PETER CLEARED ON GREEN CARD

By Peter Lungile Chidothe

The current president of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Peter Mutharika, might have made a little quick decision to surrender his green card at the American Embassy.

This follows the remarks by the Chairman of Malawi Electoral Commission, Maxon Mbendera, at the submission of the nomination papers by the DPP president. Mbendera said that after MEC’s independent wide consultations on the issue, it was learnt that this was no longer an issue in the Malawi’s electoral process.

“We sought independent legal consultation on this issue (green card) with the Attorney General, some other Senior Counsels and independent lawyers, we found that a holder of green card cannot be barred from contesting in an election.

“At MEC, our decisions are made by law, we are independent and will tend to remain so,” said Mbendera.

On his side, Peter Mutharika said that he knew that the green card was not an issue.

“All along I knew it was not an issue but the whole thing was drawing a lot of attention. So I chose to leave that aside so that we can deal with real issues,” said Mutharika.

Worries are what will be done by Peter Mutharika if things do not go according to plan. 

PASTOR MOSES MAKAWA RELEASES “AMBUYE NGWABWINO “CD ALBUM, NOT RELATED WITH SECULAR MUSICIAN MOSES MAKAWA HE SAYS.

BY CHRIS LOKA

Lilongwe based Living Waters Church Pastor Moses Makawa has finally released a long awaited 10 track album titled”Ambuye Ngwabwino” with focus on spreading the word of God.

Speaking in an interview Moses Makawa said his main focus is to bring salvation to the lost people and light to people who are in the darkness through music.

“My music is based on encouraging Christians who are passing through hard times and bringing hope to the hopeless and, of course, salvation to the lost as you know that we are living in the end times “he said.

Some of the songs includes economy yanga, ambuye ngwabwino, mau amulungu, ubwino wanu and worship medley are enjoying airplays in different radio stations in the country.

“This is a unique album with strong message and I believe people will get the message and at the same time enjoy the music because this album is really matured. Let me also take this opportunity to tell all Malawians who have been asking if am related with a well known secular musician Moses Makawa that am Pastor Moses Makawa who ministers at Living Waters Church, Mvama Branch Area 49, Dubai in Lilongwe and my music is typically gospel, I just thank God that our names are similar but we are not related “he added.

According to his Promoter Patrick phiri the album which was recorded at Real Sounds by Skeffa Chimoto, is expected to be launched as soon as possible.

Phiri also appealed to all gospel music lovers in the country to support Pastor Moses Makawa by buying the CD so that they can have a feel of it and utilize the message in it.

The musician has two albums to his credit which includes “Musiyeni Yesu Alamulire”and “Ambuye Ngwabwino”.

Janta-man behind SU records

Zyuga-signed a record deal with SU Records

SU Records – Home for upcoming artists

By: Chimwemwe Padatha

SU records a studio situated in area 25, Lilongwe and wholly owned by Sukulani Mwachumu AKA Janta Jacxy on the beat who is also the producer focuses in uplifting Malawian urban music.

Founded in 2006 with an aim of helping upcoming artists, SU Records derives from Sungununu, a crew that works with Janta in music production.

At the mean time, a few other studios including the renowned SU Records encompass various kinds of music genres. But as the age of specialization dawned, many studios limited their scope. SU Records, on the other hand, still provides music in dancehall, Hip-Hop, R&B and any type of music genre.

The founder of the studio, Janta is an artist who has a positive attitude towards the talent that young people have. As a young man, born in October 1991, he pleads with Malawians to fall in love with music done by their fellow country men, provide sponsorship to those who lack exposure but have the talent and he also asks government to take part in promoting urban music.

“For Malawian industry to be on a wider platform, we need sponsorship because it is hard for other people to understand what we the youths are doing if we are not given enough support. Government has to take a big role in music, we can talk of piracy that can be minimized only if government puts a hand on supporting music” Janta says.

In a recent development, SU Records has introduced a record label dubbed SU Records Music Company. Capital Gal who is hitting airwaves with a single track, Ndilondola and Zyuga with Ndamusowa are among the artists that have signed a record deal from SU Records.

Capital Gal applauds SU Records for such an opportunity that will boost her music career.
“I take this as a great opportunity and I thank SU Records for recognizing me” she said.

Janta dreams of owning a big studio in Malawi that will transform Malawi’s music industry since he is currently in connection with international artists and producers.

He had this to say “we need to promote Malawian music and fuse in some local instruments in various music genres just to maintain Malawian culture. Right now I am in connection with international artists and producers such as DJ Chill from Nigeria, I have also worked with M2 and Frank J from Zambia”.

