Former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach Peter Mponda has made a significant move to strengthen Master FC, recruiting 11 players and two technical staff members from Baka City.
The assessments were carried out in Karonga last month, where Mponda closely monitored the squad and identified the talented players he wanted to bring to Lilongwe.
Mponda
The players who have since made the trip to Lilongwe are Lydan Kishombe, Mwiza Chiona, Bruce Mapunda, Ngesa Mwafulirwa, Phillimon Ndhlovu, Hastings Ndau, Boyd Kumwenda, Enock Kaonga, Joseph Mwambungu, Washington Msiska, and Davie Mwalilino.
Joining the technical bench are Moses Mwakisulu, who takes up the role of Physical Trainer, and Victor Mwakhwawa, appointed as Assistant Coach, bringing valuable expertise to Master FC.
The recruitment drive is a significant boost to Master FC, which has acquired Baka City’s top-flight slot after their recent promotion to the elite division.
Baka City, recently promoted to the elite division from the National Division League, have officially transferred their top-flight slot to Master Security FC, paving the way for the new players and staff to join their new team.
Mponda’s experience and expertise will undoubtedly be put to the test as he works with his new team to achieve success in the top division.
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) has issued a bold call to action for power utilities across East and Southern Africa, appealing for collaboration to improve stable power supply in the region.
Opening the 2026 Power Institute for East and Southern Africa (PIESA) conference at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) on Monday, ESCOM Board member Welford Sabola, representing the Board Chairperson, characterized the conference as a working laboratory to rescue the region’s energy future.
Sabola, noted that the conference theme—Transforming Electricity Energy Systems for a Sustainable Future—is a direct response to the urgent energy shortfalls effecting the region.
“As ESCOM, we know the enormous duty and responsibility placed on us. To achieve the industrialization pillar of the Malawi 2063 vision, the availability of reliable and quality power is non-negotiable,” said Sabola.
He revealed that ESCOM is currently undergoing a radical transformation to move past its historical challenges, aiming to become a regional leader in affordable and inclusive electricity.
He said central to this strategy is the adoption of new technologies, including the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) designed to stabilize solar power and the nearing completion of the Mozambique-Malawi interconnector.
The summit, which has drawn engineers, researchers, and policy-makers from across east and southern Africa, will transition from the boardroom to the field on Tuesday.
The first presentation was delivered by Maruthi Mallepalli, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).
He presented on Innovative Business Models for Scalable Smart Metering AMI implementation in Emerging Markets.
In his presentation, ESCOM’s Acting Director of Distribution and Customer Services Engineer Gilbert Chodzadza took a people-centric approach into energy, highlighting that building a power network is not just about cables buts also people.
He argued that community engagement is the heartbeat of sustainable energy.
“When communities are empowered with information, they become partners in protecting the assets that power their own growth,” said Chodzadza.
On Tuesday, technical tours are scheduled for the BESS project at ESCOM Kanengo Substation and the Salima Power Plant, where Malawi’s progress in battery storage and solar integration will be on full display for regional participants. Participants will also visit EGENCO’s Salima Solar Plant.
Malawi’s Minister of Justice, Charles Mhango, has been forced to deny the authenticity of a leaked document circulating on social media that allegedly declared the death of former Vice President Saulos Chilima required no further investigation. The purported memo, which suggested Mhango advised President Peter Mutharika that prior probes into the June 10, 2024 plane crash that killed Chilima and eight others were sufficient, sparked outrage before the minister swiftly dismissed it . Taking to his Facebook page, an emphatic Mhango wrote: “FAKE. It has come to my attention that this fake document is circulating on social media. Kindly note that this document is FAKE.”
Document is fake
The denial comes as the ruling Democratic Progressive Party faces intensifying public pressure to launch the fresh investigation into Chilima’s death promised during the September 16th election campaign . Many Malawians accuse the DPP of exploiting the tragedy to secure sympathy votes, though Information Minister Shadric Namalomba has previously rejected this notion . The government recently confirmed that a review of crash reports has been completed, with direction on next steps expected before Parliament rises in April .
