What does it mean for Malawi to reach the compact status of the Millennium Challenge Corporation?
First, let me start by on behalf of President Bush and on behalf of the chief executive officer of MCC John Danilovich to congratulate you and Malawi and the people of Malawi for the fact that Malawi has now been chosen as an MCC eligible country. I think this is an achievement that we at MCC are very proud of and Malawian people should be very proud of and I think that it represents a further step in the very strong and excellent relations that the United States has with Malawi.
May be just a few words about MCC and how we have organised and then what does this mean in practice for Malawi. MCC is the United States government agency set up in the form of a corporation. But we are a United States government agency and we receive a funding from congress and we provide grants not loans. This is money that countries do not need not return.
We provide grants to our compact eligible countries. Now, MCC works on the principle that our development assistance will be best used by those countries that are doing three things. Countries that are ruling justly, that are supporting democratic principles and human rights, countries that are investing in their people, investing in health and in education, and countries that are adopting policies that lead to economic freedom, that lead to a strong and vibrant market economy and stimulate private sector growth.
So, the idea is to work with developing countries but with a very select group of developing countries. Again that rule justly, that invest in their people, and that promote economic freedom.
How do we determine which countries we work with? We take the eighty some countries that follow into the so-called low income category. And those eighty some countries we apply 17 non United States Government indicators, which measure whether the country is ruling justly, investing in its people, and promoting economic freedom. These indicators maintained by independent both parties. And every year each country’s ranking sheet and the results of these 17 indicators is published on our website. Here is the ranking sheet for Malawi.
We have six indicators that measure ruling justly, we have five indicators for investing in people and six indicators in economic freedom. The medium is established for each indicator. You are being compared to your peer group of countries. Your peer group for example, you are being compared to your peer group of countries and if your country scores above the medium it’s going to be passed. If your country scores below the median you fail. To qualify for MCC Compact eligibility you need to be above the medium of three of the six, three of the five and three of the six. We have one pass-fail indicator, that’s corruption. If you right up corruption you are above. So, this is the methodology that we use to choose countries. Now, Malawi was chosen based on this methodology. We now have in total 24 countries that we work with, 13 of them are in Africa. Malawi is one of the eligible countries.
And very important to know is that every year our board re-assesses eligible countries. So, while it’s important to do well on the indicators to become initially eligible. But every year our board will re-evaluate and so you got to be vigilant as you notice that Malawi is very close to the medium in many of these indicators. So in order to continue in the program every year you need to do well on the indicators.
Does that entail every country that qualifies for the compact status automatically receives aid or there is still some kind of monitoring that has to be done?
What does MCC Compact eligibility mean in practice in Malawi?
One feature with MCC is the way we chose the eligible countries, another feature of our process is that we will finance that which Malawi thinks needs for development. In other words, country ownership. We very much believe that that you know much better than we do what you need for your development needs and we are prepared to finance. There are no preferences. We have no preferences as to sectors. We can do things in health, education or infrastructure or water and sanitation, rule of law, aid for trade. But the point here is that we will finance that which Malawi feels need for its development need. What does this mean in practice, now that Malawi has been chosen as eligible; Malawi now needs to prepare a proposal, a funding proposal, a business plan for MCC which articulates the programs the Malawi has to finance. Our singular mission is to reduce poverty
through the vehicle of sustainable economic growth. So a proposal that we will receive from Malawi will need to focus on poverty reduction through growth. But again we have no sectors that we prefer. So it’s for you the Malawians to decide the sector that you like us to finance.
The next step is for the government to organize a broad consultative process with Malawian civil society and the private sector to ask Malawian people what they feel MCC funding should be used for. We very much view the Malawian proposals that we will receive to reflect a bottom-up approach not a top-down approach so that the proposals that we receive reflects broad consensus among the Malawian people as to what the country’s priorities are.
This is a national program. This is not a program with a particular party or faction, it’s a national program. We work, by definition, with countries that hold elections. Elections mean governments stay, governments go. We would like this MCC Compact to be something that most Malawians can feel represents a significant national priority. I would urge you and your fellow Malawians in the civil society and private sector to get engaged in this consultative process. Once this consultative process is completed then the government will need to put together based on this consultative process a proposal to MCC. And when we receive your proposal we will then review it from a tactical perspective and work with you to help refine it to improve it and will offer help to make this program very strong and after that we sign the Compact and begin working.
The third feature is that you are also responsible for implementing. You will be here to guide and offer suggestions with us but Malawi will be responsible for implementing this program. But again every year during the Compact, the country will be assessed based on these indicators.
How long will the process take and how much is Malawi expected to get from MCC
How long will the process take?
History has shown with other countries that generally it takes six to eight months for a country to produce a solid proposal, in other words to do the consultative process and then come up with a good proposal. We then need six to eight months to review, and to refine the proposal and technically assess it. So, I would think that the earliest that we will be in a position to sign something with Malawi will be in the second and third quarter around the year 2009. We had no minimum and maximum number we give a country. There is no quota or formula or funding envelope that we have for Malawi.
You can see that we have given Madagascar US$110 million; we have given Tanzania US$700 million. So, there is no number for Malawi. The number that we will give Malawi will be a function of the quality of the proposal. Was it the result of the consultative process? Can the country effectively implement and absorb the amount of money that it’s asking. So there is no minimum and maximum number. We will evaluate the proposal on its merits. It is very important that we do not politicize this process. This is a national program between people of United States and people of Malawi. And it is designed to reduce poverty through growth and we urge them no to politicize but come together as a country and give MCC a solid national proposal that most Malawians could rally around.
After Malawi finally receives the grant from MCC; are there any ways of monitoring that the country does not relapse on its performance as dictated by the indicators?
Of course we will monitor the indicators every year. That’s one level of monitoring. The second is together with Malawi we will develop very robust and very strong mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating. We want to make sure that the money is properly used. Two, to make sure that we are achieving the results that we would like to achieve. In other words, we have in the Compact agreed specific benchmarks that we hope to meet in this Compact. We can sign compacts for up to five years. So, we can only finance programs that can only be completed in five year period.
So the there will be nothing like the politicians say ‘we have the money but we can go back to old ways?’
No, because the money is not disbursed immediately. If we gave for example X number of dollars to Malawi, we just don’t just turn the money over to the country. What we do is out of our bank account we take the X amount and we reserve it upfront. So to reserve for Malawi and it is disbursed over five years as needed. It’s disbursed over those five years only if during those five years Malawi continues to perform well on the indicators and continues to implement the program well.
Friday, February 22, 2008
America in Africa
Challenging poverty through economic growth
By Emmanuel Luciano
It’s not always the case that great expectations make frustrated men.
The Chairman for the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industries, who is also Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South West Constituency, is an optimistic man.
Willard Gwengwe envisages a wonderful future for Malawi. He envisions a Malawi with more referral hospitals than the present four of Mzuzu, Kamuzu, Queens and Zomba Central hospitals.
He dreams of a time when even the remotest of places like Phoka in Rumphi, Sinyala in Lilongwe, Makanjira in Mangochi and Marka in Nsanje will have roads befitting a country that gained independence some 44 years ago.
In Gwengwe’s ideal country there are no trees that transform into classrooms of some sort because the available school blocks can not accommodate the surging numbers of pupils in primary schools.
His is a world of conventional secondary schools and proper education system where teachers are spared from the bedlam of shacks they currently call homes because there are enough and proper teachers’ houses.
In the MP’s perfect world, it is only a country with a top-notch health and education system that can spur development in other sectors like of trade and commerce.
Just days after meeting John Hewko, the vice-president of Compact Development of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Gwengwe has every reason to positively look into the future. After all, as Anna Eleanor Roosevelt would have it, ‘the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’
The prospect of Malawi getting huge grants from MCC’s Compact should, therefore, be exciting news to any development conscious Malawian.
In Africa, MCC has approved nearly US$3.9 billion for its engagement with countries like Ghana getting US$547 million; Mozambique US$ 507 million; Lesotho US$363 million; Morocco US$ 687.5 million; and Tanzania US$ 698 million.
The money is not yet here, and there are still a few things that have to be done in the interim before Malawi starts receiving the grants. But with all these figures that went to other countries, Gwengwe can now start counting the eggs.
“It’s my sincere hope that the administration of the fund is not going to be politicised. We should priotise the key areas of education and the health sector as well.
“To spur trade and investment, we need to remove the supply-side constraints. These are bottlenecks like poor road infrastructure, electricity problems and water supply which the private sector is facing in the country,” says Gwengwe.
Dreams, wishes, prospects are just words that on their own are meaningless and in the case of Malawi’s MCC Compact, meaning will on be attached to these words when, as Hewko said, a consultative process to formulate proposals for Malawi starts.
“The next step is for the government to organise a broad consultative process with Malawian civil society and the private sector to ask Malawian people what they feel MCC funding should be used for.
“We very much view the Malawian proposals that we will receive to reflect a bottom-up approach not a top-down approach so that the proposals that we receive reflects broad consensus among the Malawian people as to what the country’s priorities are,” said Hewko.
It is in the consultation process where the chair for Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industries thinks that Parliament should be involved to remove the fear of government politising the issue.
“At least if one or two members from Parliament would be part of the consultative process. We can for instance involve the position of the speaker since he is supposed to be neutral because he represents all political parties represented in Parliament hence the wishes of the people can be priotised,” Gwengwe says.
But Steve Malamba, Chairman for Parliamentary Committee on education, one of the perceived priority sectors, is a bit skeptical because he thinks at the end of the day it will still be government that will draw proposals to be submitted to MCC.
“If government wants to maximise on the benefits of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and they want us to participate, then we are ready to assist. But the ball is in their court really.
“I understand that there has to be the Malawi Challenge Account Board that will also comprise people in government, that’s when they might want to consider involving other sectors,” Malamba says.
Malamba’s doubts stems from his experiences on how the country has handled some critical issues without consultation.
“What might prevent the government from cheating that they consulted us if they could not even consult on the China-Taiwan issue?” he asks.
Those who subscribe to the notion of measuring reality according to their experiences are right in their own way. They need not be worry when their expectations are not met.
There is a lot that has to happen before the great expectations of the likes of Gwengwe are met.
If the country all over a sudden starts performing badly on ruling justly as inherent in the corruption control, or stops investing in its people and warranting them economic freedom as provided for in the indicators that have to be continually observed, then they will be cause for worry.
According to MCC, there are no pre-set limits on Compact amounts that countries can request as “final Compact amounts will be based primarily on program quality, estimated costs, and available funds.”
And given all factors equal, the future looks very bright for Malawi.
By Emmanuel Luciano
It’s not always the case that great expectations make frustrated men.
The Chairman for the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industries, who is also Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South West Constituency, is an optimistic man.
Willard Gwengwe envisages a wonderful future for Malawi. He envisions a Malawi with more referral hospitals than the present four of Mzuzu, Kamuzu, Queens and Zomba Central hospitals.
He dreams of a time when even the remotest of places like Phoka in Rumphi, Sinyala in Lilongwe, Makanjira in Mangochi and Marka in Nsanje will have roads befitting a country that gained independence some 44 years ago.
In Gwengwe’s ideal country there are no trees that transform into classrooms of some sort because the available school blocks can not accommodate the surging numbers of pupils in primary schools.
His is a world of conventional secondary schools and proper education system where teachers are spared from the bedlam of shacks they currently call homes because there are enough and proper teachers’ houses.
In the MP’s perfect world, it is only a country with a top-notch health and education system that can spur development in other sectors like of trade and commerce.
Just days after meeting John Hewko, the vice-president of Compact Development of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Gwengwe has every reason to positively look into the future. After all, as Anna Eleanor Roosevelt would have it, ‘the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.’
The prospect of Malawi getting huge grants from MCC’s Compact should, therefore, be exciting news to any development conscious Malawian.
In Africa, MCC has approved nearly US$3.9 billion for its engagement with countries like Ghana getting US$547 million; Mozambique US$ 507 million; Lesotho US$363 million; Morocco US$ 687.5 million; and Tanzania US$ 698 million.
The money is not yet here, and there are still a few things that have to be done in the interim before Malawi starts receiving the grants. But with all these figures that went to other countries, Gwengwe can now start counting the eggs.
“It’s my sincere hope that the administration of the fund is not going to be politicised. We should priotise the key areas of education and the health sector as well.
“To spur trade and investment, we need to remove the supply-side constraints. These are bottlenecks like poor road infrastructure, electricity problems and water supply which the private sector is facing in the country,” says Gwengwe.
Dreams, wishes, prospects are just words that on their own are meaningless and in the case of Malawi’s MCC Compact, meaning will on be attached to these words when, as Hewko said, a consultative process to formulate proposals for Malawi starts.
“The next step is for the government to organise a broad consultative process with Malawian civil society and the private sector to ask Malawian people what they feel MCC funding should be used for.
“We very much view the Malawian proposals that we will receive to reflect a bottom-up approach not a top-down approach so that the proposals that we receive reflects broad consensus among the Malawian people as to what the country’s priorities are,” said Hewko.
It is in the consultation process where the chair for Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industries thinks that Parliament should be involved to remove the fear of government politising the issue.
“At least if one or two members from Parliament would be part of the consultative process. We can for instance involve the position of the speaker since he is supposed to be neutral because he represents all political parties represented in Parliament hence the wishes of the people can be priotised,” Gwengwe says.
But Steve Malamba, Chairman for Parliamentary Committee on education, one of the perceived priority sectors, is a bit skeptical because he thinks at the end of the day it will still be government that will draw proposals to be submitted to MCC.
“If government wants to maximise on the benefits of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and they want us to participate, then we are ready to assist. But the ball is in their court really.
“I understand that there has to be the Malawi Challenge Account Board that will also comprise people in government, that’s when they might want to consider involving other sectors,” Malamba says.
Malamba’s doubts stems from his experiences on how the country has handled some critical issues without consultation.
“What might prevent the government from cheating that they consulted us if they could not even consult on the China-Taiwan issue?” he asks.
Those who subscribe to the notion of measuring reality according to their experiences are right in their own way. They need not be worry when their expectations are not met.
There is a lot that has to happen before the great expectations of the likes of Gwengwe are met.
If the country all over a sudden starts performing badly on ruling justly as inherent in the corruption control, or stops investing in its people and warranting them economic freedom as provided for in the indicators that have to be continually observed, then they will be cause for worry.
According to MCC, there are no pre-set limits on Compact amounts that countries can request as “final Compact amounts will be based primarily on program quality, estimated costs, and available funds.”
And given all factors equal, the future looks very bright for Malawi.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Still waiting for Mam’s
By Emmanuel Luciano
THE Musicians Association of Malawi (Mam) has been in the news not for the wrong reasons as some would have it but for the right ones. This association’s executive is yet to hold its Annual General Meeting three years after being ushered into office.
Reason the powers that be in Mam give for failing to hold even a single AGM, for a grouping that represents the interests of musicians in the country, has always been lack of funds.
More recently, the association failed to hold a scheduled AGM in Mzuzu as the year was drawing to an end for the same reason of lack of finances.
The going has been a rough one for the executive that is yet to produce audited accounts of its operations in the three years that it has been in office. It was not surprising, therefore, to see squabbling and heckling characterising the running of affairs in Musicians Association of Malawi.
But with only three months to go before the month of April, when the mandate of the present executive committee expires, according to its president Wellington Chatepa, it appears the storm of trouble rocking the association is failing to abate.
Wellington Chatepa says the association will hold its AGM in April not anytime between as previously arranged.
This has irked some quarters within the association that feel the executive is unconstitutionally running the organisation by not holding the AGM.
Chatepa says they are trying to raise funds for the April AGM to take place without any hurdles.
“Actually the elections are due in April that is when our mandate expires. We had no AGM all these years because we had no money. The one we were to hold in Mzuzu failed to take place because we only had K50 000 which came from Mr. Wawanya one of the trustees instead of K400 000,” he says.
Chatepa dismisses those who were agitating for ‘early’ elections as individuals who were just bent on ousting the existing committee for unknown reason.
Overton Chimombo, one of the candidates that were ready to pit themselves against Chatepa in the failed Mzuzu AGM, however, says the executive is executing the functions of the association illegally.
