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.
Other news
- Mutharika to Review Cabinet Performance Reports
By Suleman Chitera
All Cabinet ministers have submitted their monthly performance reports to the Office of the President, according to Presidential Press Secretary Cathy Maulidi.
Maulidi confirmed the development on Wednesday, saying President Peter Mutharika will conduct a thorough review to assess how individual ministries have performed and the extent to which planned activities have been implemented.
She said the submission of the reports follows a directive Mutharika issued during the swearing-in ceremony of Cabinet ministers, where he emphasized the need for professionalism, transparency, and accountability in the delivery of public services.
“The President will carefully review the reports to determine performance levels and ensure that government programs are being implemented as planned,” Maulidi said.
Meanwhile, National Advocacy Platform (NAP) Chairperson Benedict Kondowe has welcomed the development, saying the review process should translate into clear policy direction and improved service delivery.
Kondowe said he expects President Mutharika to provide decisive guidance after the assessment and expressed confidence that the President may introduce changes based on the findings of the reports.
He added that regular performance reviews are critical in strengthening accountability within government and ensuring that Cabinet ministers remain focused on delivering tangible results for Malawians. - High Court adjourns Chimwendo’s bail hearing to Wednesday
By Vincent Gunde
The High Court- Lilongwe Registry on Friday adjourned hearing of bail application by former MCP Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda charged for the offence of attempted murder on Frank Chiwanda in 2021.
Many MCP family and supporters patronized the court with high hopes that Chimwendo Banda would be released on bail but the opposite happened, Chimwendo Banda was taken back to Maula prison where he is on remand to continue receiving treatment.
Soon after the Judge made a declaration to adjourn the hearing, MCP faces were down not believing that their Secretary General would remain to be in the custody of the courts until justice is delivered in his favor.
Some other people have already made a strong prediction that Chimwendo Banda would walk to freedom come Wednesday next week saying this is so following the same court issuing an injunction restraining the police from arresting MCP panga wielding thugs.
A Malawi Congress Party (MCP) diehard of Mvera in Dowa district Mr. Rodgers Kamphangala, said if Chimwendo Banda is granted court bail, then, this will be the best time for the new government to call for a constitutional conference to review, amend and revisit the Republican constitution.
Kamphangala said as evidenced with granting bail to panga wielding thugs granted court bail , the court has proved that the country has the constitution which is punishing the poor and favoring those with money in selective application of justice.
However, Kamphangala has warned High Court judges that Chimwendo Banda is key to so many charges that have happened in the country including that of Dr. Saulosi Chilima where millions of questions are still been asked but without answers.
He said Chimwendo Banda has reached a stage of two options, to run away or shoot himself with a gun for all the charges levelled against him to die a natural death praying to the judges to weigh what he has said and apply it in his bail ruling.
“Chimwendo Banda is all aware that no matter what he can stay outside, there will be time that he will be imprisoned for life, he will have two options, to run away or shoot himself with a gun,” said Kamphangala.
He has finally appealed to government to provide Frank Chiwanda with security claiming that the friends of Chimwendo Banda are many, others, can plan of killing him alleging that some of the MCP members are hunting for the life of one woman Thoko suspected to have sold Chimwendo Banda to police arrests.
- President Mutharika Moves into Kamuzu Palace
By Suleman Chitera
President Peter Mutharika has officially moved into Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe, State House has confirmed.
State House Press Secretary Cathy Maulidi told Zodiak Online a short while ago that the President relocated to Kamuzu Palace this evening, after departing Sanjika Palace in Blantyre earlier this afternoon.
The development comes a day after President Mutharika returned to the country through Bakili Muluzi International Airport in Blantyre on Monday, following a private trip to South Africa. The President had left Malawi on 1st December, a trip that sparked widespread public debate due to prolonged government silence on its purpose.
Previously, government officials indicated that President Mutharika would only take up residence at Kamuzu Palace after completion of targeted maintenance works at the main residence.
There have also been reports that Kamuzu Palace was vandalised during the transition period between the outgoing Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration and the incoming Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, prompting the need for repairs before the President’s return.
State House has not yet disclosed further details regarding the extent of the maintenance works or the reported vandalism. - Two Malawian female professionals attend UN-funded refrigeration and air conditioning training in Kigali
By Mabvuto Kalawa
Correspondent, Malawi Freedom Network
Two Malawian female professionals in refrigeration and air conditioning were among participants who attended a regional training workshop held in Kigali, Rwanda, aimed at empowering women in the refrigeration and cooling sector.
The training, which took place from 12 to 16 December 2025, was organized and fully funded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) under its agenda to promote gender equality in male-dominated professions.
The workshop brought together women professionals from several African countries, including Malawi, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, The Gambia, Mauritius, Zambia, and Namibia, all of which are member states of the UNEP Africa Chapter.
