Standard Bank Continues Supporting Power Sector: Hosts Symposium

Standard Bank on Friday April 29, hosted the 2016 Power Symposium at BICC in Lilongwe at which the bank discussed its financial capabilities in supporting the power sector in Malawi and its role in helping to unleash Malawi's economic potential.

Under the theme; “Accelerating Growth in Energy to Power a Sustainable Future,” the symposium brought together a cross-section of stakeholders in the power sector and will see Standard Bank discussing its experiences in project financing and deal structuring of the continent’s power sector.

Briefing the media at the end of the symposium Standard Bank Head of Investment Banking Shakil Satar said the Bank has

“We are glad to be hosting this year’s symposium in line with our agenda to contribute to growth of mother Malawi through support of the electricity sector. At Standard Bank, we have been financially backing Africa's power sector through arranging and backing deals that are quickly transforming the sector, and moving economies forward,” said Satar.

Satar said the sector remain a key focus for the bank to and the Bank is committed to support the development of power sector in Malawi, “The need for a reliable electricity grid and supply is paramount for the growth of our country; the power sector provides one of the most important inputs for the development of a country and availability of reliable and inexpensive power is critical for its sustainable economic development,” he said.

He said for Malawi to achieve sustainable economic growth, the power sector needs to grow at the same rate as the country’s economy. 

“Forums such as the Power Symposium should give stakeholders an opportunity to start looking into alternative to regular electricity power away from fossilised power such as solar.“Our approaches in power need also to respond to the challenge that emanate from the environment. Being environmentally-conscious and Climate Smart will determine the rate of success and sustainability of all our interventions going forward,” he said

Key power stakeholders who attended the symposium include the Malawi Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy & Environment, the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) and Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) and various Investors.

Among key topics of discussed were the Draft National Energy Policy (2016), The Untilities’ long term Strategy and unbundling, as well as an update on progress of the MCC’s Compact, Power Market Reforms. Standard Bank officials from the Power and Infrastructure team will share their experiences on the region’s power sector and solutions in Project Finance.

Standard Bank Partners With Airtel Money To Let Customer Bank Closer To Home

Margaret Kubwalo and Matseketsa 

Standard Bank has partnered with Airtel Money in order to give customers seamless control of their financial transactions and take financial inclusion to a higher level.

Head of Personal and Business Banking Margaret Chaika Kubwalo said the bank is moving the next step forward in providing convenience and efficiency to customers by providing them platform that allows them push and pull money to and from their Standard Bank and Airtel Money Accounts.

The platform enables Standard Bank customers manage their money when making various transactions such as utility bills, airtime purchases and transfers and account balance.

Kubwalo

"Now a Standard Bank customer doesn't need to come to Standard Bank to cash money from an ATM and push it to Airtel Money through Airtel Money agent. Now all that can be done in the convenience of their home." She said

Kubwalo also indicated that this partnership offers opportunity to Airtel Money customers who have no bank accounts but wishes to open an account with the bank. She said such Airtel customers are well come to open account with Standard Bank and move their mobile wallet from Airtel Money account to Standard Bank and start to access to other banking services not offered by mobile money.

Matseketsa

For his part, Airtel Money Country Director Francis Matseketsa said the joint financial service confirms Airtel Money as the market leader in mobile money transfers.

As a service, Airtel Money has gained massive acceptance from our growing customer base during its four years in operation. Across, Africa, Airtel Money is the most widely used means of money transfer. On the other hand, Standard Bank as a financial services provider is a market leader on the continent. This partnership is about two best brands working together for the mutual benefit of our shared customers, said Matseketsa

He said the partnership will save customers time and money and is backed by the robust ICT network platforms the two providers are backed up with.

About the service, Matseketsa explains, "If one has a bank account with Standard Bank, will be able to pull money from one's bank account into mobile money wallet then start to do all Airtel money services like send money to relatives, pay bills, even approach the nearest Airtel Money agent to withdraw cash. So that is convenience."

"Further more, They can also move extra-money in their wallet to their bank account. So you can imagine a farmer in the rural area they have sold their harvest and they get cash. They load cash within their area where there is no standard bank branch and they push that from mobile wallet of airtel money into their bank account and they can interact with their bank any time.

