Malawi national soccer coach, Stephen Constantine has suspended three of his key players Joseph Kamwendo, Fischer Kondowe and Ndaziona Chilemba, for apparently breaking camp rules prior to the Flames' 1-3 thumping by Zimbabwe last Sunday (Sept 9).
Kamwendo, a gifted left-sided midfielder who won the Soccer Star of the Year award in 2005 with Harare side CAPS United, Kondowe and Chilemba are said to have sneaked out of the hotel they were booked, Holiday Inn here and had a night out on the eve of the 9 September game.
The British coach said the trio, which is based in South Africa had a disastrous outing at Barbourfields Stadium, mainly because of their indiscipline, said an influential Malawi newspaper, The Daily Times, in a report published three days after the match.
"There are some players who are in the comfort zone, who seem to take the national team for granted. Next game they will not be there. I discovered that the three players had been out on Saturday before the game," said Constantine.
"Kamwendo, Fischer and Ndaziona left the hotel without permission and that is obviously not acceptable. I wasn’t aware of this until after the game."
Kamwendo, Kondowe and Chilemba play for Orlando Pirates, Black Leopards and Silver Strikers respectively in South Africa
Constantine announced the suspensions while addressing the Malawian media at Kamuzu Stadium, after his first team with all its foreign-based professionals was thumped 1-3 by a second string Zimbabwean side in a dead rubber African Cup of Nations tie here.
Kingstone Nkhata, Method Mwanjali and Richard Mteki scored for the hosts.
The coach blamed poor preparations for his charges’ lethargic performance against Norman Mapeza’s youths at Barbourfields Stadium. He suggested that the Warriors had better preparations because they trained in Malaysia ahead of the Malawi match.
"While we were just staying, Zimbabwe were in Malaysia preparing for the game which already put us at a disadvantage," The Daily Times quoted him as saying.
He said he wanted to be given more time to build a winning team. He has lost all the six matches Malawi has played under him.
Asked how much time he needs to build a winning side, he replied:
"About two and half years. I don’t think you can judge any coach after six or 12 games; you’ve got to give him a season to adapt to the situation, then the following year you start building. Obviously as a coach I take responsibility but I wouldn’t be here if I knew I had nothing to offer," he said.
However, Constantine, said his charges did not deserve to win the match due to poor performance by some players.
"There are a lot of problems that the Flames are facing. I know the FA and the government are doing all their best to solve them. It’s not an easy job and I want to win just like everybody does. It’s either we move on or we get stuck where we are."
The Malawi National Council of Sports vice-chairman, Dean Pinto advised the coach listen to advice.
"There is need for the coach to be ready to take in advice from people who are well versed in Malawi football like sports journalists," he said told the paper. On the suspended trio, Constantine said they sneaked out of camp prior to Sunday’s match.
Monday, 17 September 2007
Mutharika “shuts down” Parliament
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has prorogued the House until the 40th Budget Session scheduled to start next in May 2008, a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly Louis Chimango, sources at State House have revealed to Nyasa Times.
Parliament met this morning but adjourned after the Speaker could not provide a definite answer to a backbencher’s question who wanted enlightenment on what was being done to the Section 65 petitions since all injunctions had been withdrawn.
Government was incensed throwing the House to a turmoil that forced the Speaker to temporarily adjourn the sitting to pave way for the business committee to meet.
While Parliament was in adjournment, President Mutharika sent a memorandum to the Speaker's office instructing him to announce the prolongation of the National Assembly.
Chimango’s letter addressed to Leader of the House, Leader of Opposition, and Business Committee members say Mutharika has "shut down" Parliament with effect from 12:30 pm today.
“I hereby inform you that I received a communication from His Excellency the President that the current 39th Session has been prorogued with effect from 12:30 pm today, Friday 13th September 2007,” Chimango’s letter reads.
Sources say the Attorney General Pastor Jane Ansah advised the executive that since the injunctions were made under the court’s seal, they could not simply be withdrawn.
Mutharika has prorogued the House in accordance to Section 59 (1b) of the Constitution.
"the President may, in consultation with the Speaker of the relevant Chamber, prorogue the National Assembly or the Senate."
An analyst who did not want to be named accused the executive of “shear deceit and not acting in good faith as the parliamentary standoff resolution was a win – win situation.
“It is very bad for a man whose reputation is so smeared with deceitfulness to trick legislators by prolonging the parliamentary sitting,” he said.
Business committee will meet on Monday, 11:00 am and all opposition parties have said will be holding emergency meetings to map the way forward on how to counter Mutharika’s “deceitful” maneuvers. The parties are likely to hold a joint caucus on Monday as well.
Parliament met this morning but adjourned after the Speaker could not provide a definite answer to a backbencher’s question who wanted enlightenment on what was being done to the Section 65 petitions since all injunctions had been withdrawn.
