CONSIDER GENDER SENSITIVE LANGUAGE: JOURNALISTS URGED

BY CASSIM AUBI

As one way of promoting gender aware reporting, journalists in the country have been urged to use gender sensitive language in their articles which provides recognition to equality between men and women in their roles in society and promote gender mainstreaming in the country’s media houses.

Seanna Chingamuka editor and manager of gender and media diversity center (GMDC) which is based in South Africa and managed by Gender Links made the call during the two day opinion and commentary workshop held at Victoria Hotel in Blantyre from 24th to 25th may 2012.

Chingamuka said gender awareness should start with the journalists because it is a well knowledgeable journalist on gender issues who can provide informed opinions and comments on gender to the public.

“It is time to change our mindset and realize the role of women and female reporters in our media houses, gender links is urging all journalists to use gender sensitive language which does not diminish the picture of any person according to sex status” said Chingamuka.

The workshop brought together journalists from different media houses in the country from both electronic and the print media. Among the radio stations include Joy, MIJ, Capital and radio Islam and also Nation publications and Blantyre newspapers from the print media.

One of the participants, Evelyne Pangani, Joy FM reporter hailed the workshop saying it will assist her in writing gender aware comments and opinions and provide the public with the right information about gender equality.

“I find the workshop being beneficial in as far as my job is concerned because now I am able to distinguish gender aware reporting from gender blind reporting” said Pangani.

Patrick Mlekano, Media Ethics and Law lecturer at Malawi Institute of Journalism commended the workshop saying it will assist him in delivering the best about gender to his students.

“We have been asked to use terms like Police Officer instead of Policeman or woman and also chairperson instead of chairman or woman, this kind of reporting helps the public to realize that both men and women can work at any post provided been given necessary resources.

The workshop was also attended by some Malawi Institute of Journalism students among them Japhet Thole, Grace Chimwaza and Cassim Aubi.

CAN TV TO OPEN AS SOON AS MACRA APPROVES

BY CHRIS LOKA

The Malawi Assemblies of God believes that God has finally given them an answer to their prayers, as they have attained a license for their long-awaited television station.

Speaking in an interview, the programming manager of Channel for All Nationals (CAN) Radio, Kelvin Shema, said that the television station will cater to many religious activities and other social issues. As such, artists – musicians, dramatists, preachers, etc. – will have the opportunity to showcase their talents that were forever hidden. Indeed Malawians will have the chance to tune into another channel without DSTV.

In order to solve other financial problems when preparing for the opening of this television and extension of the radio station, CAN Radio organized a fundraising event which took place on 27th May at the International Christian Assembly (ICA) marquee in Lilongwe’s Area 14. At this event, many gospel musicians entertained the audience including: Thoko Katimba, Violet Tengani, Evince Meleka, the Marvelous Deeds, the Great Angels choir, Lloyd Phiri and many more.

When the show was at its peak, the audience went wild. As the audience danced as David did, the show appeared to be a one of a kind production.

According to the remarks of Dalitso Mpukunya, one of the audience members, the event was much more than what anyone had anticipated.

THOKO KATIMBA TO LAUNCH NDIDZAIMABE DUD ALBUM

BY ALEX HENRY SAKALA

The long-awaited gospel DVD of Ndidzaimabe album by Thoko Katimba will be launched on 24th June, 2012 at Shaffa Hall in Lilongwe.

Katimba revealed this information to the Weekend Express during a gospel bash at Sheffa Hall, which was organized by Channel for All Nations (CAN) radio station in Lilongwe.

Katimba said, “it is time that I should give my fans what God has given me through singing. I always give the best to my fans.”

“The album DVD is just perfect, and I know that the fans are going to love it and enjoy it in style,” he added.

Katimba said that the Ndidzaimabe DVD album will be launched in an attractive way that well known dramatists such as Winiko, Manganya, Nginde and many more will be seen on stage to spice up the show.

