Dr. Kondwani Nankhumwa, President of the People’s Development Party (PDP), is set to preside over the party’s National Governing Council (NGC) meeting in Salima, Malawi, starting Thursday and concluding on Saturday.
The highly anticipated event follows closely on the heels of PDP’s successful elective conference in Blantyre.
As Nankhumwa prepares to open the meeting on Friday, he emphasized its significance, stating, “It’s about networking of the new NGC members, orientation, and discussing party policies from now and beyond.”
This gathering promises to be a pivotal moment for the party, focusing on building connections among new members, aligning them with the party’s vision and charting a course for the future.
Preparations for the NGC meeting have been underway, with the central committee convening in Lilongwe last Saturday to lay the groundwork.
This ensures a productive and impactful conference.
The NGC meeting comes at a critical juncture for PDP, offering an opportunity to reflect on its recent successes and strategize for forthcoming challenges.
As the party navigates this significant period, Nankhumwa’s leadership will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping its trajectory.
Chikhula (left) presents the dummy cheque to Bangara-Chikadza
Listed FDH Bank plc has contributed K6 million to the Economic Association of Malawi (ECAMA) Annual Lake Conference set for November this year.
The conference, according to ECAMA, aims to tackle the country’s pressing economic challenges, including inflation, currency depreciation, and unemployment.
Speaking after presenting the cheque in Blantyre on Tuesday, FDH Bank plc Public Relations Manager, Lorraine Chikhula, emphasized the Bank’s commitment to Malawi’s economic development.
“One of our pillars under the sustainability program is our economy, where we make the commitments to improve social conditions by focusing on health, education, sports, and the environment among others.”
“Our support for ECAMA’s conference underscores our dedication to promoting economic growth and stability,” said Chikhula.
ECAMA’s acting president, Bertha Bangara-Chikadza, expressed gratitude to FDH Bank plc for their generous contribution and also highlighted the need for collective efforts to drive economic growth in Malawi.
“The current economic landscape presents numerous challenges, and it is crucial we work together to find solutions,” said Chikadza.
This year’s ECAMA Lakeshore conference is themed ‘Economic priorities for a vulnerable economy’.
Castel team takes a photo with the children at Courageous Kids Foundation
Giant alcoholic beverages producer, Castel Malawi Limited, has committed K20 million to an Employee Volunteering charity initiative which aims at contributing to community support and strengthening the relationship between Castel Malawi and the local communities.
Castel Malawi’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager, Linda Kolomba said under this initiative, Castel Malawi employees are making enormous efforts to reach out to communities, hear their stories and try to find sustainable solutions with the aim of establishing long-lasting relationships.
Over the weekend, the employees reached out to two centres in Blantyre, Tidzalerana Shelter and Courageous Kids Foundation where they interacted with the beneficiaries and donated various food and non-food items.
“This initiative is under the Castel Malawi’s Employees Volunteering Program where we would want to engage largely with our local communities in different social initiatives. We want our employees to take part in these Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives which the company is doing,” said Kolomba.
Kolomba (3rd standing from right) with other Castel employees at Tidzalerana Shelter
The Castel employees first visited Tidzalerana Shelter in Ndirande township which hosts 12 people with disabilities. The shelter also supports 34 other disabled people who live in the surrounding areas.
According to the Shelter’s Manager, Frank Banda, the facility supports people with various degrees of disabilities. However, they seek support, because they solely depend on donors and well-wishers to sustain the livelihood of the beneficiaries.
“We are thankful to Castel Malawi for this donation. They have given us exactly what we were lacking, and this support will go a long way in ensuring that the people with disabilities who are hosted here, have food and other necessities,” said Banda.
From Ndirande, the Castel Malawi employees proceeded to Mpemba, where Courageous Kids Foundation is situated, hosting 98 orphans. These young people also depend on well-wishers for food and other basic needs.
Kolomba (middle right) handing over the goods to Musasa (left) while other Castel and Courageous Kids officials look on
The mother and founder of the orphanage, Courageous Musasa, said their main challenge is to find food and school fees, for the kids.