“Holding the AGM in April is against the wishes of the majority of the people. There were issues that the office is being personalised a lot and that’s why we called for an AGM.
“According to our constitution, the president or the secretary cannot approve anything without the approval of the general assembly. Even the spending that is being done now is illegal because it has not been approved by the general assembly. There is no accountability. Right now we hear the president is busy conducting some Mam projects with funding from donors in the Centre but how do donors find activities of the association without audited accounts? Chimombo asks.
Vice secretary for Mam’s southern region chapter Diwa Khwiliro says members did not agree to shift the AGM to the month of April.
“We agreed that the elections or the AGM be held as soon as we have the money. If we find sponsors today we can have the election this week. The president is not a trust to make that decision alone,” Khwiliro says.
But Mam central region chapter chairman Edward Munjeru says holding the AGM in April would only be the rightful decision.
“The term of office is really supposed to end in April and that’s when we should have the lections because by then we will have found people to sponsor us,” says Munjeru.
Chairman of the trustees Geoff Gondwe says it was disappointing that members did not understand the significance of holding an AGM.
“Lack of money should not be a reason for acting unconstitutionally. That’s the price you pay for democracy. People should not water down AGMs because it is at this meeting where leaders renew their mandate. You can’t execute plans without the authority of the people who put you in office.
“It is at AGMs where plans and budgets of the organisation are approved. The assembly looks at the expenses incurred or whether they have spent within budgets.
Gondwe says he expects the association to have audited accounts ready by they hold the AGM.
“If they want to have the AGM in April, perhaps they want to give themselves time to prepare. The accounts haven’t been audited all these years and as a constitution requirement their books have to be done prior to the AGM,” he says.
THE Musicians Association of Malawi (Mam) has been in the news not for the wrong reasons as some would have it but for the right ones. This association’s executive is yet to hold its Annual General Meeting three years after being ushered into office.
Reason the powers that be in Mam give for failing to hold even a single AGM, for a grouping that represents the interests of musicians in the country, has always been lack of funds.
More recently, the association failed to hold a scheduled AGM in Mzuzu as the year was drawing to an end for the same reason of lack of finances.
The going has been a rough one for the executive that is yet to produce audited accounts of its operations in the three years that it has been in office. It was not surprising, therefore, to see squabbling and heckling characterising the running of affairs in Musicians Association of Malawi.
But with only three months to go before the month of April, when the mandate of the present executive committee expires, according to its president Wellington Chatepa, it appears the storm of trouble rocking the association is failing to abate.
Wellington Chatepa says the association will hold its AGM in April not anytime between as previously arranged.
This has irked some quarters within the association that feel the executive is unconstitutionally running the organisation by not holding the AGM.
Chatepa says they are trying to raise funds for the April AGM to take place without any hurdles.
“Actually the elections are due in April that is when our mandate expires. We had no AGM all these years because we had no money. The one we were to hold in Mzuzu failed to take place because we only had K50 000 which came from Mr. Wawanya one of the trustees instead of K400 000,” he says.
Chatepa dismisses those who were agitating for ‘early’ elections as individuals who were just bent on ousting the existing committee for unknown reason.
Overton Chimombo, one of the candidates that were ready to pit themselves against Chatepa in the failed Mzuzu AGM, however, says the executive is executing the functions of the association illegally.
“Holding the AGM in April is against the wishes of the majority of the people. There were issues that the office is being personalised a lot and that’s why we called for an AGM.
“According to our constitution, the president or the secretary cannot approve anything without the approval of the general assembly. Even the spending that is being done now is illegal because it has not been approved by the general assembly. There is no accountability. Right now we hear the president is busy conducting some Mam projects with funding from donors in the Centre but how do donors find activities of the association without audited accounts? Chimombo asks.
Vice secretary for Mam’s southern region chapter Diwa Khwiliro says members did not agree to shift the AGM to the month of April.
“We agreed that the elections or the AGM be held as soon as we have the money. If we find sponsors today we can have the election this week. The president is not a trust to make that decision alone,” Khwiliro says.
But Mam central region chapter chairman Edward Munjeru says holding the AGM in April would only be the rightful decision.
“The term of office is really supposed to end in April and that’s when we should have the lections because by then we will have found people to sponsor us,” says Munjeru.
Chairman of the trustees Geoff Gondwe says it was disappointing that members did not understand the significance of holding an AGM.
“Lack of money should not be a reason for acting unconstitutionally. That’s the price you pay for democracy. People should not water down AGMs because it is at this meeting where leaders renew their mandate. You can’t execute plans without the authority of the people who put you in office.
“It is at AGMs where plans and budgets of the organisation are approved. The assembly looks at the expenses incurred or whether they have spent within budgets.
Gondwe says he expects the association to have audited accounts ready by they hold the AGM.
“If they want to have the AGM in April, perhaps they want to give themselves time to prepare. The accounts haven’t been audited all these years and as a constitution requirement their books have to be done prior to the AGM,” he says.
Made in China: New song of development or begging for neocolonialism
By Emmanuel Luciano
Blue Diamond, a nightclub that is mostly frequented by animated students and some zealous outgoing adults, is perched at Sunnyside close to Colony Casino in Blantyre. This place can be reached using the Chikwawa road past Catholic Institute. Those driving from Victoria Avenue, downtown Blantyre, will only take a minute to get there. That is how close Blantyre is to Beijing.
And there is Machaina in Lilongwe, a name of a nightclub that needs no introduction for Lilongwe revellers who spend their time at Bwandiro.
At Trade Fair in Blantyre, on the opposite left of the Chamber’s house if you are entering the fair grounds using the main gate, there is a tiny restaurant which is run by people whose identity is easily deceived by a language that somewhat sounds Greek save for some guttural sounds that accompany it. Not that they serve any Chinese food at this place, no. It’s the same food you find in most second rate restaurants in town. And that’s how near mainland China’s Peking can be to Malawi.
If you have never been to any of these places you need not worry that you have never visited mainland China in Malawi because there are numerous China shops in all cities and towns that sell Chinese and other products at prices Malawians can afford.
But it’s not that easy to get to Taiwan in Malawi. In Blantyre you have to scale the walls of the timber factory at Green corner in Blantyre or that of their nail factory at Mapanga. You also need to do a lot of travelling, say travel some 30 kilometres away from Zomba town to reach Namasalima Rice scheme where the Taiwanese are running a rice growing project.
If you are in Lilongwe, to reach Taiwan in Malawi, only ask around for a location of the fertiliser factory which the Taiwanese are running.
Naysayers of Malawi establishing diplomatic ties with Beijing, in what is being termed as the country’s strange way of asking to be hit by a wind of neocolonialism, have argued their cases well.
Proponents of the red China-Malawi relation have also articulated, with passion of a soothsayer, the enormous economic gains that the country is going to get by establishing ties with mainland China at the expense of its 40-year-old relationship with Taiwan.
The debate appears to have been boringly exhausted but there are others like Malawi Watch’s Executive Director Billy Banda who argues that the train of thoughts on whether Malawi should stick to Taiwan or jump ships to join Beijing is being derailed deliberately to curtail the apparent healthy debate.
Perhaps Banda is right considering that the Malawi’s supposed move to dump Taiwan is now considered as Taiwan’s worst diplomatic crisis since the island broke ties with its long-time ally, Costa Rica.
Banda says there is no need to establish another tie with red China because he believes that Malawi already has relationship with Beijing.
“People should be able to differentiate two different sets of ties. We already are pursuing economic ties with mainland China. There are so many businesses from China that are operating in the country with our knowledge, ofcourse. So what else do we want?
“People are talking about economic gains, but we don’t go into diplomatic relations with any country as a profit-making venture because that relation may be a sugar-coated pill that is going to eventually destroy us,” Banda says.
The fact that there is a lot of speculation surrounding the Malawi-China relation does not help matters either as it is also generating conjectures that the ties are meant to advance an agenda that is not going to benefit the majority of Malawians.
“The government is playing hide and seek by allowing information that cannot be properly substantiated to circulate. This is not quite healthy. Diplomatic ties are not done for personal reasons but for the benefit of people of this country today, tomorrow and the future generation.”
“As a civil society, we will be watching closely the progress to see whether the decision to switch to China has been made in good faith. Any advancement that comes out to have induced benefits should not be made. What reasons does government give for going for China?” says Banda.
The Parliamentary Committee on International relations said earlier this week that it was going to meet to debate on the matter, but the Malawi Watch Executive Director says “the committee should consult widely on the issue regarding Taiwan and Mainland China.
“The committee has been idle for too long yet this is an issue that involves foreign policy which cannot be left to the executive alone to decide. There are issues like Malawi’s latest position on Nepad. Was the Malawi-Scottish partnership properly reported to Parliament and exhaustively discussed for instance?”
The question of foreign policy, at the time Malawi is at diplomatic loggerheads with Libya and in the news over its relation with China, excites even those in opposition.
UDF’s Sam Mpasu, who at one time secured computers for his Ministry of information from Beijing when UDF was in power, says the UDF government never made any ties with Beijing.
“It’s not proper that anyone in opposition should be dragged to say much on the country’s foreign policy. We in UDF are being blamed for the issue of Libya and Taiwan.
“But foreign policy is an extension of the domestic policy. What you do inside determines who your friend is. Governments deal with governments. But we deal with political parties and it’s mainly Liberal Democrats in the UK and the Democrats in America because we are a democratic party.”
As Dr. Chris Alden, an authority on China writes in the Commonwealth Press Union Magazine of August 2007, “for the investment starved African continent, China’s arrival has been overwhelmingly welcomed with open arms.”
“At the same time, there are signs of disquiet on the part of local trade unionists as the use of Chinese labourers and conditions in some Chinese enterprise has tempered the initial unbridled enthusiasm.”
As Alden continues in his article, Leveraging the Dragon: Toward "An Africa That Can Say No" in eAfrica of March 2005, Africa, when approaching China, needs to re-orient the very premise of its engagement with China from a residual liberation paradigm, … where Africa needs to consciously promote and preserve its interests.
As wrote Fred M’membe, editor of The Post, Zambia found itself in a precarious situation for not properly bargaining in its deals with China.
“It doesn’t seem we’re engaging the Chinese in the most beneficial way. China investment in Zambia is, in many respects, continuing the pattern established with the West---which has left Zambia poorer.
“We continue to place very little value on our natural resources and a much higher value on capital required to exploit them,” Mwembe wrote in CPQ Magazine of August 2007.
As Banda says, the rush for China should have come after a well-thought out cost-benefit analysis that would translate those ties into a new song of advancement other than a new form of colonialism.
Blue Diamond, a nightclub that is mostly frequented by animated students and some zealous outgoing adults, is perched at Sunnyside close to Colony Casino in Blantyre. This place can be reached using the Chikwawa road past Catholic Institute. Those driving from Victoria Avenue, downtown Blantyre, will only take a minute to get there. That is how close Blantyre is to Beijing.
And there is Machaina in Lilongwe, a name of a nightclub that needs no introduction for Lilongwe revellers who spend their time at Bwandiro.
At Trade Fair in Blantyre, on the opposite left of the Chamber’s house if you are entering the fair grounds using the main gate, there is a tiny restaurant which is run by people whose identity is easily deceived by a language that somewhat sounds Greek save for some guttural sounds that accompany it. Not that they serve any Chinese food at this place, no. It’s the same food you find in most second rate restaurants in town. And that’s how near mainland China’s Peking can be to Malawi.
If you have never been to any of these places you need not worry that you have never visited mainland China in Malawi because there are numerous China shops in all cities and towns that sell Chinese and other products at prices Malawians can afford.
But it’s not that easy to get to Taiwan in Malawi. In Blantyre you have to scale the walls of the timber factory at Green corner in Blantyre or that of their nail factory at Mapanga. You also need to do a lot of travelling, say travel some 30 kilometres away from Zomba town to reach Namasalima Rice scheme where the Taiwanese are running a rice growing project.
If you are in Lilongwe, to reach Taiwan in Malawi, only ask around for a location of the fertiliser factory which the Taiwanese are running.
Naysayers of Malawi establishing diplomatic ties with Beijing, in what is being termed as the country’s strange way of asking to be hit by a wind of neocolonialism, have argued their cases well.
Proponents of the red China-Malawi relation have also articulated, with passion of a soothsayer, the enormous economic gains that the country is going to get by establishing ties with mainland China at the expense of its 40-year-old relationship with Taiwan.
The debate appears to have been boringly exhausted but there are others like Malawi Watch’s Executive Director Billy Banda who argues that the train of thoughts on whether Malawi should stick to Taiwan or jump ships to join Beijing is being derailed deliberately to curtail the apparent healthy debate.
Perhaps Banda is right considering that the Malawi’s supposed move to dump Taiwan is now considered as Taiwan’s worst diplomatic crisis since the island broke ties with its long-time ally, Costa Rica.
Banda says there is no need to establish another tie with red China because he believes that Malawi already has relationship with Beijing.
“People should be able to differentiate two different sets of ties. We already are pursuing economic ties with mainland China. There are so many businesses from China that are operating in the country with our knowledge, ofcourse. So what else do we want?
“People are talking about economic gains, but we don’t go into diplomatic relations with any country as a profit-making venture because that relation may be a sugar-coated pill that is going to eventually destroy us,” Banda says.
The fact that there is a lot of speculation surrounding the Malawi-China relation does not help matters either as it is also generating conjectures that the ties are meant to advance an agenda that is not going to benefit the majority of Malawians.
“The government is playing hide and seek by allowing information that cannot be properly substantiated to circulate. This is not quite healthy. Diplomatic ties are not done for personal reasons but for the benefit of people of this country today, tomorrow and the future generation.”
“As a civil society, we will be watching closely the progress to see whether the decision to switch to China has been made in good faith. Any advancement that comes out to have induced benefits should not be made. What reasons does government give for going for China?” says Banda.
The Parliamentary Committee on International relations said earlier this week that it was going to meet to debate on the matter, but the Malawi Watch Executive Director says “the committee should consult widely on the issue regarding Taiwan and Mainland China.
“The committee has been idle for too long yet this is an issue that involves foreign policy which cannot be left to the executive alone to decide. There are issues like Malawi’s latest position on Nepad. Was the Malawi-Scottish partnership properly reported to Parliament and exhaustively discussed for instance?”
The question of foreign policy, at the time Malawi is at diplomatic loggerheads with Libya and in the news over its relation with China, excites even those in opposition.
UDF’s Sam Mpasu, who at one time secured computers for his Ministry of information from Beijing when UDF was in power, says the UDF government never made any ties with Beijing.
“It’s not proper that anyone in opposition should be dragged to say much on the country’s foreign policy. We in UDF are being blamed for the issue of Libya and Taiwan.
“But foreign policy is an extension of the domestic policy. What you do inside determines who your friend is. Governments deal with governments. But we deal with political parties and it’s mainly Liberal Democrats in the UK and the Democrats in America because we are a democratic party.”
As Dr. Chris Alden, an authority on China writes in the Commonwealth Press Union Magazine of August 2007, “for the investment starved African continent, China’s arrival has been overwhelmingly welcomed with open arms.”
“At the same time, there are signs of disquiet on the part of local trade unionists as the use of Chinese labourers and conditions in some Chinese enterprise has tempered the initial unbridled enthusiasm.”
As Alden continues in his article, Leveraging the Dragon: Toward "An Africa That Can Say No" in eAfrica of March 2005, Africa, when approaching China, needs to re-orient the very premise of its engagement with China from a residual liberation paradigm, … where Africa needs to consciously promote and preserve its interests.
As wrote Fred M’membe, editor of The Post, Zambia found itself in a precarious situation for not properly bargaining in its deals with China.
“It doesn’t seem we’re engaging the Chinese in the most beneficial way. China investment in Zambia is, in many respects, continuing the pattern established with the West---which has left Zambia poorer.
“We continue to place very little value on our natural resources and a much higher value on capital required to exploit them,” Mwembe wrote in CPQ Magazine of August 2007.
As Banda says, the rush for China should have come after a well-thought out cost-benefit analysis that would translate those ties into a new song of advancement other than a new form of colonialism.
Friday, January 4, 2008
Civil servants suffering from Aids to get K5000 monthly
By Emmanuel Luciano
Civil servants who are suffering from HIV/ Aids will get a new lease of life because government will be paying them an extra monthly K5000 to enable them access drugs and food supplements.
