The Atlas Malawi

Category: News

A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart.

  • Walter, Karim join DPP

    Walter, Karim join DPP

    Two Members of Parliament who won their seats as independents in Nsanje district, Walter Nyamilandu Manda and Bilah Karim have officially rejoined the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), signaling a boost for the party in the southern region.

    Nyamilandu Manda and Bilah Karim, who both ran as independent candidates in the Southern West Constituency and Nsanje Lalanje constituency respectively during the last election, were received at the DPP’s southern region headquarters in Blantyre on Friday.

    Speaking to journalists, Manda clarified his longstanding allegiance to the party despite his independent candidacy.

    “I am a longtime DPP member, even though I stood as an independent Member of Parliament,” he said. “What has happened today is confirmation that I will work for DPP in parliament because the people who voted for me are DPP supporters.”

    Manda attributed his decision to rejoin formally to the return of former President Arthur Peter Mutharika to active politics. “The return of APM has brought encouragement to people that we will have a bright future,” he stated.

    The MP also revealed that his association with DPP had created challenges during his tenure as head of the football association, though he did not elaborate on the specific difficulties he faced.

    Karim echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing alignment with Mutharika’s vision for the country.

    “My vision and President Peter Mutharika’s vision are the same, therefore I have seen it wise to work with a leader with whom we speak the same language on matters of development,” he explained.

  • Mutharika demands competence, integrity from ministers

    Mutharika demands competence, integrity from ministers

    By Evance Matola and Chifundo Kowedza: 

    President Peter Mutharika has challenged the newly sworn-in cabinet ministers and other government officials to work with competence and integrity, which are key pillars in government service delivery.

    Mutharika said this on Thursday at the swearing-in ceremony that took place at Sanjika Palace, where Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda, Minister of State Alfred Gangata, Minister of Finance, Economic and Development Planning Joseph Mwanamveka, Chief Secretary Justin Saidi, and Deputy Chief Secretary Stuart Ligomeka took the oath of office.

    On women’s inclusion, Mutharika said other critics have criticised him for not appointing women in his partial appointments of ministers and other government positions.

    “People just criticise APM all the time. I am always happy when I see women taking up big positions in different sectors. I would like to see women in all sectors taking leadership positions in the public and private sectors as well as in NGOs,” he said.

    He added that it is important for women to fully participate in running the country.

    “Gender equality is a priority. Women will hold positions across all sectors. Our government will be diversified and inclusive,” he emphasised.

    Mutharika has also challenged civil societies and religious organisations to make appointments of women into decision-making roles rather than criticising his government.

    Regarding the appointment of Gangata as Minister of State, Mutharika said that the decision was made to empower youths in the country to take a leading role in economic development.

     

  • Castel Malawi foster ties with stakeholders

    Castel Malawi foster ties with stakeholders

    Leading alcoholic beverage producer in the country, Castel Malawi Limited has challenged its stakeholders to prioritize transparency and sustainable business practices in their daily operations.

    The call was made during a stakeholder engagement meeting held on Monday in Blantyre, bringing together Castel Malawi employees, suppliers, and distributors to share ideas and strengthen collaboration across the company’s value chain.

    According to Castel Malawi Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Linda Kolomba, the meeting was designed to deepen trust and open communication between the company and its key partners.

    “It was an interaction meeting where we wanted to engage with our stakeholders so that we can share our expectations in our business conduct. Some of the key topics discussed ranged from procurement, legal, human resources, corporate social responsibilities and whistleblowing and tip-off mechanisms, among others,” said Kolomba.

    Kolomba emphasized that the initiative is part of an ongoing effort by Castel Malawi to ensure effective communication and address operational challenges collaboratively.

    “We just want to create an environment where the company and its stakeholders communicate effectively. The engagement meetings form part of Castel Malawi’s proactive efforts to foster collaboration and sustainable growth across our operations,” she said.

    One of the participants, Phocus Muhire, Managing Director of A & L Investments and a distributor of Castel products, praised the engagement for providing clarity on partnership expectations.

