Justice Dr. Jane Ansah, Mutharika’s Running Mate Paid Courtesy Call to Traditional Leaders in Ntcheu

Dr Jane Ansah SC, on Thursday, July 30, 2025, got the blessings of Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani V at Nkolimbo headquarters in Ntcheu district after she was named the running mate by Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika. Speaking after visiting the traditional leader, Ansah said the institution of traditional leadership is rooted in the understanding that these leaders are valuable assets in promoting development, maintaining social order and preserving cultural heritage. “From September 16, our administration that will be led by Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and other alliance partners such as AFORD whose leader is Enoch Chihana is committed to working with traditional leaders with an aim of achieving rural development. It is key to develop our rural areas to respond to urban migration by giving them basic needs such as clean water, good road infrastructure, affordable prices of fertilizer, contain the runway inflation which has ripple effect on the lives of every citizen among others. The incompetence in the coming administration as seen today won’t be there. This will be about business for the poor people and not the rich, where shared prosperity, true freedom and meaningful equality strive,”, said Jane Ansah the former Justice of Appeal. She added that as a country we must be proud of the journey we have travelled according to the institution of traditional leadership and the stature it deserves. Meanwhile, Dr Jane Ansah has just been chosen by His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to be his running mate during the 16 September, 2025 Presidential Election, who eventually will become vice president of the Republic of Malawi. According to recent survey findings, Professor Mutharika is leading by 43% in opinion polls while MCP is coming second by 26%, a drop by 12% registered from 38% during the 2019 polls. In this case, MCP has no chance of winning the elections even if it forms any kind of alliance because even if it joins forces with the rest of the parties, it can not surpass 50+1 mark while prospects of DPP winning in the forthcoming  elections are looking good.

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Chakwera Graces ‘Raise The Flag’ Summit 2025

His Excellency, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, is this morning presiding over the official launch of Raise the Flag Summit 2025 – a Cultural Revolution Summit that is aimed at inspiring patriotism, self-reliance, a strong work ethic, and productivity culture among Malawians at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe. Spearheaded by Wealth Magazine, the movement is focusing on sacrifice, and also mindset change to to develop Malawi. The campaign seeks to address issues such as poor time use, weak public service, appetite for foreign goods, and low self-esteem, while encouraging innovation and solution-driven thinking among Malawians. The campaign will roll out across the country through schools and community engagements. Among other attendees include, youths, religious leaders, representatives of financial institutions and diplomats. The theme for the Summit is: “Redefining Our Culture, Revolutionalising and Accelerating Growth.

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Mikolongwe Hill and the Mwalaolemba Rock Shelter: Preserving a Neglected Cultural Heritage

Mikolongwe Hill is located in the southern part of Malawi in Thyolo District, near Nansadi Primary School, with the Nansadi River flowing at its base. Situated on this hill is Mwalaolemba, a rock shelter renowned for its unique collection of schematic rock paintings. The site was declared a protected monument under Section 7 of the Monuments Act of 1965 and was, for many years, open to the public. According to Cole King, in an article published in the Society of Malawi Journal, several rock shelters containing paintings have been identified in Malawi, and it is widely believed that many more remain undiscovered. While a small number of the paintings depict figures or animals in relatively crude forms, the majority are executed in geometric or schematic styles, composed of both simple and complex symbolic patterns. Paintings of similar schematic styles are found across a broad region, extending from northern Mozambique beyond the Zambezi River, through Malawi, and into eastern and northern Zambia. These contrast sharply with the more naturalistic rock paintings—commonly referred to as “Bushman paintings”—which are predominantly found south of the Zambezi River. Although schematic paintings may not be immediately visually striking, they are of considerable archaeological and cultural significance. Scholars suggest that they are linked to magico-religious practices of the communities that created them. While the meanings of individual symbols are often unclear to contemporary observers, such imagery was likely widely understood among the people who produced it and should not be dismissed as random or meaningless markings. Schematic rock paintings are most commonly found in well-watered, forested plateau regions at elevations of approximately 4,000 feet, areas that until relatively recently supported abundant wildlife. Smooth, hard rock surfaces sheltered from the elements by natural overhangs were ideal for painting. In many such shelters, artifacts and other materials—typically associated with Late Stone Age occupation—are often found within floor deposits. At Mwalaolemba, however, no artifacts have been discovered. Despite this, it is believed that the Akafula people once used the cave as a dwelling place. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, the site attracted tourists from around the world. As a protected monument under the Department of Antiquities, it was accessible to visitors who would park their vehicles at Nansadi Primary School and walk approximately 1.5 kilometres up the hill, crossing the Nansadi River on foot. During this period, a signpost erected by the Department of Antiquities clearly marked the site. More than 20 years ago, however, the signpost was vandalized. The wire fence that once protected the cave was also destroyed, leaving the site exposed to damage. As a result, some individuals defaced the shelter by scratching or scribbling over the original paintings using stones. Today, Mwalaolemba is frequently used by various religious groups as a site for prayer gatherings. In the process, the site has suffered prolonged neglect by key stakeholders, including government authorities responsible for heritage conservation. Despite the damage, most of the original paintings remain intact, although some have faded and require close observation to fully appreciate. The majority of the artwork is geometric or schematic in style, ranging from simple to complex designs. Common motifs include sun-like images, finger-like strokes, and other symbolic forms, almost all rendered in red pigment. Little is known about the materials used to create these paintings, though local beliefs suggest the possible use of animal blood or extracts from the roots of certain indigenous plants found on the hill. Long-term neglect has also resulted in environmental degradation around Mikolongwe Hill. Surrounding communities have expanded agricultural activities close to the site, causing damage to the surrounding ecosystem. In addition, some community members have initiated plans to construct a church near the rock shelter, further threatening the integrity of the heritage site. Based on these observations, there is an urgent need to restore, protect, preserve, and stabilize Mwalaolemba, while intensifying awareness among surrounding communities. Such efforts would help safeguard this important cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism at the site. Furthermore, there is a need to identify and engage partners and potential funders to support restoration, preservation, protection, and community awareness initiatives through inclusive community engagement. With coordinated action, Mikolongwe Hill and the Mwalaolemba rock paintings can regain their lost significance and be preserved for future generations.

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