The government’s decision to consider the HIV positive civil servants is contained in the circular from the Office of the President’s Department of Human Resource Management and Development ref. No: HRM/GOP/20/61 dated November 5, 2007.
But Principal Secretary responsible for Nutrition and HIV and Aids in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr. Mary Shaba said the civil servants who wanted to benefit from the K5000 monthly portion had to come forward if they wanted to access the facility.
“Though the issue of HIV and Aids is confidential, but what it means is that somebody should be prepared to come forward to provide information to those who are coordinating the issue in offices. You still have to tell somebody in one way or another.”
Dr. Shaba allayed fears of stigma that the monthly K5000 facility might generate in various government offices and departments.
“There are systems in offices that are being used. But we don’t need to have names of the people who are suffering from HIV and Aids.
“We are looking at developing some kind of a coupon system which bears the number of the individual and the code. If I lose my coupon, the number and code will not reveal the name of the owner. We are also using hospital health passport,” she said.
The Principal Secretary said they had already started implementing the facility.
“The issue was already being implemented because some people who needed help came out were assisted with food packages and it was through that system that those who were hiding also came out.”
Executive Director of Nurses and midwives organisation of Malawi Dorothy Ngoma said the monthly amount for the affected health workers was government’s way of implementing the policy on caring for caregivers.
“There was no system for caring for caregivers, yet the health workers who are infected need extra support. They need to buy extra drugs,” Ngoma said.
Ngoma, however, said it would have better if the money were used to buy insurance or a medical scheme for those that are HIV positive.
“It’s an opportunity for those who are HIV positive to buy insurance or Masm because they might be admitted at an expensive hospital to access better treatment at one time,” she said.
But Dr. Shaba said government has already worked out a more detailed guideline that will include a scheme.
“We are looking at the scheme that will go beyond the K5000 to reach the affected households. Once this guideline is discussed then it will be implemented. You realise that K5000 could not be sustainable,” she said.
Civil servants who are suffering from HIV/ Aids will get a new lease of life because government will be paying them an extra monthly K5000 to enable them access drugs and food supplements.
The government’s decision to consider the HIV positive civil servants is contained in the circular from the Office of the President’s Department of Human Resource Management and Development ref. No: HRM/GOP/20/61 dated November 5, 2007.
But Principal Secretary responsible for Nutrition and HIV and Aids in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr. Mary Shaba said the civil servants who wanted to benefit from the K5000 monthly portion had to come forward if they wanted to access the facility.
“Though the issue of HIV and Aids is confidential, but what it means is that somebody should be prepared to come forward to provide information to those who are coordinating the issue in offices. You still have to tell somebody in one way or another.”
Dr. Shaba allayed fears of stigma that the monthly K5000 facility might generate in various government offices and departments.
“There are systems in offices that are being used. But we don’t need to have names of the people who are suffering from HIV and Aids.
“We are looking at developing some kind of a coupon system which bears the number of the individual and the code. If I lose my coupon, the number and code will not reveal the name of the owner. We are also using hospital health passport,” she said.
The Principal Secretary said they had already started implementing the facility.
“The issue was already being implemented because some people who needed help came out were assisted with food packages and it was through that system that those who were hiding also came out.”
Executive Director of Nurses and midwives organisation of Malawi Dorothy Ngoma said the monthly amount for the affected health workers was government’s way of implementing the policy on caring for caregivers.
“There was no system for caring for caregivers, yet the health workers who are infected need extra support. They need to buy extra drugs,” Ngoma said.
Ngoma, however, said it would have better if the money were used to buy insurance or a medical scheme for those that are HIV positive.
“It’s an opportunity for those who are HIV positive to buy insurance or Masm because they might be admitted at an expensive hospital to access better treatment at one time,” she said.
But Dr. Shaba said government has already worked out a more detailed guideline that will include a scheme.
“We are looking at the scheme that will go beyond the K5000 to reach the affected households. Once this guideline is discussed then it will be implemented. You realise that K5000 could not be sustainable,” she said.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Malawi's BBA II representive talks about Juna
Code mending fences with Juna
…‘Were I not evicted I would have broken the bond with Maureen’
…Juna got in touch with Richard’s estranged wife Ricki
Code talks exclusively to Malawi News’ Emmanuel Luciano
The lion roared in the den called Big Brother House. Like a typical predator, the Malawian lion did unusually good job at defending itself where necessary and sometimes killing its prey to survive in the game. There was time to be intimate to preserve sanity and time to be real. Such was the manner of the game.
The threat the lion posed to other remaining dwellers of the house was so big that in the lion’s own words “it was time he was evicted.”
But five minutes before his eviction Code was having a discussion with Maureen about how it was not making sense to be intimate. Time for reckoning had finally come for the lion in the house.
“We had to think positively because we had lost a lot. It was me re-awakening. I have to be honest with you, if I had survived I would have gone back to my room and live my own life.
“I had to break the bond with Maureen especially on the kissing. Of course I would still hold respect for her,” said Code.
That moment before eviction Maureen was talking about her plans to come to Malawi and how Code would “affiliate her to something she wanted like a vocational centre and she invited me to her country purely on a business front,” Code said.
When Code’s name was announced as the next housemate to leave the, the one he planned to break the bond with had he survived clung to him like a leech, kissing him on end yet more drama was unfolding outside the house.
“In as far as the kissing was concerned. I was giving her moment because she had asked for it. I really wanted to go but I thought if I had refused, I would have left her in a terrible situation.
Five minutes after eviction the lion was facing the facts of life.
“Outside I knew what I had done was wrong. But it was something that I had to do to be sane because in that environment you need to be attached to someone.
“I think people have a right to have their perception. But that was just good companionship. Maureen opened up to me in a major, major way.”
The confrontation was as scary as it was emotional.
“Seeing my girlfriend was pure manifestation of her deeper love.” While still in that emotional embrace, “I told her I am sorry and she said, ‘don’t worry too much’. It’s gonna be okay’. I love you still and we will talk’.”
Great expectations make frustrated men but the night Code shared a room with his girlfriend did not seem to bring any frustrations.
“She was telling me how she got to the Big Brother forum and how she started responding on the forum until the last day. She told me how she got in touch with Richard’s wife Ricki after she had left Tanzania for Canada.
“She also talked about how some of the things that were being said were affecting are. They were some bad things that were being said about me which she thought were total ridicule. On things like the pro and cons of our relationship on a multicultural basis which were basically racist comments,” said King Code.
On their relationship, Code said:” One of the things she highlighted on was trust. She asked me if she could still trust me. We are mending fences now. That’s where we are. We are mending fences.”
“She showcased a deeper love for me and I would be a fool to disappoint her and I am not fool. She is the one I love, and you know I composed two songs in the house Cry no More, and Nyenyezi. I told her before we went into the house that; look, Every time you are thinking about me just look into the sky and when you see two stars its me and representation of our unborn baby.”
Asked why on the eve of his eviction he asked Maureen that he “wanted to have quality time with her”, a thing that many viewers interpreted to mean sex, Code said: “What I meant was that we needed time for us just to rectify things that were not rightly said, to thank her for providing emotional support. Basically we needed each other for the emotional support.
“And of all the nights in the world why should she choose the night that is supposedly my last in the house to say she wanted to sleep? Instead of spending sometime with someone you were close with there she was sleeping. Because I am a person who can easily adapt, I moved on. That’s why she apologised and said sorry about last night.”
Asked what could be the first thing she would tell Maureen if she got evicted, Code said: “I would tell her thanks for the emotional support. Tell her shorty is pregnant and I am gonna be a dad. I got back to shorty and that we can still pursue the business plans.”
The Malawian representative who is fondly called King Code by his fans said ‘Guzzle’ was one way of keeping sanity in the house. Guzzle had a way of detoxing us; opening us to each other about our deeper feelings or just having fun,” he said.
‘Malawi lets guzzle at Blue Elephant’
MALAWIAN’s ambassador to Big Brother Africa II, Code Sangala says he is ready to guzzle at his homecoming party at Blue Elephant today as the euphoria of his homecoming from the Big Brother House is hitting Malawians.
Code said he didn’t expect to thousands of Malawians to receive him.
“Honestly speaking expected people to welcome me but not that big multitude that included Honourable Billy Kaunda, Roy Comsy and honourable Aleke Banda. I was even excited to meet my Chichiri Dance Troupe,” he said.
“It was a grand welcome. No disrespectful to the president, it felt like a presidential welcome, I felt like a king,” he said.
On today’s homecoming party, Code said he expects a “peaceful and joyful drinking and dancing.”
“There is a guy inside me that likes partying. I am looking forward to guzzling. Some of the hottest deals are done at guzzle places,” he said.
Tapuwa Bandawe of Mathalala Label who are bringing Tay Grin, Dan Lufani and Edgar ndi Davis to the party said all is set.
“We want it to be a hell of the party. We didn’t want it to be only a disco that’s why we brought these guys so that Code and his friends should also have an opportunity to perform,” he said.
…‘Were I not evicted I would have broken the bond with Maureen’
…Juna got in touch with Richard’s estranged wife Ricki
Code talks exclusively to Malawi News’ Emmanuel Luciano
The lion roared in the den called Big Brother House. Like a typical predator, the Malawian lion did unusually good job at defending itself where necessary and sometimes killing its prey to survive in the game. There was time to be intimate to preserve sanity and time to be real. Such was the manner of the game.
The threat the lion posed to other remaining dwellers of the house was so big that in the lion’s own words “it was time he was evicted.”
But five minutes before his eviction Code was having a discussion with Maureen about how it was not making sense to be intimate. Time for reckoning had finally come for the lion in the house.
“We had to think positively because we had lost a lot. It was me re-awakening. I have to be honest with you, if I had survived I would have gone back to my room and live my own life.
“I had to break the bond with Maureen especially on the kissing. Of course I would still hold respect for her,” said Code.
That moment before eviction Maureen was talking about her plans to come to Malawi and how Code would “affiliate her to something she wanted like a vocational centre and she invited me to her country purely on a business front,” Code said.
When Code’s name was announced as the next housemate to leave the, the one he planned to break the bond with had he survived clung to him like a leech, kissing him on end yet more drama was unfolding outside the house.
“In as far as the kissing was concerned. I was giving her moment because she had asked for it. I really wanted to go but I thought if I had refused, I would have left her in a terrible situation.
Five minutes after eviction the lion was facing the facts of life.
“Outside I knew what I had done was wrong. But it was something that I had to do to be sane because in that environment you need to be attached to someone.
“I think people have a right to have their perception. But that was just good companionship. Maureen opened up to me in a major, major way.”
The confrontation was as scary as it was emotional.
“Seeing my girlfriend was pure manifestation of her deeper love.” While still in that emotional embrace, “I told her I am sorry and she said, ‘don’t worry too much’. It’s gonna be okay’. I love you still and we will talk’.”
Great expectations make frustrated men but the night Code shared a room with his girlfriend did not seem to bring any frustrations.
“She was telling me how she got to the Big Brother forum and how she started responding on the forum until the last day. She told me how she got in touch with Richard’s wife Ricki after she had left Tanzania for Canada.
“She also talked about how some of the things that were being said were affecting are. They were some bad things that were being said about me which she thought were total ridicule. On things like the pro and cons of our relationship on a multicultural basis which were basically racist comments,” said King Code.
On their relationship, Code said:” One of the things she highlighted on was trust. She asked me if she could still trust me. We are mending fences now. That’s where we are. We are mending fences.”
“She showcased a deeper love for me and I would be a fool to disappoint her and I am not fool. She is the one I love, and you know I composed two songs in the house Cry no More, and Nyenyezi. I told her before we went into the house that; look, Every time you are thinking about me just look into the sky and when you see two stars its me and representation of our unborn baby.”
Asked why on the eve of his eviction he asked Maureen that he “wanted to have quality time with her”, a thing that many viewers interpreted to mean sex, Code said: “What I meant was that we needed time for us just to rectify things that were not rightly said, to thank her for providing emotional support. Basically we needed each other for the emotional support.
“And of all the nights in the world why should she choose the night that is supposedly my last in the house to say she wanted to sleep? Instead of spending sometime with someone you were close with there she was sleeping. Because I am a person who can easily adapt, I moved on. That’s why she apologised and said sorry about last night.”
Asked what could be the first thing she would tell Maureen if she got evicted, Code said: “I would tell her thanks for the emotional support. Tell her shorty is pregnant and I am gonna be a dad. I got back to shorty and that we can still pursue the business plans.”
The Malawian representative who is fondly called King Code by his fans said ‘Guzzle’ was one way of keeping sanity in the house. Guzzle had a way of detoxing us; opening us to each other about our deeper feelings or just having fun,” he said.
‘Malawi lets guzzle at Blue Elephant’
MALAWIAN’s ambassador to Big Brother Africa II, Code Sangala says he is ready to guzzle at his homecoming party at Blue Elephant today as the euphoria of his homecoming from the Big Brother House is hitting Malawians.
Code said he didn’t expect to thousands of Malawians to receive him.
“Honestly speaking expected people to welcome me but not that big multitude that included Honourable Billy Kaunda, Roy Comsy and honourable Aleke Banda. I was even excited to meet my Chichiri Dance Troupe,” he said.
“It was a grand welcome. No disrespectful to the president, it felt like a presidential welcome, I felt like a king,” he said.
On today’s homecoming party, Code said he expects a “peaceful and joyful drinking and dancing.”
“There is a guy inside me that likes partying. I am looking forward to guzzling. Some of the hottest deals are done at guzzle places,” he said.
Tapuwa Bandawe of Mathalala Label who are bringing Tay Grin, Dan Lufani and Edgar ndi Davis to the party said all is set.
“We want it to be a hell of the party. We didn’t want it to be only a disco that’s why we brought these guys so that Code and his friends should also have an opportunity to perform,” he said.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
A bite away from death
A bite away from death
By Emmanuel Luciano
There is a killer on loose. Rabies is mercilessly decimating Malawians.
“Rabies is a very scary disease. Once signs have shown in a man it’s a death sentence. It is very dangerous unlike Aids which you can survive through ARVs. When you have signs you cannot live more than seven days. The maximum one has lived in history is 14 days. ”
That’s how the veterinary surgeon, Dr. Kholiwe Mkandawire, portrays the threat that rabies poses.
On a daily basis, dogs are biting more and more people in Malawi. The press statement from government, which Secretary for Health Chris Kang’ombe and secretary for Agriculture Patrick Kabambe signed, says “Blantyre ADD is leading in registering dog bites cases with an average of 125 dog bites cases per month.”
This staggering statistic translates into 1500 people being at risk of dying of rabies in a year in Blantyre ADD alone if they don’t access the anti rabies vaccine.
It appears all over sudden dogs are on the loose in the country as more people are dying of rabies.
The current rabies status, Dr. Mkandawire says, warrants calling it a crisis.
“One case of rabies in a dog is enough to call it an outbreak because that dog is likely bite another dog, a person and wildlife. One bite can cause 100 cases of rabies,” she says.
Of the reported deaths, Blantyre recently registered two deaths while Malawi News’ investigation revealed that seven people died of rabies in Mulanje alone.
Dr. Mkandawire believes there are many unreported deaths of rabies throughout the country. Many people, says Dr Mkandawire, who take dog bites as normal in villages and do not bother to seek medical attention.
“No where in the world are people are people dying of rabies at the rate Malawians are dying of it. Three to four people die of rabies in Viphya every month.”
But a report of the study done at Queens Elizabeth Hospital for three years beginning March 2002 and posted on the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website, indicate that rabies encephalitis is an important cause of death among children in Malawi.
The study also showed that 14 of 133 children who died from suspected Central Nervous System infections had rabies.
The report of the study says since this was a hospital-based study, the number of rabies cases in the community was likely to be much higher.
According to the report, “in some parts of Africa, up to 100 rabies cases are estimated to occur for each 1 officially reported.”
The report further says lack of diagnostic facilities and difficulties with the system hinder national reporting of rabies in Malawi.
Dr. Mkandawire however says cases of rabies are supposed to be rare occurrences.
“I remember my university professor telling me that you will never see a rabies case because it is rare in Europe and America,” she says.
