Dalitso Kabambe, one of the presidential aspirant for the UTM party, has called on delegates to vote for visionary leaders at the upcoming elective conference.
Speaking to Bua Central Region delegates in Kasungu District, he expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party to victory in the 2025 general elections.
“I’m very optimistic that if I am voted into the UTM presidential seat and win next year’s polls, my experience will help address the challenges Malawians face today,” Kabambe stated.
UTM Bua Central Region Governor Gerald Mbewe hailed Kabambe’s remarks, underscoring the need for intelligent leadership to ensure the party’s success.
The UTM party’s 2024 elective conference is scheduled for November 17.
LILONGWE, Malawi — The Malawi Government requires more than K24 billion to facilitate the repatriation of approximately 15,000 Malawians stranded in South Africa following a wave of xenophobic attacks targeting foreign nationals.
According to a budget statement prepared by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) and seen by MIJ Online, authorities are racing against time to bring affected Malawians home safely while providing humanitarian support during the process.Shepherd Bushiri Calls for National Unity in Support of Returning Malawians
Transport Takes Largest Share of Budget
The budget estimates show that K16.8 billion will be needed for transportation alone, making it the largest expenditure in the repatriation exercise.
Of this amount:
K14.5 billion has been allocated for hiring buses to transport returnees from South Africa to Malawi.
K2 billion is earmarked for transport support and logistics.
K83.5 million will be used for fuel.
Government officials say the transportation component is critical given the large number of citizens requiring assistance and the long distance involved.
Reception and Humanitarian Assistance
Upon arrival in Malawi, returnees will require immediate humanitarian support, prompting the government to allocate K1.1 billion for reception services.
The allocation includes:
K792 million for food assistance.
K141 million for temporary shelter.
K108 million for social protection services.
Authorities say many of the affected Malawians have lost their livelihoods, personal belongings, and sources of income during the attacks, making reintegration support essential.
Coordination and Camp Management Costs
The budget further indicates that K2.4 billion will be needed to support coordination teams managing the repatriation operation.
Disaster management experts say coordination between Malawi and South African authorities will be crucial to ensure a smooth and safe repatriation process.
More Than 800 Already Repatriated
The government has already begun bringing citizens back home, with 819 Malawians repatriated so far.
According to the budget statement, the initial phase of the operation has already cost K787.6 million, highlighting the significant financial burden facing the government as it scales up efforts to assist thousands more people.
Human rights groups and migrant advocacy organizations have repeatedly called for stronger protection measures for foreign workers and residents, warning that recurring attacks continue to threaten lives and livelihoods.
For Malawi, the crisis presents both a humanitarian and economic challenge, as authorities seek resources to support affected citizens while managing the logistics of one of the country’s largest repatriation operations in recent years.
Government Appeals for Support
With the estimated cost exceeding K24 billion, analysts say the government may need support from development partners, humanitarian agencies, and other stakeholders to successfully complete the repatriation exercise.Should Malawi Consider Foreign Judges to Fight Corruption?
As thousands of Malawians await safe passage home, the coming weeks are expected to test the country’s disaster response capacity and commitment to protecting citizens abroad.
LILONGWE, Malawi – Malawi Defence Force (MDF) athletes delivered a commanding performance at the 2026 Standard Bank Be More Race, claiming top positions in both the men’s and women’s 21-kilometre categories during the event held at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Saturday.FDH Bank projects strong profit growth for 2025
The annual marathon attracted approximately 4,000 athletes from across the country, making it one of Malawi’s largest sporting and wellness events.
In the men’s 21-kilometre race, Kasteni from Cobbe Barracks emerged victorious after crossing the finish line in an impressive time of 1:05:45. Fellow MDF athlete Brave Mwamphanthe from Chilumba Garrison secured second place with a time of 1:05:55, while Thomas Chunga finished third.Standard Bank Donates K30 Million To MoH
The women’s category was equally dominated by military athletes, with Fostina Mbemba from Moyale Barracks taking first position after clocking 1:19:56. Mercy Malembo from Armoured Battalion finished second in 1:22:32, while Enifa Kaponda claimed third place.
