By Our Editor It is befitting that a week long mourning period has been declared for one of the noticeable icons of the struggle again apartheid in South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu who passed away last Sunday at the age of 90. As people reflect on his life, other quarters are commenting about the battle and struggle that still continues today on the polarisation of indigenous African by the elite. We still need the Desmond Tutus even today to carry on fighting. His official funeral takes places on January 1, 2022 in Cape Town amidst uncertainties of an appropriate send off due to the scavenging global Covid-19 pandemic. However, tributes have been pouring in from leaders around the world, including Queen Elizabeth II, US President Joe Biden and Pope Francis. This all indicates that with his work, the Archbishop did not only touch hearts at home but also widely abroad. Already, locally thousands of people have braved the circumstances and travelled to Cape Town to lay flowers in respect of the fallen hero at St George’s Cathedral, the oldest in South Africa. It is here that during the official mourning period in honouring Tutu, the bells of the cathedral will be rung daily at noon local time until Friday. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that Tutu had helped bring about “a liberated South Africa”. A contemporary of Nelson Mandela, Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his role in the struggle to abolish the apartheid system enforced by the white minority government against the black majority in South Africa from 1948-91. In capturing the sense of loss, according to the BBC news website the following is what some of the world leaders said in trubute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu: President Biden said he was “heartbroken to learn of the passing of a true servant of God and of the people”, adding that Tutu’s “legacy transcends borders and will echo through the ages”. Former US President Barack Obama described Tutu as “a mentor, friend and moral compass”. In a message of condolence, Queen Elizabeth II said she remembered with fondness her meetings with him, and his great warmth and humour. “Archbishop Tutu’s loss will be felt by the people of South Africa and by so many people in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and across the Commonwealth, where he was held in such high affection and esteem.” Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta said Tutu had “inspired a generation of African leaders who embraced his non-violent approaches in the liberation struggle”. The Vatican said in a statement that Pope Francis offered “heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones”. “Mindful of his service to the gospel through the promotion of racial equality and reconciliation in his native South Africa, his holiness commends his soul to the loving mercy of almighty God.” The Nelson Mandela Foundation said Tutu’s “contributions to struggles against injustice, locally and globally, are matched only by the depth of his thinking about the making of liberatory futures for human societies”. “He was an extraordinary human being. A thinker. A leader. A shepherd.” Tutu’s death comes just weeks after that of South Africa’s last apartheid-era president, FW de Klerk, who died at the age of 85.
Category: International News
President Chakwera arrives in Botswana for SADC engagements
By Nellie Kapatuka in Gaborone, Botswana Gaborone, Mana: President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera on Sunday afternoon arrived in Gaborone, Botswana, for a working visit at the SADC Secretariat Headquarters. Upon arrival at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, the President was welcomed by SADC Executive Secretary, His Excellency Elias Mpedi Magosi, Malawi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elsenhower Mkaka and Botswana’s Minister of International Affairs and Cooperation, Lemogang Kwape, among other officials. Chakwera is expected to visit the SADC Secretariat on Monday to appreciate its work in facilitating the SADC regional integration agenda and provide guidance on the secretariat’s implementation of SADC programs in line with the theme under his leadership dubbed “Bolstering Productive Capacities in the Face of COVID-19 Pandemic for Inclusive, Sustainable, Economic and Industrial Transformation”. According to a communique by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whilst there, the SADC Chairperson will unveil a placard symbolising his visit to the SADC Secretariat Headquarters before holding a meeting with members of staff where he will be briefed on the mandate, functions and the structure of the SADC Secretariat. On Tuesday, Chakwera will pay a courtesy call to Botswana’s President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi. He is expected to return home on Wednesday, December 15. The visit to the SADC Headquarters by a sitting Chairperson is a tradition, according to the SADC secretariat, for them to appreciate and understand the organisation in order to efficiently lead it. The SADC Chairperson oversees the highest level of governance structure of SADC and among others, has a mandate of providing policy direction and controlling the functions of the regional body.