Government was incensed throwing the House to a turmoil that forced the Speaker to temporarily adjourn the sitting to pave way for the business committee to meet.
While Parliament was in adjournment, President Mutharika sent a memorandum to the Speaker's office instructing him to announce the prolongation of the National Assembly.
Chimango’s letter addressed to Leader of the House, Leader of Opposition, and Business Committee members say Mutharika has "shut down" Parliament with effect from 12:30 pm today.
“I hereby inform you that I received a communication from His Excellency the President that the current 39th Session has been prorogued with effect from 12:30 pm today, Friday 13th September 2007,” Chimango’s letter reads.
Sources say the Attorney General Pastor Jane Ansah advised the executive that since the injunctions were made under the court’s seal, they could not simply be withdrawn.
Mutharika has prorogued the House in accordance to Section 59 (1b) of the Constitution.
"the President may, in consultation with the Speaker of the relevant Chamber, prorogue the National Assembly or the Senate."
An analyst who did not want to be named accused the executive of “shear deceit and not acting in good faith as the parliamentary standoff resolution was a win – win situation.
“It is very bad for a man whose reputation is so smeared with deceitfulness to trick legislators by prolonging the parliamentary sitting,” he said.
Business committee will meet on Monday, 11:00 am and all opposition parties have said will be holding emergency meetings to map the way forward on how to counter Mutharika’s “deceitful” maneuvers. The parties are likely to hold a joint caucus on Monday as well.
WFP to increase HIV/AIDS food handouts in Malawi
The United Nations World Food Programme will nearly double food handouts for HIV/AIDS sufferers in Malawi largely due to a donation from the southern African nation's government, the WFP said on Monday.
Buoyed by bumper harvests, Malawi donated 10,425 tonnes of maize to the U.N. agency last week.
The WFP was providing monthly food assistance to more than 110,000 HIV/AIDS patients in the impoverished country before the donation. It was also feeding an additional 1,500 malnourished mothers and children in feeding centers around the country.
In a statement it said it would now be able to help feed a peak of 203,000 people in November and December.
"Food is absolutely crucial to the fight against HIV/AIDS, and people affected by the pandemic are already starting to benefit from this latest donation by the Malawian government and thousands more will now receive vital food assistance in the coming months," Dom Scalpelli, WFP's country director for Malawi, said.
An estimated 14 percent of Malawi's 12 million people are infected with HIV or AIDS, with about 240 people dying of the disease each day. More than a million children have been orphaned by the epidemic.
After years of food shortages caused by drought, Malawi has enjoyed two consecutive good harvests. The country harvested 3.4 million tonnes of maize last year, 1.3 million tonnes more than it needed.
The rising production has prompted Malawi to sell some 400,000 tonnes of excess maize to Zimbabwe, which is mired in a deep economic crisis marked by chronic shortages of food, inflation over 7,600 percent and high unemployment and poverty.
More than 4 million Zimbabweans are expected to need food assistance by early next year, according to the WFP.
Malawi also has pledged to donate 10,000 tonnes of maize to Lesotho and Swaziland, two impoverished southern African nations that have seen their harvests decimated by extensive droughts.
Buoyed by bumper harvests, Malawi donated 10,425 tonnes of maize to the U.N. agency last week.
The WFP was providing monthly food assistance to more than 110,000 HIV/AIDS patients in the impoverished country before the donation. It was also feeding an additional 1,500 malnourished mothers and children in feeding centers around the country.
In a statement it said it would now be able to help feed a peak of 203,000 people in November and December.
"Food is absolutely crucial to the fight against HIV/AIDS, and people affected by the pandemic are already starting to benefit from this latest donation by the Malawian government and thousands more will now receive vital food assistance in the coming months," Dom Scalpelli, WFP's country director for Malawi, said.
An estimated 14 percent of Malawi's 12 million people are infected with HIV or AIDS, with about 240 people dying of the disease each day. More than a million children have been orphaned by the epidemic.
After years of food shortages caused by drought, Malawi has enjoyed two consecutive good harvests. The country harvested 3.4 million tonnes of maize last year, 1.3 million tonnes more than it needed.
The rising production has prompted Malawi to sell some 400,000 tonnes of excess maize to Zimbabwe, which is mired in a deep economic crisis marked by chronic shortages of food, inflation over 7,600 percent and high unemployment and poverty.
More than 4 million Zimbabweans are expected to need food assistance by early next year, according to the WFP.
Malawi also has pledged to donate 10,000 tonnes of maize to Lesotho and Swaziland, two impoverished southern African nations that have seen their harvests decimated by extensive droughts.
L&Q managers head to Malawi
A team from L&Q Housing Association is flying out to Malawi in October after winning a coveted place in the final of The Times Leadership Challenge competition.
