In efforts to define modern culture, Models Association of Malawi highlights that the Runway Malawi Fashion Show slated for August 20 at Bingu National Stadium will accommodate fashion diversity from different parts of the world.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana)on Tuesday in Lilongwe, President of Models Association of Malawi, Chris Daka, the organizer of the fashion Show said the event would seek to display how culture has evolved in recent years to become a cosmopolitan lifestyle.
“The event intends to show the true definition of modern Africa, we expect 13 participating countries, including fashion designers, models and make-upartists. We are trying to deliver something which people don’t see in fashion shows which is currently limited to dressing,” he said.
Kunda urged Malawians to participate in the event through contacting Runway Malawi social media pages and emphasized the importance of having Ambassadors of fashion at the event.
“We cannot talk about fashion without talking about the Ambassadors of fashion hence we have invited Miss Culture, Miss Heritage and Miss Christian just as we shall havemusicianssuch as Phyzix, because their art and our art goes together,” the President said.
He said the event is not a competition; it was rather a show case that would allow everybody to express their creativity stressing that fashion contests limit people’s creativity.
Linda Nhantumboof Queen Tenge, aMalawian showcasing designer for the upcoming runway said the audience should expect very unique designs that represent Malawian culture contrary to recent trends of copying content from social media which is drowning the Malawian culture.
“As we embrace culture,we are able to put ourselves on the map in so doing we expose ourselves to the world, therefore people should come and see what Malawians are capable of doing,” she said.
A model for runway Malawi, Jimmy Mdala looks forward to the event and be able to express himself through fashion andexperience cultures from Malawi and other countries.
The Runway Malawi Spring/Summer (SS) will bring models such as Maureen Phiri from Zambia, Tausi Omary from Tanzania and others from Belgium, Denmark, and Designers like Afro Phoenix and Bribs Couture from Zimbabwe.
The Runway Malawi Fashion Show Spring/Summer (SS) is a project for Models Association of Malawi which ensures that they remain visible on the ground.They also had a successful event dubbed Lilongwe International fashion show case in the month of July 2022.
Like any married woman, 38-year-old Loveness Nyasulu was overjoyed when she realised that she had conceived. The news meant she could now have her fourth child.
“I was really very happy when I got my fourth pregnancy. As a family, we had planned that this should be my last pregnancy as we already had three children.
“You can imagine the excitement that engulfed me for the possibility of finally having a last born child,” recalls Nyasulu.
Nine months later, Nyasulu who hails from Chidungu village in Traditional Authority M’nyanja in Kasungu district gave birth to a baby boy through caesarian. The Nyasulu family were overwhelmed to finally welcome the baby boy.
But this pleasure was however short lived when the new mother started experiencing strange things.
“Immediately after I gave birth to the child through caesarian, I discovered that I had lost some senses especially when it came to urinating and defecating.
“I could not even know when I was due to go for urination or to defecation, I could only notice flies and bad odour all over me and that I was covered by feces,” explained Nyasulu.
“I started thinking that someone had bewitched me because of the new baby. With this in mind, I convinced myself that my problem could well be handled by traditional means.
“We then went to various traditional healers to seek help but it all ended in vain as the problem continued,” explained Loveness.
Facing stigma
Loveness says she could not figure out what was going on and day in and day out she was crying because she could not sit around her friends.
“It reached a very extreme point where I could not go to church, funerals or any social gathering because I was ashamed as people made fun of me and started to disassociate themselves from me.
“Whenever I wanted to interact with my fellow women, few could accept me as they thought I was an unhygienic person,” she narrates.
Loveness
Loneness’s husband Maliko Nyasulu recalls the stigma he faced because of his wife’s condition.
“My fellow men mocked me as to why I was still staying with a woman who defecates and smells bad on her own. Some suggested that I leave Loveness and marry another woman.
“Had it been that I was not strong enough, honestly the family could have collapsed way back. It was really the lowest point of our lives as a family,” said Nyasulu.