    “This engagement gave us a better understanding of what is expected of us as distributors and what our customers expect from us. It also helped us reflect on our responsibilities as managers of different entities,” said Muhire.

    Apart from Castel Malawi the meeting also featured presentations from Quality Health Safety Environment (QHSE), Labour Rights Organisation (LARO), and Deloitte, who shared insights on compliance, labour rights, and responsible business conduct.

    Similar engagements will also be conducted in the Central and Northern Regions within the week.

  • MPC gets $200,000 UPU grant for improved services

    MPC gets $200,000 UPU grant for improved services

    Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC) has been awarded a Universal Postal Union (UPU) grant totalling over $200,000 to support the enhancement of mail security systems and digital transformation efforts nationwide.

    The Universal Postal Union is a United Nations specialized agency and the postal sector’s primary forum for international cooperation.

    Speaking after confirmation of the funding, the Postmaster General Angel Banda, said the support marks a significant milestone in MPC’s ongoing transformation and its commitment to delivering secure and efficient postal services to all Malawians.

    “This grant is a timely and strategic investment in the modernisation of our operations. It will strengthen our mail security infrastructure and enhance our ability to safeguard the integrity of the postal system, both locally and internationally. We are grateful to the UPU for recognising our efforts and reaffirming its confidence in Malawi’s postal sector,” said Banda.

    She outlined that the funding will also contribute directly to the implementation of the Turnaround Strategy (TAS) MPC’s blueprint for organisational reform and digital transformation.

    “Mail security is a crucial component of our Turnaround Strategy. As we modernise and digitise our operations, this grant will enable us to invest in the technology and capacity required to meet global postal standards and deliver better services to Malawians,” said Banda.

    The Postmaster General also commended MPC staff for their dedication, citing the international recognition the Corporation has earned in recent years, including being the first English-speaking African country to receive the UPU’s silver medal for mail security.

    “The over $200,000 in funding comprises a $170,000 mail security grant and an additional $40,000 ICT equipment grant, both secured through MPC’s strengthened international partnerships.”

    “This milestone further positions MPC as a forward-looking postal operator committed to innovation, reliability, and service excellence,” said Banda.

    The grant comes a few days before the commemorations of the World Postal Day on October 9.

     

  • Airtel Malawi Applauds Collaboration in Protecting Network Infrastructure

    Airtel Malawi Applauds Collaboration in Protecting Network Infrastructure

    Leading telecommunications company Airtel Malawi Plc has reported remarkable progress in its efforts to safeguard network infrastructure in a bid to provide seamless telecommunication connectivity in the country.

    Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Airtel Malawi Director of Networks Mphatso Manda reaffirmed the company’s appreciation for the unwavering support from the Malawi Police Service, local communities, and stakeholders who continue to play a crucial role in protecting the country’s digital backbone.

    This follows an earlier press briefing in June this year where the telecommunications company called on communities to help combat the rising cases of network fiber vandalism.

    “Connectivity is the lifeline for education, business, and communication across the nation therefore it must be protected at all costs. This far, two people have been caught and brought to book for fibre damage related cases and we have seen community members playing a huge role whenever such cases arise, we can’t take that for granted,” said Manda.

    Through strengthened collaboration with law enforcement and community partners, joint efforts have already yielded tangible results, with two suspects apprehended in connection with recent fiber vandalism incidents.

    One of the culprits was caught in Area 3, Lilongwe, vandalizing critical network cables and has since been sentenced to 30 months in prison with hard labour. The second suspect, who attempted to steal fiber cables at a road construction site in Kanengo, is currently facing prosecution.

    “These arrests are a direct result of the vigilance and cooperation between our communities, the police, and our partners. We are grateful for the swift action taken by law enforcement and the proactive spirit shown by Malawians who understand the value of protecting our national connectivity,” Manda added.

    Speaking on behalf of the Malawi Police Service, Sub Inspector Gresham Ngwira of Kanengo Police Station emphasized that continued collaboration between communities, corporate partners, and law enforcement remains vital in safeguarding national infrastructure.

    “We are committed to working together with the public and corporate stakeholders to ensure that those who tamper with critical infrastructure are brought to justice. The sentencing and ongoing prosecution sends a strong message that vandalism will not be tolerated,” he said.

