Tag Archives: Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera

Politics

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera supports needy students and disaster victims with K600 Million

Maravi Post Reporter

By Jones Gadama

In a significant display of commitment to supporting vulnerable members of society, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has presented cheques worth K600 million to beneficiaries of the Presidential Charity Initiative.

The funds were raised through a golf tournament held in October 2024 at Limbe Country Club in Blantyre.

During a ceremony at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, President Chakwera handed over cheques to two main beneficiaries: the country’s six public universities and the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA).

Each of the six public universities received K50 million to cover tuition fees for needy students, totaling K300 million.

The universities that benefited are the University of Malawi, Mzuzu University, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Kamuzu College of Health Sciences.

The remaining K300 million was allocated to DoDMA for the reconstruction of Muona Primary School in Nsanje, which was destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.

This initiative aims to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for students affected by the cyclone.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Chakwera emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering the youth through education.

He described the charity initiative as an investment in human capital development, which will enable young people to transition from dependence to self-reliance.

“This is an investment necessary for the human capital development for enabling the achievement of an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation, hence an investment in education goes a long way in securing a sustainable future for the nation,” he said.

The President’s commitment to education is evident in the government’s efforts to prioritize the development of young people.

By providing financial support to needy students, the government aims to ensure that no one is left behind in pursuing their academic goals.

Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwila, expressed her gratitude to the President for his support, saying that the future of students is in safe hands.

She highlighted the significant increase in the number of needy students receiving loans, from 13,000 to 33,000 in the past five years. This, she said, demonstrates the government’s commitment to developing the youth through education.

Tamanda Kumwela, a student from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), represented fellow needy students at the ceremony.

She commended the President for his support, emphasizing that education is a right and financial barriers should not hinder anyone from achieving it.

“We are grateful for the President’s initiative, which has come at a time when many students are struggling to access education due to financial constraints,” she said.

The Presidential Charity Initiative has demonstrated the power of community and philanthropy in supporting vulnerable members of society.

The golf tournament that raised the K600 million was a testament to the generosity and commitment of individuals and organizations to giving back to the community.

The impact of the Presidential Charity Initiative extends beyond the financial support provided to needy students and disaster victims.

It also highlights the government’s commitment to prioritizing education and youth development.

By investing in education, the government is investing in the future of the country, ensuring that young people have the skills and knowledge necessary to contribute to the nation’s growth and development.

The reconstruction of Muona Primary School in Nsanje is a critical aspect of the initiative.

The school was destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Freddy, leaving students without a safe and conducive learning environment.

The K300 million allocated to DoDMA will enable the school to be rebuilt, providing students with access to quality education and a secure learning environment.

The Presidential Charity Initiative has made a significant impact in supporting needy students and disaster victims.

The K600 million presented to beneficiaries is a testament to the government’s commitment to prioritizing education and youth development.

As the country continues to face challenges in accessing education, initiatives like this will play a critical role in ensuring that every student has access to quality education, regardless of their financial background.

The Presidential Charity Initiative is a shining example of what can be achieved when individuals and organizations come together to support a common cause. As the nation looks to the future, it is essential to continue supporting initiatives that prioritize education and youth development.

By doing so, we can build a brighter future for our country, where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The ceremony was a reminder that education is a fundamental right, and every student deserves access to quality education.

The Presidential Charity Initiative has demonstrated that with commitment and support, it is possible to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable members of society.

As the nation moves forward, it is essential to continue supporting initiatives that prioritize education and youth development, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their financial background.

Law and order

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera stands firm on land dispute, refuses compensation for displaced families

Maravi Post Reporter

By Jones Gadama

A contentious land dispute between the people of Kasasile, the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), and the Ministry of Lands has reached a boiling point.

President Lazarus Chakwera has declared that he will not entertain any attempts to encroach on the 17,712 hectares of land in question, which is part of the Viphya firing range.

Chakwera warned that anyone who dares to defy his orders will face severe consequences, including the possibility of being shot.

The land dispute began on December 4, 2024, when MDF soldiers seized land from over 328 families in Kasasile, claiming it belonged to the government.

The affected families were forced to flee their homes and seek temporary shelter in and around a local church.

The MDF Commander, General Paul Valentino Phiri, justified the action, stating that the people were removed for their own safety.

President Chakwera’s stance on the issue has been unequivocal. He maintains that the land is government property and that the MDF has every right to protect it.

Chakwera also refused to consider compensating the displaced families, claiming they deliberately settled on the land despite knowing its status.

“We will not compensate anyone who knowingly encroaches on government land,” Chakwera asserted.

