Linking the Malawian Diaspora to the Development of Malawi”
Malawi
Malawi (/məˈlɔːwi,məˈlɑːwi/; Chichewa pronunciation:[maláβi]; Tumbuka: Malaŵi), officially the Republic of Malawi and formerly known as Nyasaland, is a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa. It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south and southwest. Malawi spans over 118,484 km2 (45,747 sq mi) and has an estimated population of 19,431,566 (as of January 2021). Malawi’s capital and largest city is Lilongwe. Its second-largest is Blantyre, its third-largest is Mzuzu and its fourth-largest is its former capital, Zomba.
ADDISA ABBA-(MaraviPost)-The 39th African Union Heads of State Summit wrapped up on Saturday in Ethiopia’s capital, with leaders from across the continent tackling water shortages and ongoing wars in several regions.
Banda was the biggest winner having being Awarded for Excellence in serving humanity.
This year’s summit focused on “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”
Presidents, former heads of state, and other top officials spent three days talking about how to fix Africa’s water problems and stop the fighting in places like Sudan and eastern Congo.
Dr. Joyce Banda attended the summit after getting invitations from both the African Union and UN Women.
Water Problems Top the Agenda, Leaders at the summit said water security needs to be treated as a top priority.
They tied it directly to economic growth, public health, and dealing with climate change effects that are already hitting the continent hard.
The AU plans to make some big decisions on water and sanitation that could change how African countries develop over the next few years.
Millions of people across Africa still don’t have clean water or proper toilets.
This affects everything from kids getting sick and missing school to businesses struggling to operate.
Wars and Conflicts Get Attention
The summit also dealt with the wars still going on in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sahel, and Libya.
Leaders talked about finding African solutions to African problems and getting more help to people caught in the fighting.
The push for home-grown answers shows that African countries want more control over how they handle peace and security issues.
Award for Grassroots Work During the summit, the African Women Leaders Network gave an Award of Excellence to Dr. Joyce Banda, First female and Former President of Malawi.
The award recognized her years of work helping rural villages, city neighborhoods, and fishing communities.
The honor shows how important it is to have leaders who understand what’s happening on the ground and can bring those voices to big meetings like this one.
“This isn’t just about me. It’s about all the communities across Malawi and Africa who need development and peace,” Dr. Joyce Said said after getting the award.
What Comes Next Now that the summit is over, countries will start putting the decisions on water, peace, and economic ties into action.
What happens next will matter a lot as Africa keeps working toward the goals set out in Agenda 2063, which maps out where the continent wants to be in the coming decades.
The African Union was set up in 2002 and now has 55 member countries working together on peace, unity, and development across the continent.
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-More than 20 households in Area 25C were left without electricity on the morning of Saturday, 14 February, after suspected thieves allegedly stole black service cables connected to Electricity Supply of Malawi (ESCOM) power lines.
Residents say they woke up to darkness after experiencing a sudden power outage during the night.
Because it had been raining, many initially assumed the blackout was caused by bad weather.
Speaking to Maravipost one of the victims, Rose Banda said her family only realized something was wrong when electricity did not return in the morning.
“In the middle of the night, the power went off. Since it was raining, we thought it was just a fault,” Banda explained.
“When we woke up, we found that the metal box where ESCOM staff connect the electricity had been forced open, and the black wire was gone.”
Banda who rents the property with her family, said she immediately alerted her landlord, who lives nearby.
“When I went to inform the landlord, we discovered that their house had also been affected. That’s when we realized many houses in the area were victims,” she said.
Another resident, Innocent Mainga, suggested that the theft may have been motivated by the copper inside the cables.
“We have heard that these wires contain copper. That could be the reason the thieves targeted our area,” he said.
Cable theft has become an increasing concern in many communities, as stolen copper is often sold illegally for scrap.
The crime not only disrupts power supply but also exposes residents to safety risks due to damaged electrical infrastructure.
Affected households have called on authorities and Eskom to urgently address the situation and strengthen security measures to prevent further incidents.
Residents say the outage has disrupted daily activities, including cooking, refrigeration, and small home businesses that depend on electricity.
At the time of reporting, it was clear that no arrests has been made but Community members are urging anyone with information about the incident to report it to local authorities.
ESCOM staff have not visited the area since the incident, even though several victims say they have been calling reporting the issue since Saturday.
With its rich and storied history, Cape Town has a lot to offer visitors. Our world-class museums showcase a glimpse of the city’s past, delving into struggles and the country’s road to freedom.
Here are some of the museums in Cape Town that are worth the visit.
