A lucky customer about to spin the wheel of fortune during an activation in Blantyre
NBS Bank plc has rolled out an exciting digital activation campaign as part of its festive season initiatives aimed at promoting cashless transactions and encouraging the use of swipe machines and digital payment platforms.
The campaign was officially launched on Friday at Chipiku Plus in Lilongwe led by the Bank’s Marketing Manager, James Chikaonda.
Speaking at the event, Chikaonda highlighted that the month-long promotion is open to all customers and seeks to educate the public on the benefits of digital payments.
“To participate, customers must make purchases of at least K50,000, which will qualify them for a draw where they stand a chance to win various prizes, including K1 million in Trolley Cash.”
“As a digitally focused bank, NBS Bank is dedicated to fostering a cashless culture by promoting swipe machines and digital payments. This approach is not only safer but also more convenient,” said Chikaonda.
An NBS bank official explains to customers of the promotion in Blantyre
Chikaonda emphasized the Bank’s commitment to encouraging digital payment adoption while rewarding customers who embrace these methods.
“The Bank has planned additional initiatives and activities for rural communities, providing even more opportunities for customers to win,” revealed Chikaonda.
The inaugural draw of the campaign saw Akbar Patel winning K1 million in Trolley Cash promotion.
Patel, who was overwhelmed with excitement, expressed gratitude and promised to participate in upcoming activities.
“I am excited to emerge as today’s winner, and I will participate in the upcoming activities again,” said Patel.
The competition will run until the end of December, giving participants multiple chances to engage and win.
Jiya (Right) and Sunduzwayo Madise shake hands to mark the launch of the awards program
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has re-launched the NBM Scholarships and Best Performing Students Awards for tertiary students, pumping in K270 million.
The program, which was launched at the University of Malawi (UNIMA) on Friday, builds on the Bank’s longstanding commitment to education in Malawi, which spans over three decades.
Speaking during the launch, NBM plc Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Harold Jiya reaffirmed the Bank’s dedication to fostering academic excellence and addressing students’ financial challenges by introducing two core components the NBM Scholarships Program and the Best Excellence Student Awards.
The program is a continuation of the former NBM plc Best Student Awards.
“Each intake, NBM plc will support 35 scholarship recipients, five from each institution, covering tuition fees, accommodation, upkeep, stationery, medical allowances, and laptops. Additionally, five students on the Dean’s List from each institution will be awarded annually.”
“The program also includes coaching and mentorship opportunities for scholarship beneficiaries, as well as internship placements for those who consistently perform well academically. With these enhancements, the NBM Scholarships and Best Performing Students Awards is valued at K270 million,” said Jiya.
In her remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) Agnes Mwangwela speaking on behalf of the seven universities that will benefit from the program, expressed gratitude towards the NBM plc gesture saying the program gives hope to students who are having financial challenges to pursue their education in higher learning institutions.
“What has been shown is that, these students, once identified are going to be supported for up to 4 years, which is very good because they no longer have to worry about finances. They can concentrate on their studies and do well. In addition to that, we are also very thankful because the National Bank plc is going to help us recognize excellence,” said Mwangwela.
Unima Student Union Speaker Joel Chigalu also expressed deepest appreciation to NBM plc for their unwavering commitment to empowering education in Malawi.
“We celebrate hope, opportunity, and the promise of a brighter future. For many of us, pursuing higher education has been a dream filled with challenges—financial, personal, and beyond. This scholarship not only eases the financial burden on our families but also inspires us to focus on what truly matters by excelling in our studies,” said Chigalu.
The revitalized program will benefit students across seven universities which are UNIMA, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHES), Mzuzu University (MZUNI), LUANAR, Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), and the Catholic University of Malawi (CUNIMA).
Malawian ICT business mogul Dr. Wisely Phiri, who owns Sparc Systems Limited, has secured a place on the international corporate stage after being awarded as Africa’s Most Impactful and Innovative Business leader of the year 2024.
Dr. Phiri was awarded on Saturday evening in Darsalam, Tanzania during this year’s Consumer Choice Africa Awards alongside where he beat seven other influential African business captains shortlisted for the award.