The intervention
After almost exhausting every local means to end the problem, Loveness and her husband Maliko reluctantly decided to try the ‘last road not taken’-the hospital.
“Realizing that we were just losing a lot of our hard-earned resources in search of a cure, we decided to seek medical intervention,” Loveness narrates.
She said with the support of her husband, they approached their Health Surveillance Assistant (HSA) Lucky Matemba.
“After I had interacted with the patient and her husband, I suggested that it could be fistula disease as all the signs and symptoms were clear.
“But since matters of this nature are beyond my control, I then referred her to a Fistula disease coordinator at Mnyanja health centre so that she could take up the matter further,” said Matemba.
Still feeling reluctant and hopeless, Loveness was referred to Violet Vyata, a Fistula disease coordinator at Mnyanja health centre who immediately referred her to Kasungu district hospital.
“Upon arrival at Kasungu district hospital, we were promptly told that it was fistula and that there was urgent need for us to be taken for specialist Fistula treatment at Bwaila hospital,” she said.
Hope restored
For Loveness, the bumpy road from Kasungu to Lilongwe looked smooth. At last she had regained hope that perhaps this could be the last resort where she could get her much needed healing.
Accompanied by her husband’s sister in-law, she arrived at Bwaila hospital around 4 pm and was immediately given a bed so that treatment begins.
“For two months, I was being treated for fistula and long at last, I could feel that the involuntary fecal and urine discharges stopped. I could feel the happiness all through my body. Long at last, my dignity had been restored as a woman,” happily explained Loveness.
Treatable condition
Fistula treatment specialist at Bwaila Hospital, Dr Mervice Nakwanje says if diagnosed early, fistula is treatable.
Nakwanje said that fistula is preventable when women seek treatment from the hospital first before seeking treatment from traditional healers during pregnancy.
“Women should not get worried of fistula disease because it is preventable and government hospitals are able to treat more, especially at Bwaila hospital.
“This mostly happens during the time of giving birth if the child inside has grown bigger than the outlet, during birth a child may panic in a process of trying to come out and this may cause fistula disease.
“Women are encouraged to rush to the hospital to seek help than to rush to traditional healers to avoid losing the unborn children and risking their lives as well,” Nakwanje said.
She added that some women are suffering from fistula disease because they give birth whilst young and there is need for civic education amongst young girls in order to avoid cases of fistula in the country.
Nakwanje bemoaned increased incidents of discrimination on fistula patients saying discrimineted in some hospitals in the country. She urged fistula patients to seek help in public hospitals where patients are treated with respect.
“Discrimination to people who are suffering from fistula is very common, in order to avoid this challenge, women that are suffering from the disease they should go and seek treatment from government hospitals where patients receive fair treatment at a free cost,” she said.
Ministry of Health Spokesperson, Adrian Chikumbe said as a ministry they are encouraging women and girls to go to the nearest hospitals in their communities to do a checkup regularly even if they don’t see the signs and symptoms of fistula.
“It is very important to know early stages of the disease so that it should be treated fast to avoid some damages that may occur in women due to the disease,” Chikumbe said.
Long at last, Loveness can now have her dignity fully restored as a woman through early diagnosis and treatment of fistula disease.
President Lazarus Chakwera has arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Capital, Kinshasa for the 42nd Ordinary Summit of Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit.
Chakwera alongside First lady Monica was welcomed at Ndjili Airport by DRC Prime Minister Jean Michel Sama Lukonde .
He, immediately after being briefied by Sama, got down to serious business with his DRC counterpart Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo where the two shared notes on critical issues within the SADC region.
In a brief interview after their otherwise brief preparatory meeting ahead of the main event tomorrow, Chakwera said the two agreed to enhance bilateral and regional ties to boost socio-economic growth.
“We have agreed to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange in mining, agriculture, technology, trade and other areas of mutual interest.
“We also touched on infrastructure development specifically road and railway transport as well as easing visa processes between the two nations,” Chakwera disclosed.