The winners walked away with substantial cash prizes, with the first-place finishers receiving K2.5 million each. Second-place winners earned K1.7 million, while third-place finishers received K1.5 million.Standard Bank Plc Post 39.2 billion Kwacha Net Profit In 2022.
Speaking during the event, Standard Bank Malawi Chief Executive Officer Philip Madinga said the Be More Race has evolved beyond a sporting competition and now serves as a platform for promoting healthy lifestyles, community engagement, and personal development.
“This is beyond a marathon. It is about encouraging people to be more in every aspect of their lives, whether through wellness, discipline, resilience, or community impact,” said Madinga.
The Standard Bank Be More Race continues to grow in popularity each year, attracting elite athletes, amateur runners, fitness enthusiasts, and corporate teams from across Malawi.Standard Bank Malawi Launches the 2025 Be More Race
The strong performance by Malawi Defence Force athletes highlights the military’s continued investment in sports development and physical fitness, with MDF runners consistently featuring among the country’s top long-distance competitors.
As the 2026 edition concludes, organisers have hailed the event as a success, citing high participation levels and growing public interest in athletics and wellness initiatives.
The Parliamentary Adhoc Committee is conducting investigations surrounding the Monday 10th June, 2024 plane crash in the Chikangawa forest that claimed the lives of Dr. Saulosi Chilima and eight others, in a tragic circumstances.Key questions answered in Chilima plane crash inquiry
New issues are continuing emerging from the ongoing inquiry proving that the previous inquiry results were cooked, no work done to investigate the truth surrounding the tragic death of innocent souls.
On the other side, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) media team is praising the respondents that they are speaking justice and lies have failed to implicate Dr. Lazarus Chakwera and his MCP in the murder of Dr. Chilima and eight others.
Among the arguments MCP media team is praising are that Dr. Chilima planned alone to go to Ralph Kasambara’s burial in Nkhatabay, requested a plane from MDF, made a list of those to travel with him, and given MK5 million from the OPC as Kasambara’s condolences.
The MCP media team is happy that it is not true the party’s minister ordered for the burial service to start in Nkhatabay, and many saw the plane flying at a low level above the sea and it vanished.FDH backs digital shift in public hospitals
A Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Vice Constituency Secretary for Lilongwe Urban speaking on a strict condition anonymity, has advised MCP not to celebrate assuring them that the war they have with Malawians is still on.
He said the respondents have failed to identify the person who ordered the search mission to stop because it was dark and to come back the following day morning to resume their work leaving Dr. Chilima and others in the cold for 24 hours.
The Secretary said graphic pictures from Chikangawa forest where a plane crash left Dr. Chilima without a belt, shoes, and a necktie with both legs chopped, is another painful investigation that will carry away MCP media team celebrations.
He said the respondents are still speaking of the plane returned to Lilongwe because of the weather at the Mzuzu airport forgetting that the German investigations team map showed that the plane was diverted some where in the Chikangawa forest and never reached Mzuzu, this is still a subject of investigation by the Adhoc Committee.
” Which is which, the plane reached Mzuzu or not and what should Malawians believe, justice or lies?” Questioned the source.
He said all eyes will be on Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s turn to answer very big questions that who informed him that the plane was forced to go back to Lilongwe from Mzuzu and why he commended the MDF leadership to furnish him with information every after four hours knowing pretty well that in that plane there was his second in command.Should Malawi Replace Kamuzu Day with Saulos Chilima Day?
The MCP Vice Secretary has appealed to the MCP media to wait till the end of the investigations so that tomorrow, they should not be mourners seeing its senior officials being arrested for murder, prosecutions and serving prison sentences.
