2025 Africa Netball Cup: Queens outclass Tanzania, face She-Cranes in semifinals

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Airtel Malawi

….Malawi 55-32 Tanzania

By Edwin Mbewe

Capital One

LILONGWE -(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Netball Team, the Queens on Friday came guns blazing as they outclassed Tanzania in their final group stage match of the Africa Netball Cup taking place at Griffin Saenda Sports Complex in Lilongwe.

The Queens emerged as 55-32 winners as Frolence Jeke, Stella Matelezi shined in front of the home fans which came in large numbers at the magnificent, Griffin Saenda.

Malawi led 18-4 in the first quarter, in the second quarter the Queens continued dominating Tanzania despite losing some scoring chances and misplacing some passes. As the quarter was nearing to conclude, Joyce Mvula was rested for Goal shooter, Stella Matelezi before Captain, Takondwa Lwazi was replaced by Meria Soko in the mid-Court. At the end of the second half Malawi led 28-14.

After the recess, Queens proved to be good over Tanzania as they showcased stunning and fascinating perfortmance to the satisfaction of the fans who cheered the team at the evening. At the end of the third quarter Malawi were up with 42-24.

At the end of the fourth quarter, the Queens were confirmed as 55-32 winners. Malawi has managed to win their two of three group stage games.

The team defeated Botswana, lost to South Africa before registering another victory against Tanzania.

In a post match interview head coach Peace Chawinga-Kalua praised her charges for the great fight.

“I have to thank the girls for the good play, though we lost possession sometimes but we pushed. Tanzania came up in the next quarter but we were already up so we need to rectify in those weaknesses as we meet Uganda on Saturday.

“She-Cranes is a possession team hence we shouldn’t lose balls unnecessary”,Chawinga said.

Frolence Jeke was later voted player of the match, grabbing the second thus far in the group stage.

Malawi Queens meet the She-Cranes of Uganda in the semifinals on Saturday who finished as winners of their group. Queens finished second to South Africa in their group.

In the semifinal two, South Africa will play against Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Malawi Kings have been booted out of the competition following their 35-39 loss to Kenya.

This was the second defeat for Malawi as they stumbled against Eswatini in their opening game.

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Consumers rights body demands urgent action on sugar stabilisation prices, persistent shortages

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Soaring Sugar Prices Leave Consumers in a Sticky Situation

Airtel Malawi

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Consumer Association of Malawi (CAMA) has urged the Ministry of Trade to take immediate and decisive action to end the ongoing sugar shortages and soaring prices that continue to frustrate consumers across the country.

In a statement on Friday,CAMA Executive Director John Kapito said Malawians have endured prolonged, man-made sugar scarcities that have forced consumers to spend long hours searching for the commodity, often at inflated prices.

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He noted that both Illovo Sugar Malawi and sugar distributors have shifted blame onto each other, leaving consumers trapped in a cycle of scarcity and exploitation.

Kapito criticized the Competition and Fair-Trading Commission (CFTC), which falls under the Ministry of Trade, for failing to effectively address what he described as unfair trade practices within the sugar market.

“The agency has failed to meet consumer needs and expectations despite its mandate to protect them,” he said.

According to CAMA, the persistent shortages have not only affected household consumers but have also disrupted the operations of small-scale traders who rely on sugar as a key production ingredient.

Kapito warned that Malawi cannot continue to be “held hostage by a commodity that is crucial in the lives of Malawians.”

He appealed to the Minister of Trade to urgently intervene, regulate, and stabilize the sugar market, and to find lasting solutions that will ensure reliable production and distribution.

Kapito added that CAMA stands ready to collaborate with the ministry to eliminate exploitative practices and restore order to the sector.

“Consumers have suffered for too long it is time to completely eliminate these challenges from the market and safeguard the interests of all Malawians.”he said.

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Malawi COs calls for renewed accountability on corruption drive fight: International Anti-Corruption Day

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Benedicto Kondowe from left

Airtel Malawi

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)— As the world marked International Anti-Corruption Day, two of Malawi’s leading governance watchdogs urged national leaders to treat corruption not as a routine governance challenge but as a national emergency requiring urgent, decisive action.

In a joint statement, National Advocacy Platform (NAP) Executive Director Benedicto Kondowe and Civil Society Accountability Taskforce (CSAT) Executive Director Willy Kambwandira stressed that Malawi’s political leadership must convert anti-corruption commitments into tangible reforms that strengthen accountability across all sectors.

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“Corruption must be confronted, not accommodated. Accountability must be enforced, not negotiated,” the statement reads, underscoring the urgency with which the two organizations believe Malawi must respond.

NAP and CSAT emphasized that a renewed culture of integrity is possible one anchored in institutions that operate independently and free from fear, political interference, or personal interests.

They also highlighted the critical role of young people, describing them as the “forefront generation capable of demanding and defending transparency,” and essential contributors to building a more accountable Malawi.

The two organizations reaffirmed their commitment to work collaboratively with government bodies, communities, and stakeholders to ensure that Malawi’s anti-corruption pledges become actionable realities.

“Only when commitments become lived realities will Malawi deliver a future where integrity is not aspirational but expected,” the statement adds.

This year’s commemoration is themed at “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s
Integrity”.

