LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The bodies of six Malawian nationals who lost their lives in a devastating road accident in Limpopo, South Africa, arrived in the country through the Mwanza Border Post on Friday afternoon.
The remains were received by officials from relevant government departments, relatives, and members of the public who gathered to pay their last respects.
The Malawian nationals were among 42 people who died in the accident, which occurred on Sunday night on the N1 highway in South Africa’s Limpopo province.
The bus carrying Zimbabwean and Malawian nationals veered off the road along a steep mountain pass and plunged down an embankment, resulting in the tragic loss of lives.
Government officials, alongside family members, welcomed the bodies at the border post, where a brief funeral service was conducted to pay tribute to the deceased.
The service provided an opportunity for relatives and friends to comfort each other and pay their last respects.
The bodies were later transported to their respective home districts for burial.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier confirmed that one body was repatriated separately by the bereaved family, while the body of a child remains in South Africa pending DNA confirmation.
Four Malawians who were hospitalized following the accident are reportedly recovering well.
The incident has drawn condolences from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who described the high death toll as a tragedy not only for South Africa but also for its neighboring countries, Zimbabwe and Malawi.
The government and people of Malawi mourn the loss of these lives and offer support to the bereaved families during this difficult time.
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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc has set November 8 as the day for the launch of the Mo626 Varsity Games at Mzuzu University, bringing together students from tertiary institutions across the country.
NBM plc has organised the games in collaboration with the Tertiary Students Sports Association of Malawi (TESSAM) and the Basketball Association of Malawi (BASMAL), with a combined sponsorship package of K450 million from the ‘Bank of the Nation’.
Of this amount, MK300 million will support TESSAM activities, while MK150 million will go towards BASMAL.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lilongwe, NBM plc Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Hiwa, said the initiative goes beyond promoting sports, as it also aims to contribute to youth development.
“These games will not only help identify and nurture sporting talent but will also build confidence and leadership among young people. At National Bank of Malawi, we recognise that young people are the driving force of our nation’s future. This is why we continue to invest in initiatives that empower, educate, and inspire them,” said Hiwa.
Hiwa also commended TESSAM and BASMAL for their continued dedication to developing sports among tertiary students.
“As a Bank, we acknowledge TESSAM and BASMAL for their tireless efforts in coordinating tertiary-level sporting programmes, which provide students with opportunities to compete, collaborate, and showcase their talents,” she added.
On his part, TESSAM Vice General Secretary Noel Kapito thanked NBM plc for the sponsorship, saying the support will go a long way in promoting university-level sports.
“We thank National Bank for this sponsorship. With the resources which we have received, we are so sure that this is going to be a great tournament. Universities are not only about academics, and these games are crucial to sports development in the country,” said Kapito.
Also present at the briefing, BASMAL Vice General Secretary, Edda Mkombezi said the partnership will help nurture basketball talent and strengthen the sport’s foundation in the country.
“These games encourage competition among universities and help identify talented players who can contribute to the growth of sports in Malawi,” added Mkombezi.
The Mo626 Varsity Games are part of a huge sports sponsorship which NBM plc made of a total of 1.5 billion Kwacha.
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Mandeep Tiwana, Secretary General, CIVICUS Global Alliance. Credit: CIVICUS
BULAWAYO & BANGKOK, Oct 31 2025 (IPS) – From the streets of Bangkok to power corridors in Washington, the civil society space for dissent is fast shrinking. Authoritarian regimes are silencing opposition but indirectly fueling corruption and widening inequality, according to a leading global civil society alliance.
The warning is from Mandeep Tiwana, Secretary General of CIVICUS Global Alliance, who points to a troubling trend: civil society is increasingly considered a threat to those in power.
That is a sobering assessment from CIVICUS, which reports that a wave of repression by authoritarian regimes is directly fueling corruption and exploding inequality.
“The quality of democracy on hand around the world is very poor at the moment,” Tiwana tells IPS in an exclusive interview. “That is why civil society organizations are seen as a threat by authoritative leaders and the negative impact of attacking civil society means there is a rise in corruption, there is less inclusion, there is less transparency in public life and more inequality in society.”