Malawi and Zambia – Chakwera and Hichilema talk business
By Okhifi Dimba Mana, Lilongwe: Malawi’s President, Dr Lazarus Chakwera together with his Zambian counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema, have vowed to promote and strengthen bilateral relations existing between the two countries. The bilateral talks were held on Tuesday when the Zambian President visited Malawi on a one-day state visit. Speaking at a joint press briefing, President Chakwera said progression of development activities between the two countries is inextricably linked, hence the need for the two countries to closely work together. “In our bilateral discussions today, we have agreed to fast-track the removal of all bottlenecks to cross-border trading, including a review of the existing simplified trade regime in order to expand the list of eligible products traded within this framework,” said Chakwera. According to Chakwera, harmonisation and simplification of border controls by jointly constructing one border post at Mchinji/Mwami border, is a clear testimony of the common convictions of the developmental linkages that the two countries have. On his part, Hichilema said the people of Zambia and Malawi are one, hence the need to ease trade and investment opportunities between them. “We have agreed that we must encourage business in both countries by taking joint risks to explore opportunities that exist between our two countries, some of which are anchored on natural resource endowment,” he said. The Zambian leader also took a chance to urge Zambians residing in the country to act responsibly at all times, saying their conduct gives a true reflection of Zambia as a whole. President Hichilema has since returned after holding successful bilateral engagements with Malawi President.
Malawi hosting SADC meetings on Energy and Water.
By Yamikani Yapuwa Blantyre, Mana: Malawi from Monday to Thursday this week is hosting the Joint Meeting of Committee of Ministers Responsible for Energy and Water in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). According to a media advisory by SADC, the meeting will allow ministers to deliberate on programmes of regional dimensions in support to the implementation of the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-30 particularly programmes for infrastructure development of the two sectors. “In the energy sector, the deliberations will focus on the short, medium and long-term solutions to address security of energy supply in the Region, proposal on development of a Regional Transmission Infrastructure Financing Facility (RTIFF) and progress on signing of the Agreement Amending SADC Protocol on Energy of 1996. “The Ministerial meeting will also, among other issues, consider operationalization of SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) as a legal entity through signing and ratification of the SACREEE Intergovernmental Memorandum of Agreement (IGMoA), modalities of strengthening the Regional Energy Regulators Association (RERA) and discuss progress on the development of Regional Gas Master Plan – Phase II,” reads the advisory. The advisory said that in the water sector, the Ministers will consider for approval of the fifth Regional Strategy Action Plan (RSAP V) on Integrated Water Resource Development and Management, implementation of the SADC Groundwater Management Phase II Programme and the SADC Response to COVID-19 Impact in the water sector. “The Ministers will further consider the status of the SADC COVID-19 Border Post Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Response Project, the SADC Water Fund Infrastructure Development Projects and the report on River Basin Organisations/Shared Water Course Institutions programmes. “Ministers will further consider crosscutting issues such as Water, Energy and Food Security (WEF) Nexus Programme to enhance synergy in addressing challenges facing the three (3) sectors,” said Ahead of the Ministers meeting, the SADC Senior Officials responsible for energy and water are holding their meeting on Monday and Tuesday to prepare and clear documents for consideration and deliberation by the Ministers. Speaking at the SADC Senior Officials meeting, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Energy Patrick Matanda said these kind of meetings are significant to Malawi and SADC nations as whole. “Water and Energy are two important issues to any country. In Malawi, whenever, there is an issues to do with water, there are problems. The same applies when there are issues to do with energy especially with electricity, there are issues with economy and also the general population,” said Matanda. Matanda also said coordination between SADC countries is important and this can be seen through the launch of Mozambique-Malawi Interconnector which is a product of SADC integration. “So you can see that there are big benefits that come with nations working together. In this case, we will be able to get extra power from other countries just because we are working as a bloc,” said Matanda.