Chilima, who died at age 51, had left the DPP in 2018 before forming the UTM and joining an alliance with MCP to oust Mutharika in 2020 . The nation continues to await concrete action nearly two years after the tragic crash.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi has expressed deep sorrow following the untimely death of Chief Producer and presenter at Dzimwe Community Radio,Alexander Chikolowa.
Chikalowa died on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Zomba Central Hospital (ZCH).
In a statement seen by this publication, MISA Malawi Chairperson Golden Matonga, says the organization stands in solidarity with all those mourning Chikolowa and wishes him eternal peace.
Alexander Chikolowa.
Reads the statement in part:”The Malawi media fraternity is expected to greatly feel the loss of his experience and dedication.”
Chikolowa joined Dzimwe Community Radio in July 2006 and dedicated more than 19 years of service to community broadcasting, serving people in Mangochi and surrounding areas.
Throughout his career, he mentored many emerging community media journalists in Mangochi and beyond, earning respect for his professionalism and commitment to public service.
He will be laid to rest on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Chitambuli Village under Traditional Authority (T/A)Likoswe in Chiradzulu District.
A bold and striking poster circulating across social media platforms is calling on Malawi’s youth and citizens to rise up against corruption and reclaim their power through digital activism.
The poster, emblazoned with the words “Malawi Youth & Citizens: Rise Up!”, presents a powerful visual message that positions the mobile phone as a modern instrument of accountability and civic resistance.
At the centre of the artwork stands a resolute figure holding a smartphone displaying hashtags such as #MalawiAntiCorruption, #CitizenPower and #ExposeTheSyndicates, symbolising the growing role of online platforms in shaping public discourse.
The imagery further depicts broken chains and raised fists, conveying a sense of liberation and collective defiance against entrenched systems of corruption.
Accompanying slogans such as “Your Phone Is Your Weapon”, “Speak Out” and “Demand Justice” reinforce the message that ordinary citizens possess tools capable of challenging powerful interests.
The poster explicitly urges Malawians to utilise social media to fight corruption within the judiciary, public institutions and government structures, while asserting that no one is above the law. Renowned Malawian writer and commentator Onjezani Kenani has expressed support for the idea behind the poster, lending intellectual and moral weight to the campaign’s underlying message.
Kenani’s endorsement signals a broader recognition among thought leaders that digital platforms have become crucial arenas for civic engagement and democratic accountability.
In recent years, social media has emerged as a powerful space in Malawi where citizens debate governance issues, expose alleged wrongdoing and mobilise public opinion.
The poster taps into this evolving reality by encouraging young people, who constitute the majority of the population, to transform their online presence into an organised force for transparency.
Its bold design, incorporating national colours and imagery associated with corruption and state power, underscores the urgency of confronting systemic malpractice.
By linking citizen action directly to institutions such as the judiciary and government, the message suggests that accountability must extend across all arms of the state.
The call for vigilance and exposure of syndicates reflects growing public frustration over high-profile corruption cases that have dominated national conversation.
Supporters of the initiative argue that digital activism offers a relatively accessible and immediate means of participation for young Malawians who may otherwise feel excluded from formal political processes.
Critics, however, may caution that online engagement must be complemented by responsible conduct, factual accuracy and adherence to the rule of law to avoid misinformation or undue harm.
Nevertheless, the central theme of the poster resonates strongly with the democratic principle that sovereignty ultimately rests with the people.
By encouraging citizens to speak out and demand justice, the campaign seeks to cultivate a culture of accountability grounded in collective responsibility.
The involvement and support of respected public intellectuals such as Kenani may further amplify the message and stimulate informed national dialogue.
As Malawi continues to grapple with governance challenges, initiatives that empower citizens to scrutinise authority are likely to remain at the forefront of public debate.
Whether this poster evolves into a broader movement or remains a symbolic statement, it has undeniably ignited conversation about the power of youth, technology and civic courage in the fight against corruption.
