The K450 million National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc’s Mo626 College Basketball Tournament wrapped up spectacularly as Malawi Assemblies of God University (MAGU) men and women teams successfully defended the championship.

Both teams walked away with K5 million and trophies each in two thrilling championship finals played at ABC Blue Gym in Lilongwe at the weekend. 

After a successful semifinal encounter on Friday, the action-packed day on Saturday kicked off with a thrilling bronze medal clash in the women’s category, where MUBAS edged MZUNI  37-35 to claim third place.

In the men’s bronze match, UNILIL powered past the UNIMA Hawks with a dominant 72-48 win.

The excitement peaked in the women’s final as MAGU and UNILIL battled fiercely for the title.

MAGU’s She-Wolves emerged victorious with a tight 52-48 win.

The grand finale saw the MAGU Wolves face ABC Lions in a gripping men’s showdown and in a last-minute thriller, the Wolves triumphed 45-41.

MAGU’s Orlyn Londo and Peter Mapunde were honoured as the Most Valuable Players (MVPs) in the ladies and men’s categories respectively.

“This is beyond amazing! Being named MVP and winning the tournament feels like a dream. We gave our hearts into every game, and to come out on top is just incredible. Defending our title was our mission, and we made it happen. I am so proud to bring this victory home for MAGU,” expressed Mapunde.

NBM plc Chief Financial Officer Daniel Jere, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the tournament saying it has been a resounding success, celebrating the spirit, skill, and passion of Malawi’s young athletes.

“We are very encouraged by the response we have seen from both the colleges that have participated in this tournament, the fans at large, and all our customer base, because this tournament has delivered a lot of excitement, especially amongst the college teams that participated.”

“Two weeks ago, we were at the Malawian University of Science and Technology (MUST), and we, indeed, saw the badge that was there with the Mo626 College Basketball Tournament.”

“This tournament is getting bigger with each passing year, and we are very encouraged by what we are seeing. As a Bank, our plans for this tournament can only be to get it to grow bigger. From where we started 16 years ago to the current year, we’ve seen enormous growth, and we believe that this brand has the potential to grow further, and it is in our interest to see the tournament even grow bigger and better,” said Jere.

Basketball Association of Malawi (BASMAL), Vice President Banthari Banda, congratulated MAGU for defending the Mo626 title and saying this year the competition tough. 

“There were no small teams, and all the teams were prepared. So, starting with the Ladies’ Finals, it was a mouth-watering game. The men’s as well, we saw the exciting game and at the end of the day, the best teams won. Furthermore, I would like to thank NBM plc for this partnership which has unearthed big talent from the universities and colleges in the country.”

“We are happy that the country is now getting awareness of this particular sport, which in the past was mostly known in colleges and a few secondary schools. So, as BASMAL, we are committed to working with NBM plc in the development of Basketball,” said Banda.

Apart from cash and the trophy and cash, the champions also got NBM plc branded caps. 

FDH Holdings Financial Limited Chief Executive Officer William Mpinganjira has underscored the importance of effective communication between the top management and the public Relations and communication team to achieve strategic business objectives.

Mpinganjira spoke in his presentation ‘Setting PR and Communication agenda from the C-suite’ at the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) annual lake conference in Mangochi on Friday.

In his presentation, he highlighted several issues including crisis management and Media Sensitivity.

He gave an example of how FDH Bank Plc saw the importance of having a PR and Communication team to help attain its growth ambitions.

“Effective crisis management and communication are crucial although difficult to execute under pressure. Sometimes media coverage tends to focus on negative stories so managing media relations is a critical aspect of PR to ensure balanced reporting with the CEO setting the agenda of what needs to be communicated,” said Mpinganjira.

In his opening address, Minister of Information and Digitization Moses Kukuyu said Public Relations specialists, are important people that any serious organization or government that cares about managing its public image must have in its top management teams.

“Despite still being in its nascent years, PRSM is, nonetheless, taking brave strides to play a crucial role in the country’s strategic development agenda. I also take note of PRSM’s initiatives to champion the enactment of the PR and Communication legislation.”

“As the government, we shall support PRSM’s initiative so that there is proper legislation to regulate the PR and communication profession. Government believes this regulation will enhance professionalism, protect the public interest, and provide clarity on industry standards,” said Kunkuyu.

The three-day conference is being held under the theme ‘Managing Narratives for Enhances Democracy and Development’.

The Mulhako wa Alhomwe annual festival is expected to draw a massive crowd of over 40,000 people from across Malawi, festival Chairperson, Counsel Felix Tambulasi, has confirmed.

The event, scheduled to take place from today Friday to Sunday at Chonde Cultural Village in Mulanje district, promises to be an exciting celebration of Lhomwe traditions and culture.

“Everything is set for the gala. We expect thousands of people from all regions to grace the event,” Tambulasi

This year’s festival will be held under the theme “United for Purpose.”

Former State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, also the patron of Mulhako wa Alhomwe and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate for the 2025 elections, is expected to close the ceremony on Sunday.

Mulhako Wa Alhomwe was established in 2007 with the aim of promoting Lhomwe culture by among other objectives, instilling a sense of pride in its people.

