Mzuzu Needs TTC- Education Committee

Chilenga (right)

A Parliamentary Committee for Education accuses government for overlooking at importance of re-establishment of Mzuzu Teacher Training College (TTC) since long ago it was changed to Mzuzu University.

A lot of members of Parliament from the northern region particularly those from Mzimba district have also been complaining through various forums including in the National Assembly that government has sidelined people of North for not re-establish their Mzuzu TTC.

However, government maintains ‘the decision was normal and there is nothing wrong’ according to Minister of Education Science and technology Emmanuel Fabiano

He argued that the decision to change Mzuzu TTC to University was based on demand for secondary school teacher’s and there is no need to complain for replacement as teacher colleges do not only benefit people from within districts near the college but the nation at large.

“In the first place the Teacher Training College that was in Mzuzu was not for Mzuzu, the people that went there to train as primary school teachers came from other part of the country.” He said

He also mentioned that the decision to change the status of TTC to University without replacement was not new odd by giving an example of similar primary school teacher training colleges that were changed to institution that train Secondary School teachers which now offer Diploma and Degree programmes including Domasi college of Education.

“So what happened in Domasi is similar to what happened in Mzuzu” and added “In a similar way in 1973, government decided that Soche College that was training Secondary teachers at Diploma and Degree level started training primary school teachers”

He continued “Am sure that when the government made the decision at that time was looking at the demand for the secondary school teachers. The demand was very high”

He said “So depending on need government will change the status of an institution so that it meet the demands at that particular time”

He also indicated that in order to promote quality education in primary school level new colleges will be established in Rumphi, Mchinji and in Chikwawa and that funding is available and that by the end of this year they may be completed.

But in an interview, Parliamentary committee on Education lambasts over government failure to make immediate re-establishment of Mzuzu Teacher Training College (TTC) since it was changed to Mzuzu University in 1997.

“This issue has been overlooked by government” reacted chairperson for the Education Committee in parliament, hon. Elias Chakwera who emphasized that “Ideally when Mzuzu TTC was taken over by coming in of the Mzuzu University we needed to relocate Mzuzu TTC to another place so that our numbers in terms of Teacher Training Colleges are not affected by that.”

He therefore asked government to seriously look at the issue “It’s true that when we train teachers in all TTC’s we are not saying that those teachers will be teaching in those districts, but the issue here is that when that TTC was taken way we had lost in terms of number of teachers to be produced and in order for us to regain that number we needed to have a TTC.”

Chakwera said in which case, there is no valid justification that city of Mzuzu considered as centre for the northern region is not equipped with all necessary amenities that could support education such as Teacher Training College.

He therefore said it is an anomaly to have no TTC in Mzuzu and that though there may have excuses but they don’t add-up to anything in terms of what government should be thinking about plan for this country

The Education Chairperson said though the matter was not discussed in the committee but was hopeful that it will take up the matter seriously.

Malawi To Follow Up All Interested Investors Promises

Cliff Chilunda

The Malawi government has put in place measures to follow up investment interests to be made by all potential investors in the upcoming Malawi Investment Forum 2015.

This comes as the country is expected on 29 to 30th June this year to host the first ever Malawi Investment Forum 2015 to be participated by over 300 delegates of whom 100 are foreign while as 150 are local companies.

According to the Principle Secretary for the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Cliff Chilunda says all the preparations for the event are done and Malawi is ready to show case 7 key opportunity priority areas in the seven sectors.

The Principle Secretary (PS) for Industry and Trade Cliff Chilunda held a news conference in Lilongwe a companied by chief executive officer for Malawi Investment Trade Centre (MITC), Clement Kumbemba to confirm the readiness of Malawi and give highlights for the upcoming event.

Clement Kumbemba

The Industry and Trade PS assured the nation that government has several ways of tracking all the investments promises to be made by the businesses interested to come to invest in Malawi

MITC Chief Executive Officer Clement Kumbemba concurred with the PS saying each and every participant will be followed up using several channels and that some reports on the same will be made available to several government levels and committees of parliament.