His comments come ahead of the 16th International Civil Society Week (ICSW) from 1–5 November 2025 convened by CIVICUS and the Asia Democracy Network. The ICSW will bring together more than 1,300 delegates comprising activists, civil society groups, academics, and human rights advocates to empower citizen action and build powerful alliances. ICSW pays tribute to activists, movements, and civil society achieving significant progress, defending civic freedoms, and showing remarkable resilience despite the many challenges.
The ICSW takes place against a bleak backdrop. According to the CIVICUS Monitor, a research partnership between CIVICUS and over 20 organizations tracking civic freedoms, civil society is under attack in 116 of 198 countries and territories. The fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly face significant deterrents worldwide.
Protests at COP27 in Egypt. Mandeep Tiwana, Secretary General of CIVICUS Global Alliance, is hopeful that COP30, in Belém, Brazil, will be more inclusive. Credit: Busani Bafana/IPS
“It is becoming increasingly dangerous to be a civil society activist and to be the leader of a civil society organization,” Tiwana tells IPS. “Many organizations have been defunded because governments don’t like what they do to ensure transparency or because they speak out against some very powerful people. It is a challenging environment for civil society.”
Research by CIVICUS categorizes civic freedom in five dimensions: open, narrowed, obstructed, repressed, and closed. Alarmingly, over 70 percent of the world’s population now lives in countries rated in the two worst categories: ‘repressed’ and ‘closed.’
“This marks a regression in democratic values, rights, and accountability,” Tiwana noted, adding that even in the remaining 30% of nations, restrictions on civic freedoms remain.
Repression Tools in Tow
The ICSW, being held under the theme ‘Celebrating citizen action: reimagining democracy, rights, and inclusion for today’s world,’ convenes against this backdrop.
Multifaceted tools are used by governments to stifle dissent. Governments are introducing laws to block civil society organizations from receiving international funding while simultaneously restricting domestic resources. Besides, laws have also been enacted in some countries to restrict the independence of civil society organizations that scrutinize governments and promote transparency.
For civil society activists, the consequences are sobering.
“If you speak truth to power, uncover high-level corruption and try to seek transformative change in society, whether it’s on gender equality or inclusion of minorities you can be subjected to severe forms of persecution,” Tiwana explained. “This includes stigmatization, intimidation, imprisonment for long periods, physical attacks, and death.”
Multilateralism Tumbles, Unilateralism Rises
Tiwana said there is an increasing breakdown in multilateralism and respect for international laws from which civil society draws its rights.
This erosion of civic space is reflected in the breakdown of the international system. Tiwana identified a surge in unilateralism and a disregard for the international laws that have historically safeguarded the rights of civil society.
“If you look at what’s happening around the world, whether with regard to conflicts in Palestine, in the Congo, in Sudan, in Myanmar, in Ukraine, in Cameroon, and elsewhere, governments are not respecting international norms,” he observed, remarking that authoritarian regimes were abusing the sovereignty of other countries, ignoring the Geneva conventions, and legalizing attacks on civilians, torturing and persecuting civilians.
This collapse of multilateralism has enabled a form of transactional diplomacy, where narrowly defined national interests trump human rights. Powerful states now collude to manipulate public policy, enhancing their wealth and power. When civil society attempts to expose these corrupt relationships, it becomes a target.
“They are colluding to game public policy to suit their interests and to enhance their wealth. The offshoot of this is that civil society is attacked when it tries to expose these corrupt relationships,” said Tiwana, expressing concern about the rise in state capture by oligarchs who now own vast swathes of the media and technology landscapes.
Citing countries like China and Rwanda, which, while they have different ways of functioning, Tiwana said both are powerful authoritarian states engaging in transactional diplomacy and are opposed to the civil society’s power to hold them to account.
The election of Donald Trump as US President in 2025 has shattered the foundation of the US as a democracy, Tiwana noted. The country no longer supports democratic values internationally and is at home with attacks on the media and defunding of civil society.
The action by the US has negative impacts, as some leaders around the world are taking their cue from Trump in muzzling civil society and media freedoms, he said, pointing to how the US has created common cause with authoritarian governments in El Salvador, Israel, Argentina, and Hungary.