    To further enhance public engagement, Airtel Malawi has introduced a toll-free hotline 460 for anonymous reporting of suspicious activity and is planning additional community outreach initiatives aimed at raising awareness on the importance of safeguarding network infrastructure.

  • MNT congratulates Mutharika’s  election

    MNT congratulates Mutharika’s  election

    The Media Network on Tobacco (MNT) executive chairperson Alfred Chauwa has congratulated Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Arther Peter Mutharika for being elected Country’s President.

    Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson, Justice Annabel Mtalimanja, declared Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika winner of the September 16 presidential election with 3,352,439 votes, representing 56.8 percent.

    The results placed Lazarus Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) second with 1,765,170 votes, followed by Dalitso Kabambe of the United Transformation Movement (UTM) with 211,430 votes, and Atupele Muluzi of the United Democratic Front (UDF) with 102,744 votes.

    “As Network we believe that his appointment has significant impact over the development of Tobacco Industry in the country which plays pivotal role in the economic growth of our country.

    “Tobacco Industry is facing alot of challenges emanating from  the anti tobacco smoking campaign which is currently underway accross the Globe. We believe the President through his Minister will play greater role in ensuring the Industry remains resilient and afloat,” he said

    MNT is a grouping of seasoned journalists drawned from various media houses coming together and trained in Tobacco industry.

     

  • New Apostolic Church Women’s Fellowship donates Over K500,000 worth of items to Chikwawa District Hospital patients

    New Apostolic Church Women’s Fellowship donates Over K500,000 worth of items to Chikwawa District Hospital patients

    The Sisters’ Fellowship of the New Apostolic Church has donated essential items worth over K500,000 to 52 patients at Chikwawa District Hospital as part of their ongoing charitable efforts.

    Speaking during the donation, the group’s chairperson, Mrs. Esnart Dinyelo, said the items included soap, soya pieces, flour, cooking oil, and other basic necessities.

    She noted that many patients struggle to access such items, which have become increasingly unaffordable due to the recent devaluation of the Kwacha.

    “We thought of donating these items to patients because they lack these items for their daily living.we believe the items would help them to have health life” She said

    Among the recipients were Alise Jackson from Senior Chief Makhwira’s area and Davie Ngulande from Mulanjeni Village under Senior Chief Kasisi. They expressed gratitude for the support, saying it would ease some of the burdens they face.

    They also encouraged others to emulate the gesture.

    Chikwawa District Hospital spokesperson, Seti Piliminta, applauded the donation, highlighting its importance in addressing food and supply shortages at the facility due to the high number of patients.

    Of the 52 patients who benefited from the donation, 31 were women and 21 were men.

  • My pinion on The Matter: The reform path for Mutharika

    My pinion on The Matter: The reform path for Mutharika

    Malawi’s newly elected president, Professor Peter Mutharika, enters State House at a time when the country is battling soaring inflation, crippling forex shortages, and widespread hunger.

    Citizens are eager to see whether his campaign promises can turn the tide for an economy that has strained under high debt, rising prices, and chronic shortages of essentials.

    During the campaign, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) painted an ambitious picture of recovery-promising fiscal discipline, job creation, foreign exchange stability, and agricultural revitalisation.

    Now, Malawians await action. Mutharika assumes office against a backdrop of: Inflation above 25 percent, pushing food and fuel beyond reach for many families: Agricultural distress, with poor rains and fertiliser shortages leaving millions food insecure; Debt burden consuming much of the national budget; Forex scarcity disrupting imports of fuel, medicines, and other basics.

    As per Mutharika’s first address after election victory, his administration’s reform path can be understood in three areas short-term fixes, medium-term stabilisation, long-term transformation, and being the People’s President, should add governance reforms to the list.

    Why is governance reform as a top priority? A lean but effective cabinet would be ideal against a bloated one ensuring critical ministries of Agriculture, Mining, Finance, Trade, Tourism, Education, and Health are staffed with competent leaders.

    Mutharika should ensure efficiency and accountability form the backbone of his administration, reducing on duplication and corruption, while improving service delivery.

