By Blessings Kapina Lilongwe, Mana: A musical group based in Lilongwe, Brainlock Fam is set to visit Home of Hope Orphanage in Mchinji along Mkanda road on December 24, 2020 with the purpose to cheer up with orphans as well as share some food items. In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) Sunday in Lilongwe, one of the artists in Brainlock Fam, Jeff Nyimbo said the event seeks to celebrate together with the orphans during the Christmas period. “We all grew up in the culture where Christmas is the time; we gather together and celebrate as one. We do not want our friends of Home of Hope Orphanage to be left out, hence the event,” he said. Nyimbo said the meeting was an opportunity to chat, eat and enjoy as one family, as well as giving out food stuffs and other necessities such as bags of maize, soya and groundnuts. The year of 2020 has been a great year with a lot of fruits, so the event is organized to give back the people what we got, he explained. Part of the occasion is to give everybody a bright picture of what Brainlock Fam is all about. The meeting is a big motivation to the group as such it will motivate them to go higher. The artist pointed out that music is not only about going to studios, making sales of the records and rocking stage but one can use talent to help others with their needs hence the programme. He said Brainlock Fam would continue scheduling such events next year and more years to come. “After this event, we will continue visiting and helping needy people across the country and in the year of 2021 we will launch a project aimed at helping the needy, called, Ndife Amodzi Project,” Nyimbo continued. Brainlock Fam will be headlining the event, supported by local artists, such as Krypton, Angie and Aaron Carlos and a headlining DJ Nathan Tunes. He requested good people out there who are willing to sponsor this meeting, to contact them before the event. One of the members, Annie Gwaza said she feels so honoured being part of the event and to have time to interact with the orphans during the festive season. “We will be able to interact with them, getting to hear their stories and share our stories and I feel the festive season is to show God’s love and kindness,” she said. Brainlock Fam started in 2016 and is comprised of five artists as well as a team of management. The event will commence on Christmas Eve at 7:00am till the next day. For support visit Brainlock Fam Facebook page, Instagram pages @BRAINLOCK FAM. And emails Brainlockfam@gmail.com
Author: Leyman Publications
Malawi President Chakwera Concerned With Youths Challenges
By Patricia Kapulula Lilongwe, Mana: State House Press Secretary, Brian Banda has said President Dr Lazarus Chakwera was aware of challenges the youth in the country are facing and sympathises with them hence the need to address such challenges in order to create a Malawi that was good for all. He made the remarks Monday during a Weekly Brief at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe saying the President understands challenges affecting Malawians, youth inclusive and those asking are right because they have hope for a better Malawi. Banda was responding to questions from journalists on concerns on some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) youth made over the weekend. On Saturday, dozens of MCP youth held protest marches against the party’s Secretary General (SG), Eisenhower Mkaka, and two others accusing them of nepotism, favouritism and tribalism. He said he wouldn’t comment much on that saying it was a party issue which could best be answered by the party’s SG. The Press Secretary said President Chakwera knows that the youth lack employment a situation which cannot go without being addressed. “Their concerns are genuine. It is true that the youth don’t want handouts but jobs. As such it is important that the creation of one million jobs materialises. “It is important that campaign promises are fulfilled. Some are short term, some medium term while othesr are long term and as such they will be fulfilled at different times,” Banda said. He cited raising the tax threshold to K100, 000, minimum wage to K50, 000 and non-interference of the law enforcement agencies as some of the promises which have been fulfilled. Banda appealed to Malawians to exercise patience on campaign promises saying the Tonse led government has been in office for 169 days yet their mandate is for five years. Earlier, State House Director of Communication and Executive Assistant to the President, Sean Kampondeni gave an outline of the president’s diary for last week and the week ahead.
Govt Not To Re-Hire Non Performing Suppliers
By Patricia Kapulula Lilongwe, Mana: State House Press Secretary, Brian Banda has said government would not renew contracts for the Affordable Input (AIP) contractors who have not performed according to government’s expectations. He made the remarks during a State House Weekly Brief at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday. “Ministry of Agriculture is accessing on the performance of the suppliers and those who fail to meet the standards will not be given the contracts again,” Banda said. He said government was aware of the challenges and officials are working round the clock to address them. Government gave the suppliers eight weeks, which is expiring this week, to deliver inputs for the programme but others are yet to supply. Meanwhile 1.6 million beneficiaries are yet to access the inputs. The AIP programme has experienced challenges such as network outages, corruption and slow delivery of the inputs amongst others.