To get some of the tracks produced by SU Records for free download you can search Jacxy B Janta on http://www.reverbnation.com , SU Records page on facebook and SU Records on twitter.

SU Records has produced songs for artists like Lucias Banda, Armstrong, LuLu, Tygrin, Sally Nyundo, Nesnes, Kumbu, Chycoon, Mwanache and may more.

Capital Gal-signed record deal with SU Records

RECALL HEADS DOUBLE ALBUM LAUNCH

BY: Malumbo Ngwira

Malawian urban music is little by little reaching zenith in its uplifting of the urban musical banner. The Lilongwe based producer and musician kumbukilani Njikho who is also famously known as “Recall” has finally signatured to head double launch of his ten video tracks under ‘zama’ and ‘kuimba mwamphamvu’ album which has twenty audio tracks cemented in it.

Some of Recall’s, already released music tracks which has also seen to be enjoying local airwaves and pulled crowd automatically making them falling in love with his music as he fuses language with Zambian accent are ‘shulushulu wandi’ and ‘cellular yanga’.

Speaking with Mij weekend express, Recall said that his happy and enjoying the response on how people have received his music as it has finally come into limelight.

‘’I never had expectation that people could receive me with both open hands as am just born baby in releasing two different album at once, one being DVD and the other being audio CD tracks. My plea goes to the public not to go piracy but rather should buy original copies only. The DVD has already being released and they can grab their copies at different music distributer’s country wide’’.

On the producing board Recall has produced iconic names within the country and at international musical board including starmarley, shama, Annie matumbi, nepman, Wendy, Binge, Bishop Joe manguluti and K David Young from Zambia.

Apart from producing and entertaining the audience Recall also does graphic design, music composing, song writing and music arranging.

Recall working in the studio

Man Tour FC grabs FMB CUP

Maxwell Kachere,Staff Reporter LL
Man Tour was in class of their own on Saturday when they thumped Dedza Eagles 2-1 to win K4 million First Merchant Bank [FMB Cup]. Two teams from Lilongwe and Dedza battle it out at regional finals at Dedza stadium and at the end of it all; it was the boys from Mwenyekondo grabing the cup.
Man Tour made their intentions clear from first whistle and find the opponents net within 18th minutes through Ali Chilimba who utilize eagles defence blunder. Ali Chilimba was on song again in 31st minutes with a header connecting Mac Collins Kampira`s free kick. Harry Mbewe came from the bench to score Dedza Eagles `s consolation with a brilliant header connecting Wesley Phiri`s cross.
Coach George Ngoma was over the moon after final whistle, praising his side for playing according to instruction. “I told them to attack in numbers so that we should score early and we did it in first half. Then we defended well,” said Ngoma

VICTORIOUS; Man Tour captain Mac Collins Kampira lift the trophy flanked by Mfune and Musonzo

His counterpart Andrew Bunya conceded defeat saying early goal by Man Tour took the steam from his charges and they played under pressure. “That goal demoralized my players and they were under pressure but in the second half we contained the pressure after tactical substitute and find a goal but we unfortunate that we did not find another goal. However, we have learn a lot and next time will do well and we will work out in weak areas before the league kicks off,” Bunya said
For winning Man Tour received a glittering trophy and pocketing K200, 000 with runners pocketing half the amount. Ali Chilimba went away with K15, 000 for being voted man of match.
Speaking when presenting the prize Henry Kaundama Mfune Dedza Sports Officer hailed FMB for helping in the development of football from grassroots three years ago. “We are very grateful to see FMB sponsoring for over three years. We do not take this gesture for granted,” he said
FMB Regional Commercial Manager Kenneth Musonzo hailed Central Region Youth Football Committee (CRYFC) for properly managing the competitions, pledging the company would continue helping Malawi youths realize their dreams.
He disclosed that this year league will pegged at K6 million from K4 million in previous season to keep the youth the away from malpractice.
Commenting Chairperson for Central Region Football Youth Committee Rodrick Longwe was impressed with the competition. The cup has indeed fulfilled its aim, to keep the teams in shape as well as screening player’s age. However, he warns to eliminate all over aged player before the league kick off in May.
The cup was organized after delay to hold the league last season and Ali Chilimba has scored 8 goals in the whole competition.