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Family justifies Esau Kanyenda’s UK burial

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Airtel Malawi

LONDON-(MaraviPost)-The family of the late former Flames striker, Esau ‘Black Mamba’ Kanyenda, has clarified that the decision to bury him in England is not due to financial challenges but rather a matter of practicality and emotional closeness for his children.

Contrary to rumours circulating on social media, the family insists that they are not struggling to repatriate the body to Malawi.

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Family spokesperson Peter Makossah said the children of the late football icon unanimously chose United Kingdom as their father’s final resting place because it is the only home they have known for years.

All of Kanyenda’s children live in the United Kingdom and they want the burial site to be easily accessible to them.

Makossah noted that many people have been calling to offer financial support, assuming the family could not afford to transport the body to Malawi.

He said while the family appreciates the goodwill, the situation has been misunderstood. He stressed that the issue is not money but the children’s desire to have their father’s grave within reach.

“In the UK, visiting a grave is simple. There are no traditional restrictions or requirements to seek approval before going,” Makossah explained.

“The children want to honour their father in a way that allows them to visit his resting place whenever they feel emotionally ready,”he added.

He further highlighted that if the late football legend were buried in Malawi, his children would struggle with long-distance travel, both financially and emotionally.

According to the family, Kanyenda was very close to his children and burying him near them is the best way to preserve that bond even after death.

Although the family has already agreed on the burial location, Makossah said the exact date of the funeral has not yet been set. This is because medical specialists in the UK are still completing a thorough postmortem examination to document the cause of death, which is a standard procedure in such cases.

The funeral is therefore expected to take place sometime in January next year, after all medical and legal formalities have been finalised. The family has assured the public that they will communicate the official funeral programme once everything is confirmed.

Esau Kanyenda passed away last week at the age of 43 after battling liver cancer.

His death has shaken the football fraternity, as he was widely celebrated for his sharp scoring ability and his remarkable contribution to the Malawi national football team, the Flames.

Throughout his career, Kanyenda became a household name, playing both locally and internationally.

He left a legacy that inspired many young football players who saw him as proof that talent, discipline and determination can take a Malawian athlete onto the world stage.

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Mutharika Govt struggling to fully renovate damaged Kamuzu Palace over economic challenges

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Airtel Malawi

By Zakeyu Mamba

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The government has admitted failing to complete full rehabilitation works at Kamuzu Palace after property was vandalized during the transition of power between Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) September this year.

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According to Presidential House spokesperson Cathy Maulidi, the state is currently prioritizing the repair of essential items only, to allow President Peter Mutharika to start using the residence.

Maulidi said that although the exact financial requirements for the full rehabilitation are yet to be disclosed, the government plans to finish the remaining works once the President officially occupies the palace.

She did not indicate when that will happen.
Meanwhile, political analyst Vincent Rangel has called on both the police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to intensify investigations into the matter.

He said thorough inquiry is necessary to establish who was responsible for the damage.

However, National Police Service spokesperson Lael Chimtembo has urged the public to give investigators adequate time, stressing that the police need space to conduct the probe professionally.

Reports indicate that shortly after the 16 September elections, some staff members at the State House allegedly vandalized property.

The then-ruling MCP has distanced itself from the incident, claiming no knowledge of the matter.

Authorities have not yet revealed how much property was damaged or when full restoration will be completed.

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Mutharika’s Govt abolishes public schools’ exams, boarding fees, development fund

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Malawi public schools learners

Airtel Malawi

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-In a landmark move to broaden access to education, Minister of Education Bright Msaka on Thursday, December 4, announced the abolition of all examination, identification, and development fees in Malawi’s public schools.

Addressing Parliament, Msaka said that effective January 1 next year, learners in public primary and secondary schools will no longer pay Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) fees for the Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PLSCE), Junior Certificate of Education (JCE), and Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE).

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He further revealed that all development fees in public secondary schools will be scrapped from January 1, 2026, while boarding fees in all Government Secondary Schools, along with fees charged by Government Open Secondary Schools will be abolished from April 1, 2026.

“To ensure the smooth running of schools and the proper administration of examinations, my Ministry, with support from the Ministry of Finance, will provide matching funds to all public schools and MANEB,” Msaka said.

Acknowledging that Community Day Secondary Schools fall under local government, he added that the Ministries of Finance, Economic Planning, Decentralization, and Local Government are in discussion to prioritize education in the allocation of the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

Msaka stressed the government’s conviction that education is central to socio-economic development. Citing 2019 World Bank data.

He noted that 51% of Malawians under 18 lack access to secondary education, a challenge the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government is determined to address.

“An illiterate and unemployed adolescent population is not only detrimental to national development but also a recipe for political instability,” he cautioned.

Malawi currently has 1,968 secondary schools, of which 1,485 are public. Of the country’s 538,800 secondary school students, only 7% are in boarding schools. Net secondary school enrollment stood at 17% in 2024, leaving 83% of school-aged children out of secondary education.

The transition rate from primary to secondary school was 49.7% in 2023/24, and dropout rates continue to rise.

Msaka recalled past interventions including infrastructure expansion, the introduction of double-shift schools, construction of girls’ hostels, bursaries for needy learners, and increased teacher recruitment but said the government must take bolder steps.

The newly announced fee abolitions, he said, represent the DPP administration’s renewed commitment to making secondary education more accessible, equitable, and aligned with the skills and competencies demanded in the 21st century.

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