Catholics Mourn Archbishop Tarcizio Ziyaye
Death has been announced of Archbishop Tarcisius Ziyaye, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe, who died on Monday morning in Namibia where he was receiving medical treatment. Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Secretary General, Father Henry Saidi has confirmed the development through a press statement. According to Father Saidi, the full programme for funeral and burial ceremonies will be announced later. Ziyaye, who hailed from Mchinji, once served as Archbishop of Blantyre Archdiocese following the death of Archbishop James Chiona.
Lions Club Calls For Intensified Protection Against The Elderly
By Ireen Kayira Lilongwe, Mana: Lions Club of Capital City has called for the intensified approach towards protection of the older persons in the country Lions Club President, Pierre Mbisa made the plea Saturday in Lilongwe during the handover of bags of maize and others assorted items to the elderly of Thunga Community Based Organisation (CBO) in the district. “We encourage equality and one of the reasons we reach out to the elderly is to show the world that the elderly are part of us and they have done a lot to the country. We should not abuse them simply because they have grown old but rather we should support them,” he said. Mbisa added it was very unfortunate that the country has some people with backward thinking that when something bad has happened they attribute it to the elderly yet the elderly has done a lot to them. “We are going to became old if God allows how would we feel if people we have worked for and helped treat us bad or abuse us. Community leaders must be aware of their role of protecting their people more especially the vulnerable which includes the elderly,” he said. The President said Lions are delighted each year to celebrate Christmas with the elderly because it shows the public that the elderly need support and there was need to reach out to them. Thunga CBO Chairperson, Jabesi Mandiko commended the gesture from Lions Club saying it was a sign that people care for the elderly. He said to prevent incidences of abuse against the elderly the CBO sensitise the community frequently on the need of taking care of the elderly. “When we notice that someone is abusing the elderly or spreading rumours that will lead to the abuse of the older person we report to the chief so that he is dealt with,” Mandiko said.
Newly Ordained Priests Called To Give The World Love
By Arkangel Tembo Blantyre, Mana: Archbishop of Blantyre Diocese, Thomas Msusa has called upon newly ordained priests to promote love among Christians within their parishes and beyond. He said this Saturday during the ordination of four deacons at the St Montfort Parish in Blantyre. The four newly ordained priests are Rev. Fr Francisco Malata, Fr. Vincent Matewere, Fr. Augustine Chochoma and Fr. Richard Chikumbu. Msusa cited the need for unity in overcoming inequality among societies as an important aspect of ministry for the new priests. “It is into this world that God sends you to bring his healing love and saving power as you preach the word and celebrate the sacraments, as you give yourselves in service to others and by the holiness of your lives, as you remain faithful to your commitment to celibacy and promises of respect and obedience,” he told the new priests. Msusa reminded the new ordained priests that the world needs good shepherds, “is clearer now more than ever.” He advised them to, “Turn on the television. Look on the first page of our newspapers. You will see that.” The Archbishop encouraged them to heed Jesus’ instruction to minister well to people’s needs, telling them that God has called them to begin ministry during this particular time. “In his plan for the church, Jesus established the priesthood so men could stand in his place and shepherd his flock, “feeding them the Eucharist and sound doctrine, helping them to hear the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and tending to their needs with the sacraments,” he pointed out “The uniqueness of this year’s ordination comes amidst a pandemic and sadly we are witnessing growing tension, division and injustice in our nation. We have powerful reminders, we can only be healed, we can only be renewed and united in and through the power of God,” His Grace said during his homily. He told the new priests that, “It is into this world that God sends you to bring his healing love and saving power as you preach the word and celebrate the sacraments, as you give yourselves in service to others and by the holiness of your lives, as you remain faithful to your commitment to celibacy and promises of respect and obedience.” “Current events should not make you nervous,” the Archbishop explained, because you are not entering the ministry alone. “We always know, we can count on Jesus who continues to have such great love for his flock, who works through his priests,” he said. Precautions against spreading the novel coronavirus didn’t dampen the spirits of four deacons ordained to the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Blantyre nor their families and friends. The safety requirements to prevent spread of the virus ruled ordination and limited numbers of people to attend were in place, social distancing was practiced, face masks and hand sanitizers were in play. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the newly ordained priests were not hugged by their fellow priests as one way of welcoming them and instead they bowed heads to each other. The Archbishop announced that the newly ordained priests have been allocated as follows, Fr. Malata to Limbe Cathedral, Fr. Matewere has been posted to Chisitu Parish in Mulanje, Fr. Chochoma to Bangwe Parish and Fr. Chikumbu to Pius XII Minor Seminary.
