Malawi News Agency Online

20 May 2013

Breaking News

Dikamawako Arts hosts second Instalment of Afro Music Concert

Blantyre, May 20: Dikamawako Arts will be hosting the second instalment of the Afro music concert, dubbed Acoustics Volume II at Nanzikambe Arts Cafe on 31st May. Confirming the development to Malawi News Agency (Mana), founder and director of the cafe, Tawonga Nkhonjera said patrons should expect even more fun compared to the first instalment. “The fans should expect a night of fun as we have prepared enough,” said Nkhonjera.
Performers at the show will include Muhanya and Taddja with music from their albums, Nthano Zawo, Tereza and a collection of Malawian fork tales and a Czech artist who is continuously mesmerizing audiences with her poetic Chichewa songs not forgetting legendary guitarist, Patrick Simakweli. Drinks and braai will be provided by Nanzikambe Arts and entry at the door is K1000 per head and a special fee for Blantyre International University students of K500 per student who will be required to show an ID. Queried on why the students will pay a special fee Nkhonjera said they felt that BIU which is located next to Nanzikambe Arts Cafe deserved a special treat by offering them entertainment after a week’s hard work. “As students, we felt they may not manage to pay the K1000 hence the special fee,” said Tawonga. The Nthano Zathu CD will also be on sale at the show at a price of K2000. The arts group organised the first instalment which was held at Blantyre Cultural Centre on 29th May.

Moyale’s Andy Simkonda hopeful of regaining form

Mzuzu, May 20: One time Moyale Barracks Football Club and former under-17 lethal striker Andy Simkonda says he is confident that in the 2013-2014 soccer season he will regain his top form that he used to enjoy when he played for the junior Flames in the run up to the 2009 CAF under 17 finals in Nigeria. Simkonda shocked fans over the weekend when he was introduced as a first half substitute in the club’s regional Presidential Cup play off against Likoma Islanders at Mzuzu Stadium, almost three years after his on field disappearance. After his sudden disappearance from the game, many things were said about the player with some quarters speculating that off-the-field behavior had necessitated the player’s downfall.
However, the player brushed aside the accusations arguing it is stiff competition in the team that took him outside active football at the club. “It’s not what people are saying that made me out of the team, but rather that the team has quality players; so, it is not that easy to get good form. It is stiff competition that pushed me out of the main team,” said the 24-year-old striker. The former under-17 striker further said while out of active football, he attended to other duty calls at the Barracks where he serves as a soldier. “I was busy with other duties as a soldier, and now that I have time to focus on my football career, I will do my best to possibly regain my old form,” explained the player who rose to fame in 2009 after single handedly helping the junior Flames qualify for the first ever under 17 CAF championship finals in Nigeria. Andy who was used as a right winger in the game against Likoma Islanders in which the soldiers won 3-0, showed some flashes of brilliance through his well-taken crosses but lacked match fitness. Andy’s brother, Gastin, who captains Moyale FC praised his brother’s resurrection to the game and expressed hope that he will hit back his latter form. “It always feels nice to play with him around and as you have seen, he is still a wonderful player who can do some wonders. I’m happy that he is back and as a team, we will encourage him,” Gastin. Moyale assistant Coach Themba Mtontholo said the team was happy to welcome back Simkonda whom he described as a talented player. Many soccer fans remember Andy Simkonda as a player who helped Malawi overcome a 2-o deficit against Botswana’s under-17 side when he single-handedly scored five goals in a game that the junior Flames won by 7-0 to qualify for the finals in Nigeria.

