Tag Archives: Beautify Malawi (BEAM)

Opinion

United Nations gets a taste of Mutharika’s hypocrisy and arrogance

Patseni Mauka
Timothy Mtambo (in white): his organization (CHRR) accuses religious leaders of double standards and vows to nme and shamen them in public

The culture of hypocrisy and arrogance that has been one of the trademarks of Peter Mutharika and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) manifested itself on the international scene when the caretaker government refused to meet UN Assistant Secretary General Dr. Shannon Hader. The Representation of the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) requested meetings between Dr Hader and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as well as Homeland Security.

However in a Note No. 272/19 to the Representation of UNAIDS in Malawi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation stated that the Ministers were ‘not available’ for the meetings on the proposed dates. This was an open rebuff to the UN.

UNAIDS requested for the meeting after Malawi Police arrested human rights activists Gift Trapence, vice-chairperson of Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC and McDonald Sembereka for alleged fraud involving 7.4 million Kwacha.The two are some of the main organizers of the recent demonstrations against the outcome of the May 21 Tripartite Elections and it’s obvious that they are a target of intimidation.

According to the Nation Newspaper, Fiscal Police arrested the two following a complaint from UNAIDS which funded the Mango Network, a local NGO working on LGBTI issues. Trapence and Sembereka were charged with fraud related to alleged abuse of donor funds.

The UNAIDS which was reportedly the donor for a project the pair is accused of misappropriating funds from, called for their immediate release. In a press release dated 10 July 2019—UNAIDS said, “UNAIDS regrets unnecessarily involving the authorities in Malawi in its outstanding issue with the Mango Network. UNAIDS and MANGO Network have amicably reached a resolution over the issue.”

The press release further said, “ UNAIDS has not engaged in any legal action and believes there is no need for any legal action. UNAIDS respectfully requests the immediate release of the two members of the Mango Network, Mr Gift Trapence and Mr Macdonald Sembereka, from police custody.”

While I am against any financial mismanagement in both government and NGOs, I am equally against hypocrisy. It seems there are rules for those supporting government and separate rules for those opposing government. Other citizens with serious allegations are not even investigated at all.

For instance, on July 20, 2019, just ten days after The Nation reported on the arrests of the two activists, the paper reported that the First Lady’s charity has gone into business, leasing out donated trucks to Blantyre City Council (BCC) in a deal that appears to have violated procurement rules.

The paper reported that Beautify Malawi (Beam), a charity founded by Gertrude Mutharika, wife of President Peter Mutharika, received the trucks as a donation from the government of the People’s Republic of China in May 2016. However, they were leased to the council as refuse collection vehicles a year later. In 2017, the council paid K22 million to Beam and owes it millions of Kwachas for the years 2018 and 2019.

This is not an isolated case of abuse of public institutions by the First Lady. According to The Nation newspaper, in November, 2014 Madame Mutharika personally wrote a letter to NAC alongside, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and Mulhako wa Alomwe asking for funds that had nothing to do with Aids activities. Mutharika asked for K5 million for her Beam Trust, NIB asked for K43 million while Mulhako wa Alomwe was given K9 million.

The paper further reported that these donations came against the background of NAC announcing that it would scale down its funding mechanisms in HIV and Aids due to funding. Civil Society Organization (CSOs) tried to force the first lady to return the money but she refused.

Again today, the same paper has reported that the First Lady has drained 30 million Kwacha of tax payers money on a ten day private trip to the United Kingdom for a graduation ceremony of her son. This is clear abuse of public funds which under normal circumstances would be investigated. But these are the people who decide who can be arrested or not.

The first lady has become so powerful that government departments can’t offer contracts to any company before her verbal approval. All big contracts are now given to companies related to her or those that have made deals with her. She has become stinking rich although she has no salary or any business that could make her so rich.