The cases of the Dowa and Dedza beasts, in the eyes of the veterinary surgeon, are a pure scenario of rabies that was transferred to wild animals.
“We don’t control rabies in the bush. The rabies virus perpetuates itself by causing the madness to attack but villagers don’t know how to explain these things,” she says.
The ministry of Agriculture’s department of Animal Health and Livestock Department has “introduced annual rabies week vaccination campaign whereby dogs across the country are vaccinated free of charge.”
But Dr. Mkandawire, says, the campaign is not effective.
“The vaccination campaign really is very cosmetic. For you to control rabies really you must have coverage of 80 to 90 per cent of the vaccination of all the population of dogs. You cannot cover that in two to three weeks.
“There are no enough funds to give the boys allowances for the two weeks that they would be vaccinating the dogs.
“Inside sources told me that those who were doing the campaign in Blantyre were only given allowances for three days. You can’t take for granted the allowances of the workers in this campaign,” she says.
The Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development hasn’t been conducting shooting campaign of stray dogs because, as Malawi News understands, of problems in procuring bullets since through decentralization, each assembly has to buy for itself bullets.
But director of animal Health and Livestock Development Dr. Wilfred Lipita told Malawi News recently that it was no longer easy to carry a shooting exercise of stray dogs.
“The dogs are being clever these days. During the day they are not seen around and probably come out at night,” he said.
Dr. Mkandawire says it is 150 times cheaper to prevent rabies than to cure it hence government should pull its resources together on vaccination of dogs.
“For instance anti rabies vaccine for dogs cost K100 while a brand of human anti rabies vaccine cost K3000 on average per dose and for one to be treated he needs five injections which translates into K15 000,” she says.
“We don’t need to wait. We can control rabies. Government needs to import veterinary surgeons from countries like Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana while we are sending our young men to school. Imagine they are only four doctors in the whole Animal Health and Livestock Department,” she says.
The rabies crisis has prompted Kholiwe to hire a Kenyan veterinary surgeon to assist her in combating rabies.
“If Kholiwe can do it what can stop government from hiring veterinary surgeons? We also want sanity in the department of Animal Health and Livestock Development. This should be government’s priority,” she said.
By Emmanuel Luciano
There is a killer on loose. Rabies is mercilessly decimating Malawians.
“Rabies is a very scary disease. Once signs have shown in a man it’s a death sentence. It is very dangerous unlike Aids which you can survive through ARVs. When you have signs you cannot live more than seven days. The maximum one has lived in history is 14 days. ”
That’s how the veterinary surgeon, Dr. Kholiwe Mkandawire, portrays the threat that rabies poses.
On a daily basis, dogs are biting more and more people in Malawi. The press statement from government, which Secretary for Health Chris Kang’ombe and secretary for Agriculture Patrick Kabambe signed, says “Blantyre ADD is leading in registering dog bites cases with an average of 125 dog bites cases per month.”
This staggering statistic translates into 1500 people being at risk of dying of rabies in a year in Blantyre ADD alone if they don’t access the anti rabies vaccine.
It appears all over sudden dogs are on the loose in the country as more people are dying of rabies.
The current rabies status, Dr. Mkandawire says, warrants calling it a crisis.
“One case of rabies in a dog is enough to call it an outbreak because that dog is likely bite another dog, a person and wildlife. One bite can cause 100 cases of rabies,” she says.
Of the reported deaths, Blantyre recently registered two deaths while Malawi News’ investigation revealed that seven people died of rabies in Mulanje alone.
Dr. Mkandawire believes there are many unreported deaths of rabies throughout the country. Many people, says Dr Mkandawire, who take dog bites as normal in villages and do not bother to seek medical attention.
“No where in the world are people are people dying of rabies at the rate Malawians are dying of it. Three to four people die of rabies in Viphya every month.”
But a report of the study done at Queens Elizabeth Hospital for three years beginning March 2002 and posted on the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention website, indicate that rabies encephalitis is an important cause of death among children in Malawi.
The study also showed that 14 of 133 children who died from suspected Central Nervous System infections had rabies.
The report of the study says since this was a hospital-based study, the number of rabies cases in the community was likely to be much higher.
According to the report, “in some parts of Africa, up to 100 rabies cases are estimated to occur for each 1 officially reported.”
The report further says lack of diagnostic facilities and difficulties with the system hinder national reporting of rabies in Malawi.
Dr. Mkandawire however says cases of rabies are supposed to be rare occurrences.
“I remember my university professor telling me that you will never see a rabies case because it is rare in Europe and America,” she says.
The cases of the Dowa and Dedza beasts, in the eyes of the veterinary surgeon, are a pure scenario of rabies that was transferred to wild animals.
“We don’t control rabies in the bush. The rabies virus perpetuates itself by causing the madness to attack but villagers don’t know how to explain these things,” she says.
The ministry of Agriculture’s department of Animal Health and Livestock Department has “introduced annual rabies week vaccination campaign whereby dogs across the country are vaccinated free of charge.”
But Dr. Mkandawire, says, the campaign is not effective.
“The vaccination campaign really is very cosmetic. For you to control rabies really you must have coverage of 80 to 90 per cent of the vaccination of all the population of dogs. You cannot cover that in two to three weeks.
“There are no enough funds to give the boys allowances for the two weeks that they would be vaccinating the dogs.
“Inside sources told me that those who were doing the campaign in Blantyre were only given allowances for three days. You can’t take for granted the allowances of the workers in this campaign,” she says.
The Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development hasn’t been conducting shooting campaign of stray dogs because, as Malawi News understands, of problems in procuring bullets since through decentralization, each assembly has to buy for itself bullets.
But director of animal Health and Livestock Development Dr. Wilfred Lipita told Malawi News recently that it was no longer easy to carry a shooting exercise of stray dogs.
“The dogs are being clever these days. During the day they are not seen around and probably come out at night,” he said.
Dr. Mkandawire says it is 150 times cheaper to prevent rabies than to cure it hence government should pull its resources together on vaccination of dogs.
“For instance anti rabies vaccine for dogs cost K100 while a brand of human anti rabies vaccine cost K3000 on average per dose and for one to be treated he needs five injections which translates into K15 000,” she says.
“We don’t need to wait. We can control rabies. Government needs to import veterinary surgeons from countries like Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana while we are sending our young men to school. Imagine they are only four doctors in the whole Animal Health and Livestock Department,” she says.
The rabies crisis has prompted Kholiwe to hire a Kenyan veterinary surgeon to assist her in combating rabies.
“If Kholiwe can do it what can stop government from hiring veterinary surgeons? We also want sanity in the department of Animal Health and Livestock Development. This should be government’s priority,” she said.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Review -- Chimombo’s ‘Aids artists and authors’:A look at creative arts responses to Aids
Reviewed By Emmanuel Luciano
The theme of Aids as a source of artistic inspiration has brought and borne many artistic products in the form of poems, short stories, novels, paintings, and even films.
Though the didactic role artists have played in the fight against HIV/Aids since its discovery in the country in 1985 is well documented, not much academic study has been done in this area so as to critically look at the artistic responses to the pandemic.
Professor Emeritus Steve Chimombo’s Aids artists and authors is the book that critically dissects the creative works that the theme of Aids solicited from 1985 to 2006.
This is the not the first time though that Chimombo, the literati, is involved in a project of this nature. Actually this is the author’s fourth book in which he is analysing popular responses to ‘selected social-political event in Malawi’.
In Malawian Oral literature the author examined the use of folklore in contemporary society while in the Culture of Democracy, a book he co-authored, the emphasis was on the society’s responses to the transition from dictatorial to democratic rule. The Epic of the Forest Creatures is an analysis that was handled in a poetic form. Other works by Chimombo need no cataloging just as the author himself need no introduction.
But in Aids artists and authors, however, the author exposes the bathos and pathos of the literary genres of short stories, poems and the novel that captured the Aids theme from 1985 to 2006. How the Aids theme was explored in the visual arts has also been tackled to a greater extent.
It is interesting to note, for instance, how the authors’ handling of the theme in their works was largely influenced by the knowledge they had about the disease. In earlier writing the writers were picking up the beliefs, misconceptions people had about Aids and incorporated them in their works.
Though Chimombo has covered everything that needs to be said about the way the works of art, it is the structural problems, the jargon used, the character employed that demonstrates that HIV/Aids might not have been covered properly after all. The language of Aids campaigns inevitably creeps in sometimes rather awkward places…It is obvious not much communication is taking place here (Page 104).
It is not surprising, therefore, that while applauding other writers in the case of short story the author says: At one end of the instinctive evaluative scale we have an almost formless mass of text masquerading as a short story because the editor published in a column labelled such (page 108).
The book also demonstrates that there was little coverage of the Aids theme in the novel and visual arts area. Masa Lemu’s Masks of Aids and The grave Diggers, and David Scot’s The Shadow of Aids seem to be the only noted paintings to have been exhibited on Aids. Aids on stone, as the book demonstrates, was also peripherally covered.
I would have loved if the author had included some recent songs from other artists other than only zeroing on Black Paseli’s contribution.
Considering that the nature of the project necessitated the author to furrow in a large volume of archive material, he needs to be commended for thus dissecting the works of art that inundated the country from 1985 to 2006.
It might as well become a recommended if not a prescribed text for studying Aids and creative arts in Malawi.
Published by Wasi Publication, this 226-paged book is available in all bookshops in the country.
The theme of Aids as a source of artistic inspiration has brought and borne many artistic products in the form of poems, short stories, novels, paintings, and even films.
Though the didactic role artists have played in the fight against HIV/Aids since its discovery in the country in 1985 is well documented, not much academic study has been done in this area so as to critically look at the artistic responses to the pandemic.
Professor Emeritus Steve Chimombo’s Aids artists and authors is the book that critically dissects the creative works that the theme of Aids solicited from 1985 to 2006.
This is the not the first time though that Chimombo, the literati, is involved in a project of this nature. Actually this is the author’s fourth book in which he is analysing popular responses to ‘selected social-political event in Malawi’.
In Malawian Oral literature the author examined the use of folklore in contemporary society while in the Culture of Democracy, a book he co-authored, the emphasis was on the society’s responses to the transition from dictatorial to democratic rule. The Epic of the Forest Creatures is an analysis that was handled in a poetic form. Other works by Chimombo need no cataloging just as the author himself need no introduction.
But in Aids artists and authors, however, the author exposes the bathos and pathos of the literary genres of short stories, poems and the novel that captured the Aids theme from 1985 to 2006. How the Aids theme was explored in the visual arts has also been tackled to a greater extent.
It is interesting to note, for instance, how the authors’ handling of the theme in their works was largely influenced by the knowledge they had about the disease. In earlier writing the writers were picking up the beliefs, misconceptions people had about Aids and incorporated them in their works.
Though Chimombo has covered everything that needs to be said about the way the works of art, it is the structural problems, the jargon used, the character employed that demonstrates that HIV/Aids might not have been covered properly after all. The language of Aids campaigns inevitably creeps in sometimes rather awkward places…It is obvious not much communication is taking place here (Page 104).
It is not surprising, therefore, that while applauding other writers in the case of short story the author says: At one end of the instinctive evaluative scale we have an almost formless mass of text masquerading as a short story because the editor published in a column labelled such (page 108).
The book also demonstrates that there was little coverage of the Aids theme in the novel and visual arts area. Masa Lemu’s Masks of Aids and The grave Diggers, and David Scot’s The Shadow of Aids seem to be the only noted paintings to have been exhibited on Aids. Aids on stone, as the book demonstrates, was also peripherally covered.
I would have loved if the author had included some recent songs from other artists other than only zeroing on Black Paseli’s contribution.
Considering that the nature of the project necessitated the author to furrow in a large volume of archive material, he needs to be commended for thus dissecting the works of art that inundated the country from 1985 to 2006.
It might as well become a recommended if not a prescribed text for studying Aids and creative arts in Malawi.
Published by Wasi Publication, this 226-paged book is available in all bookshops in the country.
Monday, July 16, 2007
'Kudikilira Mzungu':Poetry from Felix Njonjonjo
| Reviewed by: Emmanuel Luciano Gospel Kazako and Benedicto Wokomaatani Malunga’s Kuyimba kwa Alakatuli was the best thing that ever happened in the world of vernacular poetry in the country. The poetry enthusiasm of the two marked the springboard for emerging poets who wanted to fully venture into vernacular poetry. Though Gospel and Benedicto arguably made vernacular poetry popular with their recitals on the local radio station, the emergence of Nyamalikiti Nthiwatiwa and Felix Njonjonjo Katsoka as new generation vernacular poets revitalised poetry recitals altogether. But Njonjonjo and Nyamalikiti have their vernacular poetry background in what they started as ‘Chiphwelemwe Cha Msangulutso’ when they were still in college at Chanco in Zomba. A holder of Bachelor of Education degree, Njonjonjo has decided to take his poetry a mile further by releasing a 15-track album, Kudikilira Mzungu. Employing a satirical tone, Kudikilira Mzungu pours scorn on the fickleness that is Malawian politics. Politicians are ridiculed for changing party allegiance like a chameleon as evidenced in Majeremusi whose innuendos and subsequent images it creates are pleasing to the ear. The country’s currency, Kwacha is scoffed at for its instability: Iwe tandionetse khongono zako ndizotani?..Yabwera liti Euro kuti ikulikhe?.../ Khungu lako ndi lamakwinya lonyozoloka/ Fodya tikukulimirayu sakukwana…kuti ubwelere mphamvu? You would admire the alliteration, the crafting of words and the symbolism that the images carry in Ndichani Chizunguza Bongo, a poem that poses a question on what actually is in a beer or alcohol to make people go crazy: Ndichani chizunguza bongo choti njo muntonjani/..chimadensa msana mukadansana/..ndi bangalanji kam’banga/…kapena amakhala petulo ndi Rhoda Mpetuloda? The larger than life issues of HIV/ Aids are discussed in Akadakhala Malungo while Adapita Davideko makes a mockery of the NGOs that have been fighting Madonna’s adoption of David Banda. The tendency of attributing everything good to the 'Mzungu’ is discouraged in Kudikira Mzungu. I haven’t listened to good vernacular poetry for a while but this one would make those who appreciate art green with envy at the artistry of Njonjonjo. Save for the few poems that are too long for the easily distracted mind, it’s a must have for those who like ‘good things’. Recorded at Baptist Media Centre, the album is available for sale at Baptist Media Centre and other outlets throughout the country. |
Friday, June 29, 2007
Music Review: Wendy Harawa muses on Africa
Reviewed by Emmanuel Luciano
Since Wendy participated in the Music Crossroads initiative when it was being initiated a couple of years ago, her artistic prowess in music has grown in leaps and bounds.
The lady artist who is otherwise regarded as the Malawian queen of ragga has been everywhere. She featured in numerous of Lucius Banda’s songs before she went solo. She has shared the stage with the likes of Billy Kaunda, Joseph Tembo and almost everyone who matters in Malawian music. She has done music collabos with Paul Banda his brother Lucius and Coss Chiwalo. She travelled far and wide with the Zambian artist of the Yakumbuyo fame, Danny K.
Wendy’s sojourns in music have seen her releasing Nowa Kusowa, Hero and the third album, Africa, which is now on the market.
In Africa the artist talks about the aspirations, the tribulations, and the love life that defines an African (Malawian).
The influence of Lucius Banda on Wendy’s music (after all she was Soldier’s protégée) is there for everyone to see in this album. Amikayele which was originally done by Lucius Banda finds its way in this album. The gap that has been created between the vocals and instrumentation in Amikayele expresses that the redo of Soldier’s song was worth every effort.
Africa, the title-track even pronounces more the presence of Soldier in the album; it has been somewhat rendered in a manner that one would easily associate to Lucius Banda’s own genre both thematically and stylistically.
Sindilichoncho, which features Lulu, is arguably the most beautiful song in the album. Wendy’s unique touch of music is defined by Sindilichoncho and Don’t Worry. Surprisingly these two are the only songs that were rendered in Wendy’s inimitable ragga style. Umpatse, is another well rendered song though it sounds more of one of the tracks in Makoma’s Nzambe Na Bomoyi.
Perhaps the fact that some songs were recorded at different studios can explain the variation. Otherwise this album signifies that Wendy is coming of age.