MAP on death bed: Faces definite closure over lack of funding

Lilongwe, May 20: Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP) has again cried for financial help from Government and other organisations in order to save the organisation from definite closure. The organisation issued a press release last month asking people of good will to help, but it (MAP) say only two organisations have come forward with the assistance which is far from enough to deal with the financial mess they are in. The two organisations are Jacula Fargo and Blantyre Adventist Hospital which have pledged K100, 000 each. MAP General Manager, Sydney Ndembe, says that the organisation needs about K450 million to address all the financial hiccups that have engulfed the organisation since 2008. He further said that it is only the human resources office that is currently active but the workshop has been closed due to lack of finances to buy materials to be used in manufacturing of mobility appliances which are taken to various parts of the country. “The physically disabled people need walkers, caliper, orthopedic shoes, hand and knee pads, crutches, walking sticks, tricycles or wheelchairs which help them to go to school, prayers and to run various business but because of lack of funds we will not be able to continue with these services, which then inconveniences the people we are working for,” he said. Ndembe said the organisation has been receiving donor funding since its inception in 1983 and in in 2007 the donors stopped the aid asking them to seek support from government and other well-wishers. “Sometimes donors get tired of supporting organisations and I believe it was long overdue. It is high time government and other organisations stepped in to help us like they do with other organisations such as FEDOMA and MACOHA. “Companies have their own priorities like building schools, clinics, supporting sporting activities, which is fine but we are asking that people with disabilities should also be considered,” said Ndembe. He, therefore, appealed to government and other organisations to open their doors and help these people saying not doing so may eventually lead such people go back to crawling which, he said, is not fair. Apparently the organisations most immediate needs are two motor vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser Ambulance or double cabin pickups for the clinic, fuel, food and accommodation for the clinic and materials for making mobility appliances among others. MAP is the only organisation providing medical rehabilitation to persons with physical disabilities in the country. It helps over 50,000 people in mobility per year.

Another headache for Sulom: Mzuzu United cry foul over Kawonga transfer

Mzuzu, May 20: Mzuzu United says it wrote Super League of Malawi (Sulom) on Thursday to protest the transfer of Chawanangwa Kaonga from Civo Service United to Silver Strikers. Mzuzu United, formerly Super Eagles, are claiming the ownership of the player and accused Civo of trying to get a transfer fee for the player’s move to the Bankers behind their backs. Secretary General of Mzuzu United, Ollens Msonda said the player went to Civo on loan but said the government sponsored side has no mandate to have a say on the transfer fee the Bankers are supposed to pay Mzuzu United. “We are surprised that Civo is trying to get involved in a transfer fee for the player when they got him from us on loan. “We are the real owners of the player. Based on the loan agreement we signed with Civo, we are supposed to have a say on his permanent move to Silver,” Msonda said. According to agreement that facilitated Kawonga’s move from Super Eagles to Civo signed by Msonda and Civo’s Steve Kachimanga on 27 September, 2012, the player was supposed to play for government sponsored side for two months effective from 28 September to 28 November, 2012. The pact was open to negotiation for extension of the deal and on the prospect that should there be any team interested to sign the player after the agreed period, the interested club will have to negotiate directly with Super Eagles FC for terms of reference. “If any other club will be interested in the player during and after the agreed period, that other club will negotiate directly with Super Eagles FC the terms of reference,” read the agreement in part. When contacted for their side of story over the weekend, Civo’s General Secretary Rashid Mtelera said his club did not have any outstanding issues with the Mzuzu based side. “Let this be known to Sulom, Silver and whoever is involved in this transfer deal that the money we have asked for is what we spent on the player. We have not asked Mzuzu United but the team [Silver] that is interested in the player,” Mtelera said. He said it was illogical for Civo to ask transfer fee from Mzuzu United the club they had got a player from. “How can we ask money from Mzuzu United when we already got the player from them?” Mtelera wondered. Msonda however denied that his club was through with Civo on the player. “If they (Civo) say they are done with us and got the player from us, let them produce documentary evidence to confirm their ownership of the player,” Msonda said. When asked for comment on the matter, Sulom’s General Secretary Williams Banda said the matter was news to him. “I’m hearing it from you. We have not received such complaint. They (Mzuzu United) have not approached us formally on the matter. How do you expect us to make a verdict on an issue that has not been made known formally to us?” queried Banda. But Msonda, though conceding that they wrote Sulom last Thursday on the matter, was quick to add that the issue was well known to the Sulom from way back. “He [Banda] is the one who called me asking for clearance letter for the player to feature for Silver Strikers. I told him that we cannot issue such clearance letter when the issue of transfer fee has not been sorted out,” Msonda said. Kaonga featured for Silver Strikers over the weekend and reportedly scored a brace for his side in Presidential Initiative on Sports (PIS). Msonda further accused Sulom of failing to enforce its own rules on the matter.
Mzuzu United has pegged Kaonga on a transfer fee of K600, 000.