Chilima hosts Malawian university students in Egypt
By Mphatso Nkuonera in Cairo Cairo, Mana: Vice President, Dr Saulos Chilima on Wednesday interacted with Malawian students studying in different disciplines in various Universities in Egypt. The students shared with the Vice President some experiences and issues that were key in their academic journey and required the attention of various stakeholder’s back home. The Students’ delegation who met the Vice President in Egypt’s administrative City New Cairo, told this reporter in separate interviews that they could now see light at the end of the tunnel. The Chairperson of the Student’s committee, Shareef Amadu, told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that the issues include delays or failure to renew passports, and seeking advice on how best to be served by the Embassy as well as general upkeep issues. “We requested for a meet the Vice president, when we were permitted it gave us chance to raise issues that as government must look into. He has agreed that issues of passport renewals shall be handled as an urgent matter,” he said. Secretary of the Students Committee, Samantha Maiden said, “We are very glad and satisfied with the responses we got from the Vice President, he was very caring and promised to intervene on some grey areas that have been registered from our meeting.” Earlier in the day, Chilima was invited by the Egyptian government to tour their new Administrative Capital presently under construction, and the site has the largest hotel, mosque, church and tallest building the whole Africa. The Vice President held meetings with Energy Infinity Investors, together with government officials from Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Trade where the company has reaffirmed its position to invest in Solar and Wind powered energy in Malawi with a total capacity of 1,000 Megawatts). On Wednesday, the Vice President described Malawi’s participation to the 21st Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit as successful because it has opened doors for investment, which would help in job creation and reduction of unemployment levels once the projects commence. “COMESA bloc will unlock some investment opportunities for our country and expand our market where we shall be looking at over 500 million populations within the member states as our market for any products we may have,” Chilima said. He added that, “It’s high time we embraced value addition on our products and start exporting them in large quantities that would lead to more foreign exchange dropping into our country than the current situation with high importation than exportation. “I was both impressed and motivated to see what our friends are doing. To imagine that they are creating a new city from the scratch is something that we must all embrace and believe that we too can. With a unity of purpose, dedication and the ability to always think about the next generation. We too can do great things as a country.” On solar energy production, the Vice President said government was committed to provide the necessary advice and support so that investors have a conducive operating environment. “We assured the investors of full government support to ensure that all necessary steps are followed in line with Malawi’s legal framework so that such an important investment becomes a reality. “There is indeed great need of energy in Malawi in line with the country’s MW2063 development agenda and its subsidiary implementation plan MIP-1 that has industrialization as one of the main pillars,” he said.
First Ladies impressed with women cooperative
By Esnath Kalawe Lilongwe, Mana: First Lady, Madame Monica Chakwera and Mozambican First Lady, Isaura Nyusi Monday commended Mwachichotsa Women Cooperative in Nathenje, Lilongwe for their vigilance in undertaking income generating activities to empower themselves financially. In an interview, Madame Chakwera said the women cooperative, which owns a maize mill, was under Her Shaping Our Future Foundation which pays school fees for needy female learners. She encouraged the women to continue participating in activities that could contribute to economic empowerment of their families. “We are impressed with what the women are doing. We want our women to be economically empowered. “This is just a Pilot phase of Shaping Our Future Foundation and we are training them how to do business that can uplift and boost their welfare. This can help to reduce poverty among their families,” Chakwera explained. She said the initiative was intended to help uplift women economically so that they should be able to pay school fees and buy school materials for their children as well as buying food for their families. Mozambican First Lady, Madame Nyusi noted with great satisfaction the way Malawi’s First Lady was leading in assisting women to be self-reliant. “I highly appreciate what the First Lady is doing in economic empowerment. Economic empowerment is very vital to human being. “The great dedication is a vehicle to social empowerment and I have to take it to my country, so that we do the same,” she said. One of the beneficiaries who is the Secretary for the Cooperative, Stella Mwape said the visit to the cooperative by the two First Ladies was an inspiration to them. Registered in 2019, the cooperative has a membership of 36 women and is being run under Madame Chakwera’s Shaping Our Future foundation with assistance from Irish Embassy and Premier Bet.