    Focus should also go more on decentralization – empowering local councils to manage development funds and projects more directly.

    And shifting to the other three key areas; in the short-term, focus should indeed go to fighting hunger through maize imports and timely input distribution of inputs to farmers, easing shortages by securing forex lines to import fuel and medicines as well as working hard to stabilize the Kwacha by engaging the IMF and enforcing strict fiscal discipline.

    In the medium-term, boost farm productivity with irrigation, crop diversification, and reliable fertilizer supply making the Agriculture Ministry at the hub.

    There will be need to strengthen forex flows by promoting exports (and not external borrowing) and removing bottlenecks for traders.

    There will also be need to ensure energy security through fuel reserves and investment in renewables. And also a greater need to tighten public finances with improved revenue collection and spending control.

    In the long-term, there will be need to achieve food self-sufficient through large-scale farming (and not those cosmic small-mega farms) and agro-processing.

    The need to diversify the economy into mining, manufacturing, and tourism to reduce over-dependence on tobacco. The need to secure healthcare by localizing pharmaceutical production. The need to ensure debt sustainability by reducing borrowing and attracting long-term investment.

    The success of these promises will depend on how quickly the administration can move from speeches to action. Malawians now, are more clear-eyed about what has been, what is and what lies ahead. So Mutharika may be good at rhetoric, but the success of his administration will be measured by walking the talk through concrete actions.

    So as the country gears forward to the inauguration of the 7th  President of the Republic, we are being reminded that, reform is a shared responsibility, not just the President’s.

    And just as John F. Kennedy once challenged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”, Malawians, too, are being called to play their part.

    For reforms to succeed, citizens must embrace responsibility, resilience, and sacrifice alongside their leaders. For Malawians, the lesson is clear: development requires shared sacrifice, strong governance, and long-term commitment.

    We have visionary leadership in Mutharika. We need zero tolerance for corruption. We need to invest in our people through education and skill development as well as formulate pragmatic policies. Let us all remember always that, planning is key.

  • Malawi’s transition conundrum: A case for regulation

    Malawi’s transition conundrum: A case for regulation

    By Edward Mponda and Mabvuto Bamusi:

    As Malawi navigates the transition to a new government following the 2025 Tripartite Elections, a sense of uncertainty hangs in the air. The President-Elect, Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, has sounded the alarm, warning against the abuse of the transition period by government officials who are pushing through questionable contracts and payments, engaging in corrupt practices, and carrying out irregular promotions, recruitments and transfers.

    This behaviour not only undermines the principles of patriotism but also violates public trust and breaks the law; it also undermines the constitutional mandate of the outgoing presidency.

    The closure of the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) offices by the Malawi Police Service is a timely reminder of the speculations of abuse that may have set in. The once-busy government loan hub, which pumped billions of kwachas into ‘loans for small businesses and farmers’, now has its doors sealed off by police officers. The allegations of ghost beneficiaries, political handpicking, and funds flowing into campaign coffers will most likely surface and catch up with the institution.

    As the new government prepares to take over, the question on everyone’s lips is: can Malawi break free from this precedent and unshackle itself from the institutional corruption and mismanagement that has continued to hold it back for so long? The answer lies in the way the country navigates the transition period.

    Malawi’s new electoral law allows for extending the period for announcing election results to within eight days of voting and the swearing-in of a president-elect within seven days after.

    This transition period, in a way, offers preparedness for the incoming president and government, enabling them to hit the ground running, probably with a full cabinet or indeed key executive orders, from day one. However, it also creates a power and governance vacuum that evidently is being exploited by government officials and outgoing politicians.

    Going by the current experiences and mismanagement speculations, this situation presents an opportunity to develop instruments for governance and government transitioning that close such loopholes.

    As we commend the new electoral process for offering opportunities for preparedness, we cannot ignore the fact that it also allows government officials and the outgoing executives to make decisions on their way out that may not be beneficial. A lack of regulation around governance in this transitional period is a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash a new wave of corruption and mismanagement.