Recorded at Studio 762, Rhem and Sparrow Studios, the album is available for sale in all music outlets.
Since Wendy participated in the Music Crossroads initiative when it was being initiated a couple of years ago, her artistic prowess in music has grown in leaps and bounds.
The lady artist who is otherwise regarded as the Malawian queen of ragga has been everywhere. She featured in numerous of Lucius Banda’s songs before she went solo. She has shared the stage with the likes of Billy Kaunda, Joseph Tembo and almost everyone who matters in Malawian music. She has done music collabos with Paul Banda his brother Lucius and Coss Chiwalo. She travelled far and wide with the Zambian artist of the Yakumbuyo fame, Danny K.
Wendy’s sojourns in music have seen her releasing Nowa Kusowa, Hero and the third album, Africa, which is now on the market.
In Africa the artist talks about the aspirations, the tribulations, and the love life that defines an African (Malawian).
The influence of Lucius Banda on Wendy’s music (after all she was Soldier’s protégée) is there for everyone to see in this album. Amikayele which was originally done by Lucius Banda finds its way in this album. The gap that has been created between the vocals and instrumentation in Amikayele expresses that the redo of Soldier’s song was worth every effort.
Africa, the title-track even pronounces more the presence of Soldier in the album; it has been somewhat rendered in a manner that one would easily associate to Lucius Banda’s own genre both thematically and stylistically.
Sindilichoncho, which features Lulu, is arguably the most beautiful song in the album. Wendy’s unique touch of music is defined by Sindilichoncho and Don’t Worry. Surprisingly these two are the only songs that were rendered in Wendy’s inimitable ragga style. Umpatse, is another well rendered song though it sounds more of one of the tracks in Makoma’s Nzambe Na Bomoyi.
Perhaps the fact that some songs were recorded at different studios can explain the variation. Otherwise this album signifies that Wendy is coming of age.
Recorded at Studio 762, Rhem and Sparrow Studios, the album is available for sale in all music outlets.
Convicted MPs: Speaker should seek Court's interpretation-Law lecturer
By Emmanuel Luciano
HEAD of Foundation Law at Chancellor College, Mwiza Nkhata, says the Speaker should first seek courts’ interpretation before declaring the seats of convicted MPs vacant because of an apparent lack of authoritative definition or listing of what amounts to an offence or crime of moral turpitude.
Speaker of National Assembly Louis Chimango is yet to decide the fate of Lucius Banda, Yusuf Mwawa, Maxwell Milanzi and Clement Chiwaya who were convicted of various offences.
Nkhata said it would be safe for the Speaker to tread carefully on the issue to avoid a multiplicity of litigation “by asking the courts to determine in the specific instances involving the convicted members whether the offences at hand could be deemed to be ones involving moral turpitude.”
He said the seats of the members could thus only be declared vacant if the court confirmed that the crimes are those involving moral turpitude.
“I am convinced that a reading of sections 63(e) together with section 51 (2)(c)leads to the conclusion that a member of Parliament who is convicted within 7 years prior to his becoming a member of Parliament of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude will lose his seat.
“The two provisions read together lead to the conclusion that the vacancy in a member’s seat shall occur by operation of law—-vide section 63(e) of the constitution, therefore, under section 63(e) the occurrence of particular events, in this case the conviction on a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude, will by itself create a vacancy in relation to the concerned member’s seat.
“However, the not-so clear issue presently is that, while offences involving dishonesty may be easy to circumscribe it has yet to be conclusively established which offences amount to those of moral turpitude,” Nkhata said.
The law lecturer cited the contempt of court case involving MCP president John Tembo and former MCP secretary general Kate Kainja, which led to the two MPs losing their seats before the Supreme Court ruled otherwise.
“The Supreme court in the Tembo case did not define what amounts to an offence involving moral turpitude within our local context.
“The court in that case was concerned with the question of whether contempt of court in civil proceedings could amount to offence of moral turpitude, which they answered in the negative.
“This is why I am saying, in the light of the apparent lack of authoritative definition or listing of what amounts to an offence or crime of moral turpitude, if I were the Speaker, I would opt to proceed cautiously otherwise any decision by the Speaker is bound to raise further litigation contesting whether the particular offences involve moral turpitude or not,” he said.
But Dean of Law Necton Mhura at Chancellor College said there was no need for the Speaker to seek court’s interpretation on the issue.
“Cases that are set on moral turpitude are very clear. Of all the cases that are there, it is only the one involving [Clement] Chiwaya that is doubtful. It is within the Speaker’s power to decide on the issue. Let the courts decide only when someone challenges the Speaker’s decision.
Mhura said it was surprising that the Speaker was taking time to decide on the issue.
“I am surprised that the Speaker has not declared the seats vacant but that can only be answered by the Speaker himself,” he said.
According to Nkhata moral turpitude cases are generally understood as crimes which involve conduct considered to be against societal norms of justice, honesty and good morals.
One lawyer who opted for anonymity said although the law was clear on convicted MPs, the Speaker’s delay in declaring the seats vacant could be attributed to other factors.
“Perhaps the Speaker has not been served with judgment on the cases. Those who tried the cases should first serve the Speaker with judgment because he cannot just act on media reports.
“It could also be because he hasn’t had time to allow principles of natural justice to take its course by meeting these people to hear their side because of the schedule of Parliament considering how Parliament business is conducted,’’ he said.
Efforts to talk the speaker proved futile as he could not be reached on his mobile phone.
HEAD of Foundation Law at Chancellor College, Mwiza Nkhata, says the Speaker should first seek courts’ interpretation before declaring the seats of convicted MPs vacant because of an apparent lack of authoritative definition or listing of what amounts to an offence or crime of moral turpitude.
Speaker of National Assembly Louis Chimango is yet to decide the fate of Lucius Banda, Yusuf Mwawa, Maxwell Milanzi and Clement Chiwaya who were convicted of various offences.
Nkhata said it would be safe for the Speaker to tread carefully on the issue to avoid a multiplicity of litigation “by asking the courts to determine in the specific instances involving the convicted members whether the offences at hand could be deemed to be ones involving moral turpitude.”
He said the seats of the members could thus only be declared vacant if the court confirmed that the crimes are those involving moral turpitude.
“I am convinced that a reading of sections 63(e) together with section 51 (2)(c)leads to the conclusion that a member of Parliament who is convicted within 7 years prior to his becoming a member of Parliament of a crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude will lose his seat.
“The two provisions read together lead to the conclusion that the vacancy in a member’s seat shall occur by operation of law—-vide section 63(e) of the constitution, therefore, under section 63(e) the occurrence of particular events, in this case the conviction on a crime of dishonesty or moral turpitude, will by itself create a vacancy in relation to the concerned member’s seat.
“However, the not-so clear issue presently is that, while offences involving dishonesty may be easy to circumscribe it has yet to be conclusively established which offences amount to those of moral turpitude,” Nkhata said.
The law lecturer cited the contempt of court case involving MCP president John Tembo and former MCP secretary general Kate Kainja, which led to the two MPs losing their seats before the Supreme Court ruled otherwise.
“The Supreme court in the Tembo case did not define what amounts to an offence involving moral turpitude within our local context.
“The court in that case was concerned with the question of whether contempt of court in civil proceedings could amount to offence of moral turpitude, which they answered in the negative.
“This is why I am saying, in the light of the apparent lack of authoritative definition or listing of what amounts to an offence or crime of moral turpitude, if I were the Speaker, I would opt to proceed cautiously otherwise any decision by the Speaker is bound to raise further litigation contesting whether the particular offences involve moral turpitude or not,” he said.
But Dean of Law Necton Mhura at Chancellor College said there was no need for the Speaker to seek court’s interpretation on the issue.
“Cases that are set on moral turpitude are very clear. Of all the cases that are there, it is only the one involving [Clement] Chiwaya that is doubtful. It is within the Speaker’s power to decide on the issue. Let the courts decide only when someone challenges the Speaker’s decision.
Mhura said it was surprising that the Speaker was taking time to decide on the issue.
“I am surprised that the Speaker has not declared the seats vacant but that can only be answered by the Speaker himself,” he said.
According to Nkhata moral turpitude cases are generally understood as crimes which involve conduct considered to be against societal norms of justice, honesty and good morals.
One lawyer who opted for anonymity said although the law was clear on convicted MPs, the Speaker’s delay in declaring the seats vacant could be attributed to other factors.
“Perhaps the Speaker has not been served with judgment on the cases. Those who tried the cases should first serve the Speaker with judgment because he cannot just act on media reports.
“It could also be because he hasn’t had time to allow principles of natural justice to take its course by meeting these people to hear their side because of the schedule of Parliament considering how Parliament business is conducted,’’ he said.
Efforts to talk the speaker proved futile as he could not be reached on his mobile phone.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Unaccredited universities to graduate in Sept.
By Emmanuel Luciano
About 80 students will be graduating from University of Livingstonia and Malawi Adventist University with unrecognised certificates because government’s accreditation committee is yet to accredit the two universities.
Livingstonia University of Education is expected to graduate its first intake of 36 students in September this year while Malawi Adventist University’s Lake View Campus will graduate its first batch of 42 students in November.
But both registrars of Livingstonia University and Malawi Adventist University are hopeful that the accreditation committee will recognise the universities in time for the graduation.
Registrar of University of Livingstonia Reverend Binnie Mwakasungula said they recently met the accreditation committee on the issue.
“We met the accreditation committee in Zomba. There were a few things that they wanted us to do; things that have to do with our programmes.
“I can’t say that they wanted a, b, c, because they are technical. But all I can say is that we are hopeful that within the month of June, we should be accredited,” said Mwakasungula.
Registrar of Malawi Adventist University Steven Moyo said government was yet to visit the college on final accreditation.
“Since we are an affiliate of University of East Africa, we have just received the final affiliation document. We have submitted the affiliation document to government in preparation for accreditation,” Moyo said.
Newly-opened Catholic University, whose students are in the second semester of the first year, also opened its doors without being accredited.
The University’s deputy vice-chancellor Dr. Martins Mtumbuka said they had made significant progress towards accrediting the university.
“Unfortunately, we are not allowed to disclose but we are very close. What I can tell you is that it’s taxing. Writing the syllabus and developing the curriculum, it’s just like writing your thesis,” he said, adding he was hopeful the University would be accredited before it re-opens for the first semester in August.
“You know this [accreditation] becomes a big issue when you are graduating students. It affects worthiness of certificates of the people who go through a course process,” he said.
Member of accreditation committee, who is also Principal Secretary for Human Resources Development, Samuel Madula said they were at an advanced stage with accreditation of the universities. But he could not give a timeframe for the accreditation process.
“We are at an advanced stage but I cannot tell you where we exactly are because I was outside the country.
About 80 students will be graduating from University of Livingstonia and Malawi Adventist University with unrecognised certificates because government’s accreditation committee is yet to accredit the two universities.
Livingstonia University of Education is expected to graduate its first intake of 36 students in September this year while Malawi Adventist University’s Lake View Campus will graduate its first batch of 42 students in November.
But both registrars of Livingstonia University and Malawi Adventist University are hopeful that the accreditation committee will recognise the universities in time for the graduation.
Registrar of University of Livingstonia Reverend Binnie Mwakasungula said they recently met the accreditation committee on the issue.
“We met the accreditation committee in Zomba. There were a few things that they wanted us to do; things that have to do with our programmes.
“I can’t say that they wanted a, b, c, because they are technical. But all I can say is that we are hopeful that within the month of June, we should be accredited,” said Mwakasungula.
Registrar of Malawi Adventist University Steven Moyo said government was yet to visit the college on final accreditation.
“Since we are an affiliate of University of East Africa, we have just received the final affiliation document. We have submitted the affiliation document to government in preparation for accreditation,” Moyo said.
Newly-opened Catholic University, whose students are in the second semester of the first year, also opened its doors without being accredited.
The University’s deputy vice-chancellor Dr. Martins Mtumbuka said they had made significant progress towards accrediting the university.
“Unfortunately, we are not allowed to disclose but we are very close. What I can tell you is that it’s taxing. Writing the syllabus and developing the curriculum, it’s just like writing your thesis,” he said, adding he was hopeful the University would be accredited before it re-opens for the first semester in August.
“You know this [accreditation] becomes a big issue when you are graduating students. It affects worthiness of certificates of the people who go through a course process,” he said.
Member of accreditation committee, who is also Principal Secretary for Human Resources Development, Samuel Madula said they were at an advanced stage with accreditation of the universities. But he could not give a timeframe for the accreditation process.
“We are at an advanced stage but I cannot tell you where we exactly are because I was outside the country.
Hugh Masekela to jazz Malawi
By Emmanuel Luciano
The internationally acclaimed and South African-born Afro-Jazz music legend, Hugh Masekela, is coming to town to jazz the two cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre next month.
Celtel Malawi Limited has organised Hugh’s first ever tour in Malawi, which will see the great trumpeter performing at Lilongwe Golf Club on July 8 and Blantyre Sports Club the following day.
According to a press statement, Celtel Malawi’s Marketing Director Charles Maye said the mobile phone operator decided to organise the upcoming shows to honour its corporate customers for the support they render to the company.
“This is going to be a special treat for our distinguished corporate customers and the public. We would like to demonstrate to them that we recognise and appreciate their loyalty to Celtel,” Maye said.
The Marketing Director said they opted for Masekela of Grazin' in The Grass fame because of his repute as an international artist.
“After careful consideration on who would entertain our distinguished customers, management settled for Masekela because of his international reputation and soothing trumpeting both as a recording and performing jazz artist,” he said.
“It will be the first time that Hugh Masekela will come to Malawi. Many of our customers relate very well to his music and we found it befitting to sponsor his tour, to give them an opportunity to sample his vibes,” Maye said.
According to the press statement made available to Weekender, the July concerts have been organised in line with Celtel’s global corporate culture of promoting ethnic arts and culture in Africa.
This is not the first time that Celtel would be sponsoring a tour of African musicians. In 2004 and 2005, respectively, Celtel Malawi sponsored a tour by Zimbabwean acclaimed Mbira Star Oliver Mtukudzi and his Black Spirits Band.
In 2005, Celtel also sponsored the glamorous Luso Awards which honoured talent in the fields of arts, culture such as music, drama, sport and media.
Celtel has also launched a special SMS promotion under which lucky customers will win Hugh Masekela’s platinum double CDs as well as free entrance to his shows.
The internationally acclaimed and South African-born Afro-Jazz music legend, Hugh Masekela, is coming to town to jazz the two cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre next month.
Celtel Malawi Limited has organised Hugh’s first ever tour in Malawi, which will see the great trumpeter performing at Lilongwe Golf Club on July 8 and Blantyre Sports Club the following day.
According to a press statement, Celtel Malawi’s Marketing Director Charles Maye said the mobile phone operator decided to organise the upcoming shows to honour its corporate customers for the support they render to the company.
“This is going to be a special treat for our distinguished corporate customers and the public. We would like to demonstrate to them that we recognise and appreciate their loyalty to Celtel,” Maye said.
The Marketing Director said they opted for Masekela of Grazin' in The Grass fame because of his repute as an international artist.
“After careful consideration on who would entertain our distinguished customers, management settled for Masekela because of his international reputation and soothing trumpeting both as a recording and performing jazz artist,” he said.
“It will be the first time that Hugh Masekela will come to Malawi. Many of our customers relate very well to his music and we found it befitting to sponsor his tour, to give them an opportunity to sample his vibes,” Maye said.
According to the press statement made available to Weekender, the July concerts have been organised in line with Celtel’s global corporate culture of promoting ethnic arts and culture in Africa.
This is not the first time that Celtel would be sponsoring a tour of African musicians. In 2004 and 2005, respectively, Celtel Malawi sponsored a tour by Zimbabwean acclaimed Mbira Star Oliver Mtukudzi and his Black Spirits Band.
In 2005, Celtel also sponsored the glamorous Luso Awards which honoured talent in the fields of arts, culture such as music, drama, sport and media.
Celtel has also launched a special SMS promotion under which lucky customers will win Hugh Masekela’s platinum double CDs as well as free entrance to his shows.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Question and Answer with Kaferapanjira
An interview with Chief Executive of Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Chancellor Kaferapanjira.