Elephant Brutally Kills A Farmer Near Thuma Forest

A farmer in Salima district was brutally trampled to death by an elephant from Thuma Forest-the horrific attack has brought fear among people farming closer to the forest.

Police in the district identified the deceased as a 55 year old man Enuya Enali of Mkwatire village T/A Kambwiri in Salima.

Salima district police public relations officer, Sub Inspector Gift Chitowe, explained that the shocking incident took place near Thuma Forest Reserve in the evening of April 30 2016 around 17:00 hours.

"The deceased was in his garden slashing maize stalks when a charged elephant suddenly emerged and attacked him to death" said Chitowe while indicating that the deceased garden borders with Thuma Forest Reserve

He said people from neighboring farms who witnessed the incident tried in vain to prevent the attack by ringing bells and blowing whistles just to fend-off the animal and also to send warning to others about the incoming danger.

"One of the eyewitness said they saw the deceased trying to escape while shouting for help. They blew whistles and rung bells just to scare-off the elephant as well warning each other to run away. Unfortunately the elephant appeared too close from his behind and it trampled him" narrates Chitowe

Chitowe said the deceased was pronounced dead at the scene and he suffered severe injuries as his body was trumpled to pieces.

This is a fourth attack in a period of three years since the fence surrounding the forest was ransacked.

According to Chitowe, elephants from Thuma forest are on loose because the fence surrounding the forest was vandalized by communities around the forest who wanted an easy access into the forest to cut down trees for making charcoal.

‘By Any Means Necessary’ Morgan Heritage Came Back And Delivered ‘Rockaz’ Moment

April 30, 2016 was biggest night of the year for reggae music fans and Malawi music industry as the 2016 Grammy Award winning group, Morgan Heritage sent the crowd wild at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe as they delivered a highly anticipated live performance.

Standard Bank Introduces Visa Platinum Card

Margaret Kubwalo

One of Malawi's leading bank,  Standard Bank has launched a new-look Visa Platinum Debit Card which offers exclusive lifestyle benefits and increased personalized security.

Margaret Kubwalo-Chaika, Standard Bank Head of Personal and Business Banking said the new card offers prestige services to its customers and that they intend to deliver progressive and convenient banking services to its high-end customers.

"This card is more than debt card, it is a card that works both locally and internationally, it is about prestige” said Kubwalo on Thursday night in Lilongwe when launching the new card

Visa Platinum Debit Card is a new product with exclusive features like the highly secure new chip and pin that will see private bankers transact across the world with minimal risk. 

She mentioned that platinum card among others  offers exclusive benefits which include a guaranteed 24/7 world-wide concierge service, travel accident insurance, travel perks, lifestyle privileges and shopping rewards, zero liability and an end to queues.

“It is just ensuring that Standard Bank is close to the customers, it is answering to the needs of customer in just one card.” she said 

“Soon we will also be able to make e-commerce payments using this very same card” added Kubwalo further pledging that the bank will continue bringing innovative products and services to achieve excellence in the delivery of its services to customers.

According to Chaika, for customers to access Platinum Visa Card they will have to bring in their old cards and apply for the Visa Platinum cards. 

“With the release of the new card which will be offered for free for those whose cards would not have expired in this year, the old cards will have to be returned to the bank and be destroyed to avoid inconveniences" said Chaika

She explained that whole process will be done at the Private Banking suites and the bankers have been duly trained on how to handle the process.

She said Standard Bank always goes an extra mile to demonstrate capability in offering tailor-made products and services to its customers and that customers can contact their private bankers who will guide them on the whole process.

Experience "Rokaz" On April 30- Morgan Heritage

The Royal Family of reggae, Morgan Heritage is finally in the country for the much anticipated Reggae Unite Festival by Bon Afrikan Productions scheduled for Saturday, April 30th, 2016 at Civo Stadium in the capital city of Lilongwe.

Mphwiyo Shooting Case: Court Ban Communication Btwn Accused and Chiumbuzo Family

Manondo

High Court justice Michael Mtambo has granted state an order restraining three accused persons answering attempted murder trial of Paul Mpwiyo to temporally stop communicating with Chiumbuzo family, the close relations to first accused, McDonald Kumwembe.