“The MDF must be protected, and we will not tolerate any attempts to undermine their authority,” Chakwera added sternly while failing to elaborate protection the MDF needed from homeless families.

However, Traditional Authority M’bwana of Nkhata Bay has urged the government to reconsider its decision.

During a sensitization meeting held by the Ministry of Lands, M’bwana accepted that the land belongs to the MDF, as confirmed by a map presented during the meeting.

Nevertheless, he appealed to the government to find alternative land to resettle the displaced families and to provide compensation for their losses.

“I understand that the land belongs to the MDF, but we cannot ignore the plight of our people,” M’bwana stated,adding that, “We urge the government to find a way to resettle our people and provide them with the necessary support to rebuild their lives.”

The MDF has launched an investigation into reports of abuse, including theft of property and crops, during the operation to seize the land.

General Phiri assured that any wrongdoing will be addressed and that those responsible will be held accountable.

The land dispute in Kasasile has highlighted the complexities of land ownership and the need for clear policies to guide the use of government land.

While President Chakwera’s stance may be seen as firm, it has also raised concerns about the welfare of the displaced families.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will address the issue and find a resolution that balances the needs of all parties involved.

Politics

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera hosts pastors, dispels buying votes allegations

Maravi Post Reporter

By Jones Gadama

President Lazarus Chakwera hosted over 50 pastors from various churches in Lilongwe on Thursday, where he gifted each attendee MK200,000. The event sparked controversy, with some media outlets alleging that Chakwera was buying votes. However, the President vehemently denied these claims, stating that the monetary gift was a token of appreciation for the pastors’ prayers and support.

During his speech, Chakwera emphasized that the gift should not be misconstrued as an attempt to buy votes or influence the pastors. “No money can buy you,” he said, adding that the pastors, like all human beings, were already “bought” by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice.

Chakwera also acknowledged his administration’s shortcomings, admitting that he had failed to deliver on some of his 2020 campaign promises.

However, he humorously noted that some bishops had jokingly told him that he had taken the country to “Bagamoyo” instead of the promised “Canaan.” The audience erupted in laughter and applause, with the pastors chanting “Amen” in unison.

The President reiterated that everyone, including himself, bishops, sheiks, and self-proclaimed prophets, are failures. He urged the audience to focus on their faith in Jesus Christ, rather than blaming each other for their shortcomings.

In a surprising twist, Chakwera declared that only Jesus Christ can fix Malawi’s ailing economy, not him. However, he solicited votes from the pastors, promising to turn the economy around if re-elected.

This event has sparked mixed reactions from the public, with some praising Chakwera’s humility and willingness to acknowledge his administration’s failures. Others, however, have criticized the President for attempting to buy influence and votes from the pastors.

As the 2025 general elections approach, Chakwera’s actions will undoubtedly be scrutinized by the public and the media. Whether this event will impact his re-election bid remains to be seen.

Background

Chakwera’s administration has faced numerous challenges, including a struggling economy, corruption allegations, and criticism from the Catholic Bishops of Malawi.

The President has also been accused of failing to deliver on his campaign promises, including combating corruption and improving the economy.

Despite these challenges, Chakwera remains committed to his faith and has often emphasized the importance of prayer and spiritual guidance in his decision-making process.

Reactions

The event has sparked a lively debate on social media, with some users praising Chakwera’s humility and others criticizing him for attempting to buy influence.

“I applaud President Chakwera for acknowledging his administration’s failures and seeking prayer and guidance from the pastors,” said one user.

However, another user countered, “This is just a desperate attempt by Chakwera to buy votes and influence the pastors. It won’t work!”

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Chakwera’s actions will be closely watched in the lead-up to the 2025 general elections.

Development, SADC

Malawi to withdraw troops from DRC amidst regional security concerns

Maravi Post Reporter

By Twink Jones Gadama

In a significant development, Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has ordered the withdrawal of the country’s troops from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The decision comes amidst regional security concerns and efforts to address the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC.

According to a statement released by the President’s office, the withdrawal of troops is aimed at redeploying them to other areas of need, while also allowing for a review of Malawi’s participation in regional peacekeeping missions.¹ The move is seen as a strategic decision to reassess the country’s military commitments in the region.

The DRC has been plagued by conflict and instability, particularly in the eastern regions, where rebel groups such as the M23 have been active. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian needs, with thousands of people displaced and in need of assistance.

Malawi’s troops have been deployed in the DRC as part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission. The mission aims to stabilize the region and support the DRC government in its efforts to address the conflict.