In his remarks, President Tshilomo expressed deep appreciation for Malawi’s resolute stance in repelling the seemingly ever budding terrorist and insurgent movements in the region; arguing that if left unchecked, they stand to derail the little gains the development bloc has made in socio-economic development.
“Yes, he’s been very much appreciative of the involvement of Malawi Defence Force troops in the United Nations Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in ensuring that peace and security return to the whole of DRC. This appreciation is humbling,” said Chakwera of his DRC counterpart.
President Chakwera also took the opportunity to send his warm wishes to Tshilomo ahead of handing over the SADC leadership mantle when the Summit officially opens tomorrow.
Said Chakwera: “I have personally encouraged him of the task ahead and pledged my untiring support towards his success.”
The two leaders also banged heads on how best to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries
The 42nd Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government will see Chakwera relinquish the chairmanship of the Southern Africa bloc which he has led for the past one year.
On a lighter note, the Malawi entourage was treated to some traditional dances upon arrival, reminiscing those from back home.
It might have been a familiar sight for Chakwera, who visibly enjoyed the dances on display as, just the weekend gone by, as he presided over the Umthetho Cultural Festival for the Ngonis held at the foot of Hora Mountain in Mzimba.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has says it has no any plans to devalue the country’s currency further after the recent 25% it effected in June this year.
In June this year the Central Bank effected a 25% devaluation on the local currency in a move that was meant to stabilize the Kwacha.
However since that devaluation there has been growing social media reports that the Central Bank intends to devalue the Kwacha further arguing the first devaluation had failed to achieve desired results.
But in a statement released on Tuesday and signed by RBM Governor Dr Wilson Banda,the Central Bank says contrary to the social media speculations Malawi Government is exploring and working on several measures and interventions to address the foreign exchange-supply inbalances.
“The RBM has noted with concern persistent speculations and uninformed opinion about the future direction of the exchange rate. The RBM believes that the current pressure on the exchange rate is fueled by these speculations and therefore not reflective of true demand and supply dynamics,” said Banda in the statement..
The RBM Governor further observed that these speculations are also leading to market participants taking a wait and see approach to foreign exchange transactions, a situation which is compounding the situation further.
“The RBM therefore wishes to inform the general public that it has no intention to devalue the kwacha further in response to these speculations. There is no reason to do so,” said Banda.
Added the RBM Governor: “The RBM wishes to notify the general public that the adjustment was sufficient and has brought the exchange rate to the desired market clearing level. Following the realignment, there has been improved flow of foreign exchange which is helping with importation of strategic commodities in the
country.”
Banda said among the interventions and measures that Malawi Government is putting in place to address the foreign exchange situation include revision of the Exchange Control Act to among others, introduce measures to curb illegal externalization of foreign exchange.
Other measures are diversification of exports towards the mining sector that include gold, gem stones and rare earth; establishment of mega farms to enhance agriculture commercialization efforts, targeting high value export crops; establishment of structured markets for export crops such as legumes to enhance formal trade and increase receipts through formal channels; and creation of a testing lab to improve export value.
“The private sector is urged to leverage on these initiatives to improve foreign exchange generation,” said the RBM Governor.
Banda further said going forward, the RBM will continue to allow the exchange rate to respond to market fundamentals by maintaining a flexible exchange rate regime.
Senior Resident Magistrate Wanangwa Nyirenda has granted bail to former Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha who was earlier nabbed today by the Anti Corruption Bureau.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the graft busting body said it had arrested Mwanamvekha in connection to a US$18,374,460 procurement deal involving the ministry of Homeland security.
According to the statement the Bureau recorded an allegation on 16 October 2020 that the Ministry of Homeland Security suspiciously procured Malawi Prison Services Uniforms and other equipment from One Guard FZE of United Arab Emirates without following proper procedures.
“Following the recording of the allegation the Bureau proceeded to conduct investigations which established that Mwanamvekha abused his office and neglected official duties by among other things approving disbursement of funds to Ministry of Homeland Security without verifying the urgency and importance of the procurement,” reads the statement.
The Bureau further says that Mwanamvekha will be charged with abuse of office and neglect of official duties.