The Minister of Trade and Industry Ken Lipenga described this year’s 19th International Trade Fair as a success story; as a chamber how do you rate the success of the just ended Trade Fair in comparison to the previous fairs.
What we are doing as a Chamber is obviously to encourage businesses to focus so much on getting orders from outside Malawi. Each International Trade Fair has got a different theme and what we encourage the participants to do is to make sure that they focus on the one primary objective of the fair, which is to provide the forum for the businesses to find markets from outside Malawi and not necessarily in Malawi. And secondly we focus so much on the theme as well and this year the theme was, ‘Building capacity for export competitiveness’ and therefore we encourage participants to make sure that they look out for things that they lack in terms of their competitiveness, for example, we had a number of companies from outside Malawi that provided technology, that came up with new ideas et cetera et cetera and those are some of the issues that our businesses lack.
Comparing the 19th International Trade Fair to previous fairs, I think overall it was good because more than 50 per cent of the participants that secured deals, got deals from outside Malawi and to us that is an encouragement. There were a number of other participants that focused on getting local deals, too, because they don’t have enough capacity to produce for the export market but in as far as we are concerned our success will be judged by the achievement of the primary objective, which is to make sure that those that participated have actually secured foreign orders and since more than 50 per cent got foreign orders we are happy. And we think that is much more than what previously happened.
We have seen that though companies got foreign orders in the past, they failed to satisfy demand on the international market because of economic constraints. How can that scenario be avoided this time around?
The challenge to Malawi becoming an export oriented economy, I can say, is at a minimum of four levels. Firstly, at what is known as meta-level, which is social level thinking. In Malawi we have always believed that foreign markets are not necessary. We have always looked inside. And we think that we can survive by doing business internally. This you can tell if you look at the total exports of the manufactured products in Malawi. Out of all the goods that are manufactured in Malawi only 14 per cent is exported and that tells you that Malawian companies think that the market is in Malawi and then they are not astute enough to look for markets outside Malawi and that thinking percolates every level of society unfortunately and that is why a lot of times you hear companies complaining about liberalisation. Liberalisation opens up the market, opens up the economy and obviously it creates a lot of competition internally but it also offers a lot of opportunities to our companies to find markets outside. And one of the reasons our business have not capitalised on those opportunities is that they don’t look at export market as their market and therefore other countries take advantage of them. That is at the meta level.
We also had challenges at the micro level which are issues to do with inflation, interest rates, issues to do with lack of stabilisation of exchange rates, the fluctuation of the exchange ratee etc. And we have seen recently that those issues are being addressed and we are happy of the direction that government has taken in managing the economy.
Then at what is technically called meso level. These are issues to do with the capacity of government institutions to service the private sector. And also issues to do with the specific policies that address private sector challenges. In Malawi we still have a number of challenges to do with the capacity of institutions. We have the Malawi Bureau of Standards, which is very key to Malawi turning into an export oriented economy and yet it lacks accreditation, meaning that its standards are not accepted by some countries. We have weak institutions such as MIPA which is supposed to assist private sector, we have institutions like the Malawi Export Promotion Council, which is almost dead and yet it is supposed to find markets for Malawian products. And we have other institutions for example the police, if you count the number of roadblocks between Blantyre and Lilongwe you find that they are about eight and 16 check points that makes business very uncompetitive. If a truck leaves Mzuzu or Karonga and if it is going to Zimbabwe to export certain goods it can two or three days just travelling within Malawi because of these check points and that is not good for business. Those are some of the challenges that make our business on uncompetitive. And you asked why our companies are not able to fulfill all the orders that they get, some of the issues that make them uncompetitive are those ones.
In addition to institutions, we also have specific policies. The Malawi Growth and Development Strategy has outlined eight priority sectors. The so-called core sectors, which are the tobacco, tea and sugar. These are the existing sectors, and what we say they
There is need in those areas to find what else needs to be done. Value addition for example, so that there is more that is done here. We are selling our tea at more expensive price than what we do right now may be we are processing much further than we do right now may be the packing is done here before exports and those are the possibilities.
Then there are five other key growth sectors in addition to these three. There is tourism manufacturing, agro-processing, mining, and integrated cotton industry. If these sectors have indeed got to lead the economic revolution of this country, there is need for government to give special attention to give specific investment incentives not necessarily in the form of tax holidays and stuff like that but making sure that any equipment meant for use in that area comes duty free and VAT free for example. Of course a lot of machines now come duty free but you still pay VAT, which makes the machines very expensive.
The final level is the micro- level. This is the willingness of businesses to do something also. It is not all government that has to do things, that has to be blamed the private sector also has challenges in Malawi. And these are issues to do with levels of technology modernisation. A lot of our businesses are very old-fashioned. The machines are very old some 20 years, and one of the reasons could be that they used to make things for the local market and therefore they don’t care what quality come out that is something that has to be done by the private sector not necessarily government. We have issues related to that of quality of our products. We have issues of the asking price. When our products are manufactured normally our businesses price their goods highly. When you look at the prices of our goods compared to the others, one tends to believe sometimes we tend to be shortsighted. We are looking only of today we are not looking into the future. And because of that you have a very small market because very few people can afford your products and that’s one of the challenges that make our product not very attractive outside.
You have issues of training of staff. The majority of companies except a few, the big ones, do not train their staff. Look at all the textiles companies and the government companies, I don’t know how much education they give their people and yet that is very critical. If you have to penetrate the export market you need to ensure that you have people that are able to make quality products. When you look at all the challenges you see why we are failing to explore the export market. And what we believe in as the chamber is to encourage our businesses of course to encourage the government to keep uniting the people, focusing the people in one direction. The vision 2020 imitative was a good one because it was meant to focus people in one direction
But certain things are happening, for example in last year’s budget the mister of Finance removed duty and even VAT on machines meant for mining, which is a good thing.
And you expect some thing to happen in other sectors in forthcoming budget?
That what we have been informed by the minister. We highlighted this to him and he actually appreciates. We also know of the government’s initiative to create the Malawi Investment Fund to replace MDC. You recall tat there was talk about the Malawi Development Bank and now the idea is that we need the Malawi Investment Fund. And that is the government initiative. Government might not be the majority shareholder but the fact that government has started that initiative tells us that government is serious about providing specific assistance to some specific sectors of the economy.
In your assessment as a Chamber what are the potential areas that might assist the country’s economy to grow?
As a country we have a lot of potential and I think our companies just need to change their mindsets. Now that the economic management seems to be pointing in the right direction, I think that the areas that I mentioned earlier, in tobacco for instance, it is very expensive to have a number of tobacco plants but I think that is the way forward. We think that farmers should take a stake in processing plants because that is where there is more money and that would mean a lot of money would stay in Malawi and would not go outside. So we need a lot of activities at the higher level than just growing. Still talking about tobacco, our transport industry has to learn to get orderly because we got so much from South Africa. Those trucks that come here from South Africa are mostly the ones that transport tobacco to South Africa. And the reason is that it is much much cheaper because somebody has already paid for the truck to come into Malawi and they just need very little to cover the costs. Our businesses have to learn the tricks of doing that kind of businesses so that more of our transport companies can carry our goods to South Africa because they need to get more money. In technical terms you have to widen the value chain by going beyond what we are doing now to get more value into the system. We should stop at just producing, we need also to go into processing, and we need also to be transporting this. For tea, I think it is for the same we need more processing to be done here as tea manufacturing plant that would mean that there is more economic activity being done in Malawi. Those eight sectors that government and ourselves identified as having the potential to drive this economy forward are important ones but what is very key is that we should in each area move a little further within the value chain so that more activities are being done in Malawi other than outside and I think that is how we are going to move. Let’s move towards having textile plants, let’s move towards having our own garments companies that are sourcing materials from textile plants, lets have design companies because that’s how we would make money.
Looking at the listing on the local exchanger, our economy seems to be dominated by the financial sector other than the producing sector. Isn’t that a threat to the growth of manufacturing sector?
Looking at the figures, the most profitable sectors in Malawi one is the financial sector then the retail sector. Basically we are talking about service sectors. Those are the most profitable. And why are they most profitable and yet what we need is production and manufacturing in order to move forward. There are a number of reasons, One I think it’s because there is a bit of monopoly. Two, they benefit so much from government borrowing a lot from them. And since that stopped we can actually see the change now. They are trying to come with a little more products that they can offer to products. But you can notice that even right now they are focusing on lending from individuals rather than businesses. If you invest into a machine or commercial farming it will take three to four years for you to start making money out of it. That’s the nature of business
The Minister of Trade and Industry Ken Lipenga described this year’s 19th International Trade Fair as a success story; as a chamber how do you rate the success of the just ended Trade Fair in comparison to the previous fairs.
What we are doing as a Chamber is obviously to encourage businesses to focus so much on getting orders from outside Malawi. Each International Trade Fair has got a different theme and what we encourage the participants to do is to make sure that they focus on the one primary objective of the fair, which is to provide the forum for the businesses to find markets from outside Malawi and not necessarily in Malawi. And secondly we focus so much on the theme as well and this year the theme was, ‘Building capacity for export competitiveness’ and therefore we encourage participants to make sure that they look out for things that they lack in terms of their competitiveness, for example, we had a number of companies from outside Malawi that provided technology, that came up with new ideas et cetera et cetera and those are some of the issues that our businesses lack.
Comparing the 19th International Trade Fair to previous fairs, I think overall it was good because more than 50 per cent of the participants that secured deals, got deals from outside Malawi and to us that is an encouragement. There were a number of other participants that focused on getting local deals, too, because they don’t have enough capacity to produce for the export market but in as far as we are concerned our success will be judged by the achievement of the primary objective, which is to make sure that those that participated have actually secured foreign orders and since more than 50 per cent got foreign orders we are happy. And we think that is much more than what previously happened.
We have seen that though companies got foreign orders in the past, they failed to satisfy demand on the international market because of economic constraints. How can that scenario be avoided this time around?
The challenge to Malawi becoming an export oriented economy, I can say, is at a minimum of four levels. Firstly, at what is known as meta-level, which is social level thinking. In Malawi we have always believed that foreign markets are not necessary. We have always looked inside. And we think that we can survive by doing business internally. This you can tell if you look at the total exports of the manufactured products in Malawi. Out of all the goods that are manufactured in Malawi only 14 per cent is exported and that tells you that Malawian companies think that the market is in Malawi and then they are not astute enough to look for markets outside Malawi and that thinking percolates every level of society unfortunately and that is why a lot of times you hear companies complaining about liberalisation. Liberalisation opens up the market, opens up the economy and obviously it creates a lot of competition internally but it also offers a lot of opportunities to our companies to find markets outside. And one of the reasons our business have not capitalised on those opportunities is that they don’t look at export market as their market and therefore other countries take advantage of them. That is at the meta level.
We also had challenges at the micro level which are issues to do with inflation, interest rates, issues to do with lack of stabilisation of exchange rates, the fluctuation of the exchange ratee etc. And we have seen recently that those issues are being addressed and we are happy of the direction that government has taken in managing the economy.
Then at what is technically called meso level. These are issues to do with the capacity of government institutions to service the private sector. And also issues to do with the specific policies that address private sector challenges. In Malawi we still have a number of challenges to do with the capacity of institutions. We have the Malawi Bureau of Standards, which is very key to Malawi turning into an export oriented economy and yet it lacks accreditation, meaning that its standards are not accepted by some countries. We have weak institutions such as MIPA which is supposed to assist private sector, we have institutions like the Malawi Export Promotion Council, which is almost dead and yet it is supposed to find markets for Malawian products. And we have other institutions for example the police, if you count the number of roadblocks between Blantyre and Lilongwe you find that they are about eight and 16 check points that makes business very uncompetitive. If a truck leaves Mzuzu or Karonga and if it is going to Zimbabwe to export certain goods it can two or three days just travelling within Malawi because of these check points and that is not good for business. Those are some of the challenges that make our business on uncompetitive. And you asked why our companies are not able to fulfill all the orders that they get, some of the issues that make them uncompetitive are those ones.
In addition to institutions, we also have specific policies. The Malawi Growth and Development Strategy has outlined eight priority sectors. The so-called core sectors, which are the tobacco, tea and sugar. These are the existing sectors, and what we say they
There is need in those areas to find what else needs to be done. Value addition for example, so that there is more that is done here. We are selling our tea at more expensive price than what we do right now may be we are processing much further than we do right now may be the packing is done here before exports and those are the possibilities.
Then there are five other key growth sectors in addition to these three. There is tourism manufacturing, agro-processing, mining, and integrated cotton industry. If these sectors have indeed got to lead the economic revolution of this country, there is need for government to give special attention to give specific investment incentives not necessarily in the form of tax holidays and stuff like that but making sure that any equipment meant for use in that area comes duty free and VAT free for example. Of course a lot of machines now come duty free but you still pay VAT, which makes the machines very expensive.
The final level is the micro- level. This is the willingness of businesses to do something also. It is not all government that has to do things, that has to be blamed the private sector also has challenges in Malawi. And these are issues to do with levels of technology modernisation. A lot of our businesses are very old-fashioned. The machines are very old some 20 years, and one of the reasons could be that they used to make things for the local market and therefore they don’t care what quality come out that is something that has to be done by the private sector not necessarily government. We have issues related to that of quality of our products. We have issues of the asking price. When our products are manufactured normally our businesses price their goods highly. When you look at the prices of our goods compared to the others, one tends to believe sometimes we tend to be shortsighted. We are looking only of today we are not looking into the future. And because of that you have a very small market because very few people can afford your products and that’s one of the challenges that make our product not very attractive outside.
You have issues of training of staff. The majority of companies except a few, the big ones, do not train their staff. Look at all the textiles companies and the government companies, I don’t know how much education they give their people and yet that is very critical. If you have to penetrate the export market you need to ensure that you have people that are able to make quality products. When you look at all the challenges you see why we are failing to explore the export market. And what we believe in as the chamber is to encourage our businesses of course to encourage the government to keep uniting the people, focusing the people in one direction. The vision 2020 imitative was a good one because it was meant to focus people in one direction
But certain things are happening, for example in last year’s budget the mister of Finance removed duty and even VAT on machines meant for mining, which is a good thing.
And you expect some thing to happen in other sectors in forthcoming budget?
That what we have been informed by the minister. We highlighted this to him and he actually appreciates. We also know of the government’s initiative to create the Malawi Investment Fund to replace MDC. You recall tat there was talk about the Malawi Development Bank and now the idea is that we need the Malawi Investment Fund. And that is the government initiative. Government might not be the majority shareholder but the fact that government has started that initiative tells us that government is serious about providing specific assistance to some specific sectors of the economy.
In your assessment as a Chamber what are the potential areas that might assist the country’s economy to grow?
As a country we have a lot of potential and I think our companies just need to change their mindsets. Now that the economic management seems to be pointing in the right direction, I think that the areas that I mentioned earlier, in tobacco for instance, it is very expensive to have a number of tobacco plants but I think that is the way forward. We think that farmers should take a stake in processing plants because that is where there is more money and that would mean a lot of money would stay in Malawi and would not go outside. So we need a lot of activities at the higher level than just growing. Still talking about tobacco, our transport industry has to learn to get orderly because we got so much from South Africa. Those trucks that come here from South Africa are mostly the ones that transport tobacco to South Africa. And the reason is that it is much much cheaper because somebody has already paid for the truck to come into Malawi and they just need very little to cover the costs. Our businesses have to learn the tricks of doing that kind of businesses so that more of our transport companies can carry our goods to South Africa because they need to get more money. In technical terms you have to widen the value chain by going beyond what we are doing now to get more value into the system. We should stop at just producing, we need also to go into processing, and we need also to be transporting this. For tea, I think it is for the same we need more processing to be done here as tea manufacturing plant that would mean that there is more economic activity being done in Malawi. Those eight sectors that government and ourselves identified as having the potential to drive this economy forward are important ones but what is very key is that we should in each area move a little further within the value chain so that more activities are being done in Malawi other than outside and I think that is how we are going to move. Let’s move towards having textile plants, let’s move towards having our own garments companies that are sourcing materials from textile plants, lets have design companies because that’s how we would make money.