CEO for Consumer Choice Africa Awards Diana Laizer said Dr. Phiri and the other winners have demonstrated unique leadership philosophy of innovation while breaking barriers to excel.
“These awards are hosted annually to recognize and celebrate businesses and organizations in Africa that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to customer satisfaction, quality, and innovation,” said Laizer.
On his part, Phiri said this was unexpected and was humbled to be recognised as Africa’s Most Impactiful and Innovative Corporate Leader.
“There were other equally capable leaders coming from countries with bigger populations than Malawi that were shortlisted on this position and to be selected by the consumers across Africa is not a small feet,” said Phiri.
For Phiri the award comes weeks after he launched a state of the art Sparc building in Lilongwe to offer ICT solutions for businesses in Malawi and internationally.
During the launch, Phiri indicated that Sparc was created as a brand to represent Africa on a global market.
Linking to the award, he therefore said the award:” is not only for me but also for my team that has helped me execute the various strategies I have come up with inorder to make Sparc a household name across the continent.”
Multi-award winning Malawian hip-hop icon Tay Grin has been nominated for the prestigious Best African International Cultural Ambassador award at the 2024 African Achievement Awards.
“We are delighted to inform you that you have been nominated for the prestigious Best African International Cultural Ambassador,” said Davies Chirwa, Board President of the African Achievement Awards.
Tay Grin’s nomination is a testament to his incredible talent, dedication, and contributions to the African music industry for the past two decades.
According to the statement, his “incredible talent, dedication, and contributions to the African Music/Film industry and broader creative endeavors have made a profound impact.”
The award ceremony, themed around promoting tourism and economic empowerment, will feature a glamorous red carpet and a powerful program dedicated to honoring African excellence.
“We are thrilled to celebrate African excellence with a glamorous, celebrity-studded red carpet and a powerful program dedicated to honoring our community’s accomplishments,” said Chirwa.
The African Achievement Awards will take place on December 15, 2024, at the Seattle Airport Marriott in Washington, USA, and will be broadcast live on ROKU TV and across all major social media platforms.
Tay Grin, whose real name is Limbani Kalilani, is a renowned Malawian hip-hop artist, singer, songwriter, and record producer.
With a career spanning over a decade, Tay Grin has become a household name in Malawi and has gained recognition across Africa and beyond.
He has collaborated with several international artists and has won numerous awards for his music.
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has awarded 12 Information Communication Technology (ICT) innovators in the ICT Association of Malawi (ICTAM) Innovation Jam competition in Mangochi.
The awards, presented at the ICTAM annual lake conference over the weekend, saw Goodwill Salima of GS Smart Greenhouse shine as he scooped two awards, one in the Agri-Tech category and was also crowned as the best innovator.
“I innovated a solution that automates and monitors what happens in a greenhouse. We plant a sensor that measures the soil moisture and temperature. So, when the soil moisture has dropped the water automatically starts irrigating and likewise automatically stops,” said Salima.
Innovators were competing in six categories namely Agri-Tech, e-Health, Fintech, Emerging Technologies, Open Source, SheCodes, and Overall Open category.
Only the Fintech innovator of the year, M1 Money Mobile App got K2 million, while winners in all categories got K1.5 million each, and runners-up took home K1 million each.
Automated Fertilizer Granulator came second to Salima, while Celsee Smartphone Thermometer won the eHealth award followed by Under-5 Auto-Digital Weighing system.
Chimwemwe Lipato NBM’s Projects Manager (left) handing over the cheque to one of the winners
Kavel Decodes was crowned winner in the Emerging Technologies category, while Auto-Vigil also known as QuickPlate were runners-up.
In the Open-Source category, School Guide Malawi emerged as the winner followed by Umunthu Digital Corruption Reporting System.
All-in-One Career Advancement Platform for Tech Professionals won the SheCodes category, and Research Connect was the runner-up.
NBM plc Head of Digital Financial Services, William Kaunda said the bank supports the awards to help develop local talents and solutions that can be used.