Vincent Phiri, a self-described number one fan of Thoko Katimba, said that he always enjoys Katimba’s songs.

“I can’t wait to heave the DVD album in my house, the songs are just touching when I hear them,” Phiri said.

Phiri added that the Anaphin Mwagwiranji song is the best in the album and he cannot afford to miss the video.

The Ndidzaimabe album is the third album production of Thoko Katimba and whose songs are being played in different local radio stations daily. The album has eleven songs.

CENTRAL REGION BOXERS READY FOR PIS

BY ALEX HENRY SAKALA

The Central Region Amateur Boxing Committee has organized a bout, for its boxer to be eligible to win the Presidential Initiative on Sports (PIS), which will take place at Lilongwe Community Centre ground in Lilongwe on Sunday, 3^rd June.

The match will enable the association to choose eleven boxers in different categories.

The chairman for the Central Region Amateur Boxing Committee said that the bout is for the Central Region Boxing Committee to have the opportunity to choose the best boxers in eleven categories.

“We want the Central Region to win the Presidential. This match will enable us to choose those boxers that are fit to such a category,” Daudi said.

“We want to maintain the Central Region as a home of the best boxers. As the capital city, we have good boxers and we will make them known from this amateur level,” he added.

Daudi also added that the bouts will involve many female boxers to support a well-known female boxer Agness Mtimaukanena who won the world Boxing Forum by defeating Kenyan Susan Adezo.

One of the female boxers, Anisha Bashir said that she is ready to fight and win anyone in her category.

“I want this to make history. I will beat any opponent in my category. I want to reach Mtima Ukanena’s stage and beyond that,” Anisha said.

The boxers will come from different boxing clubs: Lilongwe Community Centre, Kamuzu Barracks, Area 30 police, Mchinji, Don Bosco and the Kamuzu Insititute for Sports.

CIVO DOWNS EAGLES

BY INNOCENT KUMCHEDWA

Civo Service United beat their city rivals, Blue Eagles, 2-1 on Sunday to put their 2012-2013 TNM season off to a dazzling start.

Blue Eagles started well in the early minutes and were rewarded with a corner, which was curled into the box by peter Mgangira, but Philip Masiye could not effectively connect the ball to direct his volley into the back of the net.

It was at the quarter of the hour mark when Civo started showing strides in the match, as they started their usual fluent passing game.

Just before the half hour mark, civo’s influential attacking midfielder Martin Masoatheka used his pace and tricks to get past three challenges in the left flank before putting through charles Ben who squared it for Lazarus Chirwa, who blazed the ball over the cross bar.

Three minutes later, civo were rewarded for their persistent pressing, again their influential man Masoatheka got past the Blue Eagles challenges with ease and square the ball into the box for Lazarus Chirwa, whose effort was parried by Eagles goal minder Duncan Mkandawire, but his defenders let him down by not clearing the ball in time, gifting Masoatheka a chance to break the deadlock.

In the second half, Civo continued from where they left from as they dominated the game in the early minutes. Just before the hour mark blue eagles made a double substitution in a bid to get back into the game, as they substituted Philip Masiye and Wongani Ngulube for Liston Sabuli and Bennie Hojanie.

It did not take long for the Eagles to breathe a sigh of relief as Mgangira galloped the right flank and create room for him to float a teasing cross into the box. Patience Kalumo failed to clear the danger only to gift Elia Kabingu a chance to tap in an equalizer.

With Blue Eagles substitution  giving them an edge, Civo could not wait longer before getting fresh legs into the game by bringing in Jabulani Linje and Davie Ng’ambi to replace Lawrence Mwehiwa and Lazarus Chirwa.

In the 73^rd minute, Civo’s substitute Davie Ng’ambi got to the by-line and floated in a well weighed cross, welani Nyirenda pounced with a header to give his side an advantage.

Blue Eagles tried to find another equalizer, but Civo stood firm to claim the victory.

