UN Independent Expert Calls For Action To End Albino Killings

The United Nations Independent Expert on the rights of persons with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero has asked Malawi Government to put its efforts into action if the battle to end attacks and killings of people with albinism is to be won.

She made the call in Lilongwe at the end of her first visit to Malawi to assess situation of people with albinism from April 18 to 29, 2016.

While welcoming the launch of the Government’s Response Plan on albino attacks in March 2015 and commend its content, Ero feared that the absence of resources attached to the plan has drastically delayed its implementation.

“Such an emergency situation needs an emergency response, and I saw insufficient action taken to date." Observed Ero 

She stressed that stronger leadership, a greater profile, and elevation for the issue is necessary along with the provision of adequate resources, which could be found, for example, within the Office of the President and Cabinet under the leadership of a high ranking official.

"If such a solution is adopted, it should include the expertise of the Department of Disability of the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare." She emphasised 

Ero said although Malawi has done well in terms of condemning attacks, however there is need to “turn” speeches “into action because action so far has been week”, “In terms of political will in comparison to what I have seen happening elsewhere, I would give them (Malawi) an eight over ten, on action they are not passing” she said 

Malawi is registering frequent reports of attacks, abductions and killings of Persons with albinism and even the remains are robbed from graveyards. These atrocities occur due to the misbelief that their body parts can grant benefits such as wealth and good luck when used in witchcraft. The body parts allegedly sell for high prices, on the black market.

To date, according to the police, 65 cases have been registered since late 2014. At least two other incidents occurred while the expert was in the country.

Ikponwosa Ero has since warned that the atrocities faced by persons with albinism in Malawi render them “an endangered people group facing a risk of systemic extinction over time if nothing is done.”

The UN expert has described the Malawi situation as “an emergency, a crisis disturbing in its proportions.” 

“Given the relatively small population size of people with albinism in Malawi - reported to be a little less than ten thousand - attacks against a few of them constitutes a danger to all of them,” she stressed.

While in Malawi, Ero observed that persons with albinism and parents of children with albinism are not living peacefully since abductions are occurring from homes that do not have wooden doors or locks.

She indicated in her report that due to constant fear, persons with albinism cannot walk alone and for the safety measures persons with albinism particularly children have dropped out of school and that even their parents have stopped attending to their gardens as they need to stay home to protect their children.

The expert further found the situation as “disturbing” because of the frequent involvement of close relatives in cases of attacks making persons with albinism unable to trust even those who are supposed to care for and protect them.

“The situation of people with albinism in Malawi is critical, this is not business as usual it requires urgent reaction.” Noted Ero in an interview while calling African leader to treat issue of albino killings just like they are treating issues of saving elephants from extinction

“These are human beings that are facing similar endangerment so we require critical response. This is an emergency and it requires emergency response.” She stressed  

The expert said the other best way that Malawi can eradicate the problem is to address the root causes of attacks, in particular why they are happening. 

“Enhanced Investigative research is necessary.” She noted, “To date, no investigation has been identified neither the markets for body parts or final recipients. Too often it is only perpetrators at the end of the chain that are caught and sentenced, while those commissioning the offence are not apprehended. Stronger cooperation between Police and Department of Public Prosecutions and adequate resources will facilitate the collection of evidence needed to fight the demand side of this macabre market”

Ero has recomended stiffer sentences to convicted criminals that reflect the gravity of the crime, amendment of some outdated legislations and stop granting bails to suspects as their early return to communities increases the fear among persons with albinism.

She observed that more immediate measures are necessary, such as a judicial direction that cases be handled only by professional magistrates. She also recommended training for police, prosecutors and magistrates to increase knowledge of the current legislative framework applicable to these cases.

The UN expert also recommended basic interventions such as providing security features such as iron bars and proper doors in the homes and schools where people with albinism lives as well as creating help line and appointing a person with albinism to high ranking positions.

Furthermore, recomendations also calls for urgent and coordinated response from the Government, civil society and development partners working in strong partnership with each other, stressing the principle of ‘nothing about us without us’, which includes the involvement of organizations of persons with albinism at every step, where the process cannot be led directly by them.

Among others, Ero has commended the protection measures adopted by community police and some traditional authorities as well as the support provided by communities to their members with albinism. 

“The quick intervention of neighbours during attacks has in various cases led to the rescue of persons with albinism and to the arrest of perpetrators,” she said

The Independent Expert will produce a full report and recommendations to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017.

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.