BLANTYRE, 7 September 2007 (PlusNews) - In July this year, Malawi conducted what has become an annual event - a Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Week. Over the course of the week, 185,000 people tested at VCT centres throughout the country, almost double the number who tested in 2006.
But according to Marjorie Ngaunje, Malawi's minister of health and population, while the turn out for the VCT week was high, the number of young people who tested was disappointingly low.
Malawi's national HIV infection rate for adults is estimated at 14.4 percent, with prevalence much higher in urban areas than in rural. According to Malawi's National AIDS Commission (NAC), a body mandated by the government to coordinate and mitigate the impact of the epidemic, more than half of new HIV infections occur in young people aged between 15 and 24, with young women far more likely to become infected than young men.
“The youth are a window of hope for the future and that future starts now with them as active participants in VCT," said Ngaunje. "We need a generation that knows their HIV status to inspire others and the nation as a whole.”
What the youth say
From random interviews conducted in and around Blantyre, young people cited HIV/AIDS-related stigma and fear of the unknown as their main reasons for not wanting to test.
Charles Gama, a high school student, said he would rather live without knowing his HIV status than be subjected to stigma and discrimination if it was discovered he was HIV positive. “I know of a case where a woman was found with the virus in our village and nobody wanted to be associated with her. Parents told their children not to eat anything from her house,” Gama told IRIN/PlusNews.
Another young man, who works at a clothing factory in Blantyre and did not want give his name, said he had had a number of sexual relationships and was unsure of his status. One of the girls he had been involved with died of tuberculosis two years ago. He suspected it was AIDS-related.
Edith Phiri, 18, from the populous township of Ndirande in Blantyre said she had thought about going for VCT but could not overcome her fear of being declared HIV positive. “It would ruin my world,” she said.
Memory Njakale, 21, is one of the brave ones. In May this year she went to a VCT clinic and walked out of the testing room smiling broadly. She had been diagnosed HIV negative. “I was so happy I tested negative," she said. "I can now plan better for my future.”
Living in a country where the social, cultural and economic status of women and girls makes them especially vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, Njakale had every reason to smile, but she said fear of the unknown caused many young people to live dangerously while telling themselves, “after all I won’t be the first one to catch the virus”.
Youth ‘unfriendly’ services
McBain Mkandawire, executive director of YouthNet and Counselling (YONECO), an organisation aimed at addressing the social injustices and reproductive health issues affecting women and children, said stigma and a lack of support services for people living with HIV had negatively impacted VCT uptake.
“There are a number of calls for testing and yet there is limited advocacy to stop the stigmatising of those with HIV and AIDS,” Mkandawire observed.
Through recent research, YONECO discovered that a significant number of HIV positive youth who experienced stigma and discrimination suffered from mental illness. Young people also expressed concern about inadequate post-test counselling and support and the difficulty of accessing treatment.
Testing services often failed to take into consideration the special needs of young people, Mkandawire said. “There is need for a strategy that could attract young people to go for VCT.”
Maxwell Matewere, executive director of Eye of the Child, another NGO which deals with issues affecting the youth, agreed there was an urgent need to find approaches for "wooing" young people to test. “Entertain the youth with live bands and music for instance, and the numbers will increase,” he suggested.
Arnold Kabisala, communications manager for Active Youth in Development Organisation (AYIDO), which works to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among the youth, said there had been a lot of rhetoric calling on young Malawians to get tested, but little action. He urged government to take the lead in creating a conducive environment for halting the spread of HIV among the youth.
“Programmes must take into account the fact that the majority of people infected and affected are women and young people. Therefore empowering them and recognising their rights must be a central feature of government’s programmes,” Kabisala said.
Friday, 7 September 2007
National Bank of Malawi chooses Nomad for Visa migration
Following its recent appointment as the principal VISA member for Malawi, the National Bank of Malawi has chosen Nomad's CORTEX software platform to support its migration to VISA EMV debit card issuing and ATM/POS acquiring.
CORTEX, the fully EMV enabled, highly-scalable card processing solution, will provide the technology the bank needs to offer full VISA compliance and therefore enable it to issue VISA branded cards, in addition to proprietary cards.