President Chakwera’s decision to withdraw troops from the DRC is seen as a significant development in the region’s security landscape. The move is likely to have implications for the SADC peacekeeping mission and the overall security situation in the DRC.

In recent months, the SADC region has been actively engaged in efforts to address the conflict in the DRC. The region has held several summits and meetings to discuss the situation and develop a coordinated response.

President Chakwera has been a key player in these efforts, and his decision to withdraw troops from the DRC is seen as a significant contribution to the region’s security discussions. The President has emphasized the need for a coordinated regional response to the conflict in the DRC, and his decision to withdraw troops is seen as a step in this direction.

As the region continues to grapple with the complex security challenges in the DRC, President Chakwera’s decision to withdraw troops from the country is a significant development. The move is likely to have implications for the SADC peacekeeping mission and the overall security situation in the DRC.

In the coming weeks and months, it will be important to monitor the situation in the DRC and the region’s response to the conflict. As the SADC region continues to work towards a coordinated response to the conflict, President Chakwera’s decision to withdraw troops from the DRC is a significant step in this direction.

Top News

Chakwera finished Martha!

Elwin Mandowa
Lazarus Chakwera clipping the wings of Martha Chizuma

Many people listening to the speech by Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera who feigned forgiveness for Martha by not firing her, were fooled by the trickery but few experienced social media personalities did not fall for the sleight of hand trickery.

Chatinkha Chidzanja Nkhoma was one person that was not fooled. She writes in her Facebook page :

Martha Chizuma is a Goner

Ninety percent of the speech was on Malita this says a lot, a public humiliation, the bible teaches us to admonish each other privately. It is REALLY unnecessary. Just telling us that “after considering all things Martha will remain” was enough.

 I feel sorry for her really. Whichever way you look at its Watha Martha, she has her hands now tightly tied behind her back, a position they wanted her in the first place.

She will be tightly controlled and rendered TOTALLY useless. Orama mwamupweteketsa mzanu. Martha’s integrity was destroyed yesterday, and she will be operating under deep duress and fear now. What a waste of a brilliant mind. One slight mistake, real or perceived she makes, she is a goner.

 Joshua Chisa Mbele, who is no one’s, fool also in a colorful commentary of a man who pays his wife ten tambala to stop cheating and has to show him the coin everyday writes in his own commentary the following:

President Chakwera last night put Martha in an exceedingly difficult and awkward situation.

He has actually given her a 10 Tambala Coin to take care for him.

Every other day, at his pleasure she will be asked to bring the Coin.

He will gaze at it and shake his head in disbelief what Martha is capable of saying to other people about him.

Chakwera finished off Martha.

Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera the day he appointed Chizuma to ACB –

Supported Martha from her Appointment debacle

On a secondary note, I want to say the following. We have supported Martha from her appointment debacle to this current mishap.

She must now trade carefully. The public support will not be their next time she blunders.

She is the first person who should have known better that her phone is tapped. Her conversations are monitored.

Pegasus is on her.

Yet she was all over with Namalomba.

If she were my wife, Namalomba issue would have actually raised my eyebrows.

Anamasuka mzimai kwambiri.

The President has publicly given Martha the political will,  we all asked for, to deal with Sattar case.

As a bonus, He has dissolved the Cabinet. That is giving her all the latitude in dealing with whoever considered prominent or closer to the President.

Put it in simple terms; He has pulled the carpet under her feet.

Palibe zakuti this is a high-profile case. She is dealing with ordinary suspects. Palibe Mbendera petupetu.

Within the next 48 hours we should be hearing the Drums of War.

Chigumula.

The President played a shrewd card never heard in history on the continent.

He reiterated what Martha said in the leaked recording. One by one.

That is what we call, Stabbing and Twisting the Dagga for maximum damage. More pain.

In the end he said, I am not going to fire her. I will keep her. I do not take things personal. I still believe in her even though she has caused me enormous pain.

He disabled her legs.

corruption

Chakwera moves to protect 50 million dollar bribe

Patseni Mauka
Malawi President
FILE – Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera takes the oath of office in Lilongwe, Malawi, June 28, 2020.

By Patseni Mauka

President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has assumed the role of Minister of Energy soon after he fired Newton Kambala. The president, who always moves at snail’s pace on issues of national importance, has acted quickly to protect his personal interests at the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).

Newton Kambala

Yesterday, Malawians were dumbfounded when Chakwera communicated that he will be the Minister of Energy on top of his numerous positions including being Minister of Defence, Chancellor of four public universities, MCP president and SADC Chairman.