Malawi is hosting the Malawi Investment Forum in order to show case investment opportunities to the global community in order to attract companies that can establish their businesses in the country and contribute towards economic growth and wealth creation.

According to the Industry and Trade PS, Malawi will for the two day conference, show case seven opportunity areas in the seven sectors of Mining, Agriculture and Agro-processing, Energy, manufacturing, Infrastructure, Tourism and Financial Services.

Chiunda said the MITC expects to generate prospective investment of up to US $16 billion which is K7.2 trillion.

He also confirmed that most delegates and companies have confirmed to attend the conference adding that this underscore the importance of the forum on the international scene.

The PS among others mentioned that companies from India, Germany South Africa and USA have already confirmed their participation.

He said VVIP delegates including Vice President for OPIC, SADC Executive Secretary and Africa’s Richest Man, Aliko Dangote who has already shown interest in investing in Malawi.

Steve Bedi Tips Malawi Pupils to Nurture Their Talents

Steve Bedi (Left) and Bright Malopa (Right)

The UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador on HIV/AIDS, Steve Bedi a Ghanaian Jazz Saxophonist encouraged Malawi primary school pupils to use their school break time for recreational activities as a way of developing their talents and skills.

Bedi was speaking over the weekend at a Mlumbwira full primary school where he donated 40 classroom desks on behalf of Telecom Networks Malawi (TNM).

At welcoming the donation Steve Bedi watched pupils performing Mganda and other traditional dances. 

Bedi said was reminded of his musical career beginnings after watching the performance and that he was impressed with the pupils dancing skills. He therefore appealed to parents and teachers to encourage them to utilise the break time for recreation activities so that their skills are cultivated.

"They (pupils) don't have to be restricted to only class staffs but they have also to do recreational activities to entertain themselves" he appealed "because may be tomorrow they will be future Michael Jackson or Jenifer Lopez” 

Bedi also encouraged the pupils to work hard in class as well advance skills they feel are good at, like singing and dancing.

Bedi who narrated of how he rose from playing a pipe at school to a world class skilled Saxophonist said Malawi pupils can do the same and become future famous celebrities.

“It is really important because recreation is not just entertainment, but is something that recreates the mind and body, and it heals also.” he said,  "So recreation is very important for the students in schools because they get refreshed during their break time"

Man Kills Wife, Daughter Then Commit Suicide After Suspecting Wife Infidelity

A 45 year old man in Dowa district was found hanging from a tree with his wife lie dead in their field garden, but the body of their daughter is still missing, Dowa Police says and suspects this was a family matter.

It is suspected that wild animals have eaten the  body of the daughter as the dead body of the wife was found with one leg eaten by unidentified wild animals.

According to Police in Dowa district the deceased man identified as Ishmael Chambali Damusi aged 45 from Kachikunda village of T/A Chiwere in the district committed suicide after murdering his wife and 1 and half year old daughter when he suspected cheating by his wife.

Police Public Relations Officer in Dowa, Sergeant Richard Kaponda says police were told by the brother to the deceased woman that the man had warned his wife before that he will kill her when he suspected of her sneaking out with another man.

Sergeant Kaponda says the man had on Friday last weekend gone to the garden together with his wife and the daughter but never came back. The police officer said this surprised neighbours who went to search for the missing family on Sunday.

The police officer said it is suspected that while at their garden, the man murdered his wife Gilina Maliki Chambali aged 33 and daughter Tamandani Chambali of Nyangu village T/A Chiwere in Dowa.

Kaponda said there is strong sign that the man had committed suicide after he strangled his wife and the missing daughter.

A 1926 Primary School Gets First Classroom Desks

A Lilongwe City North primary school considered the very old, located approximately 14 kilometres from the Capital city,  gets classroom desks for the very first time, a donation from Telecom Networks Malawi (TNM)

On Friday afternoon, pupils and teachers from  a 1926, Mlumbwira primary school looked happy at receiving 40 desks valued at K1.2 millionon from Malawi's Premier mobile TNM.

The UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for HIV/AIDS, a Ghanaian Jazz Saxophonist, Steve Bedi handed over the donation  on behalf of TNM and said "It is disheartening to note that the school with an enrollment of 949 students does not have a single desk." 

