Malawi Set To Meet All UN ‘SDG's'

Having met four out of eight agendas in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Malawi is set to make another record of success in the achievement of ‘2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs)

Both MDGs and SDGd are the world's time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions-income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion-while promoting gender equality, education, and environmental sustainability.

President Mutharika ready to implement SDGs

The just ended 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted new resolution which consists of 17 SDGs and 169 targets and will form a development blueprint for the next 15 years.

President Mutharika was addressing the Journalists at Kamuzu Palace on Thursday evening after returning from his UN General Assembly trip when he courageously said his government is committed to ensure successful implementation of SDGs.

Asked on how his government is this time around set to localize the newly adopted resolution to support the country’s dream of ending poverty as well as attain sustainable economic growth, the President said number of activities have already been put in place and others will be introduced.

Among approaches to implement the SDGs Mutharika says he is set to empower 80% of Malawians working in farming by making sure that their produce are sold at high price so that they earn better income.

“80% of our people are in rural areas and are all farmers, they are the one’s who produce all things that we eat.  The only way we can end poverty is to make sure that they earn income for their product.” He said

To achieve this President Mutharika said Malawi has already identified number of cash crops among them legumes which will be traded through Commodity Exchange, and that he will also encourage formation of cooperatives so that farm produces are bought at reasonable prices.

Mutharika also mentioned that programmes that targets utra-poor families including public works programme and cash transfers will be strengthened as a way of meeting SDG’s targets.

“We have another programme is that of Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). The Minister of Trade met them in New York and they will soon come to Malawi to work with Malawi banks. They will be providing small loans to small and medium businesses for money starting from K8 million to K100 million.

If so many people can access to these loans, are able to start businesses then they are no longer poor.” Added Mutharika

The President further said Community Training Colleges which he introduced, will be one of the approaches to meet the SDGs. He said Government will promote and provide technical, entrepreneurial and vocational skills training and development to the youth in rural areas through Community Colleges. Graduates from such colleges will be provided with starter packs “so that they can start their own businesses.” He said

Mutharika has emphasized that there is no doubt that Malawi will do better in the implementation of SDGs because there are more lessons from the past specifically in implementation of MDGs.

“Malawi did not succeed in MDGs as we wanted.” said President Mutharika

“We started on wrong assumptions and we ignored the supply side. For example we said there should be universal primary education but we forgot that we need teachers, buildings, teaching materials, textbooks. We said there should be universal health but we forgot that we need doctors, drugs and medical buildings. So we did not succeed.

But the SDGs have taken a different approach. Unlike MDGs, each SDG have targets which is very important for the implementation side” said Mutharika

Attaining record of success of meeting SDGs targets will help Malawi to accelerate reduction of poverty levels that remains high among Malawians although the country has now become one of the shining example among African countries for doing extremely well in the MDGs.

Malawi’s UN General Assembly Delegation was Smallest- Mutharika

•  Mutharika explains why entourage was huge
• Refuse to step-down for nonsense calls

All were said about attendance from the Malawi Delegation to the recent United Nations (UN) General Assembly, but Malawi President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has said, almost all that was told was wrong.

During his meeting with the press at Kamuzu palace in the capital city, Lilongwe, President Mutharika though acknowledging that the delegation from Malawi was 106 as it appears on the list, but very few government officers went to the UN General Assembly using government money.

“First of all let me say that the Malawi delegation was one of the smallest” he said then explained how it the size of the delegation seemed to be huge “You can only get access, accredited to UN through your country. So any body from Malawi whether is coming from Civil Society or what, they had to be put on Malawi delegation. That’s what happened!”

He indicated that those who went to UN General Assembly includes from; Academics, Civil Society and others used the Malawi Government registration hence the list went up higher.

On tickets for the entourage, the Malawi President said funding for most of the government officials from various ministries including those from Civil Society and minister of Gender came from various organizations and not from Malawi government.

But he mentioned that only minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Health were funded by Government.

