NABW revived, set to launch gender-responsive procurement position paper in Lilongwe today

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NABW Executive Director Barbara Banda
NABW Executive Director Barbara Banda

Airtel Malawi

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s National Association of Business Women (NABW) is set to launch its advocacy paper under the project Enhancing Gender-Inclusive Public Procurement and Open Contracting in Malawi.

The Launch and presentation of the Advocacy Position Paper on Gender-Responsive procurement slated today, Thursday in the capital Lilongwe at Crossroads Hotel aims at facilitating dialogue among stakeholders on inclusive procurement reforms, engaging the media in promoting women’s economic participation.

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NABW Executive Director Barbara Banda told The Maravi Post in an interview that women-led enterprises in Malawi continue to face barriers in accessing public procurement opportunities including limited access to information and procurement platforms, inadequate awareness of procurement policies such as the MSME Order 2020, limited capacity to prepare compliant bids and financial and collateral constraints hence the launch.

“The Advocacy Position Paper provides evidence from policy analysis, stakeholder interviews, and consultations, identified gaps in the procurement ecosystem, recommended gender-inclusive procurement reforms, practical measures for MDAs, SOEs, PPDA, and policymakers.

“The paper also advocates for gender quotas or set-asides for women-owned enterprises, simplified bidding requirements and strengthened implementation of MSME Order 2020,” discloses Banda.

The event has attracted government institutions, state-owned enterprises, civil society, private sector players, and women-led businesses and among others.

The National Association of Business Women (NABW), with support from the Women and Girls Fund (WGF), is implementing a national advocacy project titled Enhancing Gender-Inclusive Public Procurement and Open Contracting in Malawi.

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Gule Wamkulu incident at Chulu Primary School sparks fear, cultural tensions in Kasungu

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Airtel Malawi

KASUNGU-(MaraviPost)-A group of Gule Wamkulu masqueraders stormed Chulu Primary School in Kasungu, causing panic among learners and teachers.

The masked performers, regarded as sacred figures in Chewa culture, reportedly arrived atu the school searching for a teacher they accuse of revealing spiritual secrets to pupils.

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According to information from the school, the targeted teacher allegedly told learners during class that Gule Wamkulu characters are ordinary people.

He is also said to have claimed that the dancers go to the graveyard to dress in their traditional regalia as a way of frightening communities.

These remarks have angered local chiefs and community leaders, who believe the teacher’s statements undermine the cultural values of the Chewa people.

Traditional authorities argue that such teachings risk eroding the children’s respect for Gule Wamkulu and weakening their connection to their heritage.

They maintain that cultural institutions should be upheld and protected, especially within Chewa communities where Gule Wamkulu plays an important spiritual and social role.

Some community leaders have demanded that the teacher be removed from the school as a consequence of his alleged comments.

They have warned that failure to take action may force them to “handle the matter themselves,” a threat that has increased tension around the school.

Teachers and learners at Chulu Primary School remain frightened after the incident, with some describing the unexpected appearance of the dancers as traumatising.

Education officials in the district are expected to intervene to restore calm and ensure that learning continues without further disruption.

The situation has highlighted the delicate balance between cultural preservation, education, and modern teaching practices in Malawi’s rural schools.

Community leaders insist that cultural respect must be maintained, while education authorities caution that schools should remain safe spaces for learners and teachers.

The incident has sparked a wider debate on how cultural traditions should be handled within the education system.

For now, parents and teachers are hoping for a peaceful resolution that protects both cultural values and the safety of everyone at Chulu Primary School.

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Hegseth Boat Strikes, Witkoff To Moscow, National Guard Shooting Suspect

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Airtel Malawi

A U.S. official contradicts the White House account of who ordered the deadly boat strike in the Caribbean, while President Trump considers his next moves with Venezuela.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff heads to Moscow for high-stakes talks after revising the peace agreement with Ukrainian negotiators.
And new details about the Afghan man accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers point to a long-running mental health crisis rather than radicalization.

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Machinga pupil struck, killed by lightning while returning from well

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Airtel Malawi

MACHINGA-(MaraviPost)-A 14-year-old pupil from Mpiranjala Primary School in Machinga, identified as Ivy Patsidya, has died after being struck by lightning on Sunday evening.

The chairperson of the area’s disaster risk committee under Senior Chief Mchinguza, Asima Kapalepale, confirmed the tragic incident.

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He explained that the teenager was on her way back from the well where she had gone to fetch water when the lightning struck her.