Looking at the listing on the local exchanger, our economy seems to be dominated by the financial sector other than the producing sector. Isn’t that a threat to the growth of manufacturing sector?
Looking at the figures, the most profitable sectors in Malawi one is the financial sector then the retail sector. Basically we are talking about service sectors. Those are the most profitable. And why are they most profitable and yet what we need is production and manufacturing in order to move forward. There are a number of reasons, One I think it’s because there is a bit of monopoly. Two, they benefit so much from government borrowing a lot from them. And since that stopped we can actually see the change now. They are trying to come with a little more products that they can offer to products. But you can notice that even right now they are focusing on lending from individuals rather than businesses. If you invest into a machine or commercial farming it will take three to four years for you to start making money out of it. That’s the nature of business
‘Nkadangokhudza’ and the reappearance of Lloyd Phiri
Reviewed by Emmanuel Luciano
Lloyd Phiri was one of the hottest gospel properties in the early 2000s before he went into self-incarceration in the United Kingdom. His debut album, Musagwedezeke, released in 2001, had the hit song Afuna Ulape that shook the edifice of the country’s gospel music to its core foundation.
Then there came Ndagwiritsa in 2003, whose Sitimasilira za Chikunja, was on the lips of all and sundry of the gospel music’s calling.
But that was about all we heard about the music of Lloyd Phiri. His brief absence, on the positive note, also allowed other artists to emerge.
The artist recently returned from exile and decided to re-launch his gospel career with a latest nine-track album, Nkadangokhudza.
Some of the songs in this album are drawn from biblical anecdotes. Chotsa Malonda (for the benefit of those who don’t know the Bible and those who belong to faiths other than Christianity) is taken the verse where Jesus is chasing the traders in the temple, saying:”…My house should be called a place of worship but you have turned it into a place where robbers hide.” (Mark 11.15-19.)
The title-track, Nkadongokhudza, proclaims the essence of having faith like the biblical lady who was sick for 12 years but was healed after touching Jesus’ clothes.
The song is somewhat appropriately rendered, but the originality of the artist is put to test because of the South African gospel beat that has been employed to accompany it.
Not only is the beat South African but the manner in which vocals are done is very much South African gospel music. Another good song that has been marred by the South African rhythm is Simfuna Zamasewera. Iwe bwera would remind many a listener of Afuna Ulape in terms of its rendition. Though these are not basically praise and worship songs thematically, the artist has included Worship Medley as a praise song.
If the Malawian gospel music is defined by the elements of South African gospel music that it incorporates, then well and good for our gospel music. But how should it be called Malawian gospel music when it sounds more South African? Save us the tired argument this time that the language of gospel music is universal.
Those who have time to follow the genesis of South African gospel music would testify that when Zionist Christian movements were spreading in the early part of
20th Century, they integrated South African musical elements into their worship, leading to the invention of South African gospel music forms (See Wikipedia Free Encyclopaedia).
The question that still remains unanswered, though, is what constitutes Malawian gospel music if everybody resorted to the South African Rhythm?
Lloyd Phiri might still be nursing a hangover of staying overseas but that is a question that he needs to muse over if he is to change the landscape of Malawian gospel music.
Recorded at Llohay Sound Control, the album is available for sale in all musical outlets.
Lloyd Phiri was one of the hottest gospel properties in the early 2000s before he went into self-incarceration in the United Kingdom. His debut album, Musagwedezeke, released in 2001, had the hit song Afuna Ulape that shook the edifice of the country’s gospel music to its core foundation.
Then there came Ndagwiritsa in 2003, whose Sitimasilira za Chikunja, was on the lips of all and sundry of the gospel music’s calling.
But that was about all we heard about the music of Lloyd Phiri. His brief absence, on the positive note, also allowed other artists to emerge.
The artist recently returned from exile and decided to re-launch his gospel career with a latest nine-track album, Nkadangokhudza.
Some of the songs in this album are drawn from biblical anecdotes. Chotsa Malonda (for the benefit of those who don’t know the Bible and those who belong to faiths other than Christianity) is taken the verse where Jesus is chasing the traders in the temple, saying:”…My house should be called a place of worship but you have turned it into a place where robbers hide.” (Mark 11.15-19.)
The title-track, Nkadongokhudza, proclaims the essence of having faith like the biblical lady who was sick for 12 years but was healed after touching Jesus’ clothes.
The song is somewhat appropriately rendered, but the originality of the artist is put to test because of the South African gospel beat that has been employed to accompany it.
Not only is the beat South African but the manner in which vocals are done is very much South African gospel music. Another good song that has been marred by the South African rhythm is Simfuna Zamasewera. Iwe bwera would remind many a listener of Afuna Ulape in terms of its rendition. Though these are not basically praise and worship songs thematically, the artist has included Worship Medley as a praise song.
If the Malawian gospel music is defined by the elements of South African gospel music that it incorporates, then well and good for our gospel music. But how should it be called Malawian gospel music when it sounds more South African? Save us the tired argument this time that the language of gospel music is universal.
Those who have time to follow the genesis of South African gospel music would testify that when Zionist Christian movements were spreading in the early part of
20th Century, they integrated South African musical elements into their worship, leading to the invention of South African gospel music forms (See Wikipedia Free Encyclopaedia).
The question that still remains unanswered, though, is what constitutes Malawian gospel music if everybody resorted to the South African Rhythm?
Lloyd Phiri might still be nursing a hangover of staying overseas but that is a question that he needs to muse over if he is to change the landscape of Malawian gospel music.
Recorded at Llohay Sound Control, the album is available for sale in all musical outlets.
Umodzi returns to stage
By Emmanuel Luciano
The once popular local drama outfit, Umodzi Drama Group, returns to stage with professor Emeritus Steve Chimombo’s Wachiona Ndani after years of absence on the theatrical scene.
Umodzi took the country’s theatrical arena by storm in the early 90s with its vernacular plays like Bawo wa Padenga, Chiphetsa, Akuwajika, and Mkwati wa Mtawuni.
But the group’s director Peter Kunje said they were staging Wachiona Ndani in secondary schools for assessment as the group had just acquired a copyright to put Wachiona Ndani on DVD.
“We thought of contributing to the revival of literature in the country by producing literature books into DVDs. We approached several publishing companies and one of them Dzuka gave us a copyright on Wachiona Ndani, which we have already staged in some secondary schools in the Lower Shire for assessment before we put it on DVD,” he said.
Kunje said the group, which has already taken the play to Bangula, Ngabu, Chikwawa, St Lawrence and Bangwe secondary schools would next week perform at Stella Maris, Blantyre and Kaphuka Secondary Schools.
The director also said shows had been earmarked for other venues like French Cultural Centre for an ordinary audience.
According to Kunje Wachiona Ndani, which has a cast of 15, revolves around the evils of gambling as encouraged by Abiti Selempani (Fanny Andersiki).
Kunje, who said the project also marked the return of the group to stage drama, took time to explain the group’s absence on stage.
“Umodzi had had so many contracts. We had the Safe Motherhood Project with the Ministry of Health, and then we had to produce a film, Nasibeko, for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi. The projects took a lot of our time but we are ready to give our fans the best,” he said.
The once popular local drama outfit, Umodzi Drama Group, returns to stage with professor Emeritus Steve Chimombo’s Wachiona Ndani after years of absence on the theatrical scene.
Umodzi took the country’s theatrical arena by storm in the early 90s with its vernacular plays like Bawo wa Padenga, Chiphetsa, Akuwajika, and Mkwati wa Mtawuni.
But the group’s director Peter Kunje said they were staging Wachiona Ndani in secondary schools for assessment as the group had just acquired a copyright to put Wachiona Ndani on DVD.
“We thought of contributing to the revival of literature in the country by producing literature books into DVDs. We approached several publishing companies and one of them Dzuka gave us a copyright on Wachiona Ndani, which we have already staged in some secondary schools in the Lower Shire for assessment before we put it on DVD,” he said.
Kunje said the group, which has already taken the play to Bangula, Ngabu, Chikwawa, St Lawrence and Bangwe secondary schools would next week perform at Stella Maris, Blantyre and Kaphuka Secondary Schools.
The director also said shows had been earmarked for other venues like French Cultural Centre for an ordinary audience.
According to Kunje Wachiona Ndani, which has a cast of 15, revolves around the evils of gambling as encouraged by Abiti Selempani (Fanny Andersiki).
Kunje, who said the project also marked the return of the group to stage drama, took time to explain the group’s absence on stage.
“Umodzi had had so many contracts. We had the Safe Motherhood Project with the Ministry of Health, and then we had to produce a film, Nasibeko, for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi. The projects took a lot of our time but we are ready to give our fans the best,” he said.
Curtain closing fast on stage drama
By Emmanuel Luciano
Du Chisiza Jnr, an icon of stage drama performed in English, graduated from the Association for the Teaching of English (Atem) competitions of old. So did most of his lieutenants who carried Du’s legacy after he had made his last bow on the stage of life.
The founders of non institutional drama done in vernacular like Frank Kunje of Umodzi Drama Group and the late Charles Severe of Kwathu Drama, recruited most of their members from church choirs that enacted the death of Jesus Christ during Easter or His birth during Christmas.
But decades after most of the pacesetters of stage theatre had exeunt the stage, local dramatists, as experts say, have always modelled their plays on the works of those founders. This, they say, has led to stagnation of stage drama.
Save for the few drama groups like Nanzikambe that have explored other dramatic forms like farce (This is light dramatic work in which highly improbable plot situations, exaggerated characters are used), most dramatists, as experts will have it, have been hit by stage-fright so much that they are conducting the dress-rehearsals of their better plays at the backstage and do not have the courage to open the curtain to the audience.
Head of Performing Arts Department and lecturer in drama, Joe Chimwenje, says there isn’t much that is happening in stage drama.
Chimwenje attributes to the stagnation of stage drama to various factors like lack of proper training and exposure.
“The standard of stage drama is not encouraging because artists have not been exposed to what is good theatre. People say there is a reservoir of talent. But that is raw talent, which has had no opportunity of being nurtured. Such talent can’t take drama to the next level.
The lecturer says if artists were exposed, people would see the differences in imagination and creativity that constitutes excellent theatre.
Chimwenje does not spare theatre-goers for the increase in the run-of-the mill plays.
“Theatre-goers have been fed on a menu of sub-standard theatre, that’s why they come up with comments that say ‘the play was good because it was realistic’. But, somehow, they can’t be blamed for praising ignorantly a play,” he says.
The print media, too, has met the wrath of Chimwenje: “I have no kind words for theatre reviews that merely regurgitate the story of the play but tell us nothing about the acting, the thematic expression, for instance. Theatre would not be helped by reviews that say the play was a blockbuster.
“If you went into the archives and got articles of Jika Nkolokosa or late Isaac Chirwa, you could see the kind of reviews that could rest the artistic production of performance on that basis of analysis,” he says.
The absence of strong scripts, for groups that do not use improvisation, has been catalogued as another reason why stage theatre has gone into the doldrums.
Rowland Mvundula’s scripts were a prototype of strong scripts that flooded stage theatre at its zenith according to Chimwenje who only cited Smith Likongwe as the best script writer presently.
Even Smith Likongwe himself acknowledges that artists’ orientation into drama has shaped their understanding of it.
“When a person grows up and watches drama, they know drama as wearing rags and cracking jokes as a result the actors tend to overact because they want people to laugh,” says Likongwe.
Likongwe says they are few theatre groups that know what they are doing like Nanzikambe hence they are able to bring other elements of drama into their plays.
Nanzikambe’s director Melissa Eveleigh says one of the challenges stage dramatists face in the country is lack of capacity to invest in developing talent.
“The problem is time and space to develop talent. To train somebody how to use the voice and body you need to have years of training just as you don’t expect someone to start playing the piano when they had not fully trained how to play it,” she says.
Eveleigh also says people have looked at theatre negatively: “People don’t respect the role theatre plays as a commentary about life. It doesn’t get the same respect it gets in Zimbabwe or South Africa,” she says
Founder of Umodzi Drama Group Frank Kunje blames the rigidity of the drama groups to how they espoused stage drama: “We were doing things because that’s the only way we were taught and oriented. But we should be exploring and including other elements of drama,” Kunje says.
The excuse groups often give for dwindling standards of stage theatre is lack of resources which, Chimwenje says, is no excuse at all.
“Financial and material resources on their own cannot not make good theatre. We need the artists to be imaginative and creative, and the rest would come on their own.
“People don’t know that theatre is very challenging, therefore, you have to continuously invest your time, discipline, and energy other than getting satisfied with one or two productions,” he says.
The drama lecturer says he is ware that people expect the University to play a very big role in improving stage drama.
“People ask what are you doing yourself? But if people want to learn, they should be willing to contact us because there is a lot that we are doing at Chancellor College but they are not exposed to people.
“If I teach from first to fourth year, I am not able to form a theatre company to act as a role model because my resources and time are constrained. But we can always assist when asked,” concludes Chimwenje.
The stage curtains may be fast drawing and the rehearsals at the backstage might be prolonged. But Chimwenje is hopeful that the stage-fright enveloping the cast would force them to be stage-struck so as to come up with imaginative plays soon.
Du Chisiza Jnr, an icon of stage drama performed in English, graduated from the Association for the Teaching of English (Atem) competitions of old. So did most of his lieutenants who carried Du’s legacy after he had made his last bow on the stage of life.
The founders of non institutional drama done in vernacular like Frank Kunje of Umodzi Drama Group and the late Charles Severe of Kwathu Drama, recruited most of their members from church choirs that enacted the death of Jesus Christ during Easter or His birth during Christmas.
But decades after most of the pacesetters of stage theatre had exeunt the stage, local dramatists, as experts say, have always modelled their plays on the works of those founders. This, they say, has led to stagnation of stage drama.
Save for the few drama groups like Nanzikambe that have explored other dramatic forms like farce (This is light dramatic work in which highly improbable plot situations, exaggerated characters are used), most dramatists, as experts will have it, have been hit by stage-fright so much that they are conducting the dress-rehearsals of their better plays at the backstage and do not have the courage to open the curtain to the audience.
Head of Performing Arts Department and lecturer in drama, Joe Chimwenje, says there isn’t much that is happening in stage drama.
Chimwenje attributes to the stagnation of stage drama to various factors like lack of proper training and exposure.
“The standard of stage drama is not encouraging because artists have not been exposed to what is good theatre. People say there is a reservoir of talent. But that is raw talent, which has had no opportunity of being nurtured. Such talent can’t take drama to the next level.
The lecturer says if artists were exposed, people would see the differences in imagination and creativity that constitutes excellent theatre.
Chimwenje does not spare theatre-goers for the increase in the run-of-the mill plays.
“Theatre-goers have been fed on a menu of sub-standard theatre, that’s why they come up with comments that say ‘the play was good because it was realistic’. But, somehow, they can’t be blamed for praising ignorantly a play,” he says.
The print media, too, has met the wrath of Chimwenje: “I have no kind words for theatre reviews that merely regurgitate the story of the play but tell us nothing about the acting, the thematic expression, for instance. Theatre would not be helped by reviews that say the play was a blockbuster.
“If you went into the archives and got articles of Jika Nkolokosa or late Isaac Chirwa, you could see the kind of reviews that could rest the artistic production of performance on that basis of analysis,” he says.
The absence of strong scripts, for groups that do not use improvisation, has been catalogued as another reason why stage theatre has gone into the doldrums.
Rowland Mvundula’s scripts were a prototype of strong scripts that flooded stage theatre at its zenith according to Chimwenje who only cited Smith Likongwe as the best script writer presently.
Even Smith Likongwe himself acknowledges that artists’ orientation into drama has shaped their understanding of it.
“When a person grows up and watches drama, they know drama as wearing rags and cracking jokes as a result the actors tend to overact because they want people to laugh,” says Likongwe.
Likongwe says they are few theatre groups that know what they are doing like Nanzikambe hence they are able to bring other elements of drama into their plays.
Nanzikambe’s director Melissa Eveleigh says one of the challenges stage dramatists face in the country is lack of capacity to invest in developing talent.
“The problem is time and space to develop talent. To train somebody how to use the voice and body you need to have years of training just as you don’t expect someone to start playing the piano when they had not fully trained how to play it,” she says.
