on the following mutually recognised needs: 

(a) for contesting the fresh election as president and running mate, which we resolved in the best interest of the nation – there was no place for personal priorities, there was a nation before us to be saved and served and a clear path to that had been mapped by the people of Malawi; 

(b) to increase the chances of winning the fresh election, which we phenomenally achieved together; and importantly,

(c) to work together after the election in pursuit of the parties’ common goals of serving the people of Malawi in the attainment of their development aspirations. 

Further, the Political Alliance Agreement also clearly sets out guiding principles and modalities of its implementation for the sole benefit of the people of Malawi. I highlight Clause 2 of the Agreement which stipulates the Guiding Principles of the Alliance as follows:

(a) Transparency whereby “UTM and MCP agree to be open with each other and transparent in their dealings with regard to the implementation of [the] Agreement” : clause 2.1.1;

(b) Good faith whereby “UTM and MCP undertake to implement this Agreement in good faith and not to do anything that may frustrate this

Agreement” :clause 2.1.2;

(c) National interest whereby “UTM and MCP agree to implement this Agreement in the interest of national unity and development in accordance with the Constitution and the Laws of Malawi for the benefit of the people of Malawi” :clause 2.1.3;

(d) Unity and togetherness whereby “UTM and MCP agree to be united with a common vision and unity of purpose in the implementation of [the] Agreement” :clause 2.1.4;

(e) Good governance whereby “UTM and MCP undertake to be guided by the principles of good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights in the implementation of [the] Agreement” : clause2.1.5;

(f) Non-discrimination whereby “UTM and MCP undertake not to engage in any form of discrimination of any kind and all appointments pursuant to the implementation of [the] Agreement shall be on merit” :clause 2.1.6;

(g) Mutual trust whereby “UTM and MCP shall ensure constant engagement with each other to build trust and confidence” :clause2.1.7;

(h) Mutual respect whereby “UTM and MCP undertake to respect each other in all undertakings, shall not undermine each other in any other form or way both in public and in private and shall treat each other including their respective members as equals” :clause 2.1.8;

(i) Integrity whereby “UTM and MCP shall execute [the] Agreement with utmost integrity, especially when faced with the choice between what is convenient and what is right;” :clause 2.1.9

(j) Consultation whereby “UTM and MCP shall consult each other thoroughly before any decision that may be deemed crucial by any of the Parties is made” :clause 2.1.10; and

(k) Consensus whereby “UTM and MCP undertake to make decisions [under the] Agreement by consensus in order to formulate a nationally owned, and broadly supported, policy position” :clause 2.1.11.

Further, the Agreement was made in pre-election and post-election contexts respectively. The post-election context starts in clause 3.2 where the Malawi Congress Party and the UTM committed to a few covenants and I highlight a few:

(a) To implement the recommendations of the 2007 Law Commission Report on the Review of the Constitution; (b) To amend section 91(2) of the Constitution in order to remove immunity of the President from criminal prosecution; and (c) The Malawi Congress Party and the UTM agreed to be equal partners.

And in the Pre-election contest, the following was agreed:

i. That the Presidents of the Malawi Congress Party and the UTM shall agree in writing who would be candidate and who would be running mate ii. That subject to the decision of the national executive committees or conventions, as the case may be, of the UTM and the Malawi Congress Party, the presidential candidate during the fresh presidential election of 23 June, 2020 shall not be the presidential candidate during the immediate next election and shall cede the candidacy to the running mate in the fresh presidential election of 23 June, 2020.

Beyond this, I would like to state that the Agreement was signed for a period 10 years in which both Dr Chakwera and I would support one another to lead for one term.

But if for any reason this were to change, a process similar to what ensued before the Agreement was signed ought to follow. There is no wisdom in name calling, abuse, arrogance, humiliation or indeed violence for something that came into being amid smiles and a sense of hope for many generations. Any departure from the Agreement amounts to political fraud not only on the parties to the Agreement, but also on the popular will that mandated the Alliance in the first place. 

From my end, I want to assure you, Fellow Malawians, that every effort is being, and will be made to resolve any departures from the Agreement, and this is all for the purpose of achieving the logic and objects of the Agreement for the sole benefit of the people of Malawi who trusted us under the Alliance and ushered us into Government. 

However, if there is insistence from other elements within the Alliance and their advocacy for a split as we move towards 2025, the best would be to terminate the Alliance now. Of course the instigation and termination of the Alliance by all parties now would also amount to cheating on the popular will of the people of Malawi that mandated the Alliance to form Government. The behaviour that seems to place some partner under the Alliance as the sole voice that swayed the popular vote of the 23 June, 2020 presidential election must be frowned upon. Indeed, if we were to terminate the Alliance, in honesty we would have to call for a fresh presidential election. We should not continue our journey to 2025 with two hearts: One inside and another outside of the Alliance. May I repeat, we have a nation to serve. Our political ambitions should never paralyse national progress. It is utterly irresponsible to be narrow and parochial in conducting the affairs of this country using the power and place merely entrusted to us by the people. Politics must serve the people of Malawi as a whole by the end of the day. Politics must not be practiced in a way that serves the interests of a few and ends up frustrating the aspirations of the people of Malawi. We need to unlearn our obsessions with power and privilege. It is a disservice to the country and completely misguided. 

Conclusion

Fellow Malawians, I would like to take this opportunity to assure you all that the commitment we made to be your servants remains intact. No amount of propaganda, innuendo, insult, humiliation will move us an inch. We as, the UTM, are a big part of this Administration and no one must be under any illusion to believe otherwise. 

The moments we faced death during the campaign period will not be erased by a statement made by a hungry member of the Alliance who rants because they would want to earn their space at the dinner table by spewing garbage on national or other television station. We should not allow history to be changed because someone or some people have now just realized that power which should be shared has become sweeter and begin to display as much excitement as a 2-year old at the sight of candy.

I wish to remind members of the Tonse Alliance that we NEVER at any stage promised Malawians another campaign, we promised them the Land of Canaan. And our mission should, therefore, solely be to get them there. If, for whatever reason, our mission is challenged, we should own up and re-engage the people of Malawi and explain why the course must change. Another campaign, 3 years away from an election, is most unfortunate, regrettable, abuse of the political process, and completely unnecessary. It is what this Administration will deliver that will endear Malawians to this Alliance and give them a vote when that election day of reckoning comes. As the late President Bingu wa Mutharika said, let the works of our hands speak for us, instead of artificial narratives aimed at misrepresenting matters to the people. 

May God bless us all and, most importantly, may He remind us what we signed up for so that we remain true to Our Promise and Mission to our country, Malawi.

I thank you.

SAULOS KLAUS CHILIMA

LILONGWE

JULY 1, 2022