MIJ DONATES TO CHINTHECHE HEALTH CENTRE IN NKHATABAY

By James J.J. Kapichi
Students of Malawi institute of journalism (MIJ) Lilongwe campus seize their era by cheering expectant women at Chintheche healthy Centre and donated some Medical equipment.
It pleased MIJ students to go all the way from Lilongwe to Nkhatabay District to carry out Safe Motherhood, Safe Environment and HIV/AIDS awareness campaign.
The president of MIJ student’s union Sarah tsukuluza said Chintheche healthy Centre has a number of problems that the hospital is facing.
According to Tsukuluza, the hospital is lacking other medical equipment a circumstances which is affecting the function and delivery of services unconstructively.
‘’We as upcoming journalist know that it is our responsibility to take part in issues concerning healthy in the country and our coming here is not only to donate but also to see situations that other people are facing in the country’ she said.
During the handover formal procedure nursing in charge of the clinic Wyson nthanga limodzi abundantly cherished the students saying the gift arrived at a accurate time when the hospital require resources.

RIPPLE AFRICA IS GEARED TO CREATE SUSTANABLE ENVIRONMENT

BY Ronnex Phiri
The Nkhatabay based organization aimed at recognizing individual potential promoting education in Africa (Ripple Africa ) has introduced a number of projects in helping Malawi government to promote safe environment, education and healthy in particular Nkhatabay district, Likoma Island and part of Mzuzu.
Ripple Africa introduced a forestation program me, fish conservation project, Changu Changu Moto (efficient wood cooking stoves) programme, budding and grafting of fruit trees and bee keeping.
Fish conservation project is a pilot phase covering three tradition authorities of Fukamapiri, Malengamzoma and Zilakoma. The project has a component of access restriction like four month closed season (to allow fish breed and grow undisturbed) whereby fishers are using fisheries resources sustainably for the benefit of the present and future generation). One of the areas they have implemented the project is Kandoli hill and the project is called Kandoli hill conservation project.
Speaking in an interview Ripple Africa environmental programmers manager Mr. Force Ngwira said Ripple Africa is dedicated to help the country in development issues and make the country admirable by helping already existing structures.
“We have facilitated formation of forest conservation committees throughout Nkhatabay, people have been taught on participatory forest management to impart knowledge and instill sense of resources ownership”, he said.
Ngwira said apart from forest conservation project Ripple has also contributed a lot to education sector as they constructed Mwaya community library to make sure that school leavers are busy studying instead of being involved in immoral behaviors that can spoil their lives, they constructed Kapanda community day secondary school, two double school block at mazembe primary school and constructed pre-school blocks.
Ripple Africa is also sponsoring secondary and university students in the district.
In the Healthy sector Ripple has constructed guardian shelter at Kachere Health Centre, constructed Mwaya dispensary and constructed staff houses at Mwaya Dispensary and also recruited international volunteer to assist in the health services.
Ripple Africa is a UK Malawi registered organization working in three areas of education, health care and environment.

PRESIDENT ACCEPTS MAIZE SHORTAGE

BY : Gloria Chilembwe

President DR Joyce has defended herself concerning the shortage of maize and the trips that she has been making, she said this yesterday at Masintha ground when she was celebrating her one year in the office.
The president said her trips were fruitful to the nation because some of the countries were she went pledged to support Malawi in development activities by giving some money.
However, the president accepted the shortage of maize that has hit the country and said it is due to the much illegal export of maize outside the country.
To overcome this Banda has mandated the police and the army to arrest everyone who will be selling maize outside the country.
In addition, the minister of home affairs Uladi Mussa said all the problems the country is facing is due to the past administration and that there is no problem for them to celebrate this day since the former president died on five April.
DR Banda ascended into power on 7 April 2012, after the death of president Bingu Wa Munthalika who died with cardiac arrest.

ST. JOHN OF GOD IN A WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY SYMPOSIUM

By Nthezemu Kamanga
St. John of God Hospitaller Services organised a symposium meant to discuss this year’s World Mental Health Day theme; Depression: A Global Crisis.

In his opening remarks, Charles Masulani, the program manager of St. John of God indicated that the day to commemorate such event falls on 10th October every year. He said that it was an initiative of World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to set up such a day. “Depression can affect everybody and it can be healed after being diagonised,” Masulani said.

There were two significant presentation. Harris Chilare, the clinical director of St. John of God presented on Depression from a Clinical persepective and Devlin Silungwe, the psychologist, presented on depression as an ultimate global crisis in a world of changing priorities.

The symposium attracted participants from St. John’s Hospital, Mzuzu Central Hospital, Prison, Police, Northern Region Water Board, Mzuzu University, Mary Mount and Mzuzu Government Secondary Schools, SOS Children Village, Rafiki Foundation and the hosts themselves, St. John of God.

Closing the event, the organising chairperson, Christopher Mhone, thanked the stakeholder for their coming and participation.

St. John of God was established in 1994 in Malawi and in actively involved in the promotion of Mental Health and counselling services.