Malawi beats Mozambique

Malawi national football team popularly known as the Flames on Sunday impressively beat Mozambique's Mambas 2-1 at Civo Stadium in the country's capital of Lilongwe in the newly introduced Africa Cup of Nations for locals.

The Flames scored their first goal just a few minutes after recess through their dangerous striker Noel Mkandawire before adding the second in the 70th minute through midfielder Davie Banda.

However the Mambas despite being put under pressure for the better part of the second half, they crawled back to score their consolation in the 87th minute.

The goal rejuvenated the visitors who could have levelled the scores on the dot of fulltime through a free kick which hit the crossbar but it was too late as the Flames stood firm to finish the game at 2-1.

Malawi’s British coach Stephen Costantine who has been under intense pressure to resign due to his back to back losses was all full of joy.

“It’s good that we have won because it was a tough and difficult game as Mozambique showed that they are a good side,” said Costantine.

He also promised that the Flames would do everything possible to win the second leg this coming Sunday in Nampula to proceed to next round.

Mozambique’s Assistant coach Miguel Chau said they were still in a better position to proceed to the next round.

“It was a good game but Malawi played at home and had an obligation to win,” he said.

Malawi’s impressive win comes amidst other friendly wins last month when the Flames beat Swaziland and Namibia 3-0 and 3-1 respectively.

China, Malawi to further bilateral ties

BEIJING, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Communist Party of China (CPC) highly values its relationship with Malawian Democratic Progress Party (DPP), and is willing to carry out multi-level and effective exchanges and cooperation with DPP, said senior CPC official Zhou Yongkang on Tuesday.

Zhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during his meeting with Dr. H. Ntaba, general secretary of the Malawian DPP, here.

Zhou welcomed Ntaba's visit, saying the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Malawi last year was a milestone in the history of bilateral ties, which is proven to be in line with the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

Friendly exchanges between the two countries have been carried out smoothly in various fields over the past three months, and China is willing to further push forward the long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, said Zhou.

Dr. H. Ntaba introduced Malawi's political and economic situations, saying that his visit is another important step in Malawi's efforts to further develop friendly relations with China. Malawi President Bingu Wa Mutharika paid a seven-day visit to China between March 24 to 30.

Ntaba spoke highly of China's economic development, stressing that DPP would strengthen exchanges with the CPC in various fields and at all levels, in a bid to consolidate the relationship between the two countries.

China and Malawi established diplomatic ties on Dec. 28, 2007.

Malawi host Candlelight memorial

Malawi will this year hold the 25th Anniversary of International Aids Candlelight Memorial which is scheduled for next month.

The Global Health Council chose the Warm Heart of Africa as the site of the Opening Ceremony to officially commemorate the launch of the worldwide 25th Anniversary Candlelight Memorial May 2008.

The Council will be partnering with the Malawi Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (MANET+) for the ceremony, which will include lighting of the official candle

The southern Africa’s Secretary for Nutrition and HIV/Aids in the office of the president and Cabinet Mary Shawa said Thursday when briefing members of district assemblies from the central region that the Candlelight Memorial will be held under the theme ‘Never Give up, Never Forget.’

Speaking to the local paper of the Nation on Sunday, Shawa called upon assemblies to prepare thoroughly for the event expected to attract international dignitaries to learn and appreciate efforts being taken by the country.

“This year’s event will be special as it will attract international health organisations, the media and reputable dignitaries from all over the world,” she said.

Like last year’s event, the 2008 event will also take place at district level.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a program of the Global Health Council, is among the world’s oldest movements by civil society for HIV/AIDS remembrance, awareness and community action.

The historic memorial started in 1983 and takes place every third Sunday in May and is led by some 1,200 volunteer Candlelight Coordinators in 119 countries who host vigils for their communities.

The Candlelight Memorial is also more than just a memorial as offers an opportunity to educate about AIDS, advocate for policy change, foster partnerships and community dialogue, and improve skills for community mobilization.

With 33 million people estimated to be infected worldwide, the Candlelight serves as an important uniting intervention among civil society and their governments, breaking down social barriers, and giving hope to future generations.

The Candlelight Memorial program encourages governments and international leaders to improve policies that affect the conditions of affected communities.

In another development the Irish Republic is set to assist towards Malawi’s 2008/2009 national budget besides the support it renders to individual groups in the country.

“Expect support in the central budget programme,” said Irish Envoy Liam MacGabhann without going into details.

Ireland already commits 10 million Euros about 22 billion Malawi Kwacha by supporting various partners in fighting malnutrition and capacity building.