Meanwhile Senior Resident Wanangwa Nyirenda has since granted bail to the former Finance Minister before the case comes back to court for plea taking.
Mwanamvekha is also answering another charge of abuse of office over his alleged submission of false figures to the International Monetary Fund alongside former Reserve Bank of Governor Dalitso Kabambe and other senior Reserve Bank Governor officials.
….as he is set to handover SADC Chairmanship to DRC
By Staff Writer:
President Lazarus Chakwera has said he believes that the country has benefitted a lot in the one year he has been chairman of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
Chakwera made the remarks on Tuesday morning at Kamuzu International Airport on departure for this year’s 42nd SADC Conference in the Democratic Republic Of Congo where he is set to handover the Chairmanship.
DRC president Felix Tshisekedi is scheduled to take over from Chakwera.
Briefing members of the press before departure, Chakwera said in the one year he has been Chairman, Malawi has benefitted a lot in the areas of infrastructure Development, industrialization as well as peace and security.
“It has been a good challenge. Malawi has experienced a greatest number of SADC meetings at almost every level taking place in this country.
“We have seen things to deal with more integration, more industrialization, more resilience, more peace and security and what we need to do together to advance as a region,” said Chakwera.
Meanwhile Chakwera says he is confident that he has achieved all what he was tasked to achieve as SADC Chair.
“I have achieved almost all what I wanted to achieve during these difficult times. We have remained united as a bloc and I hope this is going to continue as I hand over the SADC Chairmanship to DRC,” said Chakwera.
At this year’s summit heads of state are set among other things discuss how best SADC economies can promote industrialisation through Agricultural Transformation and Mining.
Chakwera took over the SADC Chairmanship from his Mozambican counterpart Felipe Nyusi last year.
Among other things during his term as SADC Chair, Chakwera facilitated SADC’s intervention in the ongoing unrest in Mozambique’s region of Clabo Delgado.
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia has challenged Water Boards in the country to move with technology and start digitalizing their services.
She made the appeal Monday in Zomba during the official launch of Southern Region Water Board Mobile Application the first of this kind.
Mia said with the current speed and usage of technology, it was important for Water Boards to develop systems that would bond them with their customers and improve on access and delivery of water services.
She said Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become an integral component in as far as provision and delivery of services in various sectors is concerned.
The Minister applauded Southern Region Water Board for developing the mobile app which would enable customers pay their water bills, check their balances and report faults.
“It’s about time that we developed systems that are convenient to our people. The mobile application by SRWB would help customers easily access its services,” Mia added.
The Minister asked the Board to develop systems that would detect water loss through leakages.
“Be assured of government’s support in as far as developing the water sector is concerned,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for SRWB, Duncan Chambamba said the Board decided to develop the mobile App system to respond to their customer’s needs.
He said through a survey conducted by the Board on service delivery, customers complained of SRWB’s slow responsiveness to issues and customer needs.
“Results of the survey prompted us to find immediate solution to some of the issues our customers were complaining about. We are sure that the system will provide timely feedback as customers will be able to check their bills, financial statements and make payments,” said Chambamba explained.
He said the system which would have to be downloaded by android phone users would only be used by postpaid customers and that those who have multiple accounts would be required to register all using the app.
Resident of Sadzi Township, Isaac Phiri hailed the Board for launching the App which would reduce congestions at the paying points.
“As customers we expect to save our time and resources as we will no longer have to travel and stand on long queue to access water service. By a click of a button, we will be able to search for all information we need,” he said.
SRWB becomes the first water board in the country to develop and launch the water system in its quest to improve service delivery.
SRWB has appealed to customers to download and install this new mobile application.
President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday took time off his busy schedule to have an audience with world renowned and UK-based Malawian comedian Daliso Chaponda at Kamuzu Palace.
Chaponda is in the country where over the weekend he held a show at the Bingu International Conventional Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
During the audience, Chakwera encouraged Daliso to continue waving Malawi’s flag high across the world and being the national treasure that he is.