“Quadrant Crew”, a team of eight senior managers from across the L&Q Group, beat off challenges from sixty other companies on The Times Top 100 list to take part in the five-day final.
The event will involve hands-on participation in dedicated community projects in remote areas of Malawi, including the Majete Game Reserve 130km south of Blantyre.
The Times Leadership Challenge tests the leadership, motivational and management skills in teams of participants from a wide range of businesses, who also have to raise funds for African community aid projects.
Sixty-four teams entered this year’s competition and took part in a series of physical and mental Challenge Days throughout the summer. The semi-finals were conducted over a weekend in the Herefordshire countryside, where the teams had to stock and run a local market and organise a fashion show.
Quadrant Crew member Kevin Jones, Assistant Director of Tower Homes (L&Q's low-cost home ownership arm) said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have reached the final and to be able to represent L&Q at this level.
"It required teamwork, co-operation and adaptability and our competitors in the semi-finals included major international companies, so we’re proud to have been able to take them on and win.”
The final five days in Malawi promises to be tough and aims to leave long-term benefits for the communities. Based at the Majete Game Reserve and at Salima on Lake Malawi, the tasks will include working with staff at the Reserve and funding and then completing a badly need school block with two new classrooms.
Quadrant Crew are hoping that their inside knowledge of house building might just give them the competitive edge.
Wrangling marks Central African Synod
Wrangling over Robert Mugabe, homosexuality, the place of The Episcopal Church within the Anglican Communion, and the aspirations of national churches, marked the General Synod of the Province of Central Africa, held Sept 6-8 in the southern Malawi town of Mangochi. Initial reports on the proceedings of Synod have been contradictory. The government backed Harare Herald reported the Province had been dissolved, following the withdrawal of the Zimbabwe dioceses, angered over an insufficiently fierce condemnation of homosexuality and the Western Churches. However, the Bishop of Botswana, the Rt Rev Trevor Mwamba emailed Religious Intelligence saying the “Province is still intact.”
Preliminary reports from Malawi indicate a conservative turn within the Province. Three Zimbabwe dioceses, led by the controversial Bishop of Harare, Dr Nolbert Kunonga, were able to block resolutions proposed by Bishop Mwamba on the crisis in Zimbabwe. They argued such political matters were beyond the scope of the Province’s deliberations and meddled in the political affairs of the sovereign dioceses and countries. Taking up the cry of homosexuality, Dr Kunonga was able to shift attention away from the political and economic crisis in the region on to the disputes within the Anglican Communion. A resolution reiterating the Provinces commitment to the principles enunciated by the 1998 Lambeth Resolution 1.10 was adopted, but Dr Kunonga is said to have rejected this stance as not sufficiently strong.
According to a report in the Herald, the Diocese of Harare and Manicaland and a third Zimbabwe diocese have quit the Province, in protest, forcing the Province to break apart. A point denied by Bishop Mwamba. Debate over dividing the diocese into three national churches: Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi were held, but no action taken. Bishop Mwamba’s conciliatory stance towards The Episcopal Church led to his removal as Provincial Dean by the Archbishop of Central Africa, Bernard Malango. The Rt Rev Albert Chama, Bishop of Northern Zambia as Dean by the church’s General Synod, which began on Sept 6 in Mangochi, Malawi. The government-backed Herald reported Bishop Mwamba was ‘relieved of his duties’ due top his ‘pro-gay’ and pro-American lobbying, and because he misrepresented ‘the province’s position on the issue of homosexuals.’
The Oxford-educated Bishop Mwamba had urged the African churches to moderate their tone on the issue of homosexuality, and address first the continent’s social and economic problems. In a June 2006 interview with The Church of England Newspaper in London, conducted during the US Church’s General Convention, Bishop Mwamba stated he supported the 1998 Lambeth stance on human sexuality, but argued the Communion had become sidetracked by the issue at the expense of the poor. Last week’s Synod will be the last for the church’s primate. Archbishop Bernard Malango turns 65 in January and is expected to retire at that time. The new Dean, Bishop Chama, will oversee the election of a successor and will serve as acting primate.
Provincial canons require the empty Episcopal sees of Lake Malawi and Archbishop Malango’s soon to be vacant diocese of Upper Shire be filled before a new Archbishop is elected. The on-going wrangle over the disputed 2005 election of London vicar Nicholas Henderson in Lake Malawi, may give Bishop Chama a longer than expected interim. The replacement of Bishop Mwamba by Bishop Chama may indicate a conservative tilt. Bishop Mwamba is scheduled to address the Modern Churchperson’s Conference on the question of African Anglicanism, while Bishop Chama is a member of the Ekklesia Society -- the development and relief agency headed by Bishop Bill Atwood, one of two Americans consecrated in Nairobi by the Kenyan church to oversee conservative US congregations.
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