“Accused persons and all agents should not contact Luciano Chiumbuzo and all his nuclear family” ordered Mtambo on Tuesday evening at Lilongwe High Court  

The order come following ‘rebuttal evidence’ application made by State relating to alibi of suspected gunman, Kumwembe who stand by his claim that he was in Mozambique when Mphwiyo was shot in the night of September 13, 2013.

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale said state would like to rebut his excuse by bringing four witnesses among them are members from Chiumbuzo family who are related him. 

State evidence through Airtel mobile company call logs indicates that during the period in question, Kumwembe cell phone was actively used in communicating with second accused Pika Manondo here in Malawi up until the morning of September 14. Call logs, shows the morning of September 14, the two met in Dedza, the neighboring district of Lilongwe, where they communicated to each other using network tower for Dedza market.

But his earlier testimony, Kumwembe said he left his mobile phone in Malawi with his cousin, Luciano Chiumbuzo so he can communicate with Pika and any other person on number of business issues while he was away. Kumwembe who claim to have left the country though Dedza boarder agrees with witness of Pika that it was Luciano Chiumbuzo who had met with Pika in Deza in the morning of September 14.

Mphwiyo who until the time of attempted murder was serving as Budget Director at Ministry of Finance was shot while entering the gate of his home at area 43 in Lilongwe.

Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mary Kachale made the rebuttal application immediately after defense had closed its case

“What the law allow is that when the defense have given their case and there are what we consider as new matters that we could not have reasonably foreseen then in that case the State is allowed to bring in the rebuttal evidence so that is what we want to do” said Kachale in an interview

The matter has been adjourned to May 9, 10 and 11, 2016 but before adjournment Judge Michael Mtambo advised parties that court must finish dealing with the new business within the specified dates. It is now expected that after concluding with new business, parties will submit whether the suspects are guilty or not guilty.

In the day, Second accused Pika Manondo paraded Airtel expert to speak about network and how it precisely locate position of the phone making or receiving a call. Before the expert was introduced in the court, parties had met to define scope of evidence the defense were looking from Airtel since the company is also prosecution witness.

Pika brought Airtel expert to clarify because it is believed that he was present at the shooting scene in Area 43 since call logs had traced him being in Area 43 around the hours of the shooting.

Through his testimony, Pika said he was drinking that night staring from City Centre and had stopover at Area 10 Pacific Mall a neighboring area to area 43 around 23:00 hours. He then proceeded through Malawi College of Accountancy road heading to Area 10 crossroads where traffic lights are he took M1 road and drove to Area 47 at Bwandilo where he continued drinking at Chez-Mtemba till early hours of September 14.

Kuyere

Explanation from Kelvin Kuyere, Radio Network Planning Manager at Airtel Malawi throughout cross-examination in chief and during cross examination with first and second accused maintained that a person driving from City Centre passing through Capital Hotel to area 10 then proceed to Area 47, one’s cell phone is likely going to register network towers for Capital Hill, area 10, area 18 and area 43 tower which is at Petroda filling station near area 30 and very close to Area 10 Pacific Mall.

He said it most likely because very often signal from separate network towers in very close areas do overlap just to make sure that a subscriber is fully covered.

However, Kuyere contradicted himself during cross examination with State when more than once said was “certain” that Pika was outside range of coverage area of Area 43 tower. He also told court that it was not likely that Pika phone could be picked by far and weaker signal from Area 43 when stronger signals from Area 10 and other nearby towers were at off-peak hours which normally begin after 19:00 hours to the next day 09: 00 hours.

In his explanation, Kuyere said only when a closest tower is experiencing loading, the tower at far distance offering weak signal is allowed to take users. He emphasized that normally, when making a phone call network automatically decides cell tower offering best signal but in cases where there is loading, the network pushes subscriber to the next cell even if that cell is offering weak signal.

But he emphasized that during the off-pick hours closer tower always offer strong signal and it is therefore not likely in such circumstances that cell phone can pick far and weaker signal.

He also told court during cross examination of both first and second accused persons that call logs cannot be used to locate actual position but to locate general locality of subscriber within the radius of the tower. He emphasized that call logs must be used along with GIS application.