“So this government did not pay (finance their travel) You see!” Said Mutharika who looked furious and was banging the table as he was proving his critics wrong

“So for once, I hope everybody understands this and this nonsense has got to stop!” warned Mutharika

He then mentioned that he took staff to the UN General Assembly only from “areas” that were relevant for activities he was asked to do while at UN Assembly

“We had to get people from all the various ministries come and assist me. I can’t do all these by myself. Said Mutharika then added “We were all the time working and all these people were working. Believe me they were working” he said they worked day and night

“All these nonsense that people went to shop is complete garbage. All these were working extremely hard”

While responding to media questions on the same issue but on calls that President must step-down for squandering public coffers, Mutharika said “I will not step down there is no reason for this”

Mutharika Denies Hiring 'Expensive' Jet To UN General Assembly

• Seeks Apology
• All that was said was false

Mutharika: All were lies and nonsense

Not this Jet: Mutharika says never used expensive jet

President Peter Mutharika has denied assertions that he hired a very expensive Jet and had with it to United States the whole time he was attending the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

Media reports indicates President Mutharika hired an expensive aircraft Global Express Bombardier BD-700-1A10 from Ocean Sky Private Jet Company which is costing Malawi Government US$ 12,800 per flight hour.

“This was mentioned by this irresponsible radio station and also by the spokesperson of Malawi Congress Party. This is completely false, it is a lie and they owe me an apology” Said Mutharika during the press conference held at Kamuzu Palace following his attendance to the UN General Assembly

As he insisted that he never rented a jet to go to United States and be used for his stay, however, Mutharika said he chartered an executive a jet for five and half hour flight to Dubai and from there took a commercial flight to USA and did the same as he came back.

“And we paid for five and half hour flight that’s all! Whatever they are saying it’s a small jet which has a capacity of 12 passengers. That’s all!” said Mutharika who in his remarks said it was not an expensive Jet as described by various commentators

“To say that I rented a jet to United States is a complete lie, it is false and people who said that I hope they are decent enough to apologise to me. Because they hurt me they are turning this country against me and it is wrong. It’s wrong, wrong, wrong.” Repeated Mutharika who looked so annoyed on the matter then added, “Its shame on them for those lies.”

“Soon, am expected to go to India. So I want these people to tell me now, how I should get to India without hiring the a Jet” queried Mutharika

While indicating that he was only president who went to the UN General Assembly using commercial flight, the Malawi leader underscores importance of the President having good mode of transport when flying outside the country. He said although Malawi is poor, but it would be seem to be “silly” for the president to sit at the airport for more hours just to catch a flight.

“I need proper connections, one time I was at airport for 10 hours. Do you want your president to sit at airport for 10 hours? If you don’t like me as a person I don’t care, but respect the office of the presidency.”

“So, these small issues: kind of politics which are meaningless, personal politics of creating and criticizing every efforts, everything done without any basis I think it is a shame that this country is going through this direction. I think we need to get away from that and try to build this country.” President Mutharika Appealed.

When responding to media questions Mutharika also said his administration has no plans to buy Jet and is not among priorities.

“What am interested in and maybe we should be asking is what we should do about the jet that was stolen. That should be the concern! …That was our money! ...Where is the money? ... By the way the Jet was not bought by donor money it was bought on taxpayer’s money"

Government Commends ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ Movie For Promoting Local Language

McDonald Maluwaya: We want more local language fims

Malawi Government has commended Theatre International (TI) for promoting local language and art in its movie 'Mwayi Wotsiriza'.

Performed in Chichewa language but has English and French subtitles, Mwayi Wotsiriza weaves its themes around sexual abuse of girls and working conditions of teachers in rural primary schools.

Chimombo, Maluwaya, Luhanga: watching the movie

"We really need these kind of movies in Malawi. As a country we would like to have more films produced in our vernacular languages as it has been done in this film"Said McDonald Maluwaya, the Chief Arts Officer in the Ministry of Sports and Culture at the end of premiering of the film last Friday night at Golden Peacock Hotel in the Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe.

“The mission….the vision…. Superb! The strategy…all wonderful! And what touches me the most is the idea of promoting cultural expression while appealing to the minds of the international world...” He added.

Maluwaya who was the guest of honor at the event then promised that government will continue with number of programs that promote the film industry in the country and also to end challenges that the film industry is facing in the country such as lack of formalized markets, growing rates of piracy, high costs of producing movie and also technical expertise.

In the film, a frustrated teacher ‘propositions’ a daughter of an economically vulnerable rural woman and impregnates her. The system, already baffled by inadequacy of teaching staff, has to find a way of disciplining him.

Reactions after watching the 1 hour movie, from the audience who filled the hall were mainly good appraisal to directors and producers for making a realistic and quality work which they said is a true representation of current plight of primary schools teachers and girls as well as how communities often responds to such situations.