"We were looking for a product that would enable us to take full advantage of our new status of principal VISA member without compromising our existing range of services," commented Austin Musyani, Head, Retail Banking, National Bank of Malawi. "It quickly became clear that CORTEX's comprehensive functionality would not only help us swiftly and efficiently achieve our immediate goals, but would also enhance future initiatives and enable us to maintain our position as the leading bank in the country."
One of the major factors in the National Bank of Malawi's decision to work with Nomad on the project was the ability of the CORTEX platform to easily interface with the bank's highly-sophisticated back-office system, based on the established retail banking system, Bankmaster. It is CORTEX's open systems architecture and modular structure which provides the flexibility to achieve this level of compatibility and makes it the ideal solution for successful implementation in a broad range of demanding environments.
Martin Golding, Chief Operating Officer for Nomad CORTEX said, "The National Bank of Malawi has an exceptional reputation of providing new services to service customers and stimulate business growth in Malawi. The proven processing capability of CORTEX will ensure a smooth migration to VISA compliant products within a tight deadline."
CORTEX, the fully EMV enabled, highly-scalable card processing solution, will provide the technology the bank needs to offer full VISA compliance and therefore enable it to issue VISA branded cards, in addition to proprietary cards.
"We were looking for a product that would enable us to take full advantage of our new status of principal VISA member without compromising our existing range of services," commented Austin Musyani, Head, Retail Banking, National Bank of Malawi. "It quickly became clear that CORTEX's comprehensive functionality would not only help us swiftly and efficiently achieve our immediate goals, but would also enhance future initiatives and enable us to maintain our position as the leading bank in the country."
One of the major factors in the National Bank of Malawi's decision to work with Nomad on the project was the ability of the CORTEX platform to easily interface with the bank's highly-sophisticated back-office system, based on the established retail banking system, Bankmaster. It is CORTEX's open systems architecture and modular structure which provides the flexibility to achieve this level of compatibility and makes it the ideal solution for successful implementation in a broad range of demanding environments.
Martin Golding, Chief Operating Officer for Nomad CORTEX said, "The National Bank of Malawi has an exceptional reputation of providing new services to service customers and stimulate business growth in Malawi. The proven processing capability of CORTEX will ensure a smooth migration to VISA compliant products within a tight deadline."
Country Donation Keeps WFP Food Aid Flowing Until the End of 2007
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today warmly welcomed a donation of 10,425 metric tons of maize worth US$1.8 million from the Malawian government, which will ensure that tens of thousands of vulnerable Malawians continue to receive crucial food assistance until the end of 2007.
"WFP is extremely grateful for this generous donation from the Malawian government as it will allow us to meet the needs of all our nutrition and HIV/AIDS beneficiaries until the end of the year," said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Malawi.
"This latest contribution demonstrates the government's continued support for WFP's vital food assistance programmes in Malawi and reaffirms its position as one of the major donors to our operations in this country."
The Malawi government is the second largest donor after the United States to WFP Malawi's current activities under the three-year protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO), having so far contributed US$25.6 million to the operation, which finishes at the end of 2007.
Under the PRRO, WFP is currently providing assistance every month to over 110,000 people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in eight districts across Malawi, which has an adult HIV/AIDS prevalent rate of 14 percent. In addition, WFP is helping around 1,500 malnourished mothers and children in therapeutic feeding centres countrywide.
This donation will enable WFP to continue providing assistance to all of these beneficiaries over the next four months and to gradually scale up its operations as planned to reach a peak of 203,000 people in November and December.
Along with increased numbers of beneficiaries under its HIV/AIDS and therapeutic feeding activities, WFP will also provide food assistance to vulnerable people under a food-for-assets programme that is due to start in November.
"Food is absolutely crucial to the fight against HIV/AIDS and this donation will allow WFP to provide assistance to thousands of poor, hungry families affected by the pandemic," said Scalpelli. "WFP has made a huge difference to the lives of so many Malawians over the years and now we will be able to help even more people in the coming months."
"WFP is extremely grateful for this generous donation from the Malawian government as it will allow us to meet the needs of all our nutrition and HIV/AIDS beneficiaries until the end of the year," said Dom Scalpelli, WFP Country Director in Malawi.