The fight Goes On
Despite facing repression and threats, civil society continues to resist authoritarian regimes. From massive street protests against corruption in Nepal, and Guatemala to pro-democracy movements that have removed governments in Bangladesh and Madagascar,
“People need to have courage to stand up for what they believe and to speak out when their neighbors are persecuted,” Tiwana told IPS. “People still need to continue to speak the truth and come out in the streets in peaceful protest against the injustice that is happening. They should not lose hope.”
On the curtailing of civil society participation in climate change negotiations, Tiwana said the upcoming COP30 in Brazil offered hope. The host government believes in democratic values and including civil society at the table.
“Past COPs have been held in petro states—Azerbaijan, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt—which are all authoritarian states where civil society has been attacked, crushed, and persecuted,” he said. “We are hopeful that there will be greater inclusion of voices and the commitments that will be made to reduce emissions will be ambitious but the question is really going to be after the COP and if those commitments will be from governments that really don’t care about civil society demands or about the well-being of their people.”
Young people, Tiwana said, have shown the way. Movements like Fridays for Future and the Black Lives Matter have demonstrated the power of solidarity and unified action.
But, given the massive protests, has this resistance led to change of a similar scale?
“Unfortunately, we are seeing a rise in military dictatorships around the world,” Tiwana admitted, attributing this to a fraying appetite by the international community to uphold human rights and democratic values.
“Conflict, environmental degradation, extreme wealth accumulation, and high-level corruption are interlinked because it’s people who want to possess more than they need.”
Tiwana illustrated what he means by global priorities.
“We have USD 2.7 trillion in military spending year-on-year nowadays, whereas 700 million people go to bed hungry every night.”
“As civil society, we are trying to expose these corrupt relationships that exist. So the fight for equality, the struggle to create better, more peaceful, more just societies—something CIVICUS supports very much—are some of the conversations that we will be looking to have at the International Civil Society Week.”
…Protests erupt across major cities including Dar es Salaam after opposition exclusion triggers public outrage, police confrontations, and a nationwide curfew amid escalating political tensions.
DODOMA-(MaraviPost)-Tanzania descended into political turmoil on election day as protests broke out in Dar es Salaam and several other major cities following the disqualification of main opposition candidates from the presidential race.
The move, which many citizens and rights groups have described as undemocratic, sparked widespread anger and led to violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.
Crowds of protesters took to the streets demanding the reinstatement of opposition candidates and accusing the electoral commission of manipulating the process to favor the ruling party.
In Dar es Salaam, thousands of people gathered in defiance of police orders, chanting slogans calling for justice and free elections.
The demonstrations quickly turned chaotic as police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and mass arrests to disperse the angry crowds.
Similar scenes unfolded in Arusha, Mwanza, and Dodoma, where protesters blocked roads, burned tires, and clashed with law enforcement officers.
Authorities have since imposed a nationwide curfew in an attempt to restore order and prevent further escalation of violence.
The government also deployed military personnel in key urban centers, a move that has intensified public concern about the country’s political stability and human rights situation.
Opposition leaders, whose exclusion from the presidential race triggered the unrest, have condemned the government’s heavy-handed response and called for international intervention.
They argue that the disqualification of candidates violates Tanzania’s constitution and undermines the principles of democracy, transparency, and fair competition.
Human rights organizations across Africa have expressed alarm over the developments, warning that the crackdown on protesters could lead to further instability and loss of life.
Meanwhile, the government has defended its actions, insisting that the electoral process was conducted within the law and that the disqualifications were based on legitimate grounds.
As the curfew takes effect, streets remain tense, businesses are shuttered, and uncertainty looms over Tanzania’s political future.
Observers say the unfolding situation represents one of the most serious challenges to the country’s democratic institutions in recent years, with the potential to reshape the nation’s political landscape.
For now, Tanzanians wait anxiously — hoping for peace, dialogue, and a return to democratic normalcy after a day marked by violence, fear, and frustration.
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…President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika announces major food relief initiative targeting four million Malawians and pledges increased investment in ADMARC to strengthen national food distribution systems.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has announced that his government has successfully procured 200,000 metric tons of maize from Zambia as part of its comprehensive food security strategy.
