The High court in Lilongwe on Friday September 29, 2023 ordered the main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to hold its National Elective Convention(NEC) within 90 days.
Judge Simeon Mdeza also said they have nullified proceedings and resolutions made at the party’s National Governing Council(NGC) meeting of July 3,2023 at Nkopola Lodge in Mangochi saying the party failed to comply with the court order made on July 5,2022.
In the 2022 order, the court ordered DPP to hold dully constituted NGC and Central committee meetings within reasonable time according to DPP constitution but the party did not comply.
The latest order follows an application by DPP vice president for Southern Region Kondwani Nankhumwa and two others who requested the court to nullify the proceedings and resolutions made at the meeting of the NGC of July 3,2023.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) has announced that Malawi Kwacha will depreciate by 4.7 percent from K1,126 to K1,180.29 against the dollar starting from October 2, 2023.
According to the central bank, this follows a Foreign Exchange Auction that was held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
Governor Wilson Banda
In a statement, RBM Governor Wilson Banda says the forex auction was successful as all Authorised Dealer Banks (ADBs) participated.
He says the foreign exchange auctions are aimed at determining the prevailing market clearing price of the kwacha against the dollar and other major currencies.
RBM announced in January this year that it would be conducting forex auctions periodically to facilitate the discovery of a prevailing market-clearing exchange rate for the kwacha against major currencies, thereby promoting transparency in the determination of the exchange rate.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera returns home on Monday 2nd October 2023 from a successful 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Conference tour in New York, United States of America.
A statement from Foreign Affairs Ministry released on Saturday 30th September 2023 says the Malawi leader is expected to land at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) at 7 : 30 hrs in the morning.
President Chakwera took advantage of his stay in the US to reach out to a number of institutions to assist the country as it strives to come out of various challenges brought about by Covid – 19 as well as Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
Among the success stories, Chakwera secured K50 billion from a US based non profit organizations GiveDirectly which is meant for national social cash transfer program.
Chakwera also convinced Africa Export Import ( AFREXIM) Bank to release $755 million for the construction of industrial parks in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe.
Organisers of Sand Music Festival have unveiled South African musician Makhadzi as another international artist set to perform at this year’s event in Mangochi.
The event which will take place from Friday to Sunday at Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi is the 13th edition of the festival.
Making the announcement on Facebook, Impakt Events who are the organisers of the event also revealed that the charges to the event have been reduced from K40,000 to K35,000.
“Like we told you, Sand Music Festival is full of surprises, as Promised yesterday, Today, this moment, right now we unveil to you The African Queen, yessss! MAKHADZI will be performing live at the SANDFest2023 tomorrow Saturday. It’s giving!! And guess what! No more 40,000 at the door, only 35,000,” reads the statement.
The organisers however did come clear on wether Makhadzi was a replacement for Jamaican reggae artist Kenyatta Hill who is also lined up to perform during the three-day event.
This is the second time for Makhadzi to perform at the event and she joins fellow South African artists Murumba Pitch and Boohle.
Boohle who was unveiled on Thursday as a replacement for Nigerian super star Spyro who has failed to make it to the festival due to forex shortage.
The other international artist set to perform at this year’s festival is Zambia’s Organised Family.
Former Minister of Civic Education and National Unity Comrade Timothy Pagonachi Mtambo has paid his tribute to veteran politician John Tembo who died on September 27,2023 in Lilongwe.
In a statement, Mtambo says Tembo was a well versed political lieutenant who possessed meaningful control and influence over Socio-economic and Political fabrics of Malawi.
According to Mtambo, Tembo remained iconic in all significant national events. The statement went further;
“He was a resilient political figure, sustaining MCP political grid against all olds of extinction with the dawn of Multi-party Democracy. For example, in parliament when he was a leader of opposition, most people may only recall his echoes of “Section 65 number 1, budget number 2″. For me, I see political philosophy at play,”
He adds:”Tembo never tired of telling me that I was born to protect and care for Malawi. True to himself, he was a great prophet.
“When I went to see and spend time with him, he sacrificed almost one-sixth of the day – 4 hours – yes just for my presence.
Mtambo with the Late John Tembo
“We expressed ideas and feelings on politics, economics, nationalism and development.
“When I wanted to obtain information on national values and Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s four cornerstones – Discipline, Unity, Obedience and Loyalty – the fallen hero became more comprehensible that loyalty stands major.
“Tembo clarified that devotion and sentiment of national attachment, mostly stands epical.
“After a long chat John Tembo Junior, escorted me. With total vividity, I remember what Junior said, “Timothy, I know my father very well. It is rare for him to spend such a length of time. He is always busy and at his age, he always feel tired easily. Above all, he is in a not in good health state. As his son, I counted his face. He was really excited to meet you.”
According to Mtambo, the late John Tembo will remain a symbol of persistence and consistence of Malawi’s generation.
“While we have seen many politicians recycling themselves, JZU never did. He remained strong with his MCP no matter how tough it was.Sleep well and Rest in Power!,”concludes the former cabinet minister’s tribute.
The late John Tembo will be laid to rest on Wednesday October 4,2023 at his home Village in Dedza District.