"This latest contribution demonstrates the government's continued support for WFP's vital food assistance programmes in Malawi and reaffirms its position as one of the major donors to our operations in this country."
The Malawi government is the second largest donor after the United States to WFP Malawi's current activities under the three-year protracted relief and recovery operation (PRRO), having so far contributed US$25.6 million to the operation, which finishes at the end of 2007.
Under the PRRO, WFP is currently providing assistance every month to over 110,000 people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS in eight districts across Malawi, which has an adult HIV/AIDS prevalent rate of 14 percent. In addition, WFP is helping around 1,500 malnourished mothers and children in therapeutic feeding centres countrywide.
This donation will enable WFP to continue providing assistance to all of these beneficiaries over the next four months and to gradually scale up its operations as planned to reach a peak of 203,000 people in November and December.
Along with increased numbers of beneficiaries under its HIV/AIDS and therapeutic feeding activities, WFP will also provide food assistance to vulnerable people under a food-for-assets programme that is due to start in November.
"Food is absolutely crucial to the fight against HIV/AIDS and this donation will allow WFP to provide assistance to thousands of poor, hungry families affected by the pandemic," said Scalpelli. "WFP has made a huge difference to the lives of so many Malawians over the years and now we will be able to help even more people in the coming months."
Malawi coach recalls SA based goalkeeper
AfricaNews - Malawi’s Flames coach Stephen Constantine has recalled remorseful South Africa-based goalkeeper Swadick Sanudi for this Sunday’s African Nations Cup dead rubber qualifier against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
The English coach, who has lost all five games since taking over the Flames in March, summoned back the Dynamos player for the Group 12 qualifier after he apologised for leaving camp without permission in May.
Sanudi stepped on Constantine’s toes when he opted to leave the Flames to rejoin Dynamos camp in South Africa after being called to report for possible participation in national play-offs.
“I don’t hold a grudge; the most important part has been resolved. As a professional player you have responsibility, there is a line, you cross that line, you are in trouble,” the coach told the press when he announced a 24-member provisional squad in Blantyre on Thursday.
“They’ll be people who will slip up along the way but if you make a mistake, you must have the guts to stand up and say ‘I made a mistake.”
Constantine also included in the squad other South Africa based players Robert Ng’ambi, Fischer Kondowe of Black Leopards, Benoni Premier United’s James Sangala, Tawonga Chimodzi from Santos, Russel Mwafulirwa of Ajax Cape Town, Dynamos’ Allan Kamanga, Joseph Kamwendo from Orlando Pirates and Europe based duo of Esau Kanyenda and Clement Kafwafwa.
Captain Peter Mponda, who plays for Black Leopards in South Africa, is suspended for the match alongside Tanzania’s Young Africans midfielder James Chilapondwa. Flames squad: Goalkeeper Swadick Sanudi (Dynamos, South Africa), Simeon Kapuza (Escom United), Chimwemwe Chitedze (Big Bullets).
Defenders; Clement Kafwafwa (Lolland Falster Alliance, Denmark), Moses Chavula (MTL Wanderers), James Sangala (Benoni Premier United, South Africa), Wisdom Ndlovu (Young Africans, Tanzania), Ndaziona Chilemba (Silver Strikers), Elvis Kafoteka (Escom United), Alan Kamanga (Dynamos, South Africa).
Midfielders: Joseph Kamwendo (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Russel Mwafulirwa(Ajax Cape Town, South Africa), Noel Mkandawire, Peter Wadabwa (Escom United), Esau Kanyenda (Rostov, Russia).
The English coach, who has lost all five games since taking over the Flames in March, summoned back the Dynamos player for the Group 12 qualifier after he apologised for leaving camp without permission in May.
Sanudi stepped on Constantine’s toes when he opted to leave the Flames to rejoin Dynamos camp in South Africa after being called to report for possible participation in national play-offs.
“I don’t hold a grudge; the most important part has been resolved. As a professional player you have responsibility, there is a line, you cross that line, you are in trouble,” the coach told the press when he announced a 24-member provisional squad in Blantyre on Thursday.
“They’ll be people who will slip up along the way but if you make a mistake, you must have the guts to stand up and say ‘I made a mistake.”