On his part Daliso thanked the President for supporting the arts industry by creating an environment in Malawi where freedom of expression is truly respected.
Chaponda has committed to continue bringing comedy shows to Malawi, now that Malawi is a place where his craft is welcome.
Later, Daliso introduced the President to his Ugandan comedian counterpart Salvado, before the two took turns to make Chakwera laugh with their jokes and later thanked the president for his uncommon humility, generosity, and hospitality.
Daliso Chaponda is son to Malawi politician George Chaponda who is a Member of Parliament for the Opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and a fierce critic of the Tonse Administration.
Chakwera’s meeting with Dalitso, which many see as unexpected considering the relationship that the President has with his father, has attracted praises from both friends and critics of the Head of State.
Most social media commentators described Chakwera as a President who does not consider politics, tribes or someone’s background when it comes to national courses.
On a day the youth were celebrating the International Youth Day, President Lazarus Chakwera took time off his busy schedule, made a surprise appearance to join the event marking the day held at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Hundreds of youths converged at Civo to celebrate the day which falls on 12 August every year.
Knowing the importance of the day, Chakwera who was on his way to Mzimba branched off the main road to Civo Stadium to cheer the youths that had converged to commemorate the day.
In his brief address to the youths, Chakwera emphasized his government’s commitment towards youth empowerment.
He said the youths have a huge role in contributing towards the country’s growth.
The International Youth Day is commemorated on 12 August every year and this year the day is being commemorated under the theme “Intergenerational solidarity: creating a world for all ages’.
The day aims to celebrate the contribution that today’s youth make to the development of society.
The significance of the day is also to raise voices against the injustices faced by the youth worldwide as the young people aren’t only tomorrow’s leaders, but they are also making huge changes in society right now.
The President is scheduled to attend the Umthetho wa Angoni festival in Mzimba on saturday morning.
Parliament has passed the Gaming and Lotteries Bill which will see the merging of the Malawi Gaming Board (MGB) and the National Lotteries Board (NLB) to create the Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA).
The passing of the bill will see the repeal of the Lotteries Act and the Gaming Act and create a unified framework (Gaming and Lotteries Act of 2022).
Malawi Gaming and National Lotteries Boards Chief Executive Officer Rachel Mijiga hailed the National Assembly for passing the bill saying the new Authority will bring sanity in the industry.
“We are very happy with this development. We have been fighting for this bill to be passed so that MAGLA should bring sanity in the industry and also promote healthy competition and efficiency among operators for the benefit of players as well as growth of the industry,” said Mijiga.
She said the new Act, among other things, introduces Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) and also brings in responsible advertising requirements as well as an obligation to be compliant with the Financial Crimes Act where there will be confirmation of beneficial ownership as a licensing condition and risk-based approach monitoring of operations.
“The new Act will also allow for the multiple licensing option for the state-franchised National Lottery License to open up more revenue streams to raise funds towards the National Lottery Distribution Fund whose sole purpose is projects for ‘Good Causes’ and to secure continuity in case of business failure by one operator,” said Mijiga.
Mijiga also said there was benchmarking with other jurisdictions within the region with desk research done using legislation from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania and a study tour to Malta was also undertaken to make the new Act relevant ‘to the times we are in’.
The CEO also said that a provision has been inserted in the Act to legislate online betting adding that regulations will be promulgated to that effect.
“We will also have an Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) for monitoring activities and we will also establish the ICT department and recruit ICT officers so that we properly regulate online betting,” said Mijiga.
She further said the Act has introduced stiffer penalties for those operators accommodating minors and that their expectation is that everyone will adhere to the law and protect the future leaders, future workforce of Malawi.
“Over the years, the magnitude of offences has increased and therefore the stiffer penalties are there to deter offenders and going forward, we will be updating legislation to align it with current world trends,” explained Mijiga.
Asked on how the new Act will address issues around addiction, Mijiga said ; “This is already being attended to, for instance, there is an MOU with St John of God where problem-gamblers are treated and the Board covers the cost of treatment and we will also enforce self-exclusion and continue with our awareness campaigns.”