Bedi said an education institution with basic facility like desks gives a great motivation to students to do better and expressed the need for government and every person to take responsibility in provisio of the good learning enviromnet to pupils, the "future leaders." 

The UNAIDS Ambassador, who gave a motivationals speech to pupils also urged pupils, parents and guardians to refrain from undulging themselves in immoral behavior which may put them at risk of contracting HIV virus.

TNM Head of Marketing Sobhuza Ngwenya said the donation was part of TNM's corporate social responsibility and affirmative commitment in supporting government efforts in the provision of quality education.

Head Teacher for the school, Matthews Magwaza who thanked TNM for the donation said the school has a lot of problems.

He said, before the donation the school had only 10 plastic chairs for teachers and that students sit on the floor. He said the development has fueled school dropout among girls who mostly feel unconfortable sitting on the floor.

"This donation is a great thing to us" said the head teacher who promised to make sure that their first desks are taken care of.

"Pupils from this school sits on the desk for the first time when they got selected to secondary school" added the head teacher

On other challenges Mlumbwira primary school is experiencing, Mr. Magwaza said there is no staffroom office and that  all meetings are held under the tree. He further said the school has only six classrooms yet the it requires 15 classrooms.

Updated: 2015/2016 Budget lopsided; People Of North Benefit Nothing- MPs

Hon Chihana: There is nothing for people of north

Members of Parliament (MPs) from Northern region of Malawi on Thursday criticized the proposed 2015/2016 budget as too "regionalistic", with a lot of development resources allocation skewed towards Southern and Central regions of the country.

At a meeting with members of press held at Parliament building, 9 legislatures who asserted to have represented all MPs from Northern region said are not happy with the budget being deliberated upon at National Assembly and link it to previous budgets where the trend has been the same.

Hon Mzomera Ngwira: We are concerned over the
Continued trend 

Mzimba Hora legislature, Honorable Mzomera Mgwira, said "We have seen that each budget is not benefiting people that we represent especially those in the northern region" and added "Even last year budget (2014/2015 budget) had completely nothing for projects in the northern region"

Hon Ngwira seating with Hon Nyalonje 

Hon Ngwira further said all developments projects taking place in the northern region are project grants and nothing from Malawi government budget.

Nine legislatures including; hons. Enoch Chihana, Agnes Nyalonje, Werani Chilenga, Kamlepo Kalua and Jacqueline Kouwenhoven concurred with hon. Ngwira that all national budgets have failed to include expectations of people from north but rather what administration expect which in most cases gives too much money to projects benefiting people of Southern and Central regions of Malawi.

2015/2016 budget, has projected expenditure and net lending of K901.6 billion where the recurrent budget will be at K674.6 billion while the development budget will amount to K224.0 billion. However, the Parliamentarians noted with concern that from the development budget people of North will get nothing or miniscule amount compared to other regions. 

There is no budget for people of northern region 

They bemoaned that unlike Central and Sothern regions allocated with more resources for several development projects including on rehabilitation of Chileka and Kamuzu international airports (South and Central regions respectively), number of projects that government promised to implement for the northern region including, construction of new Mzuzu Airport, Njakwa- Chitimba road among others, remain a mare oratory since no funds have been allocated for such projects and that other projects such as Kafukurwe road which its contractor has abandoned the work for not being paid are expected to stall for some time. 

Hon Jacqueline Kouwenhoven: Poor roads
In my constituency 

Backing up other members position, Rumphi West parliamentarian, Hon. Jacqueline Kouwenhoven added that government has failed to live up to its promise of commencing feasibility study for Rumphi- Nyika road though Transport Minister had assured her several times that funds the task were available.

Chihana, Kouwenhoven& Kalua: We are abandoned

Hon Kouwenhoven also wondered why government is failing to develop Rumphi district which is a center for tourist attraction for its two national parks located in her constituency, Nyika national park and Vwaza marsh that could assist in boosting Malawi economy. She said the area is almost abandoned as road infrastructure is in pathetic state to the extent that roads leading to the parks are not graded.