Constantine also included in the squad other South Africa based players Robert Ng’ambi, Fischer Kondowe of Black Leopards, Benoni Premier United’s James Sangala, Tawonga Chimodzi from Santos, Russel Mwafulirwa of Ajax Cape Town, Dynamos’ Allan Kamanga, Joseph Kamwendo from Orlando Pirates and Europe based duo of Esau Kanyenda and Clement Kafwafwa.
Captain Peter Mponda, who plays for Black Leopards in South Africa, is suspended for the match alongside Tanzania’s Young Africans midfielder James Chilapondwa. Flames squad: Goalkeeper Swadick Sanudi (Dynamos, South Africa), Simeon Kapuza (Escom United), Chimwemwe Chitedze (Big Bullets).
Defenders; Clement Kafwafwa (Lolland Falster Alliance, Denmark), Moses Chavula (MTL Wanderers), James Sangala (Benoni Premier United, South Africa), Wisdom Ndlovu (Young Africans, Tanzania), Ndaziona Chilemba (Silver Strikers), Elvis Kafoteka (Escom United), Alan Kamanga (Dynamos, South Africa).
Midfielders: Joseph Kamwendo (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), Russel Mwafulirwa(Ajax Cape Town, South Africa), Noel Mkandawire, Peter Wadabwa (Escom United), Esau Kanyenda (Rostov, Russia).
Malawi cement producer invests in limestone-mining as Zim supply dwindles
Cement producer Lafarge Portland says it is investing $75-million in a new limestone-mining project at Chenkumbi Hills, in Malawi’s southern district of Machinga.
The cement producer, which has been importing clinker and gypsum from Circle Cement, of Zimbabwe, says it is moving fast to start production at the Chenkumbi mine as soon as possible because the continuing economic crisis in Zimbabwe is leading to “unstable prices and a shortage of the raw materials”.
“The situation looks grave and there are no signs of an immediate solution in sight. We are not even sure whether the little that trickles from Zimbabwe will continue and suffice for an average monthly requirement of 17 000 t,” says Lafarge Portland Malawi commercial manager Nesta Msowoya.
Lafarge Portland started import- ing clinker from Zimbabwe in November 2002, when it closed its Changalume limestone mine after a survey had revealed that the mine no longer had enough commercially mineable deposits.
Msowoya says dwindling supplies of clinker from Zimbabwe have forced the company to start importing additional volumes from the Far East.
“This decision is also not at all favourable because it has increased landed costs by 38%, thereby leading to a 14% cement price hike by the company,” explains Msowoya.
He says the company is fast-tracking the development of the mine at Chenkumbi so that it is operational by 2009.
Meanwhile, the Malawi government has removed restrictions on the importation of cement, which it put in place in 2000, after Lafarge Portland and Shayona Cement complained about “unfair” competition posed by cheap imports from Zimbabwe.
Malawi’s Trade and Industry Minister, Ken Lipenga, says government has removed the restrictions owing to the current shortage of the commodity.
“The shortage of cement in the country has come at a time when there is a lot of construction work. We have, therefore, resolved to open the gates for anyone who wants to import cement into the country.
“This implies that importers will no longer have to seek licences to import cement. It should be noted that this is a temporary measure, which will be reviewed once the situation gets back to normal,” says Lipenga.
The cement producer, which has been importing clinker and gypsum from Circle Cement, of Zimbabwe, says it is moving fast to start production at the Chenkumbi mine as soon as possible because the continuing economic crisis in Zimbabwe is leading to “unstable prices and a shortage of the raw materials”.
“The situation looks grave and there are no signs of an immediate solution in sight. We are not even sure whether the little that trickles from Zimbabwe will continue and suffice for an average monthly requirement of 17 000 t,” says Lafarge Portland Malawi commercial manager Nesta Msowoya.
Lafarge Portland started import- ing clinker from Zimbabwe in November 2002, when it closed its Changalume limestone mine after a survey had revealed that the mine no longer had enough commercially mineable deposits.
Msowoya says dwindling supplies of clinker from Zimbabwe have forced the company to start importing additional volumes from the Far East.
“This decision is also not at all favourable because it has increased landed costs by 38%, thereby leading to a 14% cement price hike by the company,” explains Msowoya.