“I am short of words over what Castel Malawi has done for us. We did not expect them to make such a donation. Running this facility has not been an easy task, but through such donations we are able to survive. We have intelligent kids here, some of whom have made it to Secondary Schools and Universities across the country, but paying for their school fees has been our greatest challenge,” said Musasa.
Some of the donated items included beddings, maize flour, beans, bonya, soya pieces, school materials, paint, soap, and other assorted items. Kolomba said this gesture will also be extended to other centres in the Central and Northern regions.
Castel Malawi will continue to find means of sustainable support to such needy community organisations, rather than giving once off donations, according to Kolomba.
After weeks of intensive investigations, The Malawi Observer can reveal how the plan to ‘sell’ Likoma Island was initiated and how a cabinet minister is still pushing to have the island sold to a Chinese-Australian multi-billionaire businesswoman.
In our investigations we have found out that Linda Karim-Creevey who has massive tourism investments in Namibia and Mozambique worth millions of US dollars was approached by Ambassador Mathias Spies, German envoy to Namibia and a German ‘fixer’ Professor Daniel Dank to invest in Malawi since Karim-Creevey was new and did not know anyone in Malawi. Karim-Creevey is the one with money.
The two Germans, Ambassador Spies and Dank convinced Karim-Creevey that they have connections with powerful government people who were going to make the whole process of ‘investing’ on Likoma Island easier.
First, they asked if they could ‘palm oil’ an intermediary who was going to connect them to a ‘powerful’ cabinet minister in order for them to acquire Likoma Island.
So, Karim-Creevey gave the two what they wanted, US$100,000 which they immediately gave to former cabinet minister Simon Vuwa Kaunda’s son, Simon Vuwa Kaunda Jnr for onward transmission to Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule.
Vuwa Kaunda Jnr is said to have given Minister Kamtukule only US$50,000 and kept the other half to himself.
When Dank and Ambassador Spies visited Malawi together with Karim-Creevey in February this year to ‘seal’ the deal with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), things didn’t go as they expected.
Some officials from Ministry of Tourism started questioning some provisions of the MoU which was prepared by Dank and Ambassador Spies, where among other things, people on the Island were supposed to be relocated upstream of the Island and that all government rights, rules and powers like police, banking and even the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) security should be surrendered to the company that was going to ‘buy’ Likoma, Augustus GmbH.
Augustus GmbH from Haus Alsbach, 51766 Engelskirchen, Governmental District of Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany is registered under Commercial Register of the District Court in Cologne: Reg.-Nr. HRB92179 with a VAT-ID: DE314843366 and TAX-Nr.: 212/5707/1926.
The delay by the Ministry of Tourism incensed the three investors until Dank lost his cool in a meeting in Lilongwe and asked angrily while banging a table why they were being given a tough time ‘after we already paid the money?’
This was when it was revealed that Vuwa Kaunda Jnr was given US$100,000 to facilitate the process and they wondered why they were having problems now.
Eventually Vuwa Kaunda Jnr connected the Investors with Minister Kamtukule who by this time was out of the country in Doha but was flying back through Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) in Lilongwe.
On the day that Minister Kamtukule was flying back from Doha, Vuwa Kaunda Jnr drove the three to KIA where Minister Kamtukule assured them that the country’s Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda was going to sign the MoU before he flew out of the country on the same day that she was landing from Doha.
Minister Kamtukule, soon after landing, took the three investors to meet Chakaka Nyirenda and sign the MoU. But Chakaka Nyirenda refused to sign the document and flew out.
Minister Kamtukule assured Karim-Creevey and her group that she was well connected to President Lazarus Chakwera and she was going to have the MoU signed. She demanded another US$200,000 to facilitate the signing of the MoU.
Minister Kamtukule continued to push for the signing of the MoU even though technocrats from her own ministry raised a few red flags on the MoU.
We have seen the recommendations of the technocrats to Minister Kamtukule which among other things indicate that the MoU is focusing on the Malawi Government surrendering total control of the Islands (Likoma and Chizumulu) through the establishment of a special tourism zone, contradicting the Fair-trading competition laws.
