Thursday, June 30, 2011

Malawians planning a big demonstration on Independence day

If you are a Malawian on Facebook you probably already know about this event making rounds on the social networking site. It is about a big demonstration slated to coincide with the commemoration of 47 years of independence on 6th July. it has been dubbed 'Demo Yakathithi pa 6 July'.

The event created by one Geuka Kumpoto has so far attracted over 2,323 attendees and it is reported to take place in Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu. Details of the demo are sketchy as to who is organising in the cities, starting or finishing place and who will address the people. But it seems many Malawians are eager to take part in this event based on the comments posted on the events wall.

Recently the president directed that those who plan to hold demonstrations are supposed to pay a deposit of MK2 Million Kwacha in case peoples property will be damaged, it remains to be seen if the organisers of this event have paid the deposit.

Here is the exact words written as information about the event:

Many of our freedoms have been compromised. Forex, Fuel, Water and Electricity can only be found at the State House. Zero-deficit budget is a robbery. Injuction bill is oppressive.

Enough is Enough! Time for Malawi to rise again.

Monday, June 20, 2011

A SPECIAL FATHERS DAY

For the first time in many years i celebrated the fathers day in style. On the eve of this special day my dear father came and spent the night at home after many many years. it was a night i have been longing for many years. We talked and talked about good old days and life will never be the same for me and the rest of the family. God bless you dad!!!

2011 TALENT EXPLOSION

St James CCAP youth ministry has organised a gospel music show this coming weekend at their church in Zingwangwa. Being an active member of the youth group and one of the organisers of the show, i decided to use this platform to let you know about it. You can read for yourself on the poster below:

St James CCAP Church is located in Zingwangwa next to Zingwangwa Secondary School and near Stella Maris Secondary School. You can see where Stella Maris Secondary is on google maps below:


View Larger Map

Hope to see you there. Dont forget to ask for me when you come.....

Friday, June 17, 2011

Malawi News on your Mobile

It is no hidden fact that technology is changing the way we are informed of the things that are happening around us. Malawi is not to be left behind in these developments. Just this week, Malawi's leading publishing house, BNL Times, publishers of the Daily Times, Malawi News, Sunday Times and Weekend Times inconjuction with TalkAWE announced that it will soon launch an initiative to bring breaking news on your mobile phones. The initiative will attract a subscription fee of MK2000 per month, K5, 750 quarterly while half yearly subscription is at K11, 500 and annual subscription is K22, 000.

The facility will be available in all phone networks in the country and any handset as long as they have an sms facility. The service will allow subscribers to be the first to know what is in the newspapers and to get breaking news at any time of the day. This will be a step ahead in getting Malawi news which is happening very fast. it was expected to start on 15th June 2011.

This initiative is very similar to the one that Zodiak Broadcasting Station and Airtel have also launched recently. Subscribers will be able to access daily news by sending a word 'Zodiak' to 54141. People will also be able to send messages on condolences, deaths, illnesses, or comment on debates, express their opinion on any topical issue, as well as announcements on religious gatherings or wedding ceremonies using this service. SMS will cost MK25.

These two initiatives are a very big step ahead in technology and news reporting in Malawi as poeple relied on radios, newspapers and just recently websites and social media sites like facebook and twitter.

THE DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD – dedicated to my best friend

As the world was commemorating the day of an African child on 16th June, I dedicated the day to one of my best friends who is going through tough times in life. My friend, a 19 year old girl got pregnant over 10 months ago while at a boarding school and as it is usually the case, she was chased from her home. She has lived a very sad life until she delivered on 20th May 2011.

As a best friend I came in to help when things got of hand to the extent that she had to come and stay at my place with a week old kid. Together with my brother and other friends we managed to convince the father of the daughter to take her back to his home.

This is one of the challenges that most young people are facing in Africa. I believe that as I write about my friend, Chifundo, many other youths in various parts of the continent are facing similar challenges. Everyone makes mistakes but it is the way we treat our kids afterwards that determines their destinies. Fundo told me of how she has lived the past months and how many times she had thought of taking away her life. Without proper guidance and direction these kids can do things we will all regret.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Now in Blantyre

I have had no time to write to you about my moving to Blantyre after staying two years in Mulanje. By the grace of God I managed to change departments in the same company I have been working. Am now working on something more technical and it involves the very area I am specialized in. Apart from the fact that am staying full time in Blantyre, this challenge also involves travelling a lot in the southern region of Malawi. This is one of the reasons why I had no time to write to you. I hardly had time to update the blog.

A lot of things have changed since I last stayed in this beautiful city and am trying to adjust very fast to life here. That is a biggest problem to people who have stayed a long time in remote areas. One is forced to adjust to life in the city which is cruising at the speed of light. I thank God that I still have friends who we still used to communicate while I was away and they have welcomed me very well. The most challenging fact is that I had a lot of time to spare when I was in Mulanje but it is different here. They say time is money and a wise person has to save both.

The other fact that prevented me from updating the blog regularly is the changing of the political landscape in Malawi. Things have changed and there is a lot of spying going on the internet. Every thing we say against the current leadership is interpreted wrongly by the spin doctors. That’s why I have to be careful with what I write on my beloved platform. Otherwise I will continue telling you what is happening in my Malawi and what my opinions are on various things.

Thanks for taking your time to read my blog. Please visit again.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Malawi's Zero Deficit 2011/2012 Budget - download

In case you are wondering where to download the much talked about zero deficit budget presented to the Malawi Parliament by Finance Minister Hon. Ken Kandodo on 3rd June. Malawi Voice have uploaded it on their website just minutes after it was delivered. You can download it in PDF format on this link

Malawians: Tough times ahead!

Dear Malawians,

I hope this message gets you in time to get ready for the tough times that will follow. If you belong to any church, mosque or synagogue that encourages people to seek help from a greater power, do so now before it is too late. It doesn’t matter if it’s God, Allah, Buddha or Chisumphi. What matters is the help we can get as soon as possible. I don’t want to impose my belief on you that’s why I am encouraging you to pray in the name of whoever you pray to.

The past few months have been very challenging for an average Malawian and more of these challenges, if not worse, are coming our way. Our beloved country is fast becoming a hard place to live in full view of all its citizens. The love for my dear country has prompted me to write you this letter so that we can do something together.

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Our beautiful country is now at the mercy of a few people who think are more Malawian than all of us. They are controlling everything that shapes the future of our beloved country. Yes we trusted them to LEAD us when we went to the polls a few years ago. We gave them the mandate to LEAD us and develop this country TOGETHER. Now that they have assumed power, they are controlling everything that matters at the expense of millions of Malawians who are suffering out there. They decide what they want us to eat, hear, read, believe and even see. We are being insulted left, right and centre in our own country. Yes we may be stupid, unemployable and drunkards but we are legitimate Malawians. We have a say in what happens in OUR country.

As I write this letter, a zero deficit budget is being presented in Parliament. Am not sure if my economics knowledge is worth sharing in public, but the fact that we will run the budget with less donor support makes me and many other Malawians worry. This means more and more taxes...........


(This letter can go on and on and any patriotic Malawian can finish it…you can write a chapter on any of this, fuel and forex, academic freedom, press freedom, economics, NGOs, Church/State relationship, opposition,... But am afraid because things have changed. This very truth am writing can land me into trouble, please pray for our beloved country)


BUT THERE IS HOPE

This crop of leaders will not be here forever. They are going to phase out soon than you think and a new crop will take over. Our generation looks promising. We are more united, knowledgeable and think critically. Given a chance we will lead Malawi to greater heights…….

Regards,

Vince