He says the company is fast-tracking the development of the mine at Chenkumbi so that it is operational by 2009.
Meanwhile, the Malawi government has removed restrictions on the importation of cement, which it put in place in 2000, after Lafarge Portland and Shayona Cement complained about “unfair” competition posed by cheap imports from Zimbabwe.
Malawi’s Trade and Industry Minister, Ken Lipenga, says government has removed the restrictions owing to the current shortage of the commodity.
“The shortage of cement in the country has come at a time when there is a lot of construction work. We have, therefore, resolved to open the gates for anyone who wants to import cement into the country.
“This implies that importers will no longer have to seek licences to import cement. It should be noted that this is a temporary measure, which will be reviewed once the situation gets back to normal,” says Lipenga.
Teens to wash cars for drought-plagued Malawi
Teenagers will wash cars in front of Wilton Baptist Church this Saturday; but they won't be raising money for their youth group, for a trip or even for the church itself. The teens will be raising money to help irrigate Malawi, a landlocked southern African nation of 13 million plagued by drought, hunger and disease.
The effort is being led by Gabriella and Chloe Cappo, sisters from Norwalk who belong to Wilton Baptist Church.
The pair came up with the idea of raising money for Malawi after they and a friend spent a week at Gordon College in Massachusetts, attending Passport, a non-profit Christian youth camp which combines a week of camp with local community service and religious activities. The campers are asked to make a donation to a charity as part of their experience. For the past two years, that charity has been Watering Malawi.
The Cappos' friend, Chrissy Delfosse, wanted to more than just give money at camp and the sisters agreed; they would take the plight of Malawi home.
"I've given money for the past two years, and it never occurred to me to do something at home," said Gabrielle, 16. "[Chrissy] really wanted to do something."
Gabrielle and Chloe, 13, put the car wash together in a week, with the help of Anne Swartout, their Sunday school teacher at Wilton Baptist Church. It's not the first time the church youth have raised funds for a third-world nation, said Swartout, but it is the first time the group has raised money for Malawi.
"When we get a good idea, we go with it," she said.
The girls' goal is to raise $200, enough to purchase a treadle pump, a human powered pump which raises water from a well.
Since Watering Malawi was founded two years ago, the group has managed to purchase several of these pumps, said founder Colleen Burroughs, who is also executive vice president of Passport, Inc.
Burroughs, the daughter of a missionary, was born in Zimbabwe and raised in Malawi. As a child, she lived through African droughts, but things have worsened since her family returned to the United States; 14 percent of the population has AIDS and the country weathered four droughts in 10 years.
"Things have gotten pretty extreme in the last 20 years," she said. "It's a different Africa than the one I grew up in."
Burroughs founded Watering Malawi two years ago after seeing a 30-second spot on the news about the drought in Malawi.
Thus far, the group raised $250,000 to improve irrigation in Africa. Much of that money has been raised by teens like the Cappo sisters.
"Teenagers really are trying to make a difference in the world," she said.
The group, she said, has so far been able to dig 16 wells in Malawi. Although that may not sound like a large number, each well supplies 2,000 people with potable water; that's 32,000 people who didn't have access to clean water two years ago.
There is water in Malawi, said Burroughs — the country is home to six rivers and Africa's seventh largest lake — but there is no access to that water for much of the population.
While access to potable water will not solve all of Malawi's problems, it will alleviate many of them, says Burroughs; AIDS patients will live longer, healthier lives if they are not drinking and washing with dirty water. Easy access to clean water will also improve education, she said.
"If little girls are spending eight hours a day getting water, they're not going to school," said Burroughs.
Normally Burroughs, a self-proclaimed "water geek," would eschew the idea of a car wash, which is discouraged when the water supply is low [her home state of Alabama, currently besieged by drought, banned car washes and lawn-watering this summer]. However, since this is not a problem in Lower Fairfield, Burroughs whole-heartedly hopes that Wiltonians offer up many dirty cars on Saturday.
According to Swartout, the car wash will take place this Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Wilton Baptist Church at 254 Danbury Road.
The effort is being led by Gabriella and Chloe Cappo, sisters from Norwalk who belong to Wilton Baptist Church.