Ntcheu DC commends cordial border relationship with Mozambique
By Maston Kaiya Ntcheu, Mana: Ntcheu District Commissioner (DC), Francis Matewere has commended a good working relationship that exists between Malawi and Mozambique. The DC made the remarks when Mozambican DC for Angonia made a courtesy call to Ntcheu on Tuesday. “People from Angonia and Ntcheu are all one. We share the same language and culture hence the visit has cemented the relationship that is already there between the two bordering districts,” he said. Matewere added that the cordial relationship was paying dividends whereby he gave an example of Mozambican Police who recently recovered 900 bags of fertilizer which was stolen from Malawi. Similarly, Malawi Police recovered a motorcycle and cattle which were stolen from Mozambique. DC for Angonia, Raimundo Brumo commended Ntcheu District Council development plans and the council’s service delivery systems. “I am glad to learn about your District Development Plans (DDPs). Your service delivery systems in health and education are also commendable,” he said, citing a free health delivery system which was benefitting some Mozambican households close to the borders. Brumo added that the two countries have common border challenges and urged stakeholders from both sides to work together in the fight against the vices such as illegal trade, human trafficking and COVID-19 pandemic. The two sides discussed a number of issues ranging from development, education, health, trade and agriculture among others.
Chilima arrives in Egypt for 21st COMESA summit
By Mphatso Nkuonera In Cairo -Egypt for Mana: State Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima on Sunday arrived in Egypt ahead of the 21st Common Market for the Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit that will be held in Cairo from 22 to 24 November. Chillima who proceeded to Egypt from Dubai where he attended the Dubai Expo 2020 is expected to give a keynote address during the COMESA Summit besides carrying out other government engagements. The 21st COMESA Summit is being held under the theme Building Resilience through Strategic Digital Economic Integration, and was motivated by the emerging regional and global economic and trade dynamics which have impacted heavily on the COMESA regional integration agenda, such as the COVID -19 pandemic. Speaking earlier at the Embassy, with Malawi News Agency (Mana), the Malawi Ambassador to Egypt Caroline Bwanali said that, this year’s COMESA Summit creates a great opportunity for Malawi to lure investors and tap some ideas on how it can expand use of technology and embrace the concept of digital economy. “Malawi is going to benefit a lot from this COMESA Summit because the union is building integration and creating a roadmap to reach digital transformation to drive the economy. COMESA is about development diplomacy as such we are very ready and prepared to carry out duties that will foster our bondages with other member states. “Nowadays we cannot talk of development alone as a country; therefore, COMESA is building a mass to stand and be able to come up with development programmes as one unit. “The roadmap that comes out from this summit it will empower Malawi to do better resource wise, knowledge and many other areas that matter towards Malawi’s electronic transaction, be it in banks, electronic agriculture, electronic business and electronic health to name a few,” she alluded. The Malawi envoy added that the country will utilize this COMESA sitting as another chance to advance the philosophies of African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) in order to maximize its opportunities that directly or in directly impact on other Malawi’s development dimensions namely technological, social, political and economic. Formed in 1994, this regional bloc works to achieve the promotion of electivity trade, enhancing security of power supply and faster regional integration and has since adopted a phased monetary co-operation programme which aims at establishing a common monetary area. The plane carrying the vice president touched down the ground at Cairo international Airport at exactly 6:30pm Upon arrival through Cairo International Airport, the Vice President was welcomed by Malawi’s Ambassador to Egypt, Caroline Bwanali, Principal Secretary in the office of the vice president, Wezzie Kayira and government delegates, and top Egyptian government officials.