What has surprised many Malawians is that President Chakwera has quickly moved to fill the few-hours vacancy at the Ministry of Energy in his own favour despite the fact that is has taken many months without filling the vacancies in the Ministries of Transport, Local government and Labour. By assuming more responsibilities, Chakwera is also acting against his own promise of reducing his
roles and powers The Ministries of Transport and Local government became vacant upon the deaths of Sidik Mia and Lingston Belekanyama six months ago.

The ministry of labour fell vacant when Chakwera fired Ken Kandodo for misuse of covid 19 money.

Despite relentless pressure on the president to appoint new ministers in the vacant posts, Chakwera has not moved an inch to fill the posts. However, it has just taken a few hours for him to see the need to have the Energy Ministry post filled, by himself! Only a huge personal benefit moved the president.

In February this year, a whistle blower who pleaded anonymity revealed that President Chakwera through the Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Zangazanga Chikhosi and Minister of Foreign affairs Eiseinhower Mkaka, agreed with some foreign companies to receive a 50 million dollars bribe in exchange for fuel supply contracts at NOCMA.

Chikhosi, who is also the board chairman of NOCMA, made all the arrangements with Deputy CEO of NOCMA, Hellen Buluma to award the contracts to the identified companies. NOCMA then proceeded to get approval from Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA).

The MERA board rejected NOCMA’s application for approval of prices for the suppliers that NOCMA selected citing concerns over overpricing. MERA suggested that NOCMA should select other suppliers (without naming any) or the same but at lower prices as submitted by the majority of the bidders.

The reported difference in cost was a whooping 50 million united states dollars! Still, NOCMA through it’s Deputy CEO, Hellen Buluma fought vehemently in support of its decision to award fuel supply contracts to its selected companies.

As it stands, President Chakwera has total control of NOCMA. He is the Minister of Energy, his Secretary is the board Chairman of NOCMA and MERA has no choice but toe the presidents line. Welcome to servant leadership where the presidents personal benefits are all that matters.

Politics

Lazarus Chakwera’s polite presser shows he should be judged by his actions not glowing speeches

Patseni Mauka
Chakwera Press Conference
President Lazarus Chakwera has denied having appointed his daughter to a diplomatic mission

1. As usual he delivered a fantastic speech, yaulemu yowonetsa kudandaula  (polite, showing remorse). I felt sorry for him. It shows he is human after all and zimamukhudza(it affects him).

2. It confirmed that what we write on social media finds him. So, he must know zimene timatokota(what is happening in the country). Since I find this encouraging and tipitiliza kutokota ( We will continue to provide our unsolicited advice until he takes heed and changes direction).

3. Now that we have more evidence that confirms that he gets what we write, our frustration is more than before. It confirms that he is slow in decision making, ndiosamva(does not listen) kapena(or) he is captured big time. I say this because most of the suggestions we write here are out of good will. There is absolutely no reason why there should be no CEOS for most parastatals a year after becoming president. No reason to see corruption growing instead of decreasing. No reason for not changing public systems that promote stealing of public resources. No reason for having no ministers in key ministries like labor, local government, and transport for many months. In short, no reason for mediocrity that we have witnessed so far.

4. Chakwera is the biggest problem. Good at delivering excellent speeches but clueless on decisive action. He has himself to blame.

5. The press conference has confirmed one of the biggest things that made some of us to drop him and take him head on. He lied on the appointment of her daughter to the embassy. When the list of embassies bound members of staff was confirmed, he should have immediately written a press release disowning the appointment of his daughter to the embassy. That is if he was serious about it. We criticized the appointment from day one, but he never said anything apart from sending his state house bull dogs to tell us that State house finds our thinking lacking. It’s only now that he has been put in his place on the international stage that he has decided to disown the appointment, almost a month after his daughter was appointed and attended an orientation for diplomas!

Mr President, we will judge you by your actions not speeches. We learnt that the hard way and we will not be fooled again by your excellent grasp of the queen’s language. Sinthani ndithu.

Malawians want action.

Lifestyle, Opinion, Politics

Malawi President Lazarus “Kadingus” Chakwera latest trolls on social media

MaraviPost

Some Malawians especially in the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) strongholds in  central Region sacrificed life and limb to get their man Lazarus Chakwera the Presidency. They were helped by Andrew K.C. Nyirenda  Chief Justice of Malawi. His judicial rulings all of them could easily be written by Lazarus Chakwera himself.

Andrew K.C. Nyirenda forced the Presidential election rerun that saw his man Lazarus Chakwera become President. During the campaigning he made sure to stop Peter Mutharika from imposing strict Coronavirus measures that could have saved lives.