The Iziko South African Museum
Right in the middle of the historic Company’s Garden, the Iziko South African Museum is home to 1,5 million items of cultural and scientific significance. You’ll see traditional outfits from the last century, learn more about fossils and ancient insects, and view stone tools made by people 120,000 years ago.
Location: 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens, Cape Town. Price: R80. Website: Find out more here.
Iziko Slave Lodge
The Iziko Slave Lodge is a powerful reminder of the hardships enslaved people once faced in South Africa. As one of Cape Town’s oldest buildings and a place where slaves once called home, it holds centuries of deeply rooted history.. Today, the museum explores the long and painful legacy of slavery through thought-provoking exhibitions, alongside temporary displays that put a spotlight on human rights awareness. Upstairs, the tone shifts slightly with fascinating collections of ceramics, silverware, and even ancient Egyptian artefacts.
Location: Corner Adderley Street and Wale Street, Cape Town. Price: R80. Website: Discover more about the museum.
District Six Museum
Few areas are as vivid an example of the Apartheid regime as District Six. A once racially diverse and vibrant community, the original residents were forcibly removed from the area when the National Party government declared it a “white group area”. It started taking shape in the late ’80s, just after the powerful Hands-Off District Six conference and officially opened in 1994 with its first exhibition, Streets: Retracing District Six.
The museum is more than just a collection of photos and artefacts, it’s a living tribute to the people who once called District Six home. Its permanent exhibition, Digging Deeper, shares powerful personal stories from former residents, making it a deeply moving stop for both locals and visitors who want to understand the soul of the city.
Location: 25A Buitenkant Street, District Six, Cape Town. Price: From R60. Website: Explore the District Six Museum
Cape Town Museum of Childhood
The Cape Town Museum of Childhood is a playful, interactive space that brings joy, memories, and childhood stories to life for kids and grown-ups alike. As the first museum of its kind in Africa, it offers a unique look at how childhood has been experienced, remembered, and celebrated over time. From toys and games to personal stories and cultural traditions, the museum showcases a fascinating collection of childhood-related exhibitions from across South Africa. Whether you’re visiting with little ones or just young at heart, it’s a feel-good experience that invites curiosity, connection, and conversation.
Location: 3 Milner Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town. Price: Free. Website: Find out more here.
Long March to Freedom
Brush up on your history in the most unique way! The Long March to Freedom is an outdoor exhibition featuring 100 life-size bronze sculptures of South Africa’s most famous heroes. From Nelson Mandela to Walter Sisulu, the Long March to Freedom transports you through the lives of these heroes and their role in the country’s 350-year journey.
Location: Century Boulevard, Century City, Cape Town. Price: Between R20-R75. Children under 6: free. Website:Take the tour.
Cape Town Holocaust Centre
The Cape Town Holocaust Centre stands alongside the South African Jewish Museum and offers a deeply moving and thoughtfully designed experience. Through powerful stories, photos, film, and interactive displays, the museum takes you through one of history’s darkest chapters, the Holocaust, while also shedding light on other genocides around the world. It’s a space for reflection and learning, with exhibitions that are self-guided, allowing visitors to move through at their own pace. The space encourages understanding, empathy, and remembrance.
Location: 88 Hatfield Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town. Price: Free. Website: More information here.
Castle of Good Hope
Locally known as “The Castle,” this bastion fort is considered the best-preserved example of a 17th-century architectural structure in the world. A bell tower, situated over the main entrance, was built in 1684. The original bell, also known as the oldest in South Africa, was cast in Amsterdam in 1697 and weighs just over 300 kilograms.
The Castle also acted as the local headquarters for the South African Army in the Western Cape and today houses the Castle Military Museum and ceremonial facilities for the traditional Cape Regiments.
Location: Darling Street & Buitenkant Street, Cape Town. Price: R50 for Adults and R25 for children and pensioners. Website: Explore more.
Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum
Bo-Kaap is one of the city’s most visited destinations. Beyond the iconic colourful houses, the area has an incredibly fascinating history. Many of the residents are descendants of enslaved people from Malaysia, Indonesia and various African countries who were forcibly brought to the city in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Bo-Kaap Museum is the perfect place to discover the history of the area. Be sure to check out depictions of the life of a typical Malay family.
This well-known Cape Town attraction has a very chequered past. It was originally a refreshment station for explorers when the Dutch Settlers were in the Cape. It was later used as a leper colony and animal quarantine station. However, the island is most famous for being a political prison during the apartheid regime. Its most notable prisoner, Nelson Mandela, served 18 years in the island’s prison. Visitors to the island can expect an insightful tour by former political prisoners, which includes a visit to Mandela’s cell and a ferry ride.