“Agenda 2063 talks about this country being able to be digital. Now you cannot get there without being in 2024, that is where National Bank comes in because we are preparing a set of skills that will be able to deliver various aspects of the digital plan.”
“When we started sponsoring in 2019, ICTAM was not like it is today. This year we had very stiff competition. We had 82 entries but we had to choose the best 12,” said Kaunda.
In his remarks, ICTAM president Clarence Gama thanked National Bank plc for the partnership to ensure the innovations go through the much-needed incubation process.
“We have received a commitment from National Bank of Malawi of about K115 million every year and part of it goes towards the incubation,” said Gama.
Msonkhano waposachedwapa wa UTM, umene unachitikira ku Mzuzu ndipo ndikusankha Dr. Dalitso Kabambe kukhala mtsogoleri wa chipanichi, wasiya anthu ambiri atamangidwa mphukusi. Msokhanowu, maka zotsatila za zisankhozi zadzetsa mafunso ambiri omwe mpaka pano mayankho zakupezeka.
Enafe sitinali muchpinda momwe msonkhanowu umachitikira poti sitinali ma deligeti, koma tili panja tinamvako kuti magetsi anali vuto maka mmene anthu anali kuwerengera mavoti. Onenawo akuti magetsiwa anazima kokwana kasanu ndi kamodzi. Mpaka pano palibe wina aliyense wa ku chipani kapena kwa awo amayendetsa zisankhozi amene wafotokozapo kuti chimachitika ndi chani.
Nkhani ina imene ikuoneka kuti anthu akungoyilambalala ndikusiyana kwa namabla ya anthu omwe anavota pa mtsogoleri wa chipanichi ndi awo amene anavota mipando yosiyanasiyana.
Mukaundula munaonetsa kuti anthu 748 ndi amene amayenera kuvota patsikuli ndipo pa mipando yonse inaonetsa kuti anthu awawa anavotadi koma chodabwitsa ndi chakuti pa mpando wa mtsogoleri ma voti onse owerengedwa kuchotsa owonongeka anakwana 727 pamene owonongeka anali 9. Ngakhale zonsezi zinali choncho anthuwa amavota kugwiritsa njira ya ka bunkhu komwe kanali ndi masamba 11 kuyimira maudindo onse kumphatikiza a mtsogoleri wa chipani. Mpaka lero palibe wa kuchipani kapena mmodzi mwa awo amene amayendetsa zisankho wafotozapo kuti kodi mavoti 12 anapita kuti.
Kwa aliyense okonda UTM komaso okonda Malawi izizi zikudzetsa mafunso kuti kodi chpani cha UTM chomwe chimayimira polimbikitsa chilungamo, kusintha pakachitidwe kandale komanso kuchita zinthu mokomera ali yense, chikuchitadi monga chinenera. Chodetsa nkhawa kwambiri ndi chakuti amtsogoleri atsopano achipanichi angoyang’ana kumbali pakhani zimenezi and kwaiwo sakuonapo vuto.
Nkhani ina yomwe yaponyedwa kuchipinda ndiyakuti oyendetsa chisankhochi anasankha kugwiritsa tchito kampani ya mchimwene wawo wa a Honourable Shadreck Namalomba kuti iunikire kuwerengera kwa ma voti ngati ma Auditors. A Namalomba ndi mneneri wa DPP, yemwe alinso mneneri wa mtsogoleri wa DPP a Peter Mutharika. President wopumayu ndi atsibweni awo a Dr. Kabambe.
China chofuna kuganizira mwakuya. Zotsatira za Dr. Kabambe zinali 636; mavoti 21 anapita kwa Dr Patricia Kaliati, 22 kwa Dr Matthews Mtumbuka, ndi 26 kwa a Newton Kambala. Ena akambapo kuti izizi zikuoneka ngati kuti mavoti awawa anali okoza kale ndipo chisankho chinangopangika momata anthu mphula mmaso. Kunena zoona ngakhale izizi zingatengedwe ngati nkhamba kamwa chabe koma ndikhani zomwe zikhoza kuononga chipani cha UTM maka pamene dziko la Malawi likupita kuzisankho chaka chamawachi. Enaso akambapo kuti zikhoza kutheka kuti ndalama zinagwiritsidwa ntchito pogula ngakhale anthu amene amayendetsa chisankhochi kuphatikizapo ma monita.