UN Resident Coordinator completes tour of duty
By Tione Andsen Lilongwe, Mana: United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Maria Jose Torres, has completed her tour of duty in Malawi. She has completed her tour of duty after almost four years of leading the UN System in support of efforts to achieve national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the country. Torres started her mission in January 2018 and her last day of work in the country Malawi is November 12 2021. She expressed gratitude for the great cooperation between the Government of Malawi and the UN System that has resulted in multiple areas of work where results are visible from food security, disaster response, COVID-19 response, climate action to elections, gender equality, girls’ education, human rights, and the governance agenda, to mention a few. “I am delighted to see Malawi’s vision to become a middle-income country by 2030 and the robust partnerships created with the national institutions, the civil society and the Development Partners,” Torres said. “The UN is fully engaged to ensure we leave no one behind in accelerating efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Malawi.” She said enhancing multi-sectoral approaches in line with the recently launched Malawi 2063 First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP-1) would be essential to undertake transformative initiatives and consolidate gains on climate action, agro-industry transformation, urbanization and pushing for the digital agenda. “In this regard, strong and dedicated investments in human capital development, particularly on women and youth empowerment, the public sector reforms, and the creation of an enabling environment to expand private sector investment, are key to success. “With stronger determination, commitment, concerted efforts, and a whole-of-society approach, it is possible to achieve the SDGs in the country. It will take everyone’s contribution,” Torres added. She thanked Development Partners for the support they have rendered to the UN System and for their strategic engagement over the four years. Chief of Mission for International Organization Migration (IOM) in Malawi, Mpilo Nkomo described Torres as one of the brilliant Resident Coordinator of our time saying was always unifying members of the UN family and available to support on issues. He said Torres was involved in many interventions in the country where she engaged the government to meet the aspirations of many communities. “Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was great and she made sure that no one was left behind by working closely to ensure that everyone had equal access to the vaccines in the country,” Nkomo added. He said she was very passionate with her work by making sure that the UN family remains relevant in the country. Torres will be working in Chile, South America.
Speaker calls for capacity building of Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC)
By Andrew Magombo Lilongwe, Mana: Speaker of the National Assembly, Catherine Gotani Hara, has asked for intensified training of members of Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee in order to ensure prudent oversight of government expenditure. She made the call on Thursday in Lilongwe when she officially opened the 17th Annual General Meeting of the Southern Africa Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC). In her key note address, the Speaker said lack of financial management knowledge is deterring effective roles of the committee as many legislators come from different backgrounds some with zero knowledge of tracking public funds. She further established that citizens place high expectations in the August House to ensure that every kwacha in the national budget is being utilized accordingly. She said: “PAC is constitutionally mandated as a watchdog to provide oversight and accountability of taxpayers’ money. Unfortunately, it is not biting enough as expected because MPs are not familiar with pertinent knowledge of how to track and deal with mismanagement of public funds.” “There is a strong need for capacity building because failure to enrich PAC with adequate training compromises the process of providing checks and balance hence this AGM is another opportunity to learn from our fellow member states in the SADC region.” SADCOPAC Vice Chairperson Sibusiso Nxumalo who is also eSwatini’s Parliamentary Public Account Committees’ Vice Chairperson, admitted that challenges are visible across SADC region. He was however quick to express confidence that the meeting will enhance formidable accountability in their respective governments. He said: “We are lacking that strong bite that can help us manage diligent accountability of public funds. It is important that we come together as regional public accounts committees because if expenditure of taxpayers is unaccounted for, this affects delivery of public services.” “It is a common trait in the SADC region that some projects are done twice, some are never completed and in some cases there is late delivery of services yet the money is already allocated in our respective national budgets.” The 17th SADCOPAC Annual General Meeting which started on November 1st, will ended on November 4th at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe. This year’s meeting, brought together delegates from Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana and eSwatini. The inaugural general meeting took place in the year 2004 in Tanzania but Malawi first hosted it during 5th AGM in 2008 under the theme “Making Government Accountable to the People through Accounts Committees.”