“This is a remarkable work. It reflects reality on the ground in our communities and towns. And it ends on the good note.” one of the woman in the audience said.

Some of the reactions were questions to invited government officials from Ministry of Education and Ministry of Gender on how education system responds to the situation presented in the film, on girl child protection and how best can people respond to those situations.

Others made their observations by presenting real stories similar to situations presented in the movie while sharing some best practices that other few communities are doing in dealing with such problems. And more importantly, there were comments with proposed solutions and call for action by every person.

Chimombo: We are aware of the challenges

When responding to some of the questions from the audience, one of the invited guests at the launch, Dr. Joseph Chimombo, Director of Basic Education in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, acknowledged that Mwayi Wotsiriza highliths almost all challenges being faced at the moment in the education sector.

“As Government we are aware of these problems. We are very much concerned and we are at the moment working hard to end them.” He said

Later, the undersecretary for the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social welfare Dr. Austin Owen Luhanga indicated that the ministry is also at the moment making number of strides to ensure that a girl child is being protected by mentioning that government has hired a full-time lawyer in the ministry who will be dealing with issues of violence against women and girls.

The Artistic Director for Theatre International Chancy Mauluka said the movie was inspired by his encounter with one teacher ‘victimized’ by the system and one girl victimized by the victimized teacher in Kasungu District.

Mauluka says the movie aims at inciting debate on how Malawi can effectively deal with some of these problems including on reporting channels when such issues arise and how communities can solve such problems.

“This movie is something that can be used for social development and is a good example of communication for social change” said Mauluka who thanked audience for coming in high numbers and appreciated their reaction to the film

Young Fisherman Suffocates To Death In Capsized Canoe On Lake Malawi

18 year old fisherman has died in Salima district after the canoe he was sailing with friends capsized  on Lake Malawi.

Police in Salima district says the man identified as Adini Makwinja of Chidzanje village T/A Ndindi in the district disappeared under water for almost four days when efforts to locate his body failed.

The man drowned on 2nd October this year while in company of two friends at Malopa fishing beach in Chipoka.

"They went to Malopa in Chipoka with aim to fish but suddenly the canoe capsized due to heavy Mwera winds." Said Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe, a Salima district Police Public Relations Officer

Chitowe explained that after the accident the deceased went missing until 5th October where his body was spotted floating at Malopa beach but the body was already in decomposed state.

Two friends of the deceased man were rescued by other fishermen who saw the incident happening.

In other development

Police in Salima district have arrested 14 people during sweeping exercise over the week-end.

Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe, Police Public Relations Officer for Salima district says the on-going exercise being done day and night patrol is one way of making Salima District crime free.

He said police managed to arrest 3 were women who will answer charges of earning a living through prostitution while the 10 men will answer charges of Rogue and Vagabond and the remaining one will answer charges of operating illegal (unregistered) bicycle hire business.

‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ Movie Gets Grand Welcome From Audience, Government

Mwayi Wotsiriza Actors

Local movie, ‘Mwayi Wotsiriza’ by Theatre International (TI) has received an impressive reception on Friday night at Golden Peacock Hotel in the Malawi’s capital, Lilongwe where the film was screening for the first time.

Mwayi Wotsiriza is a film about sexual abuse of girls and working conditions of teachers in rural primary schools. In the film, a frustrated teacher ‘propositions’ a daughter of an economically vulnerable rural woman and impregnates her. The system, already baffled by inadequacy of teaching staff, has to find a way of disciplining him.

Reactions after watching the 1 hour movie, from the audience who filled the hall were mainly good appraisal to directors and producers for making a realistic and quality work which they said is a true representation of current plight of primary schools teachers and girls as well as how communities often responds to such situations.

Female member of audience making comments

“This is a remarkable work. It reflects reality on the ground in our communities and towns. And it ends on the good note.” one of the woman in the audience said. 

Male Audience member making comments to the film

There were a lot of comments from the audience

Some of the reactions were questions to invited government officials from Ministry of Education and Ministry of Gender on how education system responds to the situation presented in the film, on girl child protection and how best can people respond to those situations.

Others made their observations by presenting real stories similar to situations presented in the movie while sharing some best practices that other few communities are doing in dealing with such problems. And more importantly, there were comments with proposed solutions and call for action by every person. 