Location: Tours depart from The Nelson Mandela Gateway, which is located in the V&A Waterfront, close to the red Clock Tower. Price: R600 for adults and R310 for children. Website: www.robben-island.org.za
Warrior Toy Museum
Escape into a childhood dream of toys, models, ships, trucks, aeroplanes and toy soldiers at the Warrior Toy Museum in Simon’s Town. The museum boasts over 4000 model cars, 500 dolls and teddy bears and has a special sale section for those who want to start their own collection.
Location: 1067 King George Way, Simon’s Town, Cape Town Opening Times: Daily from 10am to 4pm Price: Various Website:bit.ly/3W8zshA
Rust en Vreugd
Rust en Vreugd was built on what was then the outer limits of the city in 1777 for a high-ranking official of the Dutch East India Company. In the early 1960s, it was restored and converted into a gallery space when William Fehr donated his private collection of works of art on paper (watercolours, prints and drawings) to the people of South Africa. Visitors will get to see part of the collection.
Location: 78 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town Opening Times: Thursdays and Fridays, from 9am to 4pm Price: R60 (Free entry on commemorative days) Website:www.iziko.org.za/museums/rust-en-vreugd
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Kasungu South legislator who is also leader of opposition in Parliament Simplex Chithyola Banda has been left in the cold after senior party members snubbed his caucus call.
Several top MCP officials including former MCP Secretary General Elsenhower Mkaka, incumbent Secretary General Chimwendo Banda, Ching’oma and Kazembe boycotted the caucus citing no attendance without notice.
Not only but also Gotan Hara excused herself, citing other commitments.
The boycott raises questions about the party’s internal dynamics, with speculation that the meeting may be dominated by supporters of party president Lazarus Chakwera.
Chithyola is expected to make MCP position this afternoon in Parliament on President Peter Mutharika’s 2026/26 SONA.
Hoping my WhatsApp message finds you in good spirits and health. I am a very good follower of your articles, and indeed I’ve learnt a lot from them.
My name is Finley Mbella. I live here in the UK. I came here in 2002 after retiring from the army, having worked for 25 years.
I thought I should comment about this issue concerning the secondments of those 5 military officers. It is really a shame that the ‘judiciary’ has turned itself into a bullying institution in Malawi. Actually, their responsibilities requires them to work hand in hand with the other 2 arms of government and possibly provide an advisory role to both the Executive and the Legislature. Being antagonistic, and know-it-all merely defeats the purposes of having those 3 institutions in a government.
Those who crafted the ‘Law’ knew what they were doing. In any democratic country there are demarcations when it comes to the application of both the ‘Civil Law’ on one hand, and the ‘Military Law’ on the other. Military law has to be applied within the context and atmosphere of the military (barracks).
A serving military personnel is answerable to both civil and military law. It depends on the circumstances under which a crime is committed. Minor civil infringements can summarily be dealt with within the barracks’ setup but if the charge is severe and involves issues outside of the barracks, the culprit, though a military person, has to answer charges in a civilian court. In the military they have ‘Court Martials’. An officer/soldier has to abide to both civil/military laws; while as a civilian is covered by the civil law only. It is therefore, disingenuous for Justice Kenyatta Nyirenda to bulldoze his judiciary muscle wholesale, in the process throw out the window the gravity and real essence of the ‘MILITARY LAW’. In developed countries, that practice can not be condoned. Malawi being a democracy in transition, anything goes!!
During my time in the military I saw General Matewere (late), General Namwali (late), and General Simwaka, being appointed as directors of security at ESCOM, RESERVE BANK, and MALAWI HOUSING CORPORATIONS. A few years ago we witnessed some generals seconded into various institutions, and these were Generals Msonthi, Odillo, Maulana, Supuni, Namathanga, Nundwe etc, etc and nobody ran to the judiciary to lodge a complaint. Why this time with these 5 people, how special are they?
You are right in your judgement that the militaty is an institution that is governed and upheld by military ethics and discipline. Insubordination, refusing to accept an order, mutiny or disorderly of any sort is punishable by a court martial. There is no justification for the judges to start throwing spanners in the military machinery. That on its own sets up a wrong precedence that will compromise the operations of the military, for simply to satisfy someone’s ego and misdirected ambitions.
In reality, these men should have read the writing on the wall that loudly says “their services in the military is no longer required” – period. Others have been kicked out of the system without any secondment at all. They are lucky that they have politely been asked to shift in order to create room for competent, seasoned and trustworthy mlitary personnel. Well, I thought I needed to amplify your observations concerning this and the other areas you talked about. It is hightime these corrupt judges were told the truth concerning their delivery of the expected services to the nation.