Chodandaulitsa china ndichakuti ngakhale atolankhani akuoneka kuti alibe chidwi chopanga kafukufuku pa nkhani zimenezi. Funso mkumati kodi atolankhani angolemphera kugwira ntchito chabe kapena nawo anapatsidwa kena kake pofuna kubisa chilungamo? Sitinganeneretu komano kutsatila bwino mmene ndalama zagwiritsidwira ntchito pakampeni ndi kuti chisankhochi chikomere mbali ina yache sitingatsutse pamaganizo amenewa.
Monga tanena kale, mu 2025 kuli zisankho za dziko pamene UTM motsogozedwa ndi Dr Kabambe akuyembekezera kukapikisana nawo. Funso mkumati kodi ndi nkhani zimenezi, a Malawi ali okozeka kukhulupirira kuti UTM ndi Dr Kabambe ali nkuthekera kulamulira dziko lino mopanda chinyengo, katangale kapena kusolora.
Chipani cha UTM chikuyenera kuchitapo kanthu kuti chibwezeretse chikhulupiriro chimene a Malawi anali nacho pa chipanichi. Kungokhala ngati palibe chili chonse chachitika ndikosanthandiza.
Chokhumudwitsa china ndichokuti panopa anthu amene akusapota Dr. Kabambe ali kalikiliki kutukwana ndi kunyazitsa awo omwe zisinayende pa chisankho chimenechi zimeneso zikupangitsa kuti kusakondwa kudzipitililabe. Izizi zilibe mphindu patsogolo la UTM. Nthawi ino nkofunika kuti Dr Kabambe ndi masapota awo adzichepetse ndi kuyesetsa kuwafikira anzawowa monga mayi Kaliati, a Dr Mtumbuka, ndi a Kambala ndi ena maka awo amene ankhala akuyendetsa chipanichi kuyambira 2018 pamodzi ndi malemu Dr Saulos Klaus Chilima.
Atsogoleri a chipani cha UTM ayenera kuonetsa kugonjera ku chilungamo ndikudzifunsa mafuso awa: Kodi anthu akamapita kuzisankho mu 2025 adzichiona bwanji chipanichi? Kodi a Malawi ankhala okhutila kuti chipanichi chikwanitsa kukwaniritsa masomphenya a mtsogoleri wakale wa UTM malemu Chilima? Apo bii, UTM iyiwale kaye zochita bwino pa zisankho zikubwerazi ndi kulamulira dziko lino.
The recently concluded UTM convention, which saw Dr. Dalitso Kabambe clinch the party presidency, has left a cloud of suspicion hanging over the party’s credibility. From reports of power outages during vote counting to unexplained discrepancies in ballot totals, the election process has raised critical questions about fairness, transparency, and the party’s commitment to its reformist ideals. Alarmingly, the glaring issues surrounding the convention appear to have been largely ignored by the party itself (read the new executive) as well as both traditional and print media, raising further concerns about the culture of accountability in Malawi’s political discourse.
Unanswered Questions About the Process
One of the most notable irregularities during the election was the discrepancy in the presidential vote count. While every delegate was issued a single booklet for all positions, the total ballots for the presidential election fell 12 votes short of the numbers recorded for other positions. Coupled with six suspicious power outages during the vote-counting process, this anomaly cannot simply be dismissed as a logistical error. Instead, it underscores the need for an independent review to determine whether these discrepancies were accidental or deliberate.
Reference is made to the 2019 elections case when the defence tried to labour itself justifying some mathematical errors dismissing them as insignificant to the voting process. However, the presiding Judges observed that what was important was not the magnitude of the thievery but the spirit behind such actions.
Adding to the controversy is the decision to engage an auditing firm linked to Shadrick Namalomba, the DPP’s publicity secretary and a close ally of DPP President Peter Mutharika. Namalomba’s connections to DPP President Peter Mutharika—Kabambe’s direct uncle—raise legitimate concerns about a conflict of interest in overseeing the election. Was the auditing firm truly impartial, or did its involvement serve to shield Kabambe’s camp from scrutiny? The optics of this decision alone are enough to undermine confidence in the process, and not only UTM members but also Malawians at large deserve an explanation.
