Blantyre News Express

14/12/2021

Their arguments are premised on the claim that informality undermines efforts to both slow the spread of the pandemic and boost economic growth. They also believe abolishing informality will lead to more tax revenue.

10/11/2021

What would your country and community look like in 50 years time, if no action was taken on climate change? Who would be the most affected? And what can we do to prevent the worst case scenario? These are some of the key topics being discussed at YGAP 2021 this week.
(Picture: zurich.com)

02/02/2021

An upcoming artist identified as "Stewart Oprisma Mandala" has released the long awaited song " You May Kiss The Bride", and it has been aired on a number of stations as well as Times Television.

It is incurred that Oprisma has before shared a stage with a well known Malawian musician, Blaze at an event sponsored by UNDFP in Mangochi whilst sensitising the society on the importance of family planning.

He also featured with Blaze in a track entitled "Mphezi".

Compiled By: Françios Kwatani
https://youtu.be/DlZDWLUPi0U

Stewart Oprisma is a young talented R'n'b Afro pop singer,Song writer,Actor & Perfomer born Stewart Comfort Mandala on 10 October 1997 in monkey bay.He is ba...

18/12/2020

BALUTI EXPECTED TO HAVE A PRIVATE CLINIC.

A new private clinic is being constructed in Baluti ,Blantyre by Doctor Phylos Bonongwe an accredited Gynaecologist by the College of Medicine.

The clinic underway started in October this year and will consist of more than 5 blocks that will offer different medical service's.

"We are now almost done with the building structures and will soon start setting up the roof on each block" said Kelvin Bonongwe the deputy Project Foreman.

On his behalf the group village headman Gojo expressed that as a community they appreciate the development programme as it will help in providing medical services around Nancholi and Baluti.

Story by : Takondwa Manda and Vincent Potani

18/12/2020

Blame Game Bleeds Excessive urination around Chilomoni Market

By Omega Chikhoza

A passage that runs from the Blantyre-Chilomoni road short-cutting into Chilomoni Market commonly known as Msika Waukulu has for the longest time gone through extreme pollution of urine and wastes.

Chilomoni market traders resolt to urinating along the passage due to the price of paid toilets.

"We are tired of hearing malaria cases from people who stay around.The passage is like the major mosquito breeding ground. Also the smell is too much and causes discomfort", said the
Blantyre City Council at the market official who sought for anonymity.

Those caught in the act for the past months were brought into the City Council's Office and were being fined but despite that they haven't stopped the act.

"We urinate and do all sorts of pollution in this passage unintentionally but because we cannot afford pay-in toilets everyday. We are charged K50 for urination and K100 for defeacation. Our small scale businesses are not even profitable to be using pay-in toilets", One of the vendors in Chilomoni Market said.

Not only is the passage marinated with urine but also human feaces, used diapers, hair from barber shops and many other wastes. This poses health risks to the people living around the area.

18/12/2020

Fuel Price Hike Sparks Bus Fare Rise

By Alinafe Gamaliel and Comfort Stuart Mandala

Minibus Drivers Association (MIDRA) is set to increase transport charges within and outside Blantyre due to increase of motor fuel prices.

The fuel prices was increased by 20% from K600 to K800 per litre, forcing MIDRA to increase the transport prices.

Speaking to one of the board members of the association, William Kachingwe confirmed about the development, saying they would like also to negotiate with government on the issue.

"We would like to talk to the government to allow us to increase the passanger capacity to 3 people per seat from 2 and the price will remain the old ones even if the fuel prices are increased, but if not 3 then the prices will be changed", said Kachingwe.

Transport prices have been increased twice during this period of Covid-19, first price increase was because of Covid-19 preventive measures 11 months ago which forces minibuses to travel with two people per seat.

17/12/2020

ECG Youth Magnet Crossover Event

Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) Blantyre branch through ECG youth magnet today had a youth road to cross over event which took place at Angero ECG land.

The aim of the event was to empower the youth in there spiritual life and as youths they should refresh and entertain themselves.

In his round up, Innocent Kumwenda ECG Blantyre branch prophet said "he didn't expect that kind of show up by the youths as to most of them are busy when is comes to the Lords activities"

He also added that next year they are preparing a trip to mangochi for the ECG youth.

By :Takondwa Manda

17/12/2020

CLOSED SEWAGE AFFECTING LIVES OF PEOPLE IN MANASE TOWNSHIP

BY ALINAFE GAMALIEL

People living in Manase township in the city of Blantyre are facing problems due to sewage that was closed some years back and it is not been taking care of.