“There are no clear economic benefits for the country; Issues of tax waivers throughout the operation period (99 years), repatriation of profits, concession fees, forex generation and benefits to the locals. There is no mention of any partnership with a local company,” reads part of the report of the technocrats to Minister Kamtukule.
Since the issue was exposed by a local newspaper a few weeks ago, the government is struggling to come out openly and reveal details of the MoU and why it intends to sell Likoma Island to Augustus GmbH with conditions that clearly will not benefit Malawians.
Minister Kamtukule did not respond to our inquiry when we sought her comment while Vuwa Kaunda Jnr threatened a ‘vicious legal suit if you are going to print that nonsense’.
We left several messages on the phone numbers for Ambassador Spies and Dank but were not responded to.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc’s Chichiri Service Centre team emerged champions of the NBM Invitational Golf Tournament played on Saturday at Blantyre Sports Club (BSC).
The team, comprising Paul Lawrence, Maria Thandwe, Nyakhoko Nsona Jnr, and Ulemu Luhanga, scored a total of 92 points to secure the top spot.
The tournament featured 21 teams representing various NBM service centres across Malawi
Mulanje Service Centre team came second with 86 points, earning a trophy and a trolley for each player.
The Customs Road Service Centre team secured third place with 83 points and were awarded a trophy and a duffle bag.
Speaking at the event, NBM plc Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Harold Jiya, congratulated the champions for their well-deserved victory and commended all the teams for their outstanding efforts and sportsmanship.
He emphasized that the participants made the event a success, and expressed anticipation for continued excellence in future tournaments.
“The tournament marked the beginning of a closer relationship between NBM plc and the golfing community, and we are encouraged by the turnout and will continue to work with the golfing fraternity. And I would like to congratulate those who have emerged winners.”
“We used the occasion to explain to the customers the new developments in the bank in a relaxing atmosphere. As you are aware, most of the time we meet them in the banking hall or our offices and there isn’t enough time to have a relaxing and deep chat,” explained Jiya.
Paul Lawrence, captain of the winning team, expressed excitement and gratitude to NBM plc for sponsoring the event.
“We started quite badly but all we told ourselves is, let’s just continue, let’s play well. We made sure that every hole we got the best points, either me or my partners,” said Lawrence.
For emerging champions, each player in the Chichiri Service Centre team walked away with a grand prize of a trophy and a golf bag.
During the tournament, NBM plc donated K3 million to Blantyre Sports Club (BSC) for the maintenance of the greens.
The Bank’s CEO also announced that the Invitational Golf Tournament will return next year, promising even more excitement and engagement, aiming to strengthen ties with its customers and the golfing community while continuing to support the sport in Malawi.
Listed FDH Bank has given K7 million to Nation Publications Limited in support of this year’s Mother’s Fun Run initiative which aims to promote safe motherhood in Chikwawa District.
Speaking at the cheque handover ceremony in Blantyre, FDH Bank’s Public Relations Manager, Lorraine Chikhula praised the Fun Run initiative for promoting safe motherhood in Malawi for nearly two decades.
“This is a critical development initiative, as we are all here because of mothers, and every child and mother deserve quality, safe healthcare. Safe motherhood is the foundation of a healthy nation, enabling further development.”
“The initiative also aligns with the Bank’s corporate social responsibility program, FDH Cares, which focuses on four pillars; Our Community, Our Environment, Our People, and Our Economy. Under Our Community, we champion various initiatives, especially in health and education, which are directly aligned with the Mother’s Fun Run initiative,” said Chikhula.
Representing NPL at the event, Weekend Nation Editor, Steven Nhlane, expressed heartfelt appreciation to FDH Bank plc for their generous donation towards the initiative.
He commended the Bank for its continuous commitment to supporting safe motherhood, noting that the contribution would have a significant impact in Chikwawa District.