The Role of Money in the Outcome
Dr. Kabambe’s sweeping victory—636 votes compared to Patricia Kaliati’s 21, Matthews Mtumbuka’s 22, and Newton Kambala’s 26—has also fueled allegations that financial resources played a significant role in shaping the outcome. Reports suggest that Kabambe’s camp may have used money to secure loyalty from delegates, election administrators, and even rival camps. Such tactics, if true, run counter to UTM’s founding principles of fairness and integrity.
The party must now reckon with the reality that unchecked financial influence in its leadership elections could erode trust among its members and supporters. Beyond the convention, it raises a broader question for Malawian politics: Can a system tainted by money ever truly serve the people?
Media Silence: A Failure of Accountability
Equally troubling is the silence of Malawi’s media, both traditional and print, on these issues. Despite the gravity of the allegations and their implications for democracy, there has been a noticeable lack of investigative reporting or in-depth analysis. Why have these issues been swept under the rug? Is it complacency, fear of reprisals, or something more insidious? Whatever the reason, the media’s failure to interrogate the integrity of the UTM convention represents a missed opportunity to hold power to account and promote transparency in Malawi’s political processes.
The Way Forward for UTM
For UTM to maintain its credibility and relevance, it cannot afford to sweep these issues aside. The new leadership, under Dr. Kabambe, has a responsibility to address the allegations head-on and restore trust within the party. This begins with a serious retrospective of the election process.
As a starting point, the party should engage a neutral body, unaffiliated with any political actors, to investigate the discrepancies and allegations of vote-buying. The findings of this review must be made public to reassure members and supporters of UTM’s commitment to integrity.
There is also need for electoral reforms. UTM must establish stricter guidelines for campaign financing and delegate engagement to prevent undue influence in future elections. Transparency and fairness should be the cornerstones of its internal democracy.
Dr Kabambe and his team must work to reach out to aggrieved parties instead of further antagonising them as is the case now through various social media posts which glaringly shows that they are meant to “kumvetsa kuwawa” the other side. Dr. Kabambe and his team must prioritize reconciliation with people, such as Kaliati, Mtumbuka, and Kambala. Alienating further these key figures risks further fracturing the party, while an inclusive approach can strengthen UTM’s unity and effectiveness.
The party must go beyond damage control and actively rebuild trust by recommitting to the values that inspired its formation. This includes fostering a culture of accountability and ensuring that decisions reflect the collective will of its members.
Moving Forward Together
While the allegations surrounding the convention cast a shadow over Dr. Kabambe’s leadership, they also present an opportunity for UTM to demonstrate its resilience and commitment to reform. Addressing these issues openly and transparently can set a powerful example for other political parties in Malawi and help the party regain confidence from Malawians.
For those who lost in the elections, this is a moment to show leadership as well as statesmanship and rise above these turbulent moments to focus on the greater good. The legacy of late Saulos Klaus Chilima, who championed reform and unity, should inspire all UTM members to work together for the party’s success and Malawi’s progress.
Finally, the media must step up and play its role in holding leaders accountable. Without rigorous scrutiny, the principles of democracy are weakened, and the public loses faith in its institutions.
As UTM charts its path forward, its leaders and members must ask themselves this difficult question: Are they willing to confront uncomfortable truths for the sake of integrity, or will they allow the party to drift away from its founding ideals? Only by choosing the former can UTM truly embody the change it promises to bring to Malawi, if not then forget it.
Get ready to usher in the festive season with a bang! The December African Print Party is just around the corner, and it promises to be an unforgettable night of music, fashion, and fun.
Scheduled to take place on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the luxurious Amaryllis Hotel, the event will kick off at 6:30 pm.
The highlight of the evening will be a thrilling performance by the talented Kell Kay.
Tickets for the event are now available, with standard tickets going for MK15,000, VIP advance tickets for MK250,000, and door fees set at MK20,000.