Catholic sisters toot career guidance as root to success

Lilongwe May 20: The sisters ofDaughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI), establishers of DMI –St John University are offering free career guidance seminar to the school leavers in Malawi in order to address emerging needs amongst the country’s youths. The initiative that is based on the organisations mission of imparting quality employable education with discipline that leads to self-enlighten and development of the nation will be done in their examination centers in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu cities. University Council Secretary, Rev. Sr. Lourthusamy Francisca told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the seminars will help the country address emerging needs in as far as career guidance is concerned. “The school leavers may not be matured enough to set their career goals or choose the right choice of university level education. By our observations, many candidates are in lack of information and knowledge about different fields of higher education which is badly affecting their career prosperity,” she said. She said participants should expect to be imparted with knowledge of different courses and how best to apply their talents in their careers. “The career guidance seminar will motivate and build school leavers self-confidence to aim and progress by their choice in the field of higher education. They should also expect to learn different courses details so that they choose the best that will interest them. “There will also be plenty of opportunities given to them in order to bring out their hidden individual and collective talents that can be molded into strong perfectly traits that can be very needy in their professional life,” she added. The institution has, therefore, urged other institutions to follow suit in transforming the very face of Malawi’s younger generation in as far as their future is concerned. The seminars are expected to be offered after candidates finish writing the Malawi School Certificate of Examination (MSCE).

Dikamawako Arts hosts second Instalment of Afro Music Concert

Moyale’s Andy Simkonda hopeful of regaining form

MAP on death bed: Faces definite closure over lack of funding

Another headache for Sulom: Mzuzu United cry foul over Kawonga transfer

Catholic sisters toot career guidance as root to success

Dikamawako Arts hosts second Instalment of Afro Music Concert

Written By Joseph Mtingwi on Monday, 20 May 2013 21:25

Blantyre, May 20: Dikamawako Arts will be hosting the second instalment of the Afro music concert, dubbed Acoustics Volume II at Nanzikambe Arts Cafe on 31st May. Confirming the development to Malawi News Agency (Mana), founder ...

Moyale’s Andy Simkonda hopeful of regaining form

Written By Wisdom Ngwira on Monday, 20 May 2013 21:22

Mzuzu, May 20: One time Moyale Barracks Football Club and former under-17 lethal striker Andy Simkonda says he is confident that in the 2013-2014 soccer season he will regain his top form that he used to enjoy when he played for t...

Demand for MDF services high, says Lt Gen Msonthi

Written By Benson Linje in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday, 11 May 2013 15:23

Abidjan, May 11: The Deputy Malawi Defence Force Commander responsible for Operations and Training, Lieutenant General John D Msonthi Jnr has said off...

Malawi, US to hold joint military exercise

Written By Sylvester Kumwenda on Thursday, 18 April 2013 14:52

Lilongwe, April 18: The Malawi Defense Force (MDF) and the US Military will from May 1-17 conduct a joint military training exercise, codenamed EPIC G...

UN hails Malawi for passing Gender Equality bill

Written By MANA on Thursday, 14 March 2013 16:14

Lilongwe, March 14: The Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) Michelle Bachelet...

MP Makumba happy with Malindi - Makanjira road

Written By Sellah Singini on Monday, 20 May 2013 20:55

Mangochi, May 20: Member of Parliament for Mangochi Lutende, Shabani Makumba has said he is happy that the country’s President, Dr. Joyce Banda has co...

Veteran politician Harry Chiume laid to rest

Written By Arkangel Tembo on Sunday, 19 May 2013 17:31

Blantyre, May 19: Veteran politician, Harry Chiume, was Saturday laid to rest at Henry Henderson Institute (HHI) Cemetery in Blantyre where thousands ...

Unregistered NGOs have a month to register - NGO Board

Written By Joseph Dzuwa on Sunday, 19 May 2013 10:13

Zomba, May 19: Members of the Zomba District Executive Committee (DEC) were stunned Friday to learn that most Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in...

MAP on death bed: Faces definite closure over lack of funding

Written By Lydia Kalonde on Monday, 20 May 2013 21:16

Lilongwe, May 20: Malawi Against Physical Disabilities (MAP) has again cried for financial help from Government and other organisations in order to save the organisation from definite closure. The organisation issued a press release last m...