The sewage was closed because the tanks were full and now dirty water from sewage are flowing into the river and this is the same river people use to do their domestic chores.

"The sewage produce bad smell, mosquitoes are everywhere and still people in my area are using the same dirty water that is contaminated by water from sewage tanks ", Group Village Head woman Suman 1 said.

She added that the mosquito is threatening the health lives of people in the area, adding that the water they use from the river is also not in good state.

Speaking in an interview with one of the Health Severance Assistant, she says they have put some measures to overcome the issue and that they will soon donate mosquito nets to the people around the area.

She added that they will soon distribute chlorine so that the people in the area must use clean water to avoid diseases like cholera so that their lives should be safe during this rainy season.

14/12/2020

MINISTRY OF SPORTS, CCECC DONATE SPORTS CENTRE TO ZGSS

By Vincent Potani and Takondwa Manda

Ministry of Sports and Youth in collaboration with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) have donated a sports centre to Zingwangwa secondary school(ZGSS) in Blantyre.

The sports centre will comprise a soccer pitch, netball court, basketball court and volleyball court.

"We appreciate the Ministry for this facility underway as it will enhance sporting activities at the school," said Mrs Bridgita Hara the deputy head teacher at ZGSS.

On his behalf, Abel Maravi, CCECC civil engineer at the sports centre construction site says the project is going on very well and it will be completed soon.

Kelvin Kabuwe, the sports prefect at ZGSS said he will encourage his fellow students in sporting activities and taking care of the sports centre.

14/12/2020

Heavy Rains Cause Havoc in Pensulo

By Uthman Kaisi

Some households in Pensulo village in Blantyre are in urgent need of shelter after heavy rains damaged their houses last week.

Heavy rains and heavy winds hit hard the village Saturday night.

In his remarks, Mayamiko Joseph, one of the victims said the incident has shocked the village.

"I woke up after hearing a strange noise and find out that part of my house fell down", he said.

Some of the houses roofs were also blown away by the heavy winds.

Fortunately, no soul got injured or lost during the incident.

14/12/2020

Uncaress Waste Disposal Puts Lives at Risk in Mbayani

By Lusungu Chirwa

Almost everywhere has become a dumping place in Mbayani Township in Blantyre.

The behavior poses threat to lives of the residents as water-borne and other diseases can break out.

The residents give a blind eye to the role of pit latrines or the importance of hygiene of their pathways.

One of the person found littering said that it is not their fault but government authorities.

She says: " City Council seems doesn't care about us, as it does little in collecting the waste in the area."

The residents dump their waste in the nearby streams, under bridges, along pathways and even at the cemetery.

14/12/2020

Unsafe Road Poses Threat in Mbayani

By Lusungu Chirwa

Roads are meant to be safely passed through or on but due to high population in Mbayani township, its rare to see clear, safe roads.

The road to Mbayani is busy day in and out. Both vehicles and people who walk use the road in the same hours. It is mostly crowded in the morning and evening hours.

"Mbayani road slows down our movement, " said Takondwa Harrison one of the passers by.

He says one can take off early in the morning but reach their destination late, because of how the street is always busy.

One of the drivers, Peter Malunga called upon authorities to widen the road to accommodate all passersby and vehicles.

11/12/2020

Construction of houses along Mudi river poses threat to residents' lives

By Laureen Fedson

The construction of houses near Mudi river is rife in Manase Township in Blantyre.

The trend is posing threat to the lives and property of the inhabitants in case of floods as well as quality of the river.

Confirming the development in an interview, the Village Headwoman of Manase, Suman 1 says people are still building their houses along the river.

On it's part, Blantyre City Council (BCC) discloses that it already sensitized them to stop.

"They are all aware that living along the river is dangerous but it's just a matter of negligence ", said Anthony Kasunda, BCC Public Relations Officer.

He added that it is illegal to construct houses or doing any activity along the rivers in the city without their approval.

But, one of the villagers at Manase, Margaret Karonga declined to relocate, saying she will move if given a better place to stay.

11/12/2020

View Foundation Organize T-shirt Sell for Assisting Two Orphanages

A charity organization which its purpose is to empower people especially the youth financially, socially and psychologically in Malawi called View Foundation has started a fundraising campaign by selling T-shirts in a bid to generate money for supporting two social welfares, Agape Orphanage and Tiana Foundation Trust.

The founder of View Foundation, Roy View Banda said that he has started this initiative since he have a passion of charity.