Hon Kamlepo Kalua 

Member for Rumphi East Hon. Kamlepo Kalua echoed Mzimba North Agnes Nyalonje remarks emphasizing equity and achieve commitments when formulating national budget

"Time has come that we have to look at the country as one people and that North, South and Center, is one." Said Hon Kaula, "We are all Malawians and when we come up with the budget it should reflect nationalism" 

Hon Kamlepo who warned that parliamentarians from north will not stay quiet for any deliberate attempt to sideline people of northern region, proposed that for fairness, K60 billion should have been allocated to northern region from the K224 billion for the Development budget.

Hon Enock Chihana 

Hon Enoch Chihana MP for Rumphi Central constituency said had traveled the country and observed that it is worrisome development as resources are not equally distributed and such issues may lead to divisions.

He also said it is an insult for government to construct animal university (Mombera University) in the forests of Mzimba district yet the same district has Mzuzu University struggling financially and has poor structures. 

"These are issues that may resucitate federalism calls. We are not happy. Please consider us in this budget" appealed Chihana

The Northern region MPs says they remain adamant on pressure government to stop tribal and regional budget by raising same concerns in parliament, making consultations with people in their respective constituencies and continue engagements with relevant authorities.

Hon Nyalonje, Hon Raphael Mhone (middle) 
& Hon Werani Chilenga: We will push for increment

They further warned that continued sidelining of northern region in development projects will encourage calls for federalism as the unitary system of goverment apparently continues to fail meeting needs of people in Northern region.

Steve Bedi To Perfom At Cape Maclear Investment Forum

The Ghanaian Jazz Saxophonist and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, Steve Bedi promise to give his best performance on Saturday night in Lilongwe as he arrives in Malawi for the Cape Maclear Tourism Investors Forum.

Malawi's premier mobile network operator TNM has sponsored Ghanaian-born but US-based jazz to perform at the Forum starting on June 20 in Lilongwe's Bingu International Conference Centre, Peermont Hotel.

"I feel so great and it's always been a great feeling being in Malawi" said the artist adding that to be part of the Cape Maclear Tourism Investors project it's a great honor for him.

This is not first time for Bedi coming to Malawi but said his performance this Saturday will be "unique" more than performance that Malawians had watched him previously "This (performance) is for the whole of Malawi" he said "If you are giving something to Malawi, should you give something little? It should be a big one" he said

Bedi also said he is excited to partner TNM in promoting investment and tourism development at Cape Maclear, where a landmark world-class hospitality resort is expected to be built. 

As part of the partnership with TNM, Bedi will on Friday participate in a corporate social responsibility undertaking at Mlumbwira Primary School in the city.

"TNM was approached by UNAIDs to support the main artist for the project and when we looked at it we had several angles that impressed us as TNM to support."  Said TNM Head of Marketing Sobhuza Ngwenya  when justifying choice to sponsor Bedi to add lighter moments of the investors by facilitating such a top quality entertainment to be provided by the acclaimed international jazz man. 

Ngwenya also expressed hope that Steve Bedi coming will also help to support local artists through collaborations.

Ngwenya Addressing the Conference

Speaking about TNM interests to be part of Cape Maclear Tourism project, Ngwenya said this is in line with TNM's commitment to support tourism development in the country.

He said TNM will continue partner with the investors in the project by offering its communication solutions.

The Cape Maclear Investors Forum has attracted over 50 international companies, including Africa's richest businessman, Nigeria's Aliko Dangote.

Promoter for the Cape Mclear Project, Bright Malopa, who said could not talk much of the project pending to unbundle it on the Saturday's launch, said it is a multimillion Kwacha investment to be "a meeting point between Africa and the world" 

 

Malopa said the "high impact project" looks at potentially sums of about US$300 million and all that put in a land expansive of about 250 hectares in Mangochi and biggest tourism integrated project in the region.

He added that the project will boost economy through its activities and that over 1000 Malawians will be employed and transform the dynamics of Mangochi through number of investments. And Malopa says the project eyes to attract over 3 million visitors.