Joseph Chimombo

When responding to some of the questions from the audience, one of the invited guests at the launch, Dr. Joseph Chimombo, Director of Basic Education in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, acknowledged that Mwayi Wotsiriza highliths almost all challenges being faced at the moment in the education sector.

“As Government we are aware of these problems. We are very much concerned and we are at the moment working hard to end them.” He said

Austine Owen

The undersecretary for the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social welfare Dr. Austin Owen Luhanga while indicating that the ministry is also at the moment making number of strides to ensure that a girl child is being protected, also made a positive remark about the film.

“The film has given all of us some food for thought to critically examine the plight of both the teacher as well as the girl child. Solutions are in our hands as the TI Artistic Director did indicate.”

“Let’s continue from where the film stopped, lets discuss and find solutions together so that the girl child is protected. This film has set a right direction of how we can solve the problem” added Luhanga 

Maluwaya

Welcoming the film, McDonald Maluwaya, the Chief Arts Officer in the Ministry of Sports and Culture commended TI: “The mission….the vision…. Superb! The strategy…all wonderful! And what touches me the most is the idea of promoting cultural expression while appealing to the minds of the international world...” He added.

He promised that government will continue with number of programs that promote the film industry in the country.

He indicated that government is working hard to end challenges that the film industry is facing in the country such as lack of formalized markets, growing rates of piracy, high costs of producing movie and also technical expertise. 

Chancy Mauluka

Before comments and questions from the audience, the Artistic Director for Theatre International Chancy Mauluka said the movie was inspired by his encounter with one teacher ‘victimized’ by the system and one girl victimized by the victimized teacher in Kasungu District.

Mauluka then emphasized that the movie aims at inciting debate on how Malawi can effectively deal with some of these problems including on reporting channels when such issues arise and how communities can solve such problems.

Later in an interview, Mauluka who said was overwhelmed by the high numbers of the audience also appreciated their response.

“It was encouraging to hear some responses from audience; that it was good that the film does not offer solution, because actually when I was developing this film it was to ignite such discussions for action. As one of the viewers saw, it would have been very simplistic to offer a solution” he said.

“This movie is something that can be used for social development and is a good example of communication for social change” added Mauluka.

Underprivileged To Pay Secondary School Fees In Installments, Apply for Withdrawal

Following the increment of school fees in Public Secondary Schools, parents can pay fees in installments or withdraw their child for single academic year if they don’t have money.

To achieve cost sharing Ministry of Education Science and Technology recently, announced upward revisions of fees paid for various categories in Public Secondary Schools with immediate effect in 2015/2016 Academic Year. Government said previous rates were “unrealistic and too little”

Mussa: parents can negotiate with head teachers

Speaking in Lilongwe on Wednesday evening, Director of Secondary and Distance Education, Chikondano Mussa, says in view of the new changes Head Teachers have already been advised to give students adequate time to pay school fees. 

She therefore advised parents and guardians having difficulties in paying fees at once to negotiate with Head Teachers on modalities on how to pay school fees by installments. However she said installments should be done within one specific term.

In her speech, Mussa said in situations where parents have completely failed to find fees, there is an option of application for withdrawal of their child and reserve the place. 

“They should write to the Education Division Manager through the Head Teacher, a letter of withdrawal of their child from school in that academic year and request for the place to be reserved for the following academic year.” Said Mussa

But she has indicated that when the reservation period elapse, students would be required to apply for the re-admission in the following academic year at their previous school.

“The reservation of the place is only for one year except where medical condition and other circumstances dictate otherwise” she stated

Among other grounds set for possible withdrawal are; being pregnant or responsible for pregnancy, prolonged sickness and taking care of siblings (in case of child headed family) but the ministry stressed that evidence must be provided when making the application for withdrawal or re-admission.

Noting that a good number of students failed to proceed with the education because of lack of school fees and other vulnerabilities, Mussa said Government and other stakeholders will continue to provide bursaries to the neediest of the needy students in Public Secondary Schools through bursary scheme that was introduced in 2010 along with guidelines to govern bursary provision.

Mussa indicated that bursary structures are currently at three levels; school based bursary committee, District based bursary committee, and division bursary committee. 

She said the Ministry provides twenty bursary beneficiary identification forms to all public schools which a school bursary committee use to identify, rank and select the most vulnerable students according to their “degree of neediness”

She then urged parents and guardians to check with their District Councils on what other types of bursaries exist within their district which could be accessed by their children