'I have always had a passion for charity, the way I was raised I struggled with life and it took some relatives and friends to help me grow both mentally and financially, that's when I realised that sometimes we need people to help us in order to move forward so I vowed to help people whenever I can" Banda explained.

According to Banda, said that people have welcomed this initiative since people are still purchasing the T-shirts and send their donations to the Foundation.

He also appealed to the general public that people can make their orders or donate using this phone number + (265) 0 999 685 678 or National Bank account number 1005169697.

The View Foundation is expected to visit the Agape Orphanage on 12th December before doing the same initiative at Tiana Foundation on 20th December.

He also said that the View Foundation plans were disturbed by COVID-19 this year but he urged Malawians that the Foundation have more projects starting from January next year.

Compiled by Martin Mpungah and Francios Kwatani

09/12/2020

CT Scanning to Resume at QECH

By Francios Kwatani

Computed Tomography scanning services normally known as CT scan used in monitoring internal head injuries has been commissioned at QECH by the Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda in partnership with a Norwegian organisation.

QECH's director, Dr Samson Ndoro disclosed that CT scanning services are extremely scarce in Malawi considering the fact that Mwaiwathu private hospital and Kamuzu Central Hospital are the ones that provide such services, therefore the arrival of CT Scan at QECH will be of great importance.

"Although we once had the CT Scan device during 1990s but as time went by it got damaged, therefore, in absence of CT scanning services, we have been using the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which in true sense is not a substitute for CT scan", Ndoro said.

He also said that the installation of CT scan will make work much easier as clinicians since there will be no consumption of much time to monitor damages on patients since a human eye has its limits.

The Director added that CT Scan will be easily accessible as at first was expensive and now it will be free of charge, hence saving time as well as lot of lives.

The Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda says she would be delighted to see more of CT scan devices in many hospitals throughout the country.

07/12/2020

BULLETS RETURN FROM THE NORTH WITH 3 POINTS

By Martin Mpungah

Plans to collect maximum points from their trip to the northern region has ended in vain as Nyasa Big Bullets collected only three points out of six points from two games.

Tha Blantyre based soccer giants registered their first victory this season in TNM Super League against
Chitipa United, 2-0 yesterday after suffered their first defeat on Saturday against Karonga United.

Hassan Kajoke and Mike Mkwate were the only players on a scoreboard.

The defending Champions are on the fourth position with four points from three games and they are expected to host Red Lions this weekend.

In other games played yesterday, Red Lions defeat Ntopwa United by two goals to one and TN Stars taste their first victory by defeating Moyale Barracks 2-1.

06/12/2020

THE CHEMISTRY OF PHYZIX IN 2020

By Stewart Comfort Mandala

Blantyre based songwriter and hip hop superstar Phyzix, has been nominated in seven categories in the upcoming Malawi Hip hop Awards.

For the first time in his music career the "Follow" hit maker is is set to win his first award in more than thirteen years without a single award to his name.

"I have been feeling disrespected and humiliated when my enemies keep on criticising me of not having any award, so this year I worked harder and in fact I showed them that I am not just a legend but I can do better than being just a mere legend."said Phyzix.

The 'It's Only Entertainment' CEO, also added that, there is no need to question him for being nominated in many categories because he dominated the game this year.

Phyzix is one of the pioneers of hip hop music in Malawi, he came into spotlight back in 2005 with his hit song "Cholapitsa".
Can he scoop all the awards he has been nominated for? Let's see if 2020 is the year where Phyzix will combine his chemistry very well.

05/12/2020

MTSITSI ALBUM LAUNCH

By Omega Chikhoza

Rodwell Lumbe, a spoken word Chichewa poet who did "Dziko lamisala, Mahule Oyera mtima, Chiwewe' just to mention a few, is set to launch his first album, "Mtsitsi" at Kwaharaba Art Gallery and Cafe on the 16th December 2020 from 5:00pm.

"Mtsitsi is my first album. Mtsitsi literally means 'creeping stem' contrary to many people's interpretation of the same as 'root(s)'. I have titled the album Mtsitsi because it is the rebirth, growth and maturation of Malawian spoken word poetry."

"Just like the stem grows, so does the poetry grow. And not so many stems (many poets) that grow upright, this grows and matures close to the ground, it touches the centre, the soul," he says.

Yankho Seunda will host the event and supporting artists like Q Malewezi, Dr Okoma Atani Malunga, Stan, Makeeda, Leslie, Viwemi and William Shumba will be performing and all are urged to attend.