Officially opening the training, Omar Abdelaziz, a UNEP representative, encouraged women participants to actively engage in the course in order to strengthen their knowledge and confidence in refrigeration and air-conditioning technologies.
Abdelaziz acknowledged that refrigeration and air conditioning remains a male-dominated field but urged women not to be intimidated, instead encouraging them to work hard, excel, and even surpass their male counterparts.
He emphasized that empowering women in technical professions is a key priority of the United Nations and an important step toward inclusive and sustainable development.
The primary objective of the training was to enhance women’s skills and technical knowledge in refrigeration and cooling, while promoting their increased participation in the industry across Africa.
The course also aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of sustainable and climate-friendly cooling practices.
During the workshop, participants received training in several key areas, including Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS), certification schemes, energy-efficient equipment (Triple-E standards), climate-friendly cooling technologies, and sustainable refrigeration practices.
Additional sessions focused on fostering networking and collaboration among women professionals, as well as discussing challenges and success stories faced by women in the refrigeration and air-conditioning industry.
Commenting on the training, Mrs. Chimwemwe Chibowa of Malawi, one of the participants and an employee of Castel (Malawi) Limited, described the course as highly beneficial.
She said the training had significantly enhanced her technical knowledge and practical skills in refrigeration and cooling.
Mrs. Chibowa stated that she intends to apply the knowledge gained both at her workplace and at national level to help improve the lives of women in the profession.
She encouraged fellow women working in refrigeration and air conditioning not to feel ashamed of the trade but to be proud of their skills and contribution.
She also urged young girls with an interest in technical professions not to be discouraged, emphasizing that the field is rewarding and no longer reserved for men.
Addressing parents, Mrs. Chibowa called on them to support their daughters who wish to pursue careers in refrigeration and air conditioning, saying outdated perceptions about the profession should be abandoned.
She noted that through her profession she has been able to support her family and relatives, demonstrating the economic empowerment potential of technical skills.
Mrs. Chibowa further thanked Mrs. Mary Kapete, Malawi’s Ozone Officer, for selecting her to participate in the training.
On her part, Mrs. Mary Kapete, who served as a facilitator at the workshop, expressed gratitude to UNEP for including Malawian participants in the programme.
She told this reporter that she was impressed by the active participation and enthusiasm displayed by women throughout the training.
The facilitators for the workshop came from UNEP and the International Networking of Women in Construction (INWIC), an organization of which Malawi is a member.
The Kigali training was a follow-up to the Kairo 2023 training that was previously conducted in Kenya.
This year’s training was held under the theme “If You Don’t Go for It, You Can’t Have It.”
The workshop concluded with renewed commitment among participants to promote gender inclusion, sustainable cooling, and climate-friendly technologies across Africa.
- FDH Bank projects strong profit growth for 2025
By Suleman Chitera
FDH Bank plc has projected a profit after tax of between K140 billion and K151 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, representing a 92 to 104 percent increase from K74.06 billion recorded in the previous financial year.
In a profit caution statement issued to the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE), FDH Bank Company Secretary Juliano Kanyongolo said the projected performance reflects the bank’s strong fundamentals, disciplined growth strategy, and prudent risk management, noting that the figures remain unaudited and subject to final review.
“These provisional results reflect the resilience of our business model and our continued focus on sustainable value creation. Despite operating in a challenging environment characterised by inflationary pressures and tight liquidity conditions, the bank has remained stable, supported by sound governance structures, cost discipline, and a diversified income base,” said Kanyongolo.
Kanyongolo said the bank remains committed to transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements, adding that the audited financial statements will be published within the statutory timeframe.
“As a listed institution, we recognise our obligation to keep the market adequately informed. The release of the audited results will provide a complete and accurate picture of the bank’s performance, financial position, and outlook,” said Kanyongolo.
Juliano kanyongolo Commenting from an independent perspective, financial analyst Benedicto Nkhoma said FDH Bank’s projected performance is broadly consistent with prevailing sector trends and reflects both macroeconomic conditions and internal operational efficiencies.
“The projected profit growth is likely driven by increased interest income in a high interest-rate environment, balance sheet expansion, particularly through investment in government securities, improved cost management, and potentially lower impairment charges,” said Nkhoma.
He cautioned, however, that headline profit figures should be assessed within the broader economic context.
“In an inflationary environment, nominal profits can rise significantly even where real growth is more moderate. Investors should therefore pay close attention to the quality and sustainability of earnings, as well as confirmation through the audited results,” said Nkhoma.
Nkhoma says in an inflationary environment nominal profits can rise significantly even where real growth is more moderate FDH Bank plc is one of the five commercial banks listed on the 16-counter Malawi Stock Exchange, alongside National Bank of Malawi, NBS Bank, Standard Bank plc, and FMB Capital Holdings, which owns First Capital Bank