The formation of the organization revived some of the cultural practices that had been on the death bed.

The Lomwe are one of the four largest ethnic groups living in Malawi. 

They are located primarily in the southeast section of Malawi with the largest concentration being in Phalombe, Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Zomba districts.

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has donated essential drugs and medical supplies worth K3.9 million to Magomero Health Centre in Zomba.

The Catholic mission-established Health Centre has recently faced financial challenges despite providing healthcare to a catchment population of over 35,000 across 59 villages, thereby forcing the Sister-in-Charge of the institution to approach NBM plc for assistance.

Speaking when she handed over the donation on Wednesday, NBM plc Zomba Service Centre Manager Tawina Malata said the ‘Bank of Nation’ believes that good health is the foundation of a prosperous society and the donation exemplifies NBM plc’s dedication to making a difference in the health and well-being of the communities.

“We came here to help fill that gap by donating K3.9 million worth of essential drugs and medical supplies to support the invaluable work that this health centre performs daily. We recognize that healthcare is not just about infrastructure or staffing, but also about ensuring that the necessary medicines are available to those who need them most.”

“This donation underscores our commitment to the health and well-being of the communities we serve. It is part of our broader corporate social responsibility initiative, which focuses on improving lives through sustainable and impactful contributions,” said Malata.

The Health Centre’s Officer-in-Charge, Sister Juliana Kunkeyani thanked NBM for the timely donation which will help save lives of many patients who fail to pay for their treatment.

“We were failing to give good services because we lack essential medical supplies, the coming in of these drugs and other medical supplies will help us offer proper care to our patients,” said Sister Kunkeyani.

She added that the facility still needs beds, linen, plus equipment for its new maternity wing under construction.

Established in 1947, Magomero Health Centre is situated 32 kilometers from Zomba Central Hospital.

By IOMMIE CHIWALO

The Center for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) is demanding for an immediate intervention from the Office of Attorney General to take action by challenging Court order on freezing SSCL bank accounts.

In a letter copied to Salima Sugar Company Limited and Green Belt Authority, CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa wants the commitment made by Attorney General Thabo Chakaka-Nyirenda in recovering public finances come to pass.

Namiwa is against the current trend of selective justice that is portraying the office of the Attorney General as among compromised agencies.

The call by CDEDI are coming after Malawians have had a rude awakening from verified media reports indicating that the High Court had ordered the freezing of the SSCL’s bank accounts yet it has been on the mercy of its stakeholders.

For instance Mount Meru which also had its bank accounts frozen oover dubious exportation of 1,500 MT Salima Sugar to Rwanda and asked
the current management of SSCL to have mercy as the company was willing to be a government witness.

The Attorney General has been reminded that the SSCL was set up to among others provide the much-needed competition
to the Illovo dominated sugar industry, for the betterment of the majority low-income consumers that are struggling to access the basic commodity,
fortified with Vitamin A supplement.

“For your own information, Illovo has
raised sugar prices twice this year, in a space of six months, therefore
Malawians’ eyes are fixed at the developments unfolding at the SSCL to provide affordable sugar, hence their interest on this matter,” says Namiwa.

The government principal legal advisor has since been urged to challenge the High Court ruling as well as ensuring that the remaining suspects are arrested, starting with their local agents, who are currently facilitating the freezing of the SSCL’s bank accounts.

Chakaka-Nyirenda has also been ordered to give a progress report and
justify the apparent selective application of justice on arrests, including how much in cash and assets has been recovered so far, ten months after committing to address the vice.

“Failure to do the needful, will prompt Malawians to conclude that you are too compromised to defend public interests, therefore,
the noble thing to do is to force you Sir, to resign since you made that public undertaking while fully aware of its implications,” reads the letter from CDEDI and the office of the Attorney General has confirmed receipt of the same.

The recent media reports that the High Court’s commercial division in
Blantyre has barred Salima Sugar Company Limited (SSCL) from using $2.3 million (about K5.3 billion) in its bank accounts, pending the conclusion of an outstanding case between the firm and Mukteshwar Sugar mills Limited,
coupled with the Illovo Sugar price hike, has reminded Malawians of an undertaking AG Chakaka-Nyirenda publicly made on December 5, 2023 when officially unveiling the contents of the November 2023 forensic audit commissioned by the Malawi Government on SSCL, which brought to light reports that about US$30 million (about MK51 billion) was misappropriated.

He made the pledge through a televised press briefing where Malawians were assured that all the money would be recovered and those involved would be arrested with their assets forfeited to recover the public funds, some of which included public debts.

Initially SSCL Chairman Shirieesh Betgiri, was arrested and the national police spokesperson Peter Kalaya told the nation that the police had secured five warrants of arrests for Betgiri, Dr. Henry Njoloma, Prashant Sharma, Vikas Hirawatt and Sachin Nikam.

While there was a commitment by the Malawi Police Service to bring suspects home so that they can answer the charges in court, there has been deafening silence on the matter until in May this year when Media reported that Mount
Meru is off the hook having appealed for mercy.