Eveleigh also says people have looked at theatre negatively: “People don’t respect the role theatre plays as a commentary about life. It doesn’t get the same respect it gets in Zimbabwe or South Africa,” she says
Founder of Umodzi Drama Group Frank Kunje blames the rigidity of the drama groups to how they espoused stage drama: “We were doing things because that’s the only way we were taught and oriented. But we should be exploring and including other elements of drama,” Kunje says.
The excuse groups often give for dwindling standards of stage theatre is lack of resources which, Chimwenje says, is no excuse at all.
“Financial and material resources on their own cannot not make good theatre. We need the artists to be imaginative and creative, and the rest would come on their own.
“People don’t know that theatre is very challenging, therefore, you have to continuously invest your time, discipline, and energy other than getting satisfied with one or two productions,” he says.
The drama lecturer says he is ware that people expect the University to play a very big role in improving stage drama.
“People ask what are you doing yourself? But if people want to learn, they should be willing to contact us because there is a lot that we are doing at Chancellor College but they are not exposed to people.
“If I teach from first to fourth year, I am not able to form a theatre company to act as a role model because my resources and time are constrained. But we can always assist when asked,” concludes Chimwenje.
The stage curtains may be fast drawing and the rehearsals at the backstage might be prolonged. But Chimwenje is hopeful that the stage-fright enveloping the cast would force them to be stage-struck so as to come up with imaginative plays soon.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Govt to blame for not
Govt to blame for not
implementing budget—opposition
By Emmanuel Luciano
The opposition says government failure to implement the 2006/07 budget because of poor planning and instability in the civil service.
The opposition’s comments come in the wake of Malawi Economic Justice Network (Mejn) revelations that government had not fully implemented the budget’s Development Account, because of what it attributed to as low absorption capacity in the government civil service, a thing that led to ministries and government departments to under-spend.
But UDF’s Economic Advisor Friday Jumbe said some government departments lacked budget implementation capacity because there was no staff to do the work.
“It’s is justifiable to say that certain departments lack implementation capacity. For instance government was supposed to build four secondary schools in areas like Dedza and Blantyre, but how can they implement projects when they keep on moving staff from one ministry to another?” Jumbe asked.
The UDF Economic Advisor also said he was not satisfied with the way the entire 2006/07 budget was implemented.
“I am not satisfied with the way we have handled this budget. We have not made available drugs in our hospitals when money was allocated. I am not talking about Nac drugs which are funded by the donors here.
“We have also not been able to provide teaching and learning materials and they only tendered for those materials last month. The University of Malawi was given money to repair its decaying infrastructure but up to now nothing has been done. True, there are administrative hiccups, donors are bureaucratic but that is no excuse” he said.
He, however, said the government should not sit on the laurels of bringing fiscal discipline but should do more for its citizens.
“They say they have brought fiscal discipline, inflation rate has gone down, debt has been cancelled but the biggest challenge this government faces is transforming that economic growth to economic well-being of its citizenry,” he said.
Peoples Progressive Movement’s vice president Mark Katsonga said civil servants’ low absorption capacity was no excuse for government’s failure to implement the budget.
“The budget is prepared by government not parliament and it should be able to implement it. Civil servants have been there ever since. But how many times have they transferred principal secretaries? How many times have they unjustifiably fired civil servants? It is the politicians in government’s fault because the few remaining performers are being transferred before they are settled and know their jobs.
“What I know is that the period for one to settle is three months for junior officers and six months for directors and Principal Secretaries yet most of the PSs have stayed there for less than three months. We need stability in the civil service. We need proper planning,” Katsonga said.
MCP vice president Nicholas Dausi said government should not put in the budget things that cannot be implemented.
“It is government that does the allocation, the tabulation and the planning of the budget. If they say they will drill 400 boreholes, build so many schools if they can’t do that then why put that in the budget,” said Dausi.
But Democratic Progressive Party spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba said it was wrong for the opposition to think that projects could be done within one financial year.
“The issue of developmental projects is an on going thing. To say that all projects can be implemented within one financial year is madness. This should be coming from those who have never been in government like Aford or PPM but if it is coming from UDF then it is unfortunate,” Ntaba said.
Ntaba said government has the capacity to implement the budget as evidenced in the fact that there I always an element of over-expenditure.
implementing budget—opposition
By Emmanuel Luciano
The opposition says government failure to implement the 2006/07 budget because of poor planning and instability in the civil service.
The opposition’s comments come in the wake of Malawi Economic Justice Network (Mejn) revelations that government had not fully implemented the budget’s Development Account, because of what it attributed to as low absorption capacity in the government civil service, a thing that led to ministries and government departments to under-spend.
But UDF’s Economic Advisor Friday Jumbe said some government departments lacked budget implementation capacity because there was no staff to do the work.
“It’s is justifiable to say that certain departments lack implementation capacity. For instance government was supposed to build four secondary schools in areas like Dedza and Blantyre, but how can they implement projects when they keep on moving staff from one ministry to another?” Jumbe asked.
The UDF Economic Advisor also said he was not satisfied with the way the entire 2006/07 budget was implemented.
“I am not satisfied with the way we have handled this budget. We have not made available drugs in our hospitals when money was allocated. I am not talking about Nac drugs which are funded by the donors here.
“We have also not been able to provide teaching and learning materials and they only tendered for those materials last month. The University of Malawi was given money to repair its decaying infrastructure but up to now nothing has been done. True, there are administrative hiccups, donors are bureaucratic but that is no excuse” he said.
He, however, said the government should not sit on the laurels of bringing fiscal discipline but should do more for its citizens.
“They say they have brought fiscal discipline, inflation rate has gone down, debt has been cancelled but the biggest challenge this government faces is transforming that economic growth to economic well-being of its citizenry,” he said.
Peoples Progressive Movement’s vice president Mark Katsonga said civil servants’ low absorption capacity was no excuse for government’s failure to implement the budget.
“The budget is prepared by government not parliament and it should be able to implement it. Civil servants have been there ever since. But how many times have they transferred principal secretaries? How many times have they unjustifiably fired civil servants? It is the politicians in government’s fault because the few remaining performers are being transferred before they are settled and know their jobs.
“What I know is that the period for one to settle is three months for junior officers and six months for directors and Principal Secretaries yet most of the PSs have stayed there for less than three months. We need stability in the civil service. We need proper planning,” Katsonga said.
MCP vice president Nicholas Dausi said government should not put in the budget things that cannot be implemented.
“It is government that does the allocation, the tabulation and the planning of the budget. If they say they will drill 400 boreholes, build so many schools if they can’t do that then why put that in the budget,” said Dausi.
But Democratic Progressive Party spokesperson Hetherwick Ntaba said it was wrong for the opposition to think that projects could be done within one financial year.
“The issue of developmental projects is an on going thing. To say that all projects can be implemented within one financial year is madness. This should be coming from those who have never been in government like Aford or PPM but if it is coming from UDF then it is unfortunate,” Ntaba said.
Ntaba said government has the capacity to implement the budget as evidenced in the fact that there I always an element of over-expenditure.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Billiiti's review
The case of ‘child musician’ and
Dyson Billiati’s ‘Timange Chimodzi’
Reviewed by Emmanuel Luciano
The story of the teenager musician Dyson Billiati’s rise to stardom has been written again and again. That his music is no different to that of the majority of the country’s most revered of musicians is common knowledge.
Dyson’s music career is an interesting one; it resurrected in some quarters the debate that Millela Nkhoma, a teenager who at one time played with Alleluya Band, precipitated: ‘What qualifies one to be called a musician.’ Is there a prescribed age which everyone must reach before they are called musicians? Is it the maturity with which one handles their work of art?
When some ‘concerned citizens’ chided Millela Nkhoma for ‘jeopardising her studies’ with her music exploits one thing that came out clearly from that furore was that there are different views on what should be the rightful time for one to enter into music.
But in art somebody’s age doesn’t mean anything. Being young does not necessarily mean you cannot tackle larger than life issues. In art you can be a grown up in spite of your age. Dyson would not have made a name for himself had he waited until he reached adulthood for him to launch his music career. Perhaps the drive he has for music would have wilted by the time he reached adulthood.
The teenager’s debut album Dziko was testimony that he sees the world through the eyes of somebody who has been on earth for so many years. And his latest album Timange Chimodzi demonstrates more maturity.
In David Banda he censures non government organisations that were in the forefront trying to prevent Madonna from adopting baby David: Mukanakhala inu mukadasangalala ndi donation/…David wakweza mbendela ya Malawi/…musiyeni mwana watola chikwama. Dyson is not too young not to notice the apparent political impasse present in the country. In the title-track Timange Chimodzi he calls upon the UDF, DPP, MCP and Aford to work together for the good of the nation. Departing from his usual pluck-pluck kind of reggae, in Njala Yavuta he aims his wrath at traditional chiefs, who were selling fertiliser coupons denying the deserving poor a chance.
The only problem ‘child artists’ have is demonstrated when it comes to issues of believability. In this case one might ask: what authority does this child have to talk about love like in Babie Come Back, when he knows nothing about love? But the voice of reason in songs does not necessarily reflect the life of the musician himself; therefore, the artist has mandate to comment on any topic. The artist has potential to become a bigtime one but he needs somebody guide him so that his talent is properly nurtured his talent to avoid him becoming another case of promising talent never exploited. There is nothing like a child musician as such he needs to improve on his lyrics. You wouldn’t want to listen to the hush- hush kind of songs all day.
The album is available for sale at O.G. Issa
Dyson Billiati’s ‘Timange Chimodzi’
Reviewed by Emmanuel Luciano
The story of the teenager musician Dyson Billiati’s rise to stardom has been written again and again. That his music is no different to that of the majority of the country’s most revered of musicians is common knowledge.
Dyson’s music career is an interesting one; it resurrected in some quarters the debate that Millela Nkhoma, a teenager who at one time played with Alleluya Band, precipitated: ‘What qualifies one to be called a musician.’ Is there a prescribed age which everyone must reach before they are called musicians? Is it the maturity with which one handles their work of art?
When some ‘concerned citizens’ chided Millela Nkhoma for ‘jeopardising her studies’ with her music exploits one thing that came out clearly from that furore was that there are different views on what should be the rightful time for one to enter into music.
But in art somebody’s age doesn’t mean anything. Being young does not necessarily mean you cannot tackle larger than life issues. In art you can be a grown up in spite of your age. Dyson would not have made a name for himself had he waited until he reached adulthood for him to launch his music career. Perhaps the drive he has for music would have wilted by the time he reached adulthood.
The teenager’s debut album Dziko was testimony that he sees the world through the eyes of somebody who has been on earth for so many years. And his latest album Timange Chimodzi demonstrates more maturity.
In David Banda he censures non government organisations that were in the forefront trying to prevent Madonna from adopting baby David: Mukanakhala inu mukadasangalala ndi donation/…David wakweza mbendela ya Malawi/…musiyeni mwana watola chikwama. Dyson is not too young not to notice the apparent political impasse present in the country. In the title-track Timange Chimodzi he calls upon the UDF, DPP, MCP and Aford to work together for the good of the nation. Departing from his usual pluck-pluck kind of reggae, in Njala Yavuta he aims his wrath at traditional chiefs, who were selling fertiliser coupons denying the deserving poor a chance.
The only problem ‘child artists’ have is demonstrated when it comes to issues of believability. In this case one might ask: what authority does this child have to talk about love like in Babie Come Back, when he knows nothing about love? But the voice of reason in songs does not necessarily reflect the life of the musician himself; therefore, the artist has mandate to comment on any topic. The artist has potential to become a bigtime one but he needs somebody guide him so that his talent is properly nurtured his talent to avoid him becoming another case of promising talent never exploited. There is nothing like a child musician as such he needs to improve on his lyrics. You wouldn’t want to listen to the hush- hush kind of songs all day.
The album is available for sale at O.G. Issa
Skeffa Chimoto's review
Skeffa’s sings about life in ‘Nabola Moyo’
Reviewed by: Emmanuel Luciano
Lawrence Mbenjere’s Sewere is topping music sales in the country followed by Skeffa Chimoto’s Nabola Moyo. At least we know who Mbenjere is and how he has reached this far in music. But Skeffa Chimoto? I had not heard of the guy neither were I aware of his music. The only time I learnt that there was Skeffa Chimoto was when I discovered that his album was competing fairly with Mbenjere’s Sewere on the music market.
Interestingly, the ten-track Nabola Moyo is not the artist’s debut album, his first attempt to venture into music culminated in Wekha, an album, which by the artist’s own admission, was a flop. It was just as good as the album never existed at all.
Listening to Nabola Moyo, one might be tempted to say that the 25-year-old’s willpower to turn one’s failures into successes has paid dividends.
You get the impression that this time around the artist, who comes from Nkhotakota but stays in Lilongwe, got right everything he initially got wrong in Wekha. This time around he decided to concentrate on the music that would appeal to the emotions of many people; music that explores the intricacies of day to day life.
The strength of the album dwells in the creatively woven and consummate vocals. But that does not mean the sounds are badly mixed. In Chabodza, he tackles the vanity of love that is stirred by money in a rhythm that is more of Mozambican Passada but in vocals that would also remind one of Albert Khoza rendition of Akunenepa Nako.
In Musiyeni, he employs a Balaka reggae beat though in the manner that one would suggest it is Gift Fumulani of Chileka who is behind the microphone not Skeffa. Musiyeni is also the song that carries the message that would make those in misery happy. It stresses the fact that God does not segregate against anyone whether rich or poor, leader or follower.
The ultimate reggae song Chikondi was ordinarily handled. The song brings some kind of imbalance as it reduces the strength of the lyrics that make the album outstanding. The artist should have done better other than coming up with a song that every Jim and Jack would have conceived. But when all is said and done, those who are rushing for the copies of Nabola Moyo must have noted how good the artist is for them to fork out their money for a copy or two.
Other tracks in the album include a love song Usamasowe, Nabola Moyo the title-track, wedding song Tiye Darling and Ulesi.
Recorded and mixed at Studio Eclypse in Lilongwe, the album is available at O.G. Issa and other music outlets in the country.
Reviewed by: Emmanuel Luciano
Lawrence Mbenjere’s Sewere is topping music sales in the country followed by Skeffa Chimoto’s Nabola Moyo. At least we know who Mbenjere is and how he has reached this far in music. But Skeffa Chimoto? I had not heard of the guy neither were I aware of his music. The only time I learnt that there was Skeffa Chimoto was when I discovered that his album was competing fairly with Mbenjere’s Sewere on the music market.
Interestingly, the ten-track Nabola Moyo is not the artist’s debut album, his first attempt to venture into music culminated in Wekha, an album, which by the artist’s own admission, was a flop. It was just as good as the album never existed at all.
Listening to Nabola Moyo, one might be tempted to say that the 25-year-old’s willpower to turn one’s failures into successes has paid dividends.
You get the impression that this time around the artist, who comes from Nkhotakota but stays in Lilongwe, got right everything he initially got wrong in Wekha. This time around he decided to concentrate on the music that would appeal to the emotions of many people; music that explores the intricacies of day to day life.
The strength of the album dwells in the creatively woven and consummate vocals. But that does not mean the sounds are badly mixed. In Chabodza, he tackles the vanity of love that is stirred by money in a rhythm that is more of Mozambican Passada but in vocals that would also remind one of Albert Khoza rendition of Akunenepa Nako.
In Musiyeni, he employs a Balaka reggae beat though in the manner that one would suggest it is Gift Fumulani of Chileka who is behind the microphone not Skeffa. Musiyeni is also the song that carries the message that would make those in misery happy. It stresses the fact that God does not segregate against anyone whether rich or poor, leader or follower.
The ultimate reggae song Chikondi was ordinarily handled. The song brings some kind of imbalance as it reduces the strength of the lyrics that make the album outstanding. The artist should have done better other than coming up with a song that every Jim and Jack would have conceived. But when all is said and done, those who are rushing for the copies of Nabola Moyo must have noted how good the artist is for them to fork out their money for a copy or two.
Other tracks in the album include a love song Usamasowe, Nabola Moyo the title-track, wedding song Tiye Darling and Ulesi.
Recorded and mixed at Studio Eclypse in Lilongwe, the album is available at O.G. Issa and other music outlets in the country.
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