Affordable Input Programme Redemption At 51%
By Mphatso Nkuonera Lilongwe, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Lobin Lowe has said sales for Affordable Input Programme has reached 51 per cent adding all was set to complete the exercise in the next six weeks. He said by December 11, 2020, over 3 774 000 bags of fertilizer weighing 50 kilogrammes each had been sold translating to 188 000 metric tonnes against a total of 370 000 metric tonnes of the commodity representing 51 percent. “We have reached out to 1, 880, 000 farming households with subsidized fertilizer. As for seeds 1, 887, 125 packets are sold to 1, 887, 125 farming households which represents 48 percent cumulatively,” the Minister said. Lowe warned some suppliers who are faking on network hitches in order to cheat on the intended beneficiaries and cautioned them for stiffer action once arrested and found guilty by law for sabotaging the AIP service. “Some retailers are still using inferior phones meaning that we still have problems of connectivity, and we have observed that some suppliers are not ready to go in hard to reach areas instead they have concentrated in trading centers which is uncalled for. “We have on records that some suppliers are conniving with venders to dupe the farmers and they will not be left scot free,” he said. Lowe was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Agness Mkusa Nkhoma, during the media briefing at Capitol Hill in Lilongwe, assured the farmers that in six weeks’ time the sales would have reached 100 percent at national level hence none should panic. He added that K20 billion has already been paid to suppliers from a total of over K40 billion which had been pressed for payment while the other remaining chunk has its process underway to foot down the bill soon. The Minister urged Village and Area Development Committees, religious leaders, Members of Parliament, chiefs and the public to report to his office on any attempts or plans to foil the programme in their respective areas.
Chakwera Commits To Clean Up Initiative
By Lily Kampani Lilongwe, December 11, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera on Friday joined civil servants at Capital Hill in Lilongwe for a clean-up exercise of the office surrounding with a commitment to ensuring that the country is a clean place to live in. The cleanup exercise follows the launch of the clean-up initiative at Chinsapo in Lilongwe last month where the President pledged for continued clean up activities throughout the country. President Chakwera said cleanliness starts where an individual lives hence it is important to keep surroundings clean. “Decisions and policies need to be made in a clean environment so that we have fresh air, green lands and a perspective that says what starts here must reverberate throughout the nation. Let us have our country as a clean place to live in,” he said. The president said the commitment to the clean-up exercise is to help build a Malawi everyone can be proud of because that is taking care of our environment. “We are doing ourselves and the next generation a favor by taking better care our environment and not destroying it. Let us make sure the environment we operate is not an environment that encourages us to get diseases but be healthy,” said President Chakwera. The national clean-up day will be on the second Friday of every month under the theme 2A clean environment, my right, and my responsibility2.
Malawian Pastors Warned Against Officiating Child Marriages
By Steve Chirombo Chikwawa, December 11, Mana: Pastors in Chikwawa have been warned against officiating child marriages but instead team up and join in the fight against gender based violence (GBV). The call was made on Thursday at Kakoma in the area of Senior Chief Chapananga by Hunger Project Gender Officer, Grace Chikowi, when Hunger Project held 16 Days of Activism against GBV. The call comes amidst unconfirmed reports especially from Chapananga area that some pastors were officiating child marriages a development that most concerned community members feared will lead into escalation of GBV. Chikowi said as much as pastors were responsible for officiating marriages, they should be able to deny child marriages but rather report those involved to relevant authorities. “They should be able to take action against people who are suffering and the victims who are going through gender based violence. “The pastors are also responsible to provide psychological counseling to the survivors of GBV,” said Chikowi She further said as a women centered organization, Hunger Project is always passionate about issues that affect both women and children. In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, Chikwawa Pastors Fraternal Chair, Wilson Kachenje, blamed ignorance on pastors officiating child marriages. “For the church to make progress we need educated people and it is sad that the very same people should be rushed into marriages. On a lighter note, our leadership has gone across the district in churches and other gatherings to condemn such. “Let me call upon government and everyone to seriously watch over this. And whosoever breaks the rules by officiating child marriages necessary action will be taken against them no matter their denomination,” said Kachenje.
Malawi Recognizes TTV Contribution To Broadcasting
Lilongwe, Mana: Government has recognised efforts that Times Television (TTV) has made to the broadcasting industry during the seven years that the station has been in existence. In a congratulatory message for the seventh anniversary of the television station, Minister of Information who is also Government Spokesperson, Gospel Kazako, said TTV’s contribution to Malawi and beyond cannot go without mention. He said the station has played a vital role to the growth of broadcasting in the country. “Within seven years, Times Television has contributed immensely to the growth and revolution of Malawi’s broadcast industry and towards making public information accessible,” he said. The Minister has, therefore, appealed to TTV to maintain highest level of professionalism and integrity.