Blue Eagles coach Dekleck Msakakuona conceded the defeat but said his boys played well.

“Yeah we have lost this game. We tried our best to win this, but this is what football is all about. If you don’t take your chances you get punished. Civo took their chances today,” he said.

On the other hand, Sir Alex Masanjala praised his boys for putting up an impressive performance.

MASANJALA: “CIVO READY FOR THE FIGHT”

BY INNOCENT KUMCHEDWA

Civo service united team coach sir Alex Masanjala says he has a strong squad to use to compete for major honors this season.

Sir alex Masanjala’s side on Sunday comfortably defeated their city rivals Blue eagles 2-1,despite missing some of their new strong signings Alick Luhuhu who was playing in Mozambique, and former Escom united skipper Noel Mkandawire.

During the post match interview Masanjala disclosed that civo has employed new 25 players and added that he has enough cover for every position.

“We are very ready for this season, our target is to fight and win every trophy, imagine if we can win presidential 10 million and the league nine million it’s a lot of money, this season we are ready for the fight”

“We have employed 25 quality players this season, each position has its backup and I believe this will be one of the best seasons for us” he says

On the new players who missed the opening game Masanjala says he hope they will be ready next week after they have finalize their transfer documents.

“They could not play today, because they informed us today that they haven’t yet been cleared so we could not use them. But we hope by next week they can start playing for us. On Noel’s case it’s a matter off just agreeing the price between us and Escom but for Alick FAM has to give us a transfer certificate because he is coming from another country.” he says

One of the new players which civo has recruit this season is  Wyson Mkana from big bullets, Mkana had an impressive debut for civo at right back as he was very strong in stopping blue eagles moves and managed to silence blue eagles tricky youngster Mecium Muhone.

Masanjala praised the player’s performance and said he had known him from ADMARC tigers.

“Mkana had a good game today, he is a good player I know him from admarc tigers he is every good player” he said.

JB, CHIHANA EARN APPLAUSE OVER STADIUM RELOCATION

BY INNOCENT KUMCHEDWA

Just few days after president Joyce Banda assured Malawians about the new stadium reallocation in the national assembly, Malawians from different localities have heaped praise on the president and the new Minister of Sports on the idea.

The multi-million kwacha national stadium, which was first slated to be constructed at a site between Area 47 and Area 49 Gulliver, was reallocated to Blantyre in an acrimonious manner during the former president Bingu wa Mutharika’s reign. This move frustrated Malawians from the central and northern regions, as they believed that the move denied them a chance to access international football matches.

The Weekend Express caught up with people from different localities in Malawi to get their reactions to the move by the president.

Moses Chipula from Kasengele village T/A Chitukula in Lilongwe says that the move it shows that the president has the ability to listen from the local Malawians.

“this is what we call good governance, the president has shown us that she has the ability to listen to the cries of us local Malawians, as for me I have never watched a competitive national team match because I could not afford to go to Blantyre so this will be my chance, I am very happy about this idea. I would like to thank the new minster of sports for helping to make this move happen” he says.

Javiyele Ngomani, from Mchinji boma, says that this has happen through the power of God and says that this will not only help people from the central region.

“I think God has listened to our prayers, and I want to thank our president for this move. This stadium will not only benefit us from the central region but you also have to think about someone from Chitipa, it would be very tough for him to go to Blantyre to watch a football match, even for me from Mchinji it was difficult but now it will be fair to all the regions,” he said.

Bridgette Mganja from Chipoka Salima echoed with Ngomani’s idea but added that the president should maintain her good start.

“this is a good start from our president, but I would like to ask her to maintain this, because Malawians we have witnessed what Malawian leaders do, they start well in the first term but they lose it all in the second term, they stop listen to their people and do things against their own people, so I would like to ask her not to change “she pleaded.

Stella Kazembe Msukwa from Mzimba boma says that she was very happy about the news and she ask God to guide and bless the leadership of President Joyce Banda.