The pair came up with the idea of raising money for Malawi after they and a friend spent a week at Gordon College in Massachusetts, attending Passport, a non-profit Christian youth camp which combines a week of camp with local community service and religious activities. The campers are asked to make a donation to a charity as part of their experience. For the past two years, that charity has been Watering Malawi.
The Cappos' friend, Chrissy Delfosse, wanted to more than just give money at camp and the sisters agreed; they would take the plight of Malawi home.
"I've given money for the past two years, and it never occurred to me to do something at home," said Gabrielle, 16. "[Chrissy] really wanted to do something."
Gabrielle and Chloe, 13, put the car wash together in a week, with the help of Anne Swartout, their Sunday school teacher at Wilton Baptist Church. It's not the first time the church youth have raised funds for a third-world nation, said Swartout, but it is the first time the group has raised money for Malawi.
"When we get a good idea, we go with it," she said.
The girls' goal is to raise $200, enough to purchase a treadle pump, a human powered pump which raises water from a well.
Since Watering Malawi was founded two years ago, the group has managed to purchase several of these pumps, said founder Colleen Burroughs, who is also executive vice president of Passport, Inc.
Burroughs, the daughter of a missionary, was born in Zimbabwe and raised in Malawi. As a child, she lived through African droughts, but things have worsened since her family returned to the United States; 14 percent of the population has AIDS and the country weathered four droughts in 10 years.
"Things have gotten pretty extreme in the last 20 years," she said. "It's a different Africa than the one I grew up in."
Burroughs founded Watering Malawi two years ago after seeing a 30-second spot on the news about the drought in Malawi.
Thus far, the group raised $250,000 to improve irrigation in Africa. Much of that money has been raised by teens like the Cappo sisters.
"Teenagers really are trying to make a difference in the world," she said.
The group, she said, has so far been able to dig 16 wells in Malawi. Although that may not sound like a large number, each well supplies 2,000 people with potable water; that's 32,000 people who didn't have access to clean water two years ago.
There is water in Malawi, said Burroughs — the country is home to six rivers and Africa's seventh largest lake — but there is no access to that water for much of the population.
While access to potable water will not solve all of Malawi's problems, it will alleviate many of them, says Burroughs; AIDS patients will live longer, healthier lives if they are not drinking and washing with dirty water. Easy access to clean water will also improve education, she said.
"If little girls are spending eight hours a day getting water, they're not going to school," said Burroughs.
Normally Burroughs, a self-proclaimed "water geek," would eschew the idea of a car wash, which is discouraged when the water supply is low [her home state of Alabama, currently besieged by drought, banned car washes and lawn-watering this summer]. However, since this is not a problem in Lower Fairfield, Burroughs whole-heartedly hopes that Wiltonians offer up many dirty cars on Saturday.
According to Swartout, the car wash will take place this Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Wilton Baptist Church at 254 Danbury Road.
Malawi Official Visits Madonna
Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie opened their London home to Malawian official Simon Chisale on Wednesday for the next stage in their adoption of 2-year-old David Banda.
The couple began adoption proceedings for the then-13-month-old baby in October after spotting him in the Home of Hope Orphan Care Center in Mchinji. He has been living with Madonna and Ritchie at their London home ever since.
Chisale, Malawi's chief social welfare official, was seen leaving the couple's home on Wednesday afternoon, carrying a blue folder, but refused to comment on the adoption process.
Chisale replaced Penston Kilembe, director of Malawi's Child Welfare Services, who was originally set to carry out the assessment of the couple. He was removed from Banda's case amid allegations he had solicited funds from Madonna for the London visit.
Earlier this week, Madonna's spokesperson Liz Rosenberg said, "All appropriate legal requirements are being followed, including a home visit. Madonna and her entire family look forward to being granted the final adoption early next year."
The couple began adoption proceedings for the then-13-month-old baby in October after spotting him in the Home of Hope Orphan Care Center in Mchinji. He has been living with Madonna and Ritchie at their London home ever since.
Chisale, Malawi's chief social welfare official, was seen leaving the couple's home on Wednesday afternoon, carrying a blue folder, but refused to comment on the adoption process.
Chisale replaced Penston Kilembe, director of Malawi's Child Welfare Services, who was originally set to carry out the assessment of the couple. He was removed from Banda's case amid allegations he had solicited funds from Madonna for the London visit.