Sensing his bias Peter Mutharika tried to force him to retire, however since then he has shown his revengeful hand. Imposing fees on Peter Mutharika. Latest ruling was the dismissal of Kunje and Namathanga. Simply doing the bidding of Lazarus Chakwera.

However, the support of Andrew K.C. Nyirenda is not enough to mask the indecisiveness and incompetence of Lazarus Chakwera. He has ruled with a probationary  and incomplete Cabinet since becoming a court mandated President. Two Ministers died months ago from the Coronavirus that he minimized while campaigning. However, he has yet to appoint new ministers to fill those vacancies.

Malawians have taken to social media to share their frustrations and disillusionment.

Brian Banda
Promise of a New Cabinet still waiting ….
Stealing Coronavirus Funds
Speeches by Chakwera
Promises Unfulfilled
Health

Malawi’s choice Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine offers limited protection against South Africa variant

Maneno Chimulala
Oxford-AstraZeneca

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Early trials of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, which is expected to roll out in Malawi by next month, suggest that the vaccine offers limited protection against mild disease caused by the South Africa variant.

But the firm said it believed the vaccine could protect against severe disease caused by the more transmissible coronavirus variant.

According to BBC, the preliminary findings from a small study of more than 2,000 people have not yet been peer-reviewed.

More than 100 cases of the South Africa variant have been found in the UK.

The preliminary findings, first reported by the Financial Times and confirmed by AstraZeneca, suggest the vaccine offers limited protection against mild and moderate disease caused by the variant.

The study is due to be published on Monday.

A spokesman for AstraZeneca said they had not yet been able to properly establish whether the jab would prevent severe disease and hospitalisation caused by the South Africa variant because those involved in the study had predominantly been young, healthy adults.

But the company expressed confidence that the vaccine would offer protection against serious cases, because it created neutralising antibodies similar to those of other coronavirus vaccines.

The University of Oxford told Reuters news agency it was working with AstraZeneca to “optimise” the pipeline in vaccine production if it needed to adapt to a change in the virus.

It has said a new vaccine to work against mutated versions of the virus could be ready to deploy in the autumn if needed.

Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at Southampton University, said that if the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was less protective against mild disease but prevented severe disease this would “still be a pretty good outcome”.

“I don’t think we need to be too alarmed by [the reported findings] as yet but we do need to see the full study to work out what the implications really are,” he told the BBC.

It comes after the company on Saturday said its vaccine provided good protection against the variant first discovered in Kent, which is now dominant in the UK.

Current vaccines were designed around earlier versions of coronavirus, but scientists believe they should still work against the new ones, although it is not yet clear how well against different mutations.

Experts say vaccines could be redesigned and tweaked to be a better match for new variants in a matter of weeks or months if necessary.

Malawia President Lazarus Chakwera announced that his government has finally secured doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to help immunize “as many citizens as possible” against COVID-19.

Chakwera said the first consignment of the vaccine will arrive at the end of February for rollout in March.

Chakwera said his government will administer the vaccine to 20 percent of the population for a start, with frontline workers, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions as a priority.

Malawi

Malawi President Chakwera misses Tanzania’s Magufuli inauguration as Mia represents him

Maravi Post Reporter

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera will miss the inauguration ceremony for Tanzania’s John Magufuli.

Chakwera has however delegated Minister of Transport Sidik Mia who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP)’s First Vice President to represent him.

In a letter signed by Secretary for Transport Patrick Zimpita, Mia was expected to meet truck drivers on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 but the meeting has been cancelled because of the Minister’s assignment in Tanzania.

“Hon. Minister of Transport and Public Works who was supposed to chair the meeting has been delegated to attend inauguration of the president elect of the United Republic of Tanzania on 5th November, 2020 on behalf of the President,” reads part of the letter to truck drivers dated 3rd November.

Media reports reveal that Mia has been accompanied by Minister of Information Gospel Kazako.

The inauguration comes weeks after President Chakwera visited Tanzania where he held talks with Magufuli.

Last week, Magufuli won a second term, with a landslide victory of more than 84% of the vote while his main opponent, Tundu Lissu, earned 13% of the vote.

Announcing the votes Friday in Dar es Salaam, the chairperson of the National Electoral Commission, Semistocles Kaijage, said 15 million of 29 million registered voters went to the polls.

Lissu, of the Party for Democracy and Progress, or Chadema, last week told Voanews that the election was full of fraud, and he called on the international community not to accept the results.

Last month Chakwera visited Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe for diplomatic talks.