“We are truly grateful to FDH Bank for this generous donation, which will go a long way in improving maternal and child healthcare in Chikwawa. Your unwavering support for this initiative, now running for close to two decades, is a testament to your dedication in making a difference in the health and well-being of Malawians. Together, we can help ensure that every mother and child have access to the quality care they deserve,” Nhlane remarked.
FDH Bank plc has reaffirmed its strong relationship with the health sector and its commitment to supporting initiatives that improve the well-being of Malawians.
Standard Bank Plc has launched an exclusive 25% discount offer on membership fees at Hashtag Fitness for its Private and high-net-worth clients.
Hashtag Fitness is a premier health and wellness facility consisting of a gym, in-house smoothie and health café situated in the heart of Blantyre.
Head of Client Coverage (Personal and Private Banking) Ewen Hiwa said ag the launch Friday night the exciting offer follows a partnership with Hashtag as part of Standard Bank’s recently revamped Private Banking Customer Value Proposition (CVP).
Launched in July, the revamped proposition launched under the theme “Only the best will do” is designed to provide unparalleled benefits and services to the bank’s private customers.
“This partnership is one of the many benefits that our Private Banking and high-net-worth clients can look forward to enjoying as we take Standard Bank’s award-winning financial services to the next level,” said Hiwa.
He said Standard Bank places a premium on the wellness of its customers as it believes that good health and wealth are complimentary. “At Standard Bank driving the growth of Malawi is our purpose. We are keen to see our clients building generational wealth and when they live a healthy lifestyle they increase their potential for productive years. With this in mind, we are confident that we will lay a strong foundation for the next generation through supporting their parents and guardians who are our clients.”
For his part, Hashtag Gym’s Chief Operating Officer Mr. Jean-Claude de Silva welcomed the partnership with Standard Bank saying it offers immense health benefits to the bank’s private customers.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Standard Bank to bring this incredible offer to their private customers. There is a clear synergy in this partnership as both of our firms are clear leaders in providing exclusive services. For Hashtag, our state-of-the-art facilities and expert trainers will help clients to achieve their fitness goals, while our cafe provides healthy and carefully selected beverage and light food options to keep them energized as they push for their fitness goals,” he said.
Some of the services available at Hashtag include dedicated sections for women to ensure privacy when required, expert and personal trainers, personalized fitness programs, complimentary fitness assessments and training plans and access to wellness workshops and seminars.
This offer is exclusive to Standard Bank private customers. To redeem the discount, customers must present their Standard Bank card or account details at Hashtag Gym.
Through the revamping of its Private Banking services, Standard Bank aims to exceed customer expectations and strengthen their financial well-being.
“Standard Bank is the best private bank in Malawi and Africa; therefore, we are committed to continue providing superb financial solutions. At its core we have a full package of financial services, wealth management, insurance, renewable energy solutions, health and wellness offers, family banking and rewards,” added Hiwa.
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has urged President Lazarus Chakwera to institute a commission of inquiry into the June 10 plane crash that killed Vice-President Saulos Klaus Chilima, former First Lady Patricia Shanil Dzimbiri, and seven others.
Sylvester Namiwa, CDEDI Executive Director, commended the President for according a dignified burial to the deceased and engaging international experts to investigate the accident.
However, Namiwa expressed concerns that the preliminary technical report has not addressed critical questions surrounding the tragedy.
“The report shows crystal clear cases of negligence, suppression of material facts, and failure to adhere to laws and regulations governing the nation,” Namiwa said.
“It is shocking that no government official has been held accountable for their actions or failure to act.”
CDEDI has demanded that the President take the following actions within 14 days:
(1)Institute a Commission of Inquiry: Investigate the circumstances leading to the plane crash.
(2)Fire Malawi Army Chief: General Valentino Paul Phiri allowed the Vice-President to travel on an unsafe aircraft and misled the nation about the plane’s location.
(3)Fire Minister of Information: Moses Kunkuyu provided an incorrect narrative about the accident.
(4)Fire MACRA Director General: Daud Suleman initiated a hotline for information on the plane’s location despite the site having a functional tower.