For those looking to make a night of it, accommodation packages are also available, with double occupancy rooms starting at MK280,000, including bed and breakfast, tickets for two, and a complimentary bottle of wine for bookings made within five days of the event.
The December African Print Party is being organized by Entertainers Promotion, in partnership with Amaryllis Hotel and Gold Mountain.
With its unique blend of African print fashion, live music and luxurious ambiance, this event is set to be the perfect way to kick off the festive season in style.
The Insurance Association of Malawi (IAM) says it expects an increase in insurance penetration as the country fully migrates to a digital motor insurance system by January 12025.
During the launch of this year’s Insurance Awareness Week some months ago, the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) expressed concern over the continued low uptake of insurance services in the country as statistics and research carried out by various institutions showed the insurance penetration ratio was at 1.9 percent as of December 2023.
But during an interface session to brief police traffic officers and the media in the southern region about the new system in Blantyre on Tuesday, IAM Executive Secretary, Dharles Kasonda-Kuyokwa was optimistic that apart from simplifying life, the digitalized system will help increase the numbers.
“We believe that our numbers will increase because people will not travel to get the services but access them online. Even those in the rural areas will not come to urban areas to get the service. So, numbers in terms of penetration will increase.”
Insurance Association officials pose with participants
“We would like to ask the public to go and change their insurance certificates if they are still using the old ones, and at the same time we ask them to embrace the new system which is going to help the insurance companies and the public in terms of efficiency,” said Kuyokwa.
Police Regional Traffic Inspector responsible for the South East, Assistant Superintendent Jonathan Chitedze said the new system is vital and will ease their work.
“I am urging the public to comply with the new technologies as also required by the Malawi 2063 agenda,” said Chitedze.
The General insurance companies will cease issuing pre-printed certificates and fully migrate to Digital Motor Vehicle Insurance Certificates (DMVIC) by December 31 this year.
Among other benefits, DMVIC will help the law enforcers to be able to trace stolen and hit-and-run vehicles.
Msimuko (right) handing over some of the books to the Headgirl
Petroleum Importers Limited (PIL), a consortium of four oil marketing companies in the country, has donated textbooks worth K6 million to Bwengu Community Day Secondary School in Mzimba.
Speaking after handing over the textbooks on Monday, PIL General Manager, Martin Msimuko said the gesture was part of transforming lives, opening doors, and laying the foundation for the student’s brighter future through education.
“For too many students in rural areas, resources are limited. Lack of access to quality learning materials often stands as a barrier between students and their dreams. This donation of school books helps to remove that barrier, providing students here with the tools they need to learn, explore, and achieve their full potential.”
“The call of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number four under Education aims at ensuring that all girls and boys should complete primary and secondary education by 2030. PIL recognizes that the private sector has an important role to play in contributing to achievement of the SDGs in Malawi,” said Msimuko.
Receiving the books on behalf of the Northern Education Division Manager, Emmanuel Luhanga commended PIL for aiding the Government in the development of education in the country.
Msimuko (2nd right) handing over the books to Luhanga flanked by Inkosi Jalavikuwa (right) and Headteacher Chimwemwe Shaba (Left)
“This donation by PIL will go a long way in ensuring that the students here at Bwengu do not scramble for resources in their studies. The Ministry, through our office, has mechanisms in place to ensure the books are safe from damage or being stolen. We urge the students, teachers and members of the community to take care of the books so that even those students still in primary school now, should benefit in future,” said Luhanga.
One of the students, Triphonia Kamanga, indicated that before the donation, the situation was bad as students grappled for the few available books.
“We are over 400 students here, but we had few books. We believe these books will motivate us to keep working hard. If we managed to pass well with the limited resources, then nothing can stop us now that we have the books. We thank PIL for choosing us,” she said.
Inkosi Jalavikuwa Munthali of the area also commended PIL for the donation, but appealed for more support especially on the science laboratory which the school lacks.
PIL comprises Total Energies, Petroda, Vivo Energy, and Puma.
Msimuko (right) makes symbolic presentation to Bwengu CDSS students