He said the maize will be distributed for free to four million Malawians who are currently facing hunger across various parts of the country.
The President made the announcement during his address in Parliament on Friday, 31st October 2025, where he outlined key priorities of his administration for the coming months.
According to Mutharika, this initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to ensure that no Malawian goes hungry, especially during the current period of food shortages caused by erratic weather patterns and reduced crop yields.
He emphasized that the free maize distribution program demonstrates his administration’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable citizens and ensuring equitable access to essential food supplies.
In addition to food relief efforts, the President revealed that his government will allocate more resources to the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) outlets across the country.
He said strengthening ADMARC’s capacity will help stabilize maize prices, improve market access for farmers, and enhance the efficiency of food distribution throughout Malawi.
President Mutharika assured Parliament that his administration remains focused on both immediate hunger relief and long-term agricultural resilience.
He noted that government investments in ADMARC will be accompanied by broader reforms in the agriculture sector, including irrigation expansion, input accessibility, and modern farming techniques to boost productivity.
As the 52nd Session of Parliament progresses, Mutharika’s statement on food security has set a decisive tone for his government’s efforts to restore stability and confidence in Malawi’s food systems.
By prioritizing both humanitarian support and structural reform, the President signaled a strong message that his government is determined to secure Malawi’s future against hunger and poverty.
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BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The National Advocacy Platform (NAP) has commended President Arthur Peter Mutharika for appointing a new Cabinet in accordance with Section 94 (1) of the Constitution, describing the move as an important step toward ensuring leadership continuity and stability during a critical phase of national transition.
In its statement,signed by NAP chairperson Benodicto Kondowe and National Coordinator Baxton Nkhoma, NAP observed that the newly constituted Cabinet demonstrates a deliberate effort to balance political experience with technical expertise, a combination that has the potential to enhance policy coordination and promote governance effectiveness.
The organization, however, underscored the need for the new administration to anchor its operations in integrity, reform and service delivery to rebuild public confidence and advance inclusive national progress.
While acknowledging the appointment of capable figures such as First Vice President Dr. Jane Ansah, NAP expressed concern that women, youth and persons with disabilities remain underrepresented in the new Cabinet.
The platform noted that the composition falls short of the national commitments outlined in the Gender Equality Act (2013), the National Youth Policy and the Disability Act (2012), as well as the inclusivity aspirations embedded in Malawi 2063.
Despite commendable individual appointments, the organization said the overall picture remains imbalanced and urged the government to pursue deliberate and progressive inclusion of marginalized groups not only within the Cabinet but also across public institutions, parastatals and diplomatic missions.
The advocacy body further acknowledged President Mutharika’s effort to rationalize the Cabinet to 21 ministers in addition to the President and two Vice Presidents, describing this as a positive step toward fiscal discipline.
However, NAP emphasized that “Malawi’s constrained fiscal space and increasing public debt demand even greater prudence. A more compact Cabinet, it said, would have signaled stronger fiscal restraint and a commitment to efficient governance”.
The grouping urged the administration to prioritize frontline sectors such as education, health and agriculture, where investments directly impact citizens’ welfare and the nation’s long-term development.
NAP also commended the establishment of strategic portfolios, including Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation, Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism and Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, saying these could play a vital role in driving economic recovery and structural transformation if managed with policy coherence, inter-ministerial collaboration and transparency.
It added that economic planning must remain data-driven and aligned with the Malawi 2063 vision, while decentralisation should empower local authorities rather than centralize power.
The platform noted that the new Cabinet assumes office at a time when the country is facing rising inflation, high youth unemployment, food insecurity and the impacts of climate change.
It urged the administration to focus on evidence-based decision-making, performance monitoring, and measurable outcomes rather than political allegiance.
NAP also welcomed the President’s commitment to introducing monthly ministerial performance assessments and one-page progress reports but stressed that these mechanisms must be genuinely implemented.
The organization called for such reports to be made publicly available in line with the Access to Information Act, ensuring transparency and enabling citizens and Parliament to monitor progress.
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