“I am very happy that the stadium is to be constructed in Lilongwe, but let me take this opportunity to thank the minister of sports for taking what Malawians we want, not trying to please someone. I would like to ask God to bless and guide our leader in the running of this nation” she said.

Construction on the multi-million kwacha stadium is expected to start within the next two months.

REFEREE DISREGARDS TIME IN AIRTEL RISING STAR MATCH

BY BRIGHTON CHIMA

Airtel Rising Star District Semi-Finals between Masasa CDSS and Nkholongo CDSS last Saturday, 19^th May at Katoto ground, reached a standstill for ten minutes.

The game started at about 3:20 p.m., according to the referee Chuchu Gondwe, but it stopped after ten minutes. According to him, one of the officials of the game started shouting to say that the two teams have hired school leavers.

“The trophy concerns no more than those who are under 17 years old, but one of the officials of the game and supporters of Chiwavi CDSS were shouting… and they come into the ground, so I could only discontinue it,” said Chuchu.

Coaches from the two teams had to take out a number of players who were so-called ‘grownups’, and the competition went on until 3:45 p.m.

The game was an epic battle throughout the first half, however, Masasa coped to score two goals – one through Mark {10}, and the other by Blessings {9} from Nkholongo.

At 4:30 p.m., players were given a ten-minute break. After the break, Masasa had to keep score two other goals through mark, one was in the course of a pinot. And Nkholongo excessively had to score a goal through Hamefly {4}.

But what staggered the people was that the game was over and done with in 190 minutes.

Commenting on the problem, the referee said, “I was confused with what was happening and my wristwatch stopped, I do not know why.”

He said that even though they have played for a long period, it does not influence them.

However, Nkholongo coach, Mtawale, said it was the referee’s blunder that forced his team to lose the competition.

“The game is obliged to run for 90 minutes, what is this? We have lost because of him, and that’s what I can articulate,” said Mtawale.

On the other hand, Masasa coach, Edward Benga, said accepting the misunderstandings, they possibly will have scored many goals.

Benga said his players were prepared and had the intention of winning the competition.

“It is not that the players we removed on or after are over and above 17 years, but we did that so as to make them be smiling,” said Benga.

YADEMA PRAISES JOYCE BANDA ADMINISTRATION

BY JEREMIAH KASAMBALA

The Youth Association for Democracy’s (YADEMA) regional executive committee for the north has described the current regime as friendly for operation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like YADEMA in the country.

This was said during last weekend’s meeting, which was the first formal meeting for the council since it was ushered into office a couple of weeks ago. The afternoon meeting took place at the Mzuzu Golf Club.

At this meeting, members noted the friendliness of the current environment – unlike during the previous regime when operation of such organizations like YADEMA could be seen as rising against the government.

Information sources so far indicate that since YADEMA members started their physical meetings, it is only now (new regime) when the organization makes public their venues for meetings and even time for commencement. In the past, the organization could not make their meeting public for fear of arrests and perhaps even physical attacks by the notorious DPP youth cadets.

The organization is therefore calling upon all youths from all over the country to join the group.

MUTHARIKA’S FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE

BY CHEMBE WACHEPA and MSAIWALE KANTAMBO

The Acting President for DPP Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika appeared in public on Saturday, 12th May for the first time since the death of his brother Bingu wa Mutharika. Peter Mutharika graced the public during the prize presentation for Central Region Women`s Football League at Civo stadium.

Although he was present at the ceremony, he did not make any speech. Speaking on behalf of Mutharika, Fred Phiri thanked all teams participated in the league and further asked Malawians who were present to mobilize sponsors to benefit the league.

Mutharika is sponsoring the women’s football league in the country’s three regions at a tune of K3,000,000, as well as  the Southern Region Arthur Peter Mutharika League at K5,000,000. At the same time, however, Phiri did not comment as to whether Mutharika will continue sponsoring the league in the future.