    To address these challenges, we recommend the development of regulations to guide the transition period, drawing from international best practices. In countries such as the USA, the transition period is governed by the Presidential Transition Act, which provides guidelines for the incoming and outgoing administrations.

    Similarly, in the UK, the Cabinet Office publishes guidance on the transition process, outlining the roles and responsibilities of ministers and civil servants. Departure from such arrangements is matched with consequences — eventually making adherence necessary.

    For Malawi, we propose the development of a Transition Regulations Framework (TRF) that would:

    establish clear guidelines for the outgoing and incoming governments;

    define roles and responsibilities of decision-makers and public officials during the transition period;

    provide for transparency and accountability in the management of public assets and finances; and

    ensure continuity of essential services and minimise disruption to citizens.

    This framework would be a game-changer for Malawi, ensuring that the transition period is marked by transparency, accountability and good governance, without creating a power vacuum in the presidency. It would also send a strong signal to citizens that an incoming government is committed to breaking with the past and building a better future.

    To operationalise this framework, we suggest lobbying for a bill from the majority or a private member bill in the first session of Parliament. This would require support from incoming members of Parliament (MPs) who share our concerns about governance and accountability during transition time.

    We invite the majority in Parliament and interested MPs to join forces to run with this proposal, ensuring that government machinery during transition periods is characterised by transparency, accountability and good governance.

    The development of a TRF is just the starting point in shifting the needle, but it is a crucial one.

    We propose the following steps:

    establish a task force, ratified by Parliament, to develop the TRF, comprising representatives from the government, the civil society and the private sector;

    conduct a comprehensive review of existing laws and regulations to identify gaps and areas for improvement;

    engage with citizens and stakeholders to ensure that the framework reflects their needs and concerns; and

    lobby the majority or for a private member bill to operationalise the framework and ensure its implementation as an extension to laws.

    The development of a TRF is a crucial step towards building a stronger, more resilient democracy.

    Together, we can build a stronger, more resilient democracy that serves the interests of all Malawians.

    The time for action is now. Let us work together to create a brighter future for Malawi.

  • MEC reverses Nsanje South results after void vote recount, Declares Kamangira winner

    MEC reverses Nsanje South results after void vote recount, Declares Kamangira winner

    The Malawi Electoral Commission has issued a dramatic correction to the Nsanje South Constituency parliamentary election results, announcing a new winner after examining void votes in accordance with Section 96 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Government Elections Act.

    MEC initially announced incumbent Member of Parliament Ramzan Mahomed Juma as the winner of the elections, narrowly beating Thomson Kamangira.

    However, in a public notice signed by Chairperson Justice Annabel Mtalimanja on October 2nd, 2025, at Lilongwe, the Commission revealed that the recount had “the effect of changing the outcome of the election in the constituency.”

    The examination added 144 previously void votes to the valid count, redistributing them among the eight candidates.

    Most significantly, Thomson Kamangira of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) received an additional 76 votes, bringing his total from 7,482 to 7,558 votes. This pushed him ahead of Independent candidate Ramuzani Juma Mahommed, who gained 28 additional votes to reach 7,525.

    Vincent Chunga, another Independent candidate, finished third with 5,795 votes after gaining 26 additional votes in the recount. The remaining candidates—Mcgregory Samuel Alufandika (AFORD), Bester Hassan Chungano (UTM), Osman Hajat Nyakuleha (Independent), Edwin Thomu Orah (MCP), and Annastasia Makanandula (PP)—all received far fewer votes.

    Of the 30,303 registered voters in Nsanje South Constituency (229), 22,968 cast their ballots. After the recount, the total number of void votes decreased from 461 to 317, while valid votes increased from 22,507 to 22,651.

    The Commission expressed regret for “any inconvenience caused by the earlier declaration” and assured stakeholders of its “continued commitment to transparency, accuracy, and credibility in the management of elections.”

    The announcement reverses what would have been a narrow victory for Mahommed, instead handing the parliamentary seat to Kamangira by a margin of just 33 votes—one of the closest races in the 2025 elections.

    Kamangira returns to Parliament after a five-year break as he was beaten by Juma in 2019.