Kapalepale said the area had experienced a heavy downpour accompanied by strong winds at the time of the incident.

He described the event as a devastating loss for the family and the community, especially given the young girl’s age and the circumstances under which she died.

The local disaster risk committee has since urged communities to exercise caution during stormy weather conditions, particularly when children are moving outdoors.

They have also appealed to parents and guardians to monitor the whereabouts of young people during severe rainfall to prevent similar tragedies.

Education authorities in the area have expressed sadness over the sudden loss of the pupil, noting that her death comes at a time when students are preparing for end-of-term activities.

Community members have also called for increased awareness on lightning safety measures as rainfall patterns continue to become unpredictable.

The matter has been reported to relevant authorities, and funeral arrangements are underway as the community mourns the death of the young learner.

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TNM reaches out two million Mpamba Tikankhe customers with MK50bn disbursement

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Airtel Malawi

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s leading premier network provider TNM has reached out two million Mpamba Tikankhe customers with MK50 billion funds disbursement.

This has been possible within two years of the loan facility following its inception.

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TNM has therefore fully partnered with Credit Data Bureau for loan defaulters tracing.

Addressing the joint press conference on Monday, December 1, 2025 in the capital Lilongwe, TNM Mpamba General Manager Christopher Sukasuka, said the the loan facility has over 1.5 million regular customers with payment and collection rates at 95 percent.

Sukasuka added Mpamba Tikankhe mostly targets rural audience while helping them access timely loans for farm inputs, utilities services accessibility and other daily needs.

He therefore disclosed that ‘Mpamba Ndikankhe’ regular users can now borrow up to MK500,000 instantly via mobile services.

Echoing the same, Credit Data Bureau Managing Director, Patricia Mwase, said the bureau has partnered with TNM to simplify the loan access process .

Mwase added that her company has also come monitor and ensure repayment of loans through the ‘Ndikankhe’ program.

She therefore lauded company’s zeal to reduce loan defaulters across all financial institutions.

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NBM plc lauds Scorchers’ form at Three-Nations Tourney

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Scorchers’ Chimzimu facing a Zimbabwe colleague

Airtel Malawi

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-National Bank of Malawi (NBM) plc, says it is impressed with the Scorchers’ overall performance in the Women’s Three-Nations Tournament underway in Lilongwe as the team prepares for the upcoming WAFCON.

During the tournament at Bingu National Stadium, Malawi put up competitive performances, despite their 2–1 loss Zimbabwe in the opening match on Friday, before a one-all with Zambia on Sunday. 

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With those results, the hosts stand no chance to win the tournament as it is being played on a league-format.

This means Zimbabwe lead the table with three points, followed by Zambia’s point as they head into their last encounter on Tuesday. 

Malawi’s consolation goal against Zimbabwe came through a 40th-minute strike from Faith Chinzimu, while Rose Kabzere netted a powerful 56th-minute rebound to secure the draw against Zambia.

NBM plc Product Development and Strategy Manager, Ibrahim Chapeyama, said that as the official Scorchers’ sponsors, they were satisfied with the team’s overall performance and described the tournament as an important foundation for WAFCON preparations.

“We are focusing on the positives because the coach was able to try out new players. We are impressed with what we have seen and are hoping for the best,” said Chapeyama. 

He added that the Bank’s sponsorship aims to strengthen the development of women’s football and enhance Malawi’s competitiveness at the continental level.

“We have been with them from the start. We sponsored the premiership that led to WAFCON qualification. Our message has always been the same: keep pushing and make the dream come true. We want the team not just to qualify again, but to go beyond and win it,” he said.

Commenting on the matches, Scorchers Coach Lovemore Fazili said he was also encouraged by the team’s performance and emphasized the need for squad depth as part of the build-up to major future competitions.

“The games were not bad. I wanted to give a chance to players who have not played before. We cannot rely on just a few individuals building a strong team requires depth” he said.

He said friendly matches are vital for assessing new combinations and refining tactical harmony. 

“Even though we failed to win the tournament, I was looking for coordination between the new players and the usual squad. We learnt a lot from Zimbabwe and Zambia, and I believe they learnt from us as well,” Fazili said.

Zambia Coach Charles Haaluubono also praised Malawi’s continued progress in women’s football.

“They keep improving, and we are now almost at the same level if not already there. You can see young players coming in and performing very well. I follow the Malawian league closely, and the development here is impressive,” he said

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