Earlier this week, Madonna's spokesperson Liz Rosenberg said, "All appropriate legal requirements are being followed, including a home visit. Madonna and her entire family look forward to being granted the final adoption early next year."
Malawians Commend Kagame's Contribution
Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika has praised President Paul Kagame for his contribution to the development of Rwanda and Africa at large.
He was speaking in Lilongwe on Tuesday after the two presidents inaugurated a new highway in Lilongwe that has been named Paul Kagame Road.
In a colourful ceremony that took place in downtown Lilongwe, Kagame unveiled a roadside commemorative plaque before driving with wa Mutharika along the new road in an open jeep accompanied by a procession of cultural troupes and ordinary citizens of Lilongwe, all waving Rwandan and Malawian flags.
Speaking at an open-air rally at the conclusion of the procession, President wa Mutharika stated that Malawi had decided to name the road in honour of President Kagame "in recognition of your friendship with Malawi and your contribution to the development of Africa in general and Rwanda in particular."
The newly inaugurated 3.6-kilometre highway, financed by the International Development Association (IDA), is Malawi's first dual carriageway and is considered a model for future roads to be built under Malawi's infrastructure development initiative, which aims to modernise the national road network.
President wa Mutharika talked of the similarities between Rwanda and Malawi noting that both were small countries that were striving to bring meaningful development to their countries adding that the only way to eradicate poverty and achieve transformation was by becoming producing and exporting, instead of consuming and importing, economies.
He called for the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations through governmental and cultural exchanges and encouraged Malawian entrepreneurs and investors to explore opportunities to do business in Rwanda.
President Kagame expressed his appreciation for the double honour of road naming as well as the Freedom of the City of Lilongwe conferred earlier.
He noted the importance of infrastructure development to Africa's socioeconomic development as outlined in the vision of the African Union and NEPAD, and congratulated Malawi for the country's commitment to modernising its road network adding that the newly completed road was "an important milestone in the right direction, and is a clear indication that you are well on your way to achieving your chosen policy objectives."
Earlier in the day, the two Heads of State held private talks and had a luncheon where they discussed bilateral matters as well regional and continental issues.
President Kagame is scheduled to hold a joint press conference with President wa Mutharika before departing yesterday.
He was speaking in Lilongwe on Tuesday after the two presidents inaugurated a new highway in Lilongwe that has been named Paul Kagame Road.
In a colourful ceremony that took place in downtown Lilongwe, Kagame unveiled a roadside commemorative plaque before driving with wa Mutharika along the new road in an open jeep accompanied by a procession of cultural troupes and ordinary citizens of Lilongwe, all waving Rwandan and Malawian flags.
Speaking at an open-air rally at the conclusion of the procession, President wa Mutharika stated that Malawi had decided to name the road in honour of President Kagame "in recognition of your friendship with Malawi and your contribution to the development of Africa in general and Rwanda in particular."
The newly inaugurated 3.6-kilometre highway, financed by the International Development Association (IDA), is Malawi's first dual carriageway and is considered a model for future roads to be built under Malawi's infrastructure development initiative, which aims to modernise the national road network.
President wa Mutharika talked of the similarities between Rwanda and Malawi noting that both were small countries that were striving to bring meaningful development to their countries adding that the only way to eradicate poverty and achieve transformation was by becoming producing and exporting, instead of consuming and importing, economies.
He called for the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations through governmental and cultural exchanges and encouraged Malawian entrepreneurs and investors to explore opportunities to do business in Rwanda.
President Kagame expressed his appreciation for the double honour of road naming as well as the Freedom of the City of Lilongwe conferred earlier.
He noted the importance of infrastructure development to Africa's socioeconomic development as outlined in the vision of the African Union and NEPAD, and congratulated Malawi for the country's commitment to modernising its road network adding that the newly completed road was "an important milestone in the right direction, and is a clear indication that you are well on your way to achieving your chosen policy objectives."
Earlier in the day, the two Heads of State held private talks and had a luncheon where they discussed bilateral matters as well regional and continental issues.
President Kagame is scheduled to hold a joint press conference with President wa Mutharika before departing yesterday.
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