Today, Minister of Water and sanitation Hon Abida Mia had the honour of opening the 95th African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) Strategic and Technical Council Conference which was held at BICC in the capital, Lilongwe. The conference drew water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) professionals across Africa. “It was my honour, on behalf of His Excellency the President, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, to extend a heartfelt welcome to all international delegates to Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa.” Mia said. In her address, she told the conference that climate change affects us all, with erratic weather patterns inducing extreme floods and droughts, and as a result damaging water systems. However, she also emphasized that this is a time for hope. We can turn these challenges into opportunities, if we protect our environment and invest wisely in our water resources. Mia shared Malawi’s efforts to build climate-resilient water systems, including the use of solar power, replanting trees in catchment areas, and assessing climate risk factors in all new projects. These measures are guided by our Malawi 2063 vision and the National Resilience Strategy. She also called for us as Africans to act. We need improved financing for water and sanitation. Us as stakeholders need to find innovative ways to unlock support from climate funds and improve private sector participation. She reminded the conference that water is not just a basic right but it also holds the key to our social and economic future. She encouraged more collaboration between stakeholders across Africa. Water knows no borders, and neither should our solutions. We must act now, for Africa and the World.

Wicknell Chivayo is a  Zimbabwean crooked millionaire businessman very close to Mnangagwa. He is an ex-convict Multimillionaire entrepreneur. He supplied the ballot papers for the Zimbabwe elections in a deal Zimbabwe paid R1.4 billion and he got a commission of R800 million from the printing company in SA. He was once paid by ZESA million to set up a solar farm. Until today they are waiting for it to be set up. However, he won the matter in court and ZESA was advised to pay him. He has just been given a $400 + million contract to supply hospital cancer equipment countrywide in Zimbabwe. And partly paid in advance. In a surprising event, private plane carrying Chivayo landed at Chileka in Malawi for a very suspicious meeting with President Chakwera. Many people are worried about the timing of his coming and type of business  he wants to transact with President Chakwera when the country is starting its election campaign period for the 16 September, 2025. Further to that, the controversial businessman and socialite owns a ballot paper printing firm known as Ren-Form and this is one of the reasons why many Malawians are raising eye brows about his meeting with President Chakwera when Malawi is going to the polls on 16 September, 2025. “What is he up to”, a Malawian in diaspora queries. Chakwera’s administration is fond of dealing with such kind of crooks for bogus government contracts and business enterprises which in most cases are approved by him.

Francis Kayuni, who owned a panel-beating and vehicle recovery garage in Nyambadwe, has died of a gun wound in Blantyre today. According to the police, Kayuni’s wife heard a scream in the bedroom where she found the husband unconscious. Police spokesperson for Ndirande Chibisa Mulimbika confirmed the incident, saying the deceased was rushed to a private hospital in the city. Police are investigating the matter.

On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, State Vice President Dr. Michael Usi visited vendors at Chombe Open Market in Nkhatabay district, promoting local businesses by purchasing food items such as smoked fish and assorted agricultural products. In his remarks, Dr. Usi emphasized that leaders should provide solutions to the challenges faced by the people, acknowledging the country’s current difficulties while urging against losing hope. Vendor Elliet Mkandawire, who sells fish, praised the Vice President for his kind gesture. Dr. Usi’s visit is part of his ongoing government duties in the northern region.

The Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Malawi) and the Media Council of Malawi (MCM) on Thursday, July 3, 2025 met with the leadership of the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation ( MBC) aimed at ensuring the public broadcaster plays a critical and constructive role in the current election cycle. According to the press statement jointly released by the two media referees, the meeting was designed to make sure that MBC remains a non- partisan organization as a watchdog not as a propaganda machinery for the ruling party ahead of elections. “Under the Communication Act of 2016, MBC has a crucial obligation to inform the public on electoral matters in a fair, equitable and transparent manner. MISA Malawi and MCM implored the public broadcaster to ensure balance and fairness in its news and programming,” the statement reads which has been co- signed by the chairpersons of the two organisations, Golden Matonga and Dr Jolly Ntaba. The two media bodies have since urged MBC to ensure a level playing field in its coverage of political content and strive to attain public trust and confidence in its commitment to impartiality in particular to making sure that the opinion and commentary programmes reflects diverse political views and the leadership of MBC adheres to the Communication Act of 2016 that mandates the outlet to be balanced and objective in its coverage of news, including political discourse. The two bodies have also urged the Director General, George Kasakula to reconsider the position of commentary and opinion – based programming as a measure of safeguarding the neutrality of the broadcaster on the most contentious matters of the day, including elections. On its part, MBC leadership expressed its commitment to fair coverage of the elections as it seeks to launch new programmes so that all political parties get fair and equitable time to articulate their agendas. However, MBC decried the recent politically motivated attacks on its employees and urged the media bodies to step up efforts to defend MBC journalists. Recently, George Kasakula has been involved in bashing the former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika of the DPP calling him all sorts of names in order to tarnish his name. Kasakula is a staunch MCP supporter. He comes from the Central Region of Malawi where MCP is its stronghold. He once attempted to stand as Member of Parliament in his home district of Kasungu but miserably lost in the primary elections.

The outgoing USA top diplomat in Malawi Amy Diaz has spoken against violence in the country ahead of September polls. Writing on the USA Facebook Page, she said Malawians must be given a chance to elect their leaders without violence and intimidation. “During my farewell meetings with Malawian political party leaders, we spoke about the importance of upholding democratic values and avoiding political violence. I stressed the need to maintain peace during the run up to the September 16, 2025, elections,” Amy Diaz said. Diaz has been very critical of the Chakwera government when it comes to accountability and coexistence. She recently criticized the president and his government when the police and army failed to protect the human rights defender, Silvester Namiwa who sustained serious injuries in Lilongwe after holding peaceful protests.

Today, the Council in partnership with the VSO is orientating the newly elected Mzuzu Youth Network leadership at Mphatso Motel. The orientation is meant to capacitate them as they discharge their duties. Speaking during the opening session, Assistant Director of Youth, Leisure and Environment for Mzuzu City Council, Gerald Mchacha challenged youths to unite young voices and become meaningful advocates for development. Mchacha said the Council expects the leaders to mentor fellow youths and devise tangible interventions rooted in innovation, meaningful connections and transformation. In his remarks, Chairperson of Mzuzu City Youth Network Frank Banda said the orientation will assist them serve better.

Save the Children has emphasized the need for concerted efforts in addressing climate change issues. Country Director Bhekimpilo Khanye said this today in Lilongwe during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR). LUANAR Vice Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda said the MoU marks the beginning of a journey to drive change through innovation, evidence-based programs, and inclusive youth and child participation. He added that children and youths need to understand why Malawi faces climatic shocks in order to find necessary solutions. The MoU aims to advance education, climate resilience, and livelihood opportunities for children by combining both institutions’ strengths in research, outreach, and programming.

Local Government Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda has asked traditional leaders in the country to continue championing the welfare of the less fortunate and the poor in the society. Chimwendo Banda made the appeal during the installation ceremony of Senior Chief Mwambo and Traditional Authority Idana in Zomba, who were elevated from Traditional Authority and Sub-Traditional Authority respectively. The minister said there are widows, child-headed families, the poor and others who need protection and chiefs should be on the forefront to defend their rights. Senior Chief Mwambo expressed gratitude for the new role and pledged to serve his people responsibly.