By Mabvuto Kalawa, Malawi Freedom Network Correspondent
The Father Superior of Nathenje Parish, Fr. Thomas Kasiya, has encouraged members of Holy Guardian Angels Mphakati to continue supporting the parish both financially and spiritually, as they have done in the past.Turkish investors eye Lilongwe trash gold mine in power deal
Fr. Kasiya made the remarks during a Mass held recently in the mphakati. He reminded the congregation that the practice of thanksgiving to God dates back to the time of Abraham. “We need to thank God for whatever He does for us. Remember, God receives in good faith whatever we give Him, whether it is money or produce, as you have done today,” he said.
He also urged members to strengthen prayer in their homes and to pray for others facing challenges such as war, hunger, and hardship. In his homily, he emphasized the importance of loving and praying for both the elderly and the young.RBM Dismisses Stinging Rumors of Kwacha Devaluation
The first reading was taken from Genesis 18:1–15, and the Gospel from Luke 21:1–4. Both passages focused on prayer and thanksgiving to God.
Mr. Malak Banda, chairperson of the mphakati, said members were grateful for the Father Superior’s visit. He noted that the mphakati, which has few members, faces challenges, including the fact that since its establishment, elected leaders have not received training on how to manage its affairs. He appealed to Fr. Kasiya to consider holding Masses in the mphakati for the elderly and the sick who cannot attend daily services at the parish.
Banda also expressed concern that some members who should be part of the mphakati have crossed borders for reasons known only to themselves. Despite these challenges, he said, cooperation among the remaining members remains strong.Bushiri Pledges Support for Football Development in Ntcheu
Holy Guardian Angels Mphakati is one of the groups in Nathenje Parish. It was established in 2025 after separating from St. Martin Mphakati and currently has 33 active members. The group is among those performing well in parish activities.
By Mabvuto Kalawa, Malawi News Network Correspondent
A nation cannot develop unless its citizens are well educated and the government invests adequately in the education sector. The same principle applies to churches and organizations, which depend on knowledgeable people to manage their affairs. As the saying goes, a blind person cannot lead another blind person without both falling into a ditch. That proverb holds true for nations, churches, and institutions alike.
Mrs. Sylvia Chibowa of Balaka, a retired teacher, said part of the problem lies in the frequent changes to the curriculum. She recalled that when she began teaching, the syllabus was stable, relevant, and rooted in Malawian culture. She also pointed to the introduction of free primary education as a factor that, while well-intentioned, has contributed to declining learner performance. “It is painful to see learners today who cannot speak English or write a simple composition,” she said. She added that the dawn of multiparty politics had further weakened standards.
A parent from the same community echoed the concern, saying it was disheartening to see learners underperforming. She attributed this to some teachers lacking proper qualifications and to learners themselves not working hard, preferring instead to mimic modern culture.
Another parent, Mr. Louis Ephraim, argued that Malawi’s low literacy levels stem from the politicization of education. He recalled the introduction of free primary school in 1994, noting it was rolled out without adequate planning for classrooms, trained teachers, and parental involvement. “The education sector lacks seriousness from the concerned parties,” he said. “We need to change our policies, and our politicians must show political will.”Nathenje Chiefs Warn Against Employing Children as Herdsmen
A primary education advisor for M’manga Zone, speaking anonymously, said many learners do not see education as a tool for development. “Even when you encourage them to study, they do not take it seriously,” he said. “We need stiffer measures to instill discipline and purpose.”
A recent report released by the National Statistical Office shows that 75% of Malawians cannot read or write. This remains the case despite years of donations and grants from development partners. The figures are a wake-up call for government, communities, and stakeholders to take education seriously if Malawi is to develop.Communities in Nathenje Begin Accessing FISP Inputs
As the old saying goes, if you think education is expensive, try ignorance. A nation with uneducated citizens cannot progress. Development is not the government’s job alone—it requires everyone to play their part.