Silence on illegal clinics in the North worries Medical Council

Written By Henry Nyaka on Monday, 20 May 2013 20:26

Rumphi, May 20: Medical Council of Malawi (MCM) says it is surprised and worried that people in the northern region do not report illegal health facilities and any malpractices by medical practitioners. MCM’s Registrar Kondwani Mkandawire ...

Moyale’s Andy Simkonda hopeful of regaining form

Written By Wisdom Ngwira on Monday, 20 May 2013 21:22

Another headache for Sulom: Mzuzu United cry foul over Kawonga transfer

Written By Joel Chirwa on Monday, 20 May 2013 21:09

Mzuzu, May 20: Mzuzu United says it wrote Super League of Malawi (Sulom) on Thursday to protest the transfer of Chawanangwa Kaonga from Civo Service United to Silver Strikers. Mzuzu United, formerly Super Eagles, are claiming the ownership...

Chiefs delaying LDF development in Mchinji

Mchinji, February 17: District Commissioner (DC) for Mchinji, Gasten Macheka has called on community leaders in the district to be in the forefront in promoting development activities in their areas...

More:

Roads Fund Administration empowers clubs with tools worth K82 million

Written By Leonard Masauli on Monday, 20 May 2013 11:31

Mzimba, May 20: Roads Fund Administration (RFA) on Friday disbursed tools worth K82 million to 38 community roads maintenance clubs in Mzimba. The tools include wheelbarrows, shovels, pails, raincoats, boots and reflective Jackets, among ...

Local Development Fund improves School Infrastructure in Karonga

Written By Bishop Witmos on Sunday, 19 May 2013 10:07

Karonga, May 19: Scores of pupils in schools which were damaged by the 2009 earthquakes in Karonga District can now afford to learn in well-built classroom blocks courtesy of the Local Development Fund (LDF). This follows successful compl...

Dikamawako Arts hosts second Instalment of Afro Music Concert

Written By Joseph Mtingwi on Monday, 20 May 2013 21:25

‘Stakeholders welcome to support the MFW’

Written By Sylvester Kumwenda on Monday, 20 May 2013 20:36

Lilongwe, May 20: Stakeholders, companies and various well-wishers in the country are welcome to take part in the Malawi Fashion Week (MFW) by supporting the cause in any way possible, MFW has appealed. Any kind of support towards the MFW...

Quantify maize losses from field to homestead - Agriculture ministry

Written By Kenneth Jali on Monday, 20 May 2013 10:35

Blantyre, May 20: Ministry of Agriculture has expressed the need to quantify losses incurred due to careless throwing of maize in heaps, handling and transportation of maize cobs to the homestead in order to come up with conclusive post har...

State of the Nation Address: Full Text

Written By MANA on Friday, 17 May 2013 12:01

INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is a great pleasure to be here this morning to preside over the opening of the 2013/2014 Budget Meeting and deliver the State of the Nation Address. This occasion is very significant because, as is tradition, we reflect on the past year and set out our plans for the...

Pupils benefiting from Road Safety initiative by NRSCM
Finland and Zambia reaffirm commitment to helping Malawi
Hon. Jonas MP handing over Computers
Bishop Joseph Zuza delivering a sernon at St Paul's Parish in Mzimba
Queen talking to state President of Malawi Mrs. Joyce Banda
Vice President of Malawi Khumbo Kachali at AU Summit
Vice President of Malawi Khumbo Kachali and Hon. Moses Kunkuyu AU Summit

Catholic sisters toot career guidance as root to success

Written By Tiyanjane Mambucha on Monday, 20 May 2013 21:09

Lilongwe May 20: The sisters ofDaughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI), establishers of DMI –St John University are offering free career guidance seminar to the school leavers in Malawi in order to address emerging needs amongst the country’s ...

Quote for the day

"Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything."

– Napoleon Hill

Dikamawako Arts hosts second Instalment of Afro Music Concert

Moyale’s Andy Simkonda hopeful of regaining form

MAP on death bed: Faces definite closure over lack of funding

Another headache for Sulom: Mzuzu United cry foul over Kawonga transfer

Catholic sisters toot career guidance as root to success

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