Among other things, she is now building flats in Lilongwe full with a tarmac road specially built for her flats. She uses her position as first lady to get money using questionable means. She is untouchable. The vigour used to arrest opposition sympathizers and activists can’t be used to investigate her clear abuse of public funds. It’s hypocrisy of the highest order. The UN has just witnessed it first hand

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of the Publisher or the Editor of Maravi Post

Development, SADC

BEAM in ‘break the silence on infertility’ collaboration

MaraviPost
Beam Trustee
Beam Trustee Dingiswayo Jere briefs the Hournalist on the launch of Merck more than a mother in Lilongwe – Pic by Lisa Kadango

Lilongwe, July 12, 2019: A German based organization called Merck Foundation in collaboration with Beautify Malawi (BEAM) will jointly implement an initiative that seeks to break the silence associated with infertility issues.

The initiative is aimed at empowering men and women with infertility issues through the access to information, education, health and mind-set change

Addressing the Media in Lilongwe on Friday, Trustee for BEAM Dingiswayo Jere said the issue of infertility affects 15 per cent of the population in the country.

He added that the statistics could be higher because those recorded are only individuals that seek medical help.

Jere said the discrimination and stigma associated with infertility issues make it difficult for individuals facing the problem to speak out and seek medical attention.

“These issues need to be addressed from the grassroots by breaking traditional norms that make it difficult for affected individuals to speak out and seek medical health,” the Trustee said

He added that the stereotyping names that are given to women facing infertility issues were the root cause for affected individuals shying away from seeking medical attention and care.

‘’The stereotyping of women as the ones with medical issues when a family faces infertility has to be changed both men and women can be affected by infertility,” Jere explained.

He said the initiative sought to provide medical awareness to the affected and the nation on how they can access medical care and support.

Jere said Merck Foundation being a pharmaceutical company has done a research that has shown that 90 per cent of infertility cases are reversible with medical treatment and care.

“Medical conditions that cause infertility can be addressed and people affected should not accept that not having a child is their fate but they can seek medical attention and have children,” he advised.

The Trustee observed that through the initiative medical practitioners in the country will also be trained on how to assist individuals facing infertility issues.

Director for Administration in the Ministry of Health and Population, Benston Chisamile said the initiative would complement available policies and interventions in the ministry that tackle similar issues.

He said the Ministry appreciates initiatives such as the BEAM and Merck initiative, because conceited efforts from different stakeholders assist the Ministry to provide quality health care in the country.

“The initiative taken by BEAM and Merck especially training of health personnel will assist in providing medical care and assistance to individuals affected by infertility,” Chisamile noted.

The official launch of the initiative will take place on July 16,2019 and will be presided over by the First Lady Prof. Gertrude Mutharika who will  be unveiled as the Ambassador for the initiative in Malawi.

Lifestyle

First Lady Gertrude Mutharika says Hygiene is godliness

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Zomba, May 11, 2018: The First Lady Professor Gertrude Mutharika has commended Independent Schools Association of Malawi (ISAMA) for partnering with Beautify Malawi (BEAM) Trust in instilling hygiene practices in learners in Malawi.

Mutharika made the remarks at Zomba State Lodge on Friday during the third My Clean School, My Pride award presentation among independent schools in Malawi which saw Chisapi Private Schools of Chigumula in Blantyre emerging winners in the 2018 competition.

“I’m a strong believer in cleanness and in that cleanliness is next to godliness,” she added as she congratulated all the schools that entered the competition. Continue reading First Lady Gertrude Mutharika says Hygiene is godliness →

Lifestyle

First Lady’s Beam Trust initiates tree planting at Chinsapo secondary school

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Lilongwe, March 23, 2018: As one way of conserving the environment, on Friday the Beautify Malawi (BEAM) Trust led students of Chinsapo Secondary school in a tree planting exercise, as well as establishing BEAM club at their grounds in Lilongwe.

The establishment of Beam clubs in schools will help the implementation of the dreams and the vision of Beam Trust which among its activities is to make a cleaner, healthier and a beautiful Malawi.

Speaking during the function Chairperson for Beam Trust, Dingiswayo Jere said the Trust thought of establishing Beam Clubs at Chinsapo secondary school as one of the model schools so that it keeps on growing. Continue reading First Lady’s Beam Trust initiates tree planting at Chinsapo secondary school →