Namiwa warned that failure to comply would lead to peaceful demonstrations.
“Malawians deserve answers and closure on this tragedy,” he emphasized.
The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) has supported this year’s Nation Publication Limited (NPL) Mothers’ Fun Run Project for Chikwawa District Hospital with K10 million.
Speaking during a symbolic cheque presentation in Blantyre on Wednesday, MAGLA Director General Rachael Mijiga said the Authority thought of donating the money to support the noble cause that NPL has been doing.
“This is the 19th year for the mother’s fun run to be taking place and we always come in to support because they are doing a great job. Mothers are the bedrock of society, if we have strong and healthy mothers, they will have strong babies that will turn out to be future productive citizens of this country.”
“So, we all need to come in and hold hands as the government cannot do it alone, it cannot be everywhere and that is why we need to chip in,” said Mijiga.
In his remarks NPL Weekend Nation Editor Steven Nhlane hailed MAGLA for the donation which he said will go a long way in boosting the Mothers Fun Run cause of reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.
“Our target is to raise K300 Million and so far, we have covered about half of that amount. The program this year will be implemented in Chikwawa District which has 12 health facilities, said Nhlane.
UNIMA ladies in White Jersey in action against MZUNI in sky blue Jersey
The much-anticipated Mo626 College Basketball Top Eight Tournament played on Saturday at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) has managed to produce semifinalists for the men and women categories.
The Elite Top Eight tournament delivered thrilling results as University of Lilongwe (UNILIL), Malawi Assemblies of God University (MAGU), Mzuni University (MZUNI), and Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) women teams booked their places in the semi-finals.
African Bible College (ABC), University of Malawi (UNIMA), MAGU, and UNILIL secured their semifinal spots in the men’s divisions after an intense encounter on the court.
MAGU and MUBAS women secured a 20-0 victory each against Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) which failed to turn up and automatically forfeited their points, while MZUNI defeated UNIMA 43-36.
UNIMA bounced back strongly in their second fixture by beating Catholic University (CUNIMA) 49-34, while MUBAS triumphed against Bunda College 50-49.
Akossa Hiwa National Bank of Malawi Plc Marketing Manager
In the men’s division, the competition was intense as Malawi College of Accountancy (MCA-BT) defeated MAGU 44-41, while ABC overcame MUBAS 44-34, and UNIMA secured a close 49-43 win over MZUNI.
UNILIL thumped MUST 65-54, while ABC continued their dominance by beating MCA-BT 41-34 while MAGU cruised to a 41-32 victory over MUBAS.
Mzuni hotshots captain, Sharon Chikaonda who plays point guard, said she is proud of her team’s dedication and perseverance and that qualifying for the semi-finals is a great achievement.
“I feel proud of our team’s performance at the Mo626 Elite 8 Basketball game. We showed great determination and skill, winning against UNIMA and putting up a strong fight against UNILIL,” said Chikaonda.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Hiwa, hailed the electric performance on the day saying the Bank is proud to be part of this initiative which not only fosters talent, but also encourages youth development, healthy living, and community engagement.
“The tournament was electric, with high energy, and competitiveness, and now we have our four teams for both men and women that will be going into the finals.”
“As we move on to the semi-final and finals on the 27th of September 2024, as a Bank we will continue engaging with our stakeholders at different levels with Mo626 Basketball Teams in tertiary institutions and will commit to investing in the development of tertiary education sports,” Hiwa explained.
Basketball Association of Malawi (Basmal) Vice President, Banthari Banda, echoed Hiwa’s sentiments, expressing his excitement at the level of competition to find the top four teams for both men’s and women’s games.
“The teams prepared diligently, and we have witnessed outstanding teamwork, technical prowess, and tactical brilliance. The level of basketball is exceptional, and we expect even more as the tournament progresses to the finals and this will also help us find top players that will be featured in the National team,” said Banda.
This year’s finals will take place on September 28 at ABC Gymnasium and will see the winners walking away with K5 million as the grand prize, while the